Premiers 2023

Semi Final time had Northcote Prem 1s travel down the one-way road to Vauxhall to play unbeaten North Shore.

Northcote kicked off playing towards the North Shore clubrooms. Immediately Northcote were playing the up-tempo game that they had been developing all year. Northcote #15 Dylan Chesney was first to score, cutting through the North Shore back line to score in the corner. The try was unconverted. It wasn’t long before Northcote was again scoring when #10 Jack Bergin found space with no one in front of him 30 meters out and gassed it to touch down under the post. With the conversion going over, the score was 12-0 after 10 minutes. North Shore were shell shocked and looked like they had been ambushed. They regrouped and, through their big forwards, started to hold on to the ball and attacked the Northcote line, getting over twice to take the lead at 12-12. Next to score was Northcote with a penalty to Bergin, which left the half-time score with Northcote 15 to North Shore 14.

The second half was as pulsation as the first, with the ball moving up and down the field and both teams playing like it was a final. North Shore took their chances and converted two penalties to have a 20-15 lead. Northcote also had their chances and was unlucky not to add to the score. Making a 20-15 loss for a team that has improved game-by-game during the season.

All the Northcote players played with passion and for each other. Karl Ruzich was everywhere, along with Bryn Gordon, showing why they are Harbour NPC players. Captain Danny Drake led the team at the front and heads to Invercargill today to join the Southland NPC team. One player who stood out was Micah Aish. He has improved all season and was the Northcote player of the day.

Special mention should also go to Finlay Barnett, the team trainer, and Dom Roe, the team physio. They have prepared the team each week professionally and are an essential part of the team.

It was also the final game for Coach Joe Kuruaanga, who decided to step down after 19 years with the Cote. Joe is a fine Cote man who the team and the Club will miss.

Finally, the team would like to thank the Club and all the supporters who were there for us every weekend. Sorry, we couldn’t get the final we all wanted. But we are a young team, and 2024 will be our year. LTC!