The North Shore Tigers won their first premiership since 1998, defeating University Blues 15 15 105 to 13 2 80 in a fantastic game of football. The Tigers reversed a 119 point loss in the semi final to the same team only two weeks ago to win a match were once again they were under the pump twice in the game, trailing by four goals only to retain the lead and eventually a well deserved victory.

Todd Danks on fire

Fantastic weather conditions at Mountfort Park, Manurewa, ensured there would be some free flowing football and the hard ground was a catalyst behind the bruising affair.

The first quarter saw University storm ahead with four quick goals in succession to take them out to a twenty four point lead in the latter stages of the quarter. Within ten minutes North Shore had lost marking forward Tom O'Sullivan (broken hand) and tough on baller Dan Moore (ankle ligaments) for the remainder of the game. University coach Todd Taverna piled on three goals in the quarter and his opponent 17 year old defender Matt Crighton was forced to leave the field for 10 minutes with a wrist injury. Tavernas 10 goals against the Tigers in the first semi final Tigers just two weeks earlier resulted in a huge amount of pressure on the North Shore backline. Forward Dillon Stephenson kept the Tigers in reach with a hand in two late goals at the end of the first quarter to see the Blues go into the change with a 10 point lead.

The second quarter was a scragging affair with neither team adding to their ascendancy. Some fantastic tackling pressure from both teams in warm conditions saw a half time deficit of just 3 points with University holding a narrow lead.

The begining of the second half was a landslide of goals for the Blues as they piled on the next four goals of the game in under 10 minutes. Blues wingman Niki Dow was cutting the Tigers to pieces on the wing. Their lead had spread to 24 points once again and with the Tigers onballers unable to change due to a limited bench the Blues looked set to run riot. A turning point when the Tigers moved Falcons wingman Andriu Sucu into the ruck and half forward Robbie Gore moved to the wing, both with successful results. Key Tigers forwards Warton and Stephenson enjoyed a more open forward line and the Tigers banged on five goals straight with a goal on the siren from Stephenson to give them a six point lead at the final change.

The Tigers goal on the siren seemed to knock the stuffing from the University team and the Tigers proceded to bang on the next two goals and six behinds with the Blues backline of Campbell and Toussaint under seige. James Monoghan worked tirelessly in the middle in the hope of ressurecting the Blues hopes. The match was sealed with an 'on the run floater' goal from half forward Robbie Gore for the Tigers. A 49 point turn around from the half way point of the third quarter and an amazing victory.

Dillon Stephenson was awarded best on ground honours for the day with Niki Dow adjudged best for the losing team.

North Shore    3 2     6 5     11 8     15 15 105

University         5 0     7 2     11 2     13 2    80

Best Players:

North Shore: Stephenson ( Best on ground ), Gore, Sucu, M Crighton, Pasfield, Danks, Warton

University: Monoghan, Dow, Taungakava, Serafin, French

Reserve Grade

University       13 13 91

Mt Roskill         7  6  48

Tim Stephens ( Best on Ground )