The Hutt Old Boys Marist Eagles pipped Petone 30-27 in a McBain Shield thriller this afternoon as part of a high scoring fifth round of Premier and Premier Reserve rugby around the region. Down 27-23, Hutt fullback Anthony Utanga outflanked the Petone defence with the last play of the game to preserve the Eagles unbeaten record in 2018. HOBM appeared to be in control when leading 20-10 early in the second-half. However the Eagles forwards noticeably fatigued and Petone piled on 17 unanswered points to surge ahead 27-20...More

Its full noise across the province’s fields as it’s the first weekend where all club grades are in action, so there will be plenty of rugby to slake the thirst of even the most rabid fans. Tomorrow’s Swindale Shield round sees a number of professional players pulling on club jerseys, while it’s also the first of the club Old Timers Days with festivities on at both Tawa and Wainuiomata. Premier Swindale Shield With respect to the other 12 teams, the biggest show in town this weekend is at the Petone Rec where Petone and Hutt Old Boys Marist clash...More

Above: Luca Rees celebrates his match-winning try last Saturday for Ories against the Avalon Wolves. PHOTO: David Brownlie Photos It wasn’t pretty but it was effective says Oriental-Rongotai No. 8 Luca Rees of his side’s important 26-19 win over the Avalon Wolves at home at the Polo Ground last Saturday. Rees scored two second half tries, including the match-winners just a couple of minutes from fulltime as his team came back from a 12-20 deficit to win the match, which could prove vital over the coming few weeks as the scramble for ‘top 7’ places ramps up...More

"Playing the game of life, as it should be played"Above: Alexander McBain, top left, Manager of the 1903 Horowhenua Representative Team. In 1886, the small Horowhenua settlement of Manakau was created around the first railway station built on the new Wellington to Manawatu line. It was also the place where the educator, who is remembered in the McBain Memorial Shield that is being played for on Saturday between Petone and Hutt Old Boys Marist in Wellington Premier club rugby first developed his love of the game of rugby football...More

Above: "The best seat in the house" - Richard Gordon refereeing last August's Jubilee Cup final, with OBU's Teariki Ben Nicholas with ball in hand. This weekend will see Wellington referee Richard Gordon bring up a century of Premier matches in the province with the McBain Shield encounter between Petone and Hutt Old Boys Marist, joining a small number to reach the number. Club Rugby contributor and fellow referee Scott MacLean got his thoughts over his 99 matches so far, and his milestone one this weekend...More

I warned last week about the Vibe. Well, the Vibe just about killed us - so much for having the championship in the pocket after five games. Instead, it took a miracle effort to get home over the very competitive Sharks. They were gutted, but just imagine what the Sader and Chiefs fans were thinking. So you'd think the Vibe would be on ice. But no, another respected writer this week insisted the Hurricanes had shown, with that comeback, that indeed they were the real deal for the title. It's enough to make you weep...More

Above: Jarrod Adams in full flight for Petone in a recent match against Paremata-Plimmerton for the Ken Gray Cup. On Saturday Petone play Hutt Old Boys Marist for the McBain Shield. “It's going to be one helluva match up,” Petone wing Jarrod Adams predicts when asked to discuss prospects for this coming Saturday’s McBain Shield fixture against Hutt Old Boys Marist. In addition to the fanfare that surrounds the annual ‘Battle of the Bridge’ both clubs are riding high at the top of the Swindale Shield standings after a month...More

Above: Brendon Watt flashed in for five tries in one game this week in 2009 for Marist St Pat’s in their 55-3 win over Tawa. Poneke’s Charlie Ngatai scored four tries against Old Boys University in the same round. PHOTO: Dave Lintott Photography. In association with Lovelocks Sports Bar on Bond Street in Wellington, some highlights from this week in Wellington club rugby history are below. 9 April 2005: Porirua powerhouse Northern United and Marist St Pat's continue their menacing starts to the season...More

Above: Perry Hayman is awarded the try amongst a sea of red and black On Saturday. Poneke won 40-35.  Off the Ball is in association with Rob Law Max , Lovelocks Sports Bar,  Motor Doctors and Sarah Kilner Real Estate  Looking at some of the news in briefs, milestones, happenings, statistics and observations from the weekend of rugby just gone and what’s coming up this week. UPDATED: The Premier and Premier Reserve competitions are into their fifth week but enter stage left for the Colts and Women’s competitions that start this coming weekend...More

Recapping some of the memorable late wins or wins after the hooter by the Hurricanes throughout the history of Super Rugby. 1997 Hurricanes 37 - Gauteng Lions 35, Johannesburg The Hurricanes encountered a Lions team unbeaten at home at Ellis Park in their first four matches of the year, having beaten Free State, the Highlanders, Brumbies and Waratahs. The Hurricanes made a flying start, piling on 19 points in as many minutes before the Lions came back and grabbed the lead with 10 minutes remaining...More