Sign In / Register
It has been an outstanding season for Silverdale Rugby Club, with success across the grades and its U85kg side securing a third consecutive North Harbour championship before turning its attention to the national stage.
Silverdale U85s completed an unbeaten North Harbour campaign with a hard-fought 17-10 victory over Massey in the championship final at Silverdale War Memorial Park on July 25.
Massey had also pushed Silverdale during the regular season, with Silverdale winning their earlier encounter 23-19 at Moire Park. The U85s then defeated Northcote 45-7 in the semifinal before again getting past Massey to lift the title for the third year in a row.
With the North Harbour championship secured, Silverdale entered the NZ Rugby U85kg National Club Cup under the Silverdale Procut Truffle Pigs name.
Their national campaign included a 22-21 win over defending champions High School Old Boys LightBears, before Silverdale booked its place in the grand final with a commanding 39-0 semifinal victory over Tukapa.
As Hibiscus Matters went to print, the Truffle Pigs were preparing to face Pōneke Wanderers in the national grand final at North Harbour Stadium on Sunday, September 6.
Check back at localmatters.co.nz on Monday for the result.
The match offered Silverdale the chance to settle some unfinished business after Pōneke knocked the side out of last year’s competition following a 29-29 draw after extra time. With the teams unable to be separated on tries scored or converted tries, Pōneke advanced because it had scored the first try of the match.
Silverdale U85s manager James Wilcock says the team was hoping for plenty of local support in the stands.
“Eighty minutes of rugby for our team to complete the perfect season,” he says.
The U85s’ success has been one highlight in a strong season across Silverdale Rugby Club, says club manager Nick Mulvaney.
The Ze Builds Premier Men enjoyed another good year, with several players earning selection for NPC rugby, while the Anita Dobson and Co Premier Women continued to deliver strong results and help grow the women’s game at the club.
Silverdale’s U21s and Premier Twos also had successful seasons, with player development remaining a major focus.
Mulvaney says the club has also been strengthening player pathways and building closer relationships with Ōrewa and Whangaparāoa Colleges’ rugby.
Almost 800 junior players have also taken the field this season, while the Presidents continue to provide the backbone of the club’s grassroots rugby community.
With winter rugby drawing to a close, Silverdale will soon turn its attention to Summer Touch, which runs from October through to February.
