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

It was a case of fourth time lucky for Coastal who won their maiden Taranaki premier championship in 2009, beating Inglewood 16-0 at Yarrow Stadium.

Since the amalgamation of Opunake, Rahotu and Okato in 1995, Coastal made three finals before 2009 and came unstuck against New Plymouth Old Boys’ in 1998, 2007 and 2008, on all occasions.

However, after 15 years and in their third consecutive final, Coastal became the champions of the premier division on a fine August afternoon.

This was a season to remember for Coastal who kept their opposition scoreless in the final series. A week prior, they beat Tukapa 26-0, after losing to them a week earlier in the final round robin match.

There was a lot of hype around this final as both sides claimed a win each in the regular season – Coastal on a fine day and Inglewood in the mud. Coastal had the best record during the season only losing three matches in 18 outings.  

Joe Lawn, who originally started coaching the side, ended up playing during the season and said the semi-final set Coastal up for the win.

“We defended well in the semi-final against Tukapa and then that gave us confidence heading into the final. We had plenty of finals experience but no experience in winning one.”

That defensive effort was evident in the final played in front of 3,500 spectators. Coastal denied Inglewood opportunities, despite having most of the territory and possession.

A Te Waiti Mareikura penalty and a Gareth Goodin try gave Coastal an 8-0 lead at the break.

Inglewood missed three shots at goal during the match.

Mareikura scored again and Mark Davis slotted a drop kick, despite having a sore leg before the match, to have the final say. The celebrations then began.

Along with Davis, James Murphy, James Langton, Phil Barron and Rhys Morgan had been to plenty of finals before and were the core group of experienced players, according to Lawn.

Phil Barron, who had played in four previous finals, the first in 1998 as a 19-year-old, said the win was more of a relief than anything else.

“There was jubilation after the game. It was a monkey off our backs.”

Heading into the final, Barron had a feeling it was going to be their year.

“We had a lot of senior guys in key positions who had played in finals before. It was a really balanced team who had a lot of energy.”  

Coastal committee member, stalwart and father of Phil, Ray Barron said he remembered the 2007 final well. It was played in driving rain with water up to the players ankles and flowing down the tunnel of the main stand.

However, the 2009 win has stuck with him as a proud moment for the club and his family.

“I had two sons playing in that final. Phil said before the game ‘if we don’t win this one, I don’t think I will ever win a championship’. After that he carried on playing for four or five more seasons.”

Ray Barron said it was ‘pandemonium’ back at the clubrooms after the match as the celebrations went on well into the night.

However, Ray Barron said the club has always had great support.

“After the amalgamation, we took the games to the people. We played at Opunake, Okato and Rahotu. That’s stayed with the club to this day,” he said.   

Then Coastal Chairman Peter Burnnand said it is vital for any club to win a championship.

“You got to have one every now and again. It gets members and sponsors excited. It was a good time for us as the Bs [Senior Bs] and Senior Thirds won a few championships.

“We picked up a new sponsor or two and a few more members,” he said.

The final was also referee Richard Kelly’s first after being earmarked for high honours. After that, he went onto referee first-class rugby and now is now the world’s most capped international sevens referee.

Coastal 16 (G. Goodin, T. Mareikura tries; T Mareikura pen; M. Davis dropped goal)

Inglewood 0

HT: 8-0

Coastal:

James Perry, Gareth Goodin, Chris Barron Tewaiti Mareikura, Phil Barron, Mark Davis, Daniel Warren, Jamie Taylor, Nick Lawn, Joe Lawn, Patrick Stevenson, Andrew Lane, Daniel Middlemiss, James Murphy, Rhys Morgan. Reserves: Michael Julian, Frank Young, Kelvin Weir, James Langton, Rick McKenna, Hamish Lawn, David Fleming. Coach: Kevin Walden, Assistant Coach: Dee Luckin

Inglewood:

Jarrad Peters, Luke Harvey, Rowan Burgess, Faapolou Soolefai, Brian Norton, James McSeveny, Lyndsay Horrocks, Germaine Anaha, Tom Zimmerman, Reece Milham, Brendon Lyon, Cameron Gall, Jake Eti, Timo Tutavaha, Lance White. Reserves: Pete Peri, Berry Asi, Paul Duynhoven, Mike Spice, Damian Horgan, Duncan Corlett/Paul Petrowski, Mike Hale. Coaches: Ian Marshall and Owen Burgess.

Referee: Richard Kelly

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: Thursday 14 May 2020