The Premier 2 grade finished with an exciting finals day on Saturday 5 August and the U85 semi-finals were tight and produced some great match-ups for the U85 finals to be held Saturday 12 August. Northcote Premier 2 finished up unbeaten in 2017 taking out the final 31-18 over the young Kumeu side at Harvey Wright fields in front of around 1000 spectators with both clubs well represented. Northcote started well getting out to an 8-3 lead after 25 minutes but Kumeu countered and looked strong scoring a converted try which drew a rapid and similar response from Northcote for a half-time LTC lead of 15-10. Early in the second half Kumeu went on the offensive and both teams exchanged penalties with the kickers lining up anything to gain an advantage but it was Northcote who struck next with a runaway try under the posts for a 25-13 lead. Another penalty to Northcote was notched but Kumeu put on the pressure for a lengthy spell to secure an unconverted try. However Northcote first-five Jordan Mita kept nailing his kicks for 16 points on the day to take the score out to 31-18. A late push by Kumeu looked promising but the ball was turned over and Mita cleared for touch for a convincing win in front of a big and enthusiastic crowd for Northcote’s second Championship of the 2017 season.
Match Points: Northcote – Benjamin Smith 2, Martin Watson tries; Jordan Mita 4 penalties and 2 conversions. Kumeu – Gilbert Wood, Mark Peteru-Sepu tries; JJ Hermann 2 penalties and a conversion.
In the Premier 2 Plate final at Windsor Park, East Coast Bays prevailed over Takapuna winning comfortably 27-12 and in the Bowl Final at Helensville, the ‘Ville won 39-22 over a spirited Marist in a high scoring encounter to celebrate their first year back in the Premier grades for several seasons and will be looking to improve again in 2018.
The U85 Championship semi-finals saw Kumeu just hold-off 4th placed Massey winning 27-25 at Riverhead to secure a home Championship final. Silverdale was trumped on home turf by an organised and committed Northcote side who held on to a slim 24-22 lead for the latter part of the second half defending well then taking their chances got into ‘Dale’s red zone and scored a converted try to carry the day 31-22. In the Plate semi’s Takapuna was too strong for Mahurangi winning 29-13 and East Coast Bays won by default over North Shore which was an unsatisfactory preparation for Bays for the Plate final. Northcote U85’s look like they have the momentum and determination to take a third championship in 2017 but have to front a battling Kumeu at Riverhead for the U85 Final and Takapuna are odds on the take out the Plate Final over East Coast Bays at Onewa. The U85 finals are at 2.45pm on Saturday 12 August.
Photo by John Rau of Premier 2 Championship winners - Northcote
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