MITRE 10 CUP CHAMPIONS!

I now know exactly what Graham Henry felt when he spoke with a tear in his eye about winning the 2011 RWC, and the peace that it brings.

This evening, our boys yet again embraced the underdog status and proved the naysayers wrong, producing one of the most superb wins in our unions history.

It was a tough start with Otago leaping ahead to a 7 point lead after 3 minutes through a try to Otago left wing Fa'asiu Fuatai, but it was graft, gritty defence, and the defiant 'we-will-NEVER-give-up' attitude that got us through 80 minutes of brutally hard slog, and onto the winners podium.

Glenn Preston was yellow carded for a professional foul on our goal line, but while he was off the field, Michael Little scored an unbelievable try in the corner that had the officials scratching their heads for many minutes, and eventually awarded our first try of the night. The kick went wide but after 18 minutes it was 7-5 to the hosts. Preston returned and you could sense the teams self belief building, and after a long period of not troubling the scoreboard, Gatland put his first 3 pointer over to give our boys the lead at 39 minutes 8-7. Play continued and we were awarded ANOTHER penalty making the halftime score 11-8 to us.

The second half started well and Gatland made the score 14-7 after 43, and it wasn't until the 50th minute that Tom Franklin went over for Otago after a quality kick chase from the home sides backs. the conversion was good to make it 14-14.

Again the scorers had time to cook a roast before the next points were registered as both teams tested each others defence through expansive back play, rumbling forward momentum and strategic kicking with neither team prepared to give an inch. 

Not till the 79th minute anyway. 

With 2 minutes left, we generated forward momentum up the centre of the field through the forwards, steaming past the 10m, and 22m lines in Otago territory, and just as we encroached into their red zone, Chris Smylie delivered a peach to Bryn Gatland in the pocket who dropped a goal from out in front to give us the lead with 30s on the clock. 

We received the kick off, recycled the ball, and with a punt into the grandstand of Forsyth Barr Stadium, we became the Winners of the Mitre 10 Cup Championship for 2016.

The pride and belief that we have in these men, and that they have in themselves, enabled this triumph, and was the perfect way to see coach Steve Jackson off in his final game at the helm before taking on his new post at The Blues.

Thanks to all our supporters, families, volunteers, management, and sponsors for what has turned out to be the greatest year in our history.
BRING ON THE PREMIERSHIP IN 2017!

North Harbour 17 (Michael Little try; Bryn Gatland 3 pen, dg) 
Otago 14 (Fa'asiu Fuatai, Tom Franklin tries; Fletcher Smith 2 con) HT: 11-7