History. Literally one of the greatest days in our existence, and not just because we beat the old foe.
Things, just clicked. The forwards dominated up front, old heads led the charge, younger players showed what they had learned, new players to the squad looked like they were born on the Shore, and James Parsons ran 47.5 metres untouched to score. And it was sunny.
The account was opened in the first few minutes before people had even made it to their seats, after Matt Duffie took off down the sideline, passed infield to Mat Vaega, , then back out to Shaun Stevenson. That try set the tone for the day. The conversion attempt sailed wide, but at the 3 minute mark we were 5-0 up, and on the way. We dominated possession and territory, and Auckland looked like they were trying to figure out what was happening.
Both teams traded in 3s for the next stanza, with 2 to Bryn Gatland and 1 to Jono Hickey, and after 27 minutes it was 11-3 Harbour.
Matt Vaega (my man of the match – Ed) made his Auckland and All Black opposition look decidedly average all day, and when he received a special looping pass from Chris Eves down the right flank, Matt Duffie was on the end of a draw and pass to score our 2nd try of the day. 16-3 after 28 minutes, Gatland added the extras, and things were starting to look ominous for the Blue and White, at 18-3 to Harbour at halftime.
The second half started as the first half finished, with Harbour peppering the Auckland defence, and with another Gatland penalty, a sensational try to Shaun Stevenson who collected a Bryn Hall box kick, and another conversion to Gatland, we were better than a point a minute in the second half, with the score 28-3 Harbour after 49.
Auckland hit back swiftly through forward phase play up the centre and a good platform to the right of the uprights made space for George Moala to score by the posts to give the visitors a spark of optimism. Converted, and 28-10 Harbour after 54. Also the last time Auckland would trouble the scoreboard operators.
Play was held up for an extended period after 55 minutes when Auckland first five-eighths Daniel Bowden had to be taken from the field after being injured attempting a head-on tackle on Tevita Li.
Another penalty to Gatland gave Harbour a 21 point buffer at 58 minutes and about then was when the Harbour faithful dared to believe life could be this good to us, and the murmurings started in the stands. Li, and Vaega, were in the action again in the 62nd minute after Harbour won a ruck turnover and Hall got the ball to Vaega on the blindside who fed Li in for the bonus point try.
5 minutes later, every front rower in the world received the ultimate viewing present courtesy of skipper James Parsons. Right on half way, he sticks out his wonderous right throwing hand, intercepts a speculative Auckland pass, and runs 47.5 metres to collect arguably the most crowd-roar-inducing try even seen in Albany. Gatland added 2 and the crowds murmurings increased to excited chatterings as they realised we were out to 43-10, or a 33 point lead, with11 minutes to go.
The seventh and final try came from Ben Volavola, when he fed Tevita Li in the left tramlines, stayed in support as Li went to contact, and received the offload to score under the posts. The extra 2 from Gatland made his personal tally for the day 22 points, and the record breaking day was done. Final score 57-10.
Arguably the best thing about the day though, was after the game when the crowd invaded the pitch and the players posed for pictures and signed jerseys for well over an hour until the lights went out.
Some delighted punters heard to say,
"The greatest ever family day at the rugby, The greatest ever Fathers Day, and the best game they have ever seen from the men wearing the Hibiscus".
Difficult to disagree.
(Standing slow clap)
Bravo men. Bravo.
North Harbour 57 ( Shaun Stevenson 2, Tevita Li 2, Matt Duffie, James Parsons. Ben Volavola tries; Bryn Gatland 5 con, 4 pen )
Auckland 10 (George Moala tries; Jono Hickey con, pen).
HT: 18-3
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