The Year That Was – 1988
New Zealand tour Australia in July 1988. They win two of three test matches played on 3 and 30 July, 32-7 and 30-9 respectively, and draw on 16 July (19-19).
North Otago managed to win one game this season showing a small improvement in spite of being ranked bottom equal with West Coast on the points table.
K. Mansfield joined the ranks of record holders (Johnson, Perriam and Wilson) for the most penalty goals in a season (4) in the game won against East Coast.
In Club rugby, Excelsior celebrates their Centennial and, under Coach Bob Hunt, wins the Citizens Shield for the second consecutive year, while Athletic takes the Burns Shield.
NORFU President and Chairman: A. Spivey; Secretary: D. Cleland; Selector: G. Eckhold
Match Record
Games played: 9, Won 1; Lost 8
Points for: 104; Points against: 268
Notable Players
Veteran Peter Cook by 1988 had clocked up 61 games for the Union and contributed a total of 135 points.
Amongst the backs, fullback Chris Wotton showed potential and the experience of Peter Cook and Simon Bloomberg at first five-eight and halfback respectively earned the side some good tries.
In the front row, Mel Dunlop, Peter Fogarty and Neil Halkett worked hard and Michael Jones showed good form as prop. Also developing well were Craig Ross as a first-time lock for the representative side and Lachie Wilson at number 8. Both loose forwards Paddy Aspros and Sammy Talanoa had a high work rate hunting for the ball.
Representative Rugby
The inaugural match of the representative season kicked off on July 20 in Timaru against South Canterbury. North Otago suffered a defeat at the hands of their rivals going down 17-32. The Hanan Shield was at stake. The tries for North Otago were scored by Milmine, Slater and Bloomberg. Mahan kicked a penalty goal.
On 27 July, the Old Golds hosted East Coast in Oamaru and secured the only victory of the season over the visitors 27-15. Bloomberg scored a penalty try and Mansfield kicked two conversions and four penalty goals while Cook added a drop goal to complete the points for North Otago. The referee of the day was A.D. Glen of West Coast.
After a break, a quick succession of games followed, the first of which was held in Westport on 17 August where North Otago took on Buller but could not rise to the occasion and were defeated 6-18. Two penalty goals kicked by Dempster made up the points for North Otago.
On the road again three days later, North Otago took on Nelson Bays in Nelson on 20 August and were once again on the losing end, going down 10-29. Cook scored a try for the visitors and Dempster added two penalty goals.
The next match was held in Greymouth a further three days later on 23 August and North Otago were defeated there by West Coast to the score of 7-11. L.
Wilson contributed a try for the Old Golds and Mansfield added a penalty goal.
The August run of matches culminated in a home game against Wanganui on 31 August in which the visitors from the North Island dominated. The final score was 10-52 with North Otago’s points coming from tries scored by Milmine and Jones and a conversion kicked by Mahan.