Champions Silverdale leave cricket scores behind

By JOHN GASPARICH

Former All Black skipper and legendary coach Fred Allen was delighted when Silverdale beat North Shore 25-23 in the final of the premiership.

In the early days of Harbour rugby, when Silverdale were so often walloped by cricket scores, Allen freely gave time, technical advice and assistance to their coaches. He has continued the association since.

Allen, who the previous weekend in South Africa was asked to talk to the All Blacks and present their test jerseys, had high praise for Silverdale coach Charlie McAlister, a former Taranaki and New Zealand Maori representative.

"I'm thrilled for Charlie McAlister, he's done a great job," Allen said. "I went along a couple of times and had a talk to them. He's built a great team spirit. It was a wonderful performance."

He also praised McAlister's son Luke - "an All Black in the making" - who contributed 17 points to the Silverdale tally.

From humble beginnings, the forecast of both coaches to play entertaining rugby unfolded in the second spell.

In the first half, two even packs disputed possession without either getting on top.

Shore had experience in lock Phil Weedon and loose forwards Travis Barker and Craig Newby, while Silverdale had tall, robust locks in Greg Rawlinson and Rees Logan, and manoeuvrability in Chris Moke and Blair Foote. And then there was Willie Hafu, a pint-sized hooker absorbed in every aspect of the game.

The two backlines cancelled each other out, dangerous Shore fullback Luke Doddrell put on the deck with well-executed tackles when he joined the line.

Those tackles were vital in earning Silverdale the championship.

Warren Burton and McAlister traded first-half penalties, with the first chink appearing in the Silverdale armour in the 34th minute when a ball in the 22 was not taken cleanly and Shore wing Lingi Taukolo won the race from the tap ahead to score.

Shore led 14-9 at halftime.

Early in the second spell, Burton and McAlister added further penalties but, with the breeze at their backs, Silverdale had the territorial advantage.

Shore skipper John Buchanan showed the first signs of frustration and earned 10 minutes in the sinbin.

One man up in the pack, Silverdale kept up the pressure and earned a penalty near the posts. While eyes turned to McAlister, the diminutive Hafu took the quick tap and scored between the sticks.

McAlister converted and Silverdale led 19-17.

The lead was short-lived, with Burton landing another penalty before replacement Jonathan Hargreaves and McAlister kicked drop goals to put Silverdale five ahead with five minutes remaining.

Burton worked into position to kick his sixth penalty with three minutes to go, then Shore stormed back into the Silverdale 22. But the defence held and the final scoreline was a true indication of the merits of two good sides.

In other nailbiters, Massey beat Marist 20-18 in the plate final and Mahurangi downed Glenfield 17-16 in the bowl final.