Four rugby finals games were played on three fields at the one venue on the one day. The grand occasion was the Thames Valley Rugby Club Finals held at Moewai Park, Whitianga last Saturday, 12 July, proudly sponsored by H.G. Leach and Co. Ltd.
The Friday night before brought very heavy rain and strong winds to the region which not only challenged the condition of the playing fields and the venue for the games, but also the teams and supporters who needed to travel from across the Peninsula and Thames Valley to Whitianga. There was a great advantage in the nature of the Moewai Park grounds being sand-based; it meant they were all playable by 11.00am, Saturday.
In reality, Moewai Park was transformed for the four-game finals. A grandstand and a two-story bar were erected for this special day, plus managers and announcement tent, and pergolas aplenty. A number of mobile food vans were parked close to the crowds to satisfy the appetites of hundreds of people on what was a pretty cold and, at times, rainy day. Popular event caterers, Sugarfish Coromandel Catering, served well to the weather – loaded fried with all kinds of delicious toppings and their coffee and drinks cart was always busy complimented with sweet treats. A sausage sizzle run by a local community group never ceased serving.
It was muddy underfoot for some of the people thoroughfares however, but most came prepared with gumboots.
Senior C
Waihi Athletic Club versus Thames Rugby and Sport Club played on Field 3. It was a very equal battle with a nail bighting finish for the two teams. Thames had a score of 22 and in the last two minutes of the game, Waihi scored a try which brought their score to 21. All they needed was a successful conversion. But their goal kick just missed, leaving Thames the winner of the McDonald Cup by one point.
Senior B
Tairua versus Coromandel played on Field 2. Tairua was the winner of the Lawrence Memorial Cup.
Women’s Rugby
Coromandel versus Paeroa played on Field One. This game was a highlight – it was tough and energetic and there were a few injuries on both teams.
However, Coromandel had a clear win taking the Karly Forsyth Memorial Cup with a score of 44 to 15.
Senior A Premiers
Waihi versus Paeroa played on Field One. This was a grand finale of the rugby festival with Waihi being the clear winner. Paeroa had two clear try runs but many times they just could not hang on to the ball and occasionally missed opportunities to tackle the very strong Waihi team.
A feature of the day was the team spirit and ‘goodsportship’. The tradition is that the captain of each competing team offers a speech of praise and thanks for the game, their opponents, and all those who contribute to their game, including sponsors. In some cases, the team would do a haka or sing to the opposing team. Cheers from winners and losers, cheers of encouragement and instructive shouts from the sideline were a feature of this day of rugby.
The President of Thames Valley Rugby Union, Ross Coper, passed on his thanks to the staff and the local support team who had set up the fields, facilities, and equipment required for this very successful finals day.
He also acknowledged that the 2025 H. G. Leach Club finals were a day of great enjoyment for the winners but he also commended those teams who had not reached their goals in the day’s finals.
Despite inclement weather for parts of the day, the organization of the games ran like clockwork with every winning team member, coach and manager receiving engraved medallions from the officials of Thames Valley Rugby Union, personally congratulating each player.
It is fitting to mention that the President, Ross Cooper was a 2025 recipient of the Kings Service Medal for his services to Rugby in New Zealand.
The host club of the day, Mercury Bay Rugby Club, who had assisted in the organization of this event with Thames Valley Rugby Union, sadly, did not field a team as each one of their levels had been eliminated in the quarter and semi-finals. However, they turned out in force to support the other Thames Valley competing teams and to ensure everything went seamlessly.
We spoke to Mike Skeen, President of Mercury Bay Rugby Club.
“We were wrapped with the day, particularly as the finals have never been held outside Thames or Te Aroha. It was a big first for us. The locals supported it very well and collaborating with Thames Valley Rugby Union went very smoothly. Dave Green of Coast 2 Coast Scaffolding and Building Services built all the bleachers and the bar. That scaffold bar was an excellent construction and very successful – all Dave’s idea. It was an excellent day – using the multisport park. Well done Mercury Bay!”
With a double-header featuring the Black Ferns playing Australia (NZ won 37-12) and the All Blacks facing France at 7.00pm (AB’s won 43-17), both at Sky Stadium, Wellington the same evening of Saturday, 12 July, one could hardly improve on making this day for the people of Thames Valley and Coromandel Peninsula, one of the best sports Saturdays for 2025.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Moewai Park is indeed a multisport park, a visionary entrepreneurial project a few years back by TCDC, but indeed, it is unfinished. Who knows? Perhaps the rugby organization, with its ability to put such events together and create all the resources that are missing, might begin some kind of public campaign to finish this wonderful sports park of four rugby/football fields, toilets and dressing rooms for Africa but missing some essentials.
There is the need to find a way to build a permanent bar and reception room, shared meeting rooms enabling digital online broadcast, a catering kitchen and extended food and cabinet service area. The users will have a list of necessities.
After what the Thames Valley Rugby Union accomplished this last Saturday, I believe they could make it possible.
SENIOR A McCLINCHY – WAIHI VS PAEROA – 2.00PM FIELD 1 Final Score Waihi 46 – Paeroa 20
SENIOR B – LAWRENCE MEMORIAL CUP – TAIRUA VS COROMANDEL – 11.30AM FIELD 2 Final Score Tairua 36 – Coromandel 25
SENIOR C – McDONALD CUP – WAIHI ATHLETIC VS THAMES RUGBY AND SPORT – 11.00AM FIELD 3 – Final Score Thames Rugby & Sport 22 – Waihi 21
KARLY FORSYTH MEMORIAL CUP – COROMANDEL VS PAEROA – 12.00PM FIELD 1 – Final Score Coromandel 38 – Paeroa 17
Thank you to the sponsors of Thames Valley Rugby Union: H.G. Leach and Co. Ltd., Agrifeeds, Grassroots Trust, Bayleys, Brian Tunnicliffe Motor Group, Dynasty, Superior Pet Food Co., Gold Ridge Marine Farm, Amoha Te Waiora, More FM Coromandel, Farm Source, Rothbury.
