Taranaki Rugby looks back at some memorable finals played as part of the CMK club rugby flashback.

They were clear underdogs, but Clifton beat six-time defending champions New Plymouth Old Boys’ 18-16 in the 1999 club final – but only just.

Beaten twice by Old Boys’ in round robin play and due to their record, the Taranaki Daily News tipped the New Plymouth side as clear favourites.

Old Boys’ were stacked with current and former Taranaki representatives, who had experienced many victories, while the newspaper described Clifton as a ‘no nonsense type of side short on stars.’   

The final, played in front of 4000 spectators at New Plymouth’s Rugby Park, was defined by two drop goals in the last few minutes.

The first, by New Plymouth Old Boys’ first five-eighth Dion Herlihy gave his side a 16-15 lead, in what seemed like the final play of the match according the reactions from the players. However, referee Brian McDonald’s clock had time to play.  

After the kick-off, Old Boys’ pivot Dean Magon attempted to run the ball out but Clifton regained possession. Ranging loose forward Scott Brennan stormed down the sideline for Clifton before being bundled into touch and there was still time left!

The Clifton forwards pinched one against the throw and halfback Richard Jarman fired a long pass to first five Anthony Callaghan. Callaghan, standing deep, slotted a wobbly drop-kick which barely cleared the crossbar to win the match. Clifton supporters rushed onto the field in celebration, as the Old Boys players were slumped on their haunches.

The score ruined what had been a history making tenure for Old Boys, as Clifton won their 11^th title. They had tasted victory seven years earlier, before Old Boys’ run of form.  

As the drop-kick was about to be taken, it would have been an intense moment for the Clifton supporters and one that Callaghan remembers well.

“I don’t remember too much of the match, just the last five minutes to be honest. After the Old Boys’ drop kick we wanted to get back down into their half and try get one ourselves,” he said.

Callaghan, who played 11 matches for Taranaki between 1995 and 1996, was standing between the 22 and 10-meter lines waiting for Jarman’s pass.  

“I remember seeing the ball come off my boot, but I couldn’t see the ball after that because the sun was in my eyes. I just heard the Clifton supporters behind the posts cheering and the final whistle and I just knew it went over.”

Not only did Callaghan provide a dramatic climax, he also played a key role in a tight match.

In the first half, Callaghan scored a try in the corner after Clifton chose a quick tap after a penalty close to the line.

15 minutes into the second half, he sliced through and offloaded to centre Kerry Eynon who scored under the posts. An Aaron Broughton conversion gave Clifton a 15-13 lead – a score line that remained until the final two minutes.

However, Callaghan credits the entire team for what happened that day.

“We backed our defence and plays, we had each other’s backs,” he said.

“Old Boys were full of stars; it was like taking a knife to a gun fight, but we pulled through.”

In 1992, the Waitara community was on a high after winning the final and that was reignited after the 1999 win.

“Everyone was happy again after that. Finals can do some amazing things to clubs.”

Three of the seven finales on the day were decided in the final minutes, providing a brilliant day out for punters alike.

Clifton:
Aaron Broughton, Brent Simpson, Kerry Eynon, Gerrard Bouterey, Danny Finnigan, Anthony Callaghan, Richard Jarman (c), Reece Vesty, Richard Taylor, Leighton Montgomerie, Scott Breman, Brent Pringle, Ross Bennett, Andrew Jarman, Kelly Finnigan. Reserves: Greg Simpson, Kelly Moeahu, Brent Hutchinson, Colin Edin, Aaron Cook, Tim Tuffey, Mark Cooper.

New Plymouth Old Boys’:
Mark Urwin, Salevi Tiatia, Dean Magon, Nick Hohaia, Tony Williams, Dion Herlihy, Richard Taylor, Campbell Feather, Thomas Trowern, Andy Slater (c), Robbie Campbell, Chris Luke, Phil Mitchell, Dawson Tamati, Stephen Barkley. Reserves: Paula Vatuvei, Able Robertson, Steve Roylance, Carey Davis, Brad Haig, Craig Richards, Hamish Mitchell.

CMK Chartered Accountants are proud partners of Taranaki club rugby. CMK Chartered Accountants have been providing accounting, taxation and business development support to clients for nearly 70 years. They take pride in working closely with their clients at all stages of growth, to structure their business to maximise both profit and efficiency.

Article added: Wednesday 29 April 2020