Returning Thompson notches 100 for North Shore

It’s been “a long time coming” for North Shore Rugby Club loose forward, Leigh Thompson, to reach his 100th match. But he did so in style on 22 April, when Shore toppled Silverdale 37-16.

Two tries in quick succession gave Shore a14-6 lead at half-time. In the second half, it scored three tries to Silverdale’s one.

The 33-year-old said he was glad the landmark match ended in victory.“You never want to lose on milestone games.”

Thompson started his North Shore career as a seven-year-old. He was a member of the Takapuna Grammar First XV, which shared the North Harbour secondary schools championship in 2007. He made his premiers debut in 2008 and won North Harbour premier titles with Shore in 2011 and 2014. He played eight games for Harbour in 2013/14, and reached 98 caps for Shore premiers, before heading overseas in 2016.

Thompson initially left for Spain, playing for a club in Valladolid, two hours north of Madrid. Although he loved the lifestyle, the rugby wasn’t at a very high standard. After a season there, he set his sights on the United Kingdom, playing for Nuneaton RFC in the Midlands, then for semi-professional side Old Elthamians in Southeast London.

Thompson found the rugby in England to be “very different” but still high quality. The forwards were bigger but slower, with less open play and expression than in the New Zealand game.

Life in the Midlands was a “bit slow” for Thompson but he thrived in London, wrapping himself in woollies to work as a builder, enjoying the city and meeting his partner who later came to New Zealand with him.

After returning to New Zealand in 2019 and reestablishing his life in Auckland, reaching 100 matches for North Shore started to play on Thompson’s mind.

He told the Flagstaff “the burden of getting to 100 caps” and wanting to end his career with Shore was what brought him back this season. “You play hard and have a drink with some of your best mates after; those are memories I’ll cherish for life.”

Nor is he planning on stopping anytime soon: he intends to play next season and potentially make 150 caps.