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Steamers Fan: Peter Hastings |
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Written by Administrator
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Tuesday, 01 August 2006 |
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I have always been a fan since my father took me to the BOP vs. Lions game in 1971 at Tauranga. I always remember my father talking about players like the Maniapoto brothers with reverent tones. For me as a 7 year old that Bay pack were like man mountains!
The following year we went to Whangarei when BOP challenged North Auckland for the shield (those Going boys made us look like monkeys). 1976 was a great year, first NPC champs but still that shield eluded the Bay after Manawatu beat the Auks the week before BOP were due to challenge.Shield memories have been vivid. 1984 vs. Canterbury and Peter Kennedy's try that wasn't. Of course 1996 against Auckland and some damn close games against the boys on the other side of the Kaimais.
International games against the Lions in 1977, the Boks in 1981, the Sheep Stealers in 1982, were part of my foot balling diet. They were great games with players like Rowlands, Stokes, Shelford, always to the fore. Fantastic memories.......
The bad moments were horrible, the last minute Shield slip ups, life in the 2nd division but that's all why it is so special now! My father passed away in 1996 at a very young age. I said at the funeral that my father always hoped that he would live to see the day that BOP would win the Ranfurly Shield but it didn't happen and I also made a flippant comment that it wouldn't happen in my lifetime either BUT IT HAS !! Awesome stuff team.
For all those BOP players that have gone before, stand with this current team and be PROUD. What ever happens now you can't take it away that you are all worthy shield holders. CONGRATULATIONS.
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