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Mahurangi College 1st XV came home with the silverware on Saturday, August 21 when they trounced Westlake 30-7 to win the North Harbour 1st XV B Final.
The win was extra sweet for Mahurangi who had made the finals in the two previous years, but was then robbed of the opportunity to play beyond the semi-finals due to Covid.
“We finally got there,” co-coach Howard Cooper said.
Captained by Jared Membrey, the team led throughout the final playing what Cooper described as “old style of rugby”.
“They kicked, applied the pressure and usually came away with points. The last two games they played were probably their best – everything seemed to gel.”
Cooper, who shares the coaching work with Eli Halman and Ray Beamish, put the team’s winning performance down to leadership within the team, a belief in themselves and a desire to win.
“We’ve had these boys since they seven and eight year olds so we couldn’t be prouder of what they’ve achieved.”
Two players – first-five Cam Taylor and lock Mark (Gus) Berger – have been selected for the North Harbour Under 18 development squad.
Meanwhile, in the North Harbour Youth 16 final, also played at North Harbour Stadium on August 21, Mahurangi stole a convincing win against Takapuna Grammar 32-12.
It was the first A Grade final win for the Mahurangi youth team since 1999.
Coached by Heath Colthurst (backs) and Tim Male (forwards), and captained by Blake Ryburn, the team finished the season unbeaten, only missing the bonus point in one game.
Manager Sam Ryburn says it was beating schools like Rosmini College that made Mahu believe it could go all the way.
“Some of the schools had 30 and 40 in their squad, whereas we had 18,” Ryburn says. “It made it pretty difficult juggling Covid and injuries, but the players bonded and learned to rely on each other. Having a small squad turned out to be our strength.”
Special mention was made of centre Tommy Durban-Burgess, who scored two tries in the final and “kicked a few goals”.
“It was a nervous couple of weeks leading up to the final, deciding who to put in the team. When the final whistle blew they were all a bit quiet – I don’t think they could believe they’d done it.”
Ryburn says the bulk of the team will move into the 1st XV next year, which augurs well for the future of rugby at the school.
