Tomarata create history winning second division final

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BY ROBERT SCOTT


The Tomarata RFC senior team collected their first championship trophy in 58 years after recently winning the Blackie Walters Memorial Grand Final Trophy in the Northland RFU second division competition.

Tomarata defeated Mid Western away 17–3 in the grand final at Mid Western’s home ground of Maungakaramea on July 8. The second division is an eight club competition involving mainly country rugby clubs. The division trophy is named after Blackie Walters who was ‘Mr Dargaville Old Boys’ and epitomised the essence of what rural rugby is all about.

Prior to the grand final Mid Western had only lost one match all season – the opening game of the season to Tomarata in a tight tussle – and were sitting on a 14 match winning streak. Tomarata entered the final with a 13-2 win/loss record, so both clubs knew what winning rugby was about. Tomarata had enjoyed a good 30-nil semi-final win over Southern (Te Kopuru) to march into the final, whilst Mid Western had overcome Kaihu Valley 22–13 in a tighter game in the other semi-final.

On match day Tomarata’s strong defensive game meant that Mid Western were unable to get into their stride, with tireless defensive work shutting down Mid Western’s playmakers. Possession was about equal, although Tomarata appeared to have the momentum, reaching half time with a slender 6–nil lead, thanks to two Aaron Jaques penalties. 

Midway through the second half Mid Western scored their only points via a penalty, followed up by a Richie Lockington penalty for Tomarata to take the score to 9-3. Slick passing by the backs over the course of 40 metres saw try-hungry winger Stephen McDonald dot down for the sole try of the game, much to the raptures of the large contingent of Tomarata supporters who had travelled up for the game. 

Another Richie Lockington penalty stretched the lead out to 17–3. 

As the ten minute countdown to full-time began, Tomarata’s supporters became more lively as they sensed history was about to be made. 
Special mention must be made to the engine-room boys in the forwards whose grunt delivered a steady supply of possession, and to the backs who played excellent percentage rugby to keep the enterprising Mid Western backs in check.

Captain and hooker Beau McQuarrie – who lead by example all season – paid tribute to his team (and his father Alec who is the club patron and Tomarata’s most capped player) in his acceptance speech.

“My old man has been with the club since ‘82 and never lifted a trophy – here’s to you.”

Special mention has to be made to Mid Western and their supporters who were gracious in defeat and proved themselves to be admirable hosts for a grand final.

One has to go back to the 1960 season (and prior to that the 1955 season) to when Tomarata last won a championship trophy, that being winning the Rodney Sub Union’s round-robin competition and lifting the Govan Wilson Trophy. Prior to that a ‘Matoma’ side (combined Tomarata/Matakana) has managed to lift the trophy in the 1931,1932 and 1947 seasons. Inaugurated in 1911 the Govan Wilson Trophy was to be the premier Rodney rugby trophy for the next 75 years until the formation of the North Harbour Rugby Union in 1986 which saw clubs either look towards Whangarei or North Shore for a rugby competition. 

Tomarata RFC was established in 1926 and was originally known as the United club due to strong support from Whangaripo, Matakana and Wayby. The club was renamed Tomarata in 1945, re-emerging after the war and playing at what is now known as the Tomarata Domain. The club has been at its present location on Mangawhai Road opposite the Tomarata Hall since 1964.

Finals have been relatively slim in recent decades – 1995 was the sole finals appearance in the 90s, though things have improved in recent years with appearances in 2010 and 2014 but on all previous occasions Tomarata had failed to win lift the silverware. 

The 2018 rugby season will be remembered in years to come as one of Tomarata’s best. When the club celebrates its centenary in 2026, the 2018 grand final win will be fondly remembered.

As the ten minute countdown to full-time began, Tomarata’s supporters became more lively as they sensed history was about to be made. 

Victors Tomarata join with Mid Western and supporters for a photo opportunity after a well-fought second division final. (PHOTO/Robert Scott)

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