Gary Whippy (centre, white shirt) storms his way through a pack of defenders for the Hikurangi Old Boys in their game against a Hikurangi invitational side. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Gary Whippy (centre, white shirt) storms his way through a pack of defenders for the Hikurangi Old Boys in their game against a Hikurangi invitational side. Photo / Michael Cunningham
What better way is there to commemorate 125 years in business than beating your cross-town rivals?
That's exactly what the Hikurangi premier rugby team did on Thursday night under lights against Mid Northern at Hikurangi, winning 26-10, before starting the three-day celebration of the rugby club's 125th jubilee from Friday until yesterday .
Hikurangi's win over Mid Northern was a vital one as the Bayleys premier rugby table begins to split into two groups of five teams and should Hikurangi not wish to be left behind, these wins were essential.
However, the victory meant a lot more than just a few points on the table. The game signified an important moment between the two sides, which was immortalised by Mid Northern who presented their rivals with a commemorative shield, celebrating more than 50 years of competition between the two sides.
After Thursday's game, the Hikurangi Rugby Club grounds became a hive of activity over the long weekend with about 240 people coming to the clubrooms on Friday night to share in the club's history.
On Saturday, a number of exhibition games were played, headlined by a tough contest between a Hikurangi invitational side and a Hikurangi Old Boys team. Despite giving the younger guys a run for their money, the Old Boys went down 41-29.
Old Boys player Daniel Waata (white shirt) breaks through the opposition defensive line. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Saturday's celebrations were capped off with a dinner featuring more than 250 people with former Hikurangi player and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters making an appearance as guest speaker.
Hikurangi has achieved 34 premier championship wins in its 125 years as a club, the first coming in 1909 and the most recent in 2006. The club produced 84 Northland representatives and one All Black - Peter Sloane.
"It's a major achievement to have lasted this long in the professional era where money is king, but to still be a strong club at an amateur level is a credit to the next generation of young players," jubilee chairman Jim Leslie said.
Leslie, who had been with the club since 1967, said to play Mid Northern before the jubilee and the presentation of the shield made the event all the more meaningful.
"[Mid Northern] has always been our country cousins and the rivalry goes back a long way, but it was an excellent game, really tough."
A club founded by coal miners and dairy farmers, Leslie said Hikurangi's record in competition was a lot to live up to for future generations.
"I would say the history of the club is a heavy load to carry when you look at what it's achieved for a small club.
"The modern game is always changing but the respect, standards and values from our club are still here in things like self-development, self-discipline and family values because we have a lot of young families here."
He hoped the tight-knit Hikurangi community would continue the club's legacy with the crucial help of its volunteers.
"Volunteering is an essential part and we might not have big numbers to call on but a lot of younger people have stepped forward to take on the responsibilities of keeping the club's committee going."
In the round's other games, the Western Sharks won a tight game against Kerikeri 32-30, Kamo thumped Otamatea 74-5, Old Boys Marist beat Hora Hora 40-12, and Waipū continued their winning run, beating Wellsford 22-18.
