The Year That Was – 1991
It was a poor season for North Otago, although they secured a good win against West Coast (32-12).
A record 13 players from Old Boys represented North Otago and Excelsior provided 10 of the 32-man selection.
Old Boys claimed the Citizen’s Shield dominating Club rugby this season by winning 16 of their 18 games played.
T. Sanson (Old Boys) equalled G. Johnson’s 1951 record for the most conversions in a match (4) in the game against West Coast.
Internationally, the first ever Women’s Rugby World Cup (unofficial) was held in Cardiff, Great Britain in 1991. Twelve countries participated in the Tournament, held over a week. France, New Zealand, USA and England emerged as the semi-finalists, with USA Eagles beating England 19 - 6 in the final at Cardiff Arms Park (April 14th). New Zealand lost their semi-final to the Eagles: 0-7.
The second Men’s Rugby World Cup was won by Australia against England: 12-6 at Twickenham on 2 November. South Africa was excluded because of sanctions imposed by the International Rugby Board due to their apartheid policies.
NORFU President and Chairman: A. Spivey; Secretary: D. Cleland; Selector: G. Eckhold
Match Record
Games played: 9, Won 1; Lost 8
Points for: 130; points against: 455
Notable Players
The side was captained by Gary Ford, who competed well in the lineouts. Shaun Matthews was strong at fullback and Ross Skinner and John Tupou were fast on the wings. Simon Bloomberg impressed at halfback as did Grant Hiscoke in both the centre and first five-eighth positions. Mike Fogarty at Flanker and Paddy Aspros were prominent and reacted quickly while Craig Ross and Hooker Shane Curle also worked hard.
Representative Rugby
Plagued by injuries and loss of form, the 1991 season was a difficult one for Eckhold, the selector. Of the nine games played, seven were National Championship fixtures. North Otago’s sole win came in beating West Coast on August 21.
The representative season kicked off on 31 July against the New Zealand Colts in Oamaru. The youngsters inflicted a serious defeat on the Old Golds who went down 6-54. Hiscoke kicked two penalty goals. The match day referee was C.R. Morton from Southland.
The first of the NPC games was played on August 17 when North Otago hosted Buller at Centennial Park. The visitors took the win (10-26) in spite of a try by Skinner and two penalty goals kicked by T. Sanson. K.O. Beckett from Nelson Bays officiated.
On August 21st, victory was finally sweet in Oamaru against visiting side West Coast in the National Provincial Championship game played at Centennial Park and refereed by K. W. Booth of Otago. The 32-12 score can be accounted for by two Bloomberg tries and a try apiece from Havea, Tupou, Skinner and Ford. T. Sanson converted four of those tries.
The ensuing NPC game which followed quickly on August 25th against Mid-Canterbury in Ashburton was not so glorious with the Old Golds losing 7-40. Fogarty scored a try converted by Sanson. West Coast referee, A. M. Smith, officiated.
Just three days later, the next scheduled fixture was played on August 28 in Tolaga Bay against East Coast and the outcome (17-20) was disappointing for North Otago as it was a closely-fought battle. Berry, Pitches and Spivey all scored tries, one of which was converted by Sanson who also added a penalty goal to the points total.
The Old Golds travelled to Levin to play Horowhenua on August 31 and lost 7-52 to a stronger side. The only points scored for North Otago came from a try by Berry and a penalty goal by Hiscoke.
The following weekend, 7 September, saw the Old Golds back on home soil for the next of three encounters. Nelson Bays made the journey to Centennial Park and produced an impressive performance to defeat the hosts 21-43. In spite of the loss, some good tries were scored by North Otago’s Aspros, Spivey, Proctor and Willetts. Sanson converted one of those and also kicked a penalty goal. Canterbury’s A. P. Kelly officiated.
South Canterbury proved much too strong for North Otago the following weekend in front of the Old Golds’ home crowd on September 14. A paltry 6 points were recorded compared to South Canterbury’s 62. The only try came from Berry with a Sanson conversion to follow. Buller referee E.P. Fox was in charge of the game.
Finally, on September 25, Marlborough made the trip to Centennial Park and dominated the North Otago side who went down 15-38. Skinner and Hiscoke can be credited with a try each and Lemon converted both and also secured points for a penalty goal kick. Dave Ovens of North Otago was the match-day referee.