Hayden Meikle counts down the 150 greatest moments in Otago sport.
No 139: North Otago wins third division (2002)
Two great sporting cliches fit this memorable moment of heartland rugby:The first time is always the best. And sometimes you need to lose two to win one.
North Otago rugby had been on a boom-bust cycle not totally dissimilar to the prominent local farming sector.
There were great highs in the 1960s and then a near-victory in a Ranfurly Shield challenge in 1974. That was followed by a couple of decades of sheer awfulness.
Astute coaching and recruitment helped rebuild the province's rugby team in the late 1990s, but that was followed by two heartbreaking third division final losses in 2000 and 2001.
There was no stopping the 2002 Old Golds. Coach Glenn Moore and captain Barry Fox inspired one of the great lower division teams to a season of total dominance.
Eleven straight wins. Crushing victories over South Canterbury (58-10) and Horowhenua-Kapiti (43-19) in the finals. Fifteen tries for blockbusting winger Pila Fifita.
North Otago has added Meads Cup wins (2007 and 2010) in the revamped (and wrecked) national championship.
But nothing will ever beat 2002.
