North Shore take 3 Finals on Grades Final Day - Saturday 8 August

A large crowd turned out to watch the club grades championship finals on North Harbour Stadium and the Oval.  The rugby was great and the passion from the club supporters was committed with many turning out in their club colours with flags, jerseys, scarves, hats, wigs, face-paint and plenty of noise.

The Senior 1st’s final had an exciting conclusion for all concerned at North Harbour Stadium.  East Coast Bays clawed their way in to the lead over Marist in the middle of the second half 15-13 but late in the game Marist forwards charged down the Bays half-back’s kick, put on the pressure to score a try, take the game and the Stuart Cup 18-15.  Point scorers were:

Marist                                           East Coast Bays

Alex Florian – try                         Adrian Harrison – 2 tries    
Peter Scott – try                          Andrew Congalton - Pen
Sam Miller – try
James Roughan – pen

The U21 final saw North Shore attain a strong lead of 15-8 in the first half which was consolidated with a late try in the second half to win the Bell-Booth Cup 20-8. Point scorers were:

North Shore                                Takapuna

Kauri Mackey – try                      Gavin de Wit - try
Sam Cunningham – try             Greg Inger - pen
Kerien Wedge – try
Jason O’Toole – pen, con

The U19 final on the wind swept Oval was very close with East Coast Bays in front 12-8 at half time but North Shore took charge with their committed forward pack in the second half scoring a try to take the lead 13-12 and hold on for the win – for the second season in a row for the NHRFU cup. Point scorers were:

North Shore                              East Coast Bays

David Taylor – try                     David McMurtrie – 4 pen
Sean Sullivan – try
Campbell Johnstone - pen

The Under 85 final had the biggest and most vocal crowd on the day on the Oval.  East Coast Bays completed the season unbeaten with 18-6 win after Bays just had their nose in front 6-5 at half-time courtesy of a magnificent 45 metre drop goal from Dan “Morne” Richards.  

East Coast Bays                           Northcote

Alan Zaharia – try                          Donald Hendry - try
Matthew McGougan – try
Dan Richards – pen, drop goal, con

North Shore Senior Seconds defeated Massey Red convincingly 29-5 at Vauxhall Reserve to give Shore the trifecta on the day with three championship wins.  Takapuna Women comfortably put away Glenfield 13-3 at Onewa Domain to complete the Championships for the day.

In the Plate finals, Glenfield Senior 1st ’s beat Helensville 38-12 at Onewa Domain, Massey U21 beat Marist 36-19 at Moire Park, Takapuna U19 beat Massey 32-0 at Moire Park, and a young Kumeu U85 finished a good comeback season beating the experienced Massey side 6-3 at Moire Park.    

The Presidents grade finals day will be hosted by Massey at Moire Park this Saturday 15 August.