UNBREAKABLE A Hawke’s Bay Legend

Aside from the staunch home support at a sold-out McLean Park during Hawke’s Bay’s legendary 1966-69 Ranfurly Shield tenure, there was one other constant throughout the 22-match run.

And that was the unbending physical presence of prop Neil Thimbleby; regarded by team-mates as being the rock of the team, and the only player who was on the field for all 1760 minutes of the Magpies’ hold on the famous Log ‘O Wood.

Fifty-three years on from the side handing over the Shield after an 18-11 defeat to Canterbury – and despite enduring two strokes - the 83-year-old’s memory of one of the finest tenures in the famous trophy’s history remains sharp.

That includes mockingly chiding team-mate Tom Johnson after his close friend was forced off less than a minute into a 1967 defence against Wairarapa by saying: “Congratulations Tom, you would be the first player in history to be turning on the