As far as parting shots go it was a memorable one. For 70 minutes of the contest the home side Upper Hutt, on their Old Timers' Day, had played with more hustle-bustle, made fewer mistakes, scored two sizzling tries and were far more dangerous in the backs.But at 6-15 down and staring at their first defeat to Upper Hutt at Premier level since 2002, enter Marist St. Pat's super-sub Fa'atonu Fili in his last outing for the club before he jumps on a plane this Wednesday to take up a professional contract in Yokogawa in Japan...More

Expect a big Easter weekend from Marist St. Pat's teams in this weekend's fifth round set of Easter club rugby matches, particularly their Premier team who are in must-win territory if they want to win their 11th Swindale Shield title. MSP, who celebrate their 40th anniversary in three weeks, travel out to Maidstone Park to take on Upper Hutt in a key game for both sides. Both have two wins from four and the loser of this match will be in danger slipping out of first round title contention, particularly if frontrunners Northern United and Oriental-Rongotai continue to hit their straps and win their matches...More

Driving rain right around the Wellington region made for a tough fourth round of Swindale Shield matches, but three teams to emerge from the deluge in good shape were Oriental-Rongotai, Northern United and Petone.Ories maintained their unbeaten record after the opening month of Premier rugby with a hard fought 14-3 over Marist St. Pat's at home at the Polo Ground, while fellow unbeaten side Northern United, and Petone each earned convincing home victories over Upper Hutt and Old Boys-University respectively...More

The first two Old Timers' Days of the new season are at Porirua and Lyndhurst Parks this weekend, where the respective home sides Northern United and Tawa will want to celebrate with round four Swindale Shield victories.For Northern United, it's a chance for them to really stamp their credentials as the hottest of first round competition favourites against an Upper Hutt side who have so far been amongst the more convincing challengers to their throne. For winless Tawa, it's a simple case of needing to beat the Wests Roosters to keep their 2011 on the rails...More

Want to experience the action from the best vantage point on the field? Then become a referee.The Wellington Rugby Referees Association (WRRA) is one of the biggest and best referee associations in the country, producing numerous top referees such as Lyndon Bray, Chris Pollock, Garratt Williamson, Mike Fraser, Jonathan White and Brent Murray - with several of these appointed to Test, Junior World Cup and even Rugby World Cup level fixtures. The WRRA controls all Wellington secondary school and senior club matches as well as representative fixtures...More

For Hutt Old Boys Marist and Northern United there was much to celebrate on Saturday night after they had each grabbed significant Swindale Shield wins. But not so for Upper Hutt, Tawa, Avalon and Wests who each let chances for vital competition points slip from their grasps at the end of their matches in third round action that was played in beautiful sunshine and perfect conditions. Hutt Old Boys Marist grabbed a popular win for their Hutt Recreation Ground supporters in beating cross-river rivals Petone 27-20 and winning back the McBain Shield after four straight losses for this interclub trophy, while Norths signaled an ominous warning for the rest of the competition with their clinical 48-10 demolition of fellow heavyweights Marist St...More

The season’s just a fortnight old, but the pressure’s right on Hutt Old Boys Marist to beat Petone this Saturday at home at the Hutt Recreation Ground. Vital Swindale Shield points are at stake, as are the hopes and expectations of their supporters to lift one of Wellington rugby's most noted interclub trophies, the McBain Shield. The Eagles have yet to leave the roost this year. With losses in the opening fortnight to defending champions Northern United (17-34) and Oriental-Rongotai (10-14), HOBM have a solitary bonus point to their credit so far...More

Upper Hutt's great start to the season just got better. Both their Premier Swindale Shield and Senior 2 National Mutual Cup teams defeated their Petone opposition to each make it two wins from two at the start of 2011.In warm, sunny conditions at the Petone Recreation Ground, the Upper Hutt Senior 2s overcame the home side 24-15, ahead of the main Swindale Shield game where their first XV toppled the Villagers 27-26 in a round two stunner.Upper Hutt fullback Jason Woodward was the hero of the hour, calmly stepping up and slotting the match winning penalty with just minutes remaining...More

The season opening 2011 Wellington club rugby Gala Day at Trentham Memorial Park was a cracker and round two this Saturday promises to be just as exciting. First round Swindale Shield bonus point winners Oriental-Rongotai, Upper Hutt and Northern United will all be keen to push on and make it two from two, while for those beaten first round teams Saturday is a chance to open their accounts in the winner’s column. Ories emerged as the big winners on the scoreboard last week with a seven tries to nil 63-6 victory over newly promoted Avalon, but will likely have a much sterner test when they host Hutt Old Boys Marist on their home track at the Polo Ground...More

Fans streamed away from Trentham Memorial Park drunk on rugby at the end of a thrilling 2011 season opening Gala Day that saw first round Premier Swindale Shield, Senior 1 Harper Lock Shield and Senior 2 National Mutual Cup matches all played at the venue.In the Swindale Shield, there were bonus point wins for two-time defending champions Northern United, Upper Hutt and Oriental-Rongotai and closer victories for Marist St. Pat's and Petone.Northern United beat Hutt Old Boys Marist 34-17, Upper Hutt defeated Wainuiomata 40-12, Ories accounted for newly promoted Avalon 63-6, MSP edged out the Wests Roosters 19-10 and Petone held off Poneke 24-20...More