Taree Old Bar and Taree United were fierce rivals in Group Three Rugby League for more than 30 years.
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Old Bar, or the Lifesavers as they were known, had a history that stretched back to 1928. United was formed in 1960 following a merger between Taree Browns Creek, St Marys and Cundletown.
However, it wasn't until 1971 that the clubs met in a grand final. This was also the first all-Taree grand final since 1951 when Old Bar played Taree Browns Creek. That match, played at the then Taree Racecourse, situated roughly where the Manning Aquatic and Leisure Centre is now located, was won by Browns Creek following a dour struggle.
United, captain-coached by former international Ron Boden, went into the 1971 decider as red hot favourites after dominating the competition proper and finishing minor premiers. The Greens comfortably eclipsed reigning premiers Forster-Tuncurry in the major semi to secure the club's first grade final berth since 1968.
Taree Old Bar ended the John Wittenberg captain-coached Wauchope's season with a win in the minor semi-final before upsetting Forster-Tuncurry in the final to set up the Taree Test. This was the first time the Lifesavers had been in a decider since 1965, with Old Bar chasing the club's first premiership since 1946.
However, after a slow start United won like favourites should, the final score being 44-8.
Max Coggan was the United lock that day and he was also the player of the match. Coggan recalls the match and that era of football and footballers in Group Three, including the impact Ron Boden had on the club. Max speaks with Manning River Times sports writer Mick McDonald, who was an 11-year-old spectator at the 1971 grand final.