2021 started with a struggle to get a team together, and it was only the Thursday before the first comp game that we managed to get enough players to field a team. Big thanks to Rosco.

Game one against Mahu 24-12 was played in terrible conditions out in Massey but was a good hit out by the team given the little preparation. Tim Webster-Vidiri showed some real strength and class, putting Rory Taylor away several times. In fact, Rory was pretty hungry that day picking up three meat pies.

A friend of mine watching that day said, "who's that Tim guy? looks like a man against boys out there, he's got amazing skills". A big compliment given Will had been a journalist for BBC Match of the day and seen some of the best professional footballers in the world in action".

Game two against Massey 44-21 was a great team performance. A little halfback, Allen Dela Cruz had turned up during the week and decided to show our forward pack how to blow people out the ruck. Tim scored 3 tries, kartel Ah-h thought he was Koroduadua in the 87 World Cup and ran over Massey with the ball in one hand on the way to the try line. Leon Marsters scored a nice try and kicked well with the boot netting a couple of conversions.

Narrow losses to Kumeu, North Shore and Marist followed by injuries to several players, and losing players to the Prem squad, saw a string of heavy losses to ECB, Silverdale, Takapuna. We then again had narrow losses to Kumeu and North Shore, therefore, qualifying for the plate semi against Kumeu, where the boys really put a shift in and got the W 16- 11, thus lining up a plate final with Silverdale up at their fortress.

The Plate Final was played on a beautiful winter's day in front of a big crowd, mainly dale supporters. We found ourselves down 24-12 at halftime, (tries to Zac Cassidy and Tim Webster-Vidiri and conversion Tim). But our heavy Cote pack had really turned up in the first 40 and this was taking its toll on the Dale side. We put in a perfect team second-half performance with two tries to Jamieson Martin and one to Tim. Our impact players came on and did the job getting us to 29-31 down with 78min on the clock. A series of penalties to us in the Dale’s 22 saw Zac Cassidy finally cross the line in the 85th minute and we converted to win 36-31! Powerful stuff and a testament to the power of one as a team. We finally played like the team we could be. All the supporters and coaching staff couldn't have been prouder!

All players showed some real promise by the end of the season. I said it all season there is so much talent amongst this unit compared with the other teams we played.

Team prize-giving awards were given to Lano Harry, Potroz Rimoni, Ethan Cave, Allen dela Cruz, Jayden Masters, Harry Johnson and Zac Cassidy.

Tyler Polley as my manager's team man. Tyler was the best trainer, communicator, and Cote man.

Big thanks to Di and Maureen for great food after home games. Always appreciated by both teams.

Much thanks to club sponsors along with team - Laser Electrical Central, Carpet Mill, Safe Haulage and Matt Taylor.

Coached by club stalwarts: Forwards: Pres and Rosco; Backs: Solly and Skelts. Loosely Managed by Turtle.

LTC, Turtle