Tokanui hope winning streak will continue in division two A final

Thursday, 18 July 2019

Ball carrier Simon Van Rossum on the run for Tokanui in a game this season.

Tokanui Rugby Club officials have been diving into the history books to check if its senior team has ever gone through a season unbeaten.

The club is 96 years old and its senior team has won all 13 games this season heading into Saturday's division two A final against Mataura at Tokanui.

There's one hurdle remaining and Tokanui players know they will be in for a tough battle with Mataura.

Club president Daryl Johnstone said research was continuing and the feeling among Tokanui officials was that the senior team might not have won all games in a season before.

* Midlands win action-packed Ack Soper Shield Final

* Three life members contribute 170 years' combined service**

'From what we can find out, it definitely hasn't been done in the last 30 years.'

Tokanui beat Waikiwi to win the division two final at Tokanui in 2007, with Johnstone and Roger Buckingham as coaches. The team lost to Drummond Limehills Star in the division two B final last year.

A win on Saturday would ensure the team a place in division one next season and the opportunity to play for the Gerald Dermody Shield. Dermody, who died four and a half years ago, played many games for Tokanui, as did others in this family.

'For us to play for the shield would be awesome,' Johnstone said.

The club had bounced back from a couple of tough seasons several years ago when player numbers were alarmingly low.

'We were struggling to get a team on the paddock.'

Club officials asked young people in the district to consider playing, while team members spoke to their mates about joining up.

'We encouraged them to come along and have a run with us.'

Recruits were found and in this year's player-line up are two who have returned to the district after OE trips.

'Some of the guys have returned to family farms.

'We've gone from 12 definite players [a week] to 18.'

Residents of Tokanui and in neighbouring areas were always good supporters of rugby games at Tokanui, Johnstone said.

He added there was widespread talk about Saturday's final, with work schedules being cleared to enable people to attend.

'Everyone you talk to is making plans to be at the game … the community support we get is appreciated.'

Meanwhile, the other three senior grade finals on Saturday are: division one, Mossburn v Albion Excelsior (at Mossburn); division two B, Bluff v Balfour-Lumsden (at Bluff); presidents grade A, Waikaka v Wyndham (at Waikaka); presidents' grade B, Waikaia v Mataura (at Waikaia).