2015 Swindale Shield draw released

Swindale Shield Premier | 11 February 2015 | Steven White

UPDATED THURSDAY: The WRFU has released the confirmed first round Premier Swindale Shield and Premier Reserve Harper Lock Shield draws, New Zealand’s hottest club rugby competition.

As was agreed upon late last year, the competition has been increased from 12 to 14 teams, with each club entered in the Premier grade also fielding teams in new Premier Reserve grade and Colts grade competitions.

The top two competitions remain 12-match round-robins, with each team not playing two teams, this all confirmed before Christmas.?

The Premier Reserve grade is the Senior 1 competition with a name change, these teams contesting the Harper Lock Shield in the first round.

A key change this year are kick-off times for Swindale Shield matches, that for the most part have been brought forward half an hour to 2.30 pm kick-offs. Generally, Harper Lock Shield matches will be played as Swindale Shield curtain-raisers kicking off at 12.45 pm.?

The Hurricanes have a run of three consecutive Saturday matches at 7.35 pm at Westpac Stadium on 2, 9 and 16 May, these games used to start at 2.15 pm.

Then there is the Saturday 18 April round. This round is scheduled at 2.30 pm, and includes the famous annual McBain Shield match between Petone and Hutt Old Boys Marist. Less than half an hour after fulltime, at 4.30 pm, the Hurricanes host the defending champions Waratahs at Westpac Stadium. Is this the thin edge of the wedge?

The season kicks off with Gala Day at Trentham Memorial Park on Saturday 21 March, with Premier matches at 12.45 pm and 2.30 pm.

There is just one round of matches on Easter weekend, Saturday 4 April.

Derby Day, on Anzac Day, 25 April, promises to be exciting with clubs fighting for local supremacy.?

The 2015 Swindale Shield will be decided on Saturday 30 May. The Jubilee and Hardham Cups start the following weekend.?

?

The redeveloped William Jones Park is scheduled to host its first game in round 4 on 11 April between Wainuiomata and Oriental-Rongotai, the Hutt Rec in round 5 on 18 April in the McBain Shield match and Nairnville Park in round 4 on 11 April between Old Boys University and Johnsonville. The Swindale Shield returns to Ngati Toa Domain for the first time since the 1980s in round 3 on 4 April when Paremata-Plimmerton host the Upper Hutt Rams.?

?

• Tawa v Paremata-Plimmerton, TMP #1, 12.45pm

• Oriental-Rongotai v Petone, TMP #2, 12.45pm

• Wainuiomata v Northern United, TMP #3, 12.45pm

• Wellington v Hutt Old Boys Marist, TMP #4, 12.45pm

• Poneke v Upper Hutt Rams, TMP #1, 2:30pm

• Marist St Pats v Johnsonville, TMP #2, 2.30pm

• Avalon v OBU, TMP #3, 2.30pm

?

To view the draws visit the union’s website here: http://www.wrfu.co.nz/latest-news/

?