Rugby: Record books opened after Clifton’s masterclass

File photo by Shelley Tate

A century of points is rare territory in Taranaki premier club rugby, but not unprecedented.

Clifton’s 102-12 demolition of Southern at Tikorangi in the final week of the first round on Saturday is among the highest scores recorded in the province’s premier competition in more than 25 years.

While big margins have occasionally occurred during rebuilding years for some clubs, breaking the 100-point barrier has remained exceptionally uncommon in Taranaki premier rugby.

Historical records show Tukapa beat Southern 100-0 in 2000 and 120-6 against Spotswood United in 2001, which remains the competition’s largest known winning margin.

New Plymouth Old Boys also thrashed Spotswood United 100-0 in 1999, while Southern’s heaviest recorded defeat was a 119-7 loss to New Plymouth Old Boys in 1998.

That places Clifton’s haul above both previously known triple-figure results, with record books now being checked to determine whether any premier side has scored more in the competition’s history.

The competition frontrunners, who remain unbeaten this season, ran in 16 tries in a relentless attacking performance, with Suli Pahulu scoring four tries while Paul Faoagali added two.

Juan Tantrum also crossed twice and slotted 11 conversions for a personal tally of 32 points.

Clifton overwhelmed Southern from the opening stages and continued to pile on the points throughout the afternoon after leading 48-0 at halftime.

Despite Southern managing two tries themselves, they had no answer for Clifton’s pace, power and accuracy with ball in hand.

The result immediately sparked discussion around the rugby community about where the performance ranked historically, particularly in a competition more commonly defined by tight results.

Now Clifton’s latest feat appears set to stand alone at the top of the modern-era record books.

Tukapa’s second-half surge proved the difference in their 35-24 win against United at Stadium Taranaki.

United produced one of their strongest performances of the season and appeared on track for an upset after building a 24-10 lead midway through the second half.

However, Tukapa clawed their way back into the contest, with their pace out wide eventually breaking the game open.

United No 8 Arese Poliko crossed in a physical display, while Nathaniel Peters scored twice for Tukapa.

At Victoria Park, despite a hat-trick to Taranaki winger Vereniki Tikoisolomone, Stratford-Eltham could not back up last weekend’s performance and fell 39-22 to Coastal.

The match was locked at 17-all at halftime before Coastal found another gear after the break, running in four second-half tries to take control.

In the remaining match of the round, Old Boys bounced back from last week’s defeat with a hard-fought 19-11 win over Inglewood at TET Stadium.

Inglewood led 6-5 at halftime through two Jamie Viljoen penalties and carried that intensity into the second spell.

Old Boys edged ahead 12-11 midway through the half before a late try to Quintony Ngatai extended the margin and sealed the result for the visitors.

Next weekend, Inglewood host Coastal at TET Stadium, United face Stratford-Eltham at Stadium Taranaki, Tukapa take on Southern at Sanders Park and Old Boys travel to Tikorangi to play Clifton.

Points after week seven; Clifton 35, Old Boys 24, Tukapa 23, Coastal 20, Stratford-Eltham 14, Inglewood 13, Southern 11, United 11.

*Points will be halved.

The historical data might be updated as more past results are discovered.