SPY ON THE BANK - Hikurangi favourites on paper

It may be a common cliche that neither side deserved to lose.
I refer to last Saturday's semifinal between the Moerewa Tigers and the Takahiwai Warriors. This crucial match was thrown into some disarray for players and supporters by a last minute transfer away from Okara Park. A big call that upset a number of supporters.
The lack of a scoreboard at the Tikipunga field had the spectators continually at a loss to keep in touch with a scoreline that see-sawed for the full 80 minutes. The final score of 36-28 in favour of the Tigers left the more fancied Warriors players and supporters absolutely gutted, and it was a sad ending to their 75th Jubilee year.
The after-match atmosphere was a cross between a wedding and a tangi depending on which camp you were in. One spectator who was licking his lips with glee was Hikurangi CEO Jim Lees, who gave me the impression his mob had the measure of the Moerewa Tigers for the grand final this Saturday at Jubilee Park (kick-off at 2.30pm).
The Stags will go in as favourites on paper. This will not count for a lot as the favourites do not hold a mortgage on this title, as past records will prove. I well recall the 1999 Grand Final when a red-hot Westend Jumbos side, who went through the season unbeaten, fell at the last hurdle 28-24 to ... guess who? The Stags.
Joe Rau was one of the star players in that Westend side and he will be a key to the Stag's performance as he has been all season. Rau will no doubt come in for some attention from the Tiger's enforcers, and his response could have a bearing on this all-important encounter.
* Fitting finale
Would you believe it ... there was a time when the Whangarei District Rugby League had 13 clubs competing actively in the local competition.
Before World War Two sent the league into recess, Jubilee Park was trampled under the boots of Kamo, Whakawaro, Whangaruru, Ngunguru, Hikurangi, Pipiwai, Kensington City, Hukerenui, Athletic, Celtic, Portland and Takahiwai.
Of these, we still have Takahiwai, Portland and Hikurangi, who have weathered the stormy years. It is of note the bulk of these clubs were situated around the Hikurangi district and when the sport was at its strongest there was an intense rivalry in the Hikurangi area.
It seems fitting that after all these years the Hikurangi club has once again stormed through to another final. This Saturday's match will be preceded by a Northland under-15 rep trial at 1pm. Players passes are suspended.