The Taumarunui under-13s with the Jim Gibb Shield after defeating Taupō United 24-19 in the final of the King Country Rugby under-13 grade. Photo supplied
It was a final fitting for the ages.
The King Country Rugby Union under-13 team produced an absolutely thrilling contest at Owen Delany Park in Taupō last Saturday as Taumarunui upset hosts Taupō United Titans 24-19 in the final to win the Jim Gibb Shield.
There were fantastic tries, big hits, breakdown turnovers, cracking runs, superb passes – everything a good rugby game possesses as they battled it out for the overall title.
Taupō won the contest between the two earlier in the season, which was Taumarunui’s only loss of the campaign, and fittingly the loss in the final was Taupō’s first, so it was the perfect time to reverse the ledger.
Assistant coach John Steele said it was a cracking game of rugby and the team were chuffed to win the final.
“They beat us earlier in the season, so it was great to get one back on them and win the final.”
He said they were a fantastic bunch of kids to coach.
“They took in what we said and were willing to listen and learn to help them get better and they showed that in the final as everyone played incredibly well.”
Taumarunui last won the title back in 2013 with a team that featured All Black Josh Lord.
Steele said they adopted a different game plan for the final and the kids took it on board and played superbly.
“We taught them the pick and go and adapted that style of play for the final to try and draw in some of the Taupō defenders and then give our backs some space.
“It worked well. It was a great game of rugby that went right until the final whistle because even though we were leading they were the sort of team who could score a try from anywhere on the field.”
Although they had to travel to Taupō for the final, Steele said the team loved the experience.
“They got to play on the main field at Owen Delany Park, get ready in the changing rooms and run out through the tunnel on to the field; that’s something pretty special for the kids as it’s not every day they get experiences like that.”
Taumarunui scored a couple of outstanding tries early to race out to a 10-0 lead before Taupō converted a try, and from then on it was blow for blow.
The team came together in February, so it’s been a long campaign but one which was worth it.
“We weren’t the biggest team. Some of the sides had some big boys but we had guts and character and a never-give-up attitude. Part way through the season we were going pretty well, so we just tried to keep things going from there.”
Deek Mahu was the side’s main coach, while Steele, Charlie Hopkirk, Blair Bacon and Himona Knowles all helped throughout the season.
Steele said about half the side should return next year, while the other half will move on to bigger and better things at high school.
In the under-13 division, there were three Taupō teams, and sides from Piopio, Ōtorohanga, Waitete, Tongariro United and Taumarunui in what was an exciting competition.
Taumarunui also featured several girls, making for a good mix among the team, who were full of smiles when the final whistle blew last Saturday.
Depending on how the Taumarunui Eels go this weekend, and the following one if they make the final, the side could have bragging rights in the town for the next 12 months.
Meanwhile, a large chunk of the club’s under-9s and under-11s players have been selected to take part in the North v South Games being held at Owen Delany Park on July 15.
