Go Shore! Massive crowd expected for derby match

Leading from the front… Shore captain Alex Woonton before last Saturday’s semi-final

A carnival-like atmosphere is expected at North Shore Rugby Club on Saturday 15 July, with sponsor marquees and a packed ground.

The club kitchen will be open from 1pm for an early lunch prior to the 2.45 kick-off in the North Harbour premier-grade final between Shore and arch-rival Takapuna.

The North Shore premier reserves will travel by bus to Takapuna for their final at 1pm, but will head straight back for the premiers final.

Shore club captain Chris Tankard said: “To get our top two teams into the North Harbour finals in our 150th year is massive.”

The Navy has partnered with Shore this year, signing a memorandum of understanding to

Top tips for getting to the final

With a crowd of well in excess of 1000 expected for the final, the Flagstaff offers a few tips to ease a likely parking squeeze.

• Catch a bus. The 814 and 807 both run half-hourly to stops near the ground.

• Walk or cycle.

• Carpool: grab your mates to fill up a car.

• Park further away: try the car park on the corner of King Edward Pde and Cheltenham allow its personnel to play club rugby for the green-and-whites. The Navy high command would be at Vauxhall Rd on Saturday to watch the final, Tankard said.

Rd and walk through Devonport Domain.

• Be wary of parking on footpaths, across driveways or on yellow lines. Wardens have been known to prowl during big matches.

Another important warning: Don’t drink and drive. Police have been increasing breath-testing patrols in recent months. A roadblock operation on the road out of Devonport on finals day wouldn’t be a surprise.

Before, during and after the match, the club house would be open to all, he confirmed. “Everyone is invited into the club – all the community.” You don’t have to be a member.”

Old foes meet again

Takapuna has won the North Harbour title 13 times and been runner-up on nine occasions, while Shore has won seven titles and fallen at the last hurdle 11 times. Takapuna has beaten Shore in five finals, with North Shore returning the favour three times. Shore beat Takapuna 12-11 in 2021; Takapuna beat Shore 26-19 last year.