Three wins from three on Saturday would have had The Pride faithful smiling—and rightly so.

What was particularly pleasing wasn’t just the results, but the strength of youth coming through across all grades. Our U21s are an obvious example, but the influence runs deeper. The Development side featured a strong core of recent U21 players stepping up alongside experienced heads, while our Premier team continues to benefit from a healthy sprinkling of young talent. Even our U85s—despite the bye this week—boast more than their fair share of emerging players.

U21s – Tested and Delivered

On paper, a 52–26 win away at Takapuna looks comfortable. In reality, it was anything but. Takapuna brought real intensity and took the game to us, making it an arm wrestle for long periods. The sides were hard to separate at halftime, and it wasn’t until a couple of late tries that the scoreboard reflected some breathing space. A quality win—but one that could have gone either way for much of the contest.

Development – Youth Steps Up

Our Development team impressed across the park against Massey. The blend of youth and experience worked superbly, with younger players standing up and making their mark. The result was a convincing 50–22 win built on energy, cohesion, and intent.

Premiers – Fast Start Sets the Tone

The Premiers exploded out of the blocks against Massey, racing to a commanding 28–0 lead inside the first quarter. To Massey’s credit, they fought their way back into the game, narrowing the margin to 28–21 early in the second half. From there, it became a real battle, with both sides creating opportunities. In the end, North Shore found another gear, pulling away to secure a strong 38–21 victory.

Acknowledging the Whistle

A quick note as well to recognise the referees across all fixtures. Each game was well managed, allowing the players to compete and the contests to flow. It’s not an easy role, and their contribution is an important part of making days like Saturday a success.

A great day for the club—and an even better sign of what’s building across all levels.

Article added: Sunday 19 April 2026