Northcote faces Takapuna on Saturday 22 July in the Premier 1 final with 12 wins and 2 losses vs Taka’s 10 wins and 4 losses. ‘Cote tops the table on 59 points and the Big Blue Truck finished 3rd on 51. They both toppled their opposition in tight games in the semi-finals with a late penalty to Northcote and a late drop goal to Takapuna last Saturday but during the season Northcote won both encounters – in round 2 on 8 April it was 35-31 to Cote and again the maroon and golds won 19-16 in round 11 on 10 June. Neighbours since forever with Takapuna established in 1934 and Northcote in 1929 playing in the Auckland competitions, both clubs have a strong and vibrant history with big junior contingents, with Takapuna winning the Gallaher shield in 1940 and 1980 across the bridge.
Both clubs are very much part of the fabric of North Harbour and have had many tussles over the decades. They have gone head to head in Senior A or Premier 1 finals twice before with Takapuna coming out on top 20-13 in 2009 and thumping ‘Cote 46-6 in 1995. Takapuna has been in the finals 19 times in 32 years of North Harbour club rugby winning on 12 occasions in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 in a golden period then again 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 but their most recent visit to QBE Stadium was a loss last season to Massey by a drop kick in the dregs of extra time. Northcote has been in the finals five times winning on three occasions 1989 and 1990 in the early days and most recently in 2010.
There will some talent on display with Bryn Gatland in strong form for Taka, along with Shane Neville and Josh Tyrell and the mercurial Jon Elrick. For Northcote Murphy Taramai will lead an industrious pack and young Jack Bergin will control their game well. Northcote has done pretty well in the last five years and the final placing for 2017 will mean a lot to the maroon and gold crew. Takapuna has the history behind them with all those finals wins but it has been Northcote’s season so far with only two losses, plus they have beaten the Truck twice which will be playing on their blue and gold minds but Takapuna have steadily kicked on and upwards. So who is it going to be in 2017, come along and see an outstanding and hard fought Premier 1 final at 3pm on QBES Stadium!
The Colts(U21) Final is curtain-raiser Massey vs East Coast Bays which again will be good tussle. East Coast Bays won the first round game 20-12 on 29 April and Massey won the return game in round 2 on 10 June 35-30. Massey topped the table with 63 points with one loss with Bays only slightly astern on 61, Bays only other loss to North Shore narrowly, early in the season. East Coast Bays have won the Colts(U21) championship on four occasions 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1992 with Massey winning twice in 1993 and 2007. The game kicks-off at 1pm and again will be an intriguing fixture with several Under 19 representatives on display giving it all for their club and supporters.
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