By Campbell Burnes - NZ Herald
North Harbour
(ASB Cup final)
Northcote 17 v Takapuna 15
(Plate final)
North Shore 26 Marist 6
Northcote have won their fourth North Harbour premier championship and, for the second time in two weeks, replacement back Ben Searle was the toast of the club.
The 17-15 victory over Takapuna was as tight as all the pundits had predicted and Searle delivered in the clutch, as he did in last week's 21-19 semi-final win over East Coast Bays, with a penalty goal in the 83rd minute.
Northcote halfback Sean Law scored the sole try of the decider, played in atrocious weather conditions at QBE Stadium. First five Jack Bergin assumed the goalkicking duties and banged over three penalties, while his opposite Bryn Gatland slotted five penalty goals to keep Takapuna right in the contest. The lead changed hands several times in the second half until Takapuna nosed ahead 15-14 with just six minutes to play.
In a dramatic finale, Northcote won a penalty and lineout after the hooter had sounded, edged field possession and set for the drop goal. Takapuna was, however, penalised at the ruck, and Searle did the rest. The Northcote team song was belted out with gusto.
North Shore claimed the Plate final, 26-6 over a young Marist side that should be very competitive in 2018. New Harbour signing Jarrad Hoeata had a run for Shore.
In the Under 21 grade East Coast Bays pulled away to win 19-8 over Massey in another enthralling final on QBE Stadium. Bays was 9-8 ahead at the break and it was anybody’s game. Both teams scored a converted try each in the game but it was Bays who got on top and with the boot of first-five Pieter Swartz secured 14 valuable points and the silverware went to East Coast Bays for the first time since 1992. Silverdale narrowly won the U21 Plate 22-20 at home over the improved Northcote U19 team.
Pictured Northcote Premier 1 - photo by John Rau
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