Counties Manukau celebrate lifting the Ranfurly Shield for the first time in the union's 58-year history. Photo / Paul Taylor
Waiuku's Kentish Hotel sounded like the spot to be last night when Counties Manukau won the Ranfurly Shield for the first time in 25 attempts.
At least that's how it sounded down the phone speaking to the union's 201-game veteran Alan Dawson.
Dawson has played the most games for Counties
stretching back to when the numbers were on the front of the jerseys. He had been out in his shed listening on the radio when his wireless broke. With a tight contest in prospect it was not a time to hesitate. He shot to the pub and was duly rewarded.
"I played in about eight challenges - I lost count after a while - including two special draws, but this is just unbelievable. I'm 58 and was in the bar with my two brothers but felt like I was playing those last few minutes. People were jumping all over me in the bar.
"They made the right call in those final minutes - you've got to run it to win it - and that's what they did. That plan would never have worked at the start, but they knew when to switch.
