Rugby Southland to Celebrate 125 Years

Rugby Southland is to celebrate is 125th Jubilee this weekend.

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The weekend which features a reinvigoration of the traditional Town v Country rivalry with a Saturday afternoon clash at Rugby Park has been carefully prepared for by a committee rich in Southland rugby
heritage chaired by Life Member Alistair ‘Spud’ Tait.

The Committee has been together for nearly two years and have worked away resourcefully planning the celebrations with support from Rugby Southland staff.

The celebrations will kick off Friday evening with a casual get together at the Ascot Hotel, a chance for old Rugby mates to share a few yarns with the tales invariably getting taller as the night progresses.

Saturday’s feature match is the Town v Country clash at Rugby Park kicking off at 2.30pm. With Club Rugby taking a break to focus on the big event Rugby Southland is hoping for a good crowd and with several spots on the Stags roster still up for grabs for the 2012 ITM Cup and the teams evenly matched and packed with form club talent, this promises to a note worthy encounter.

The Town v County match is preceded by a junior rugby march past from 1.30pm featuring junior representatives from all Southland clubs. Admission is free for children and seasons ticket holders and $5 for adults.

Post match celebrations move to the Ascot again for the Jubilee dinner MC’d by Radio personality James McRobie and featuring ex All Black Tane Norton as the guest speaker.

There will be a debrief on Sunday at the Northern Tavern over a few Bluff Oysters washed down with a cold Speight’s to sooth larynxes weary from recounting past glory.

Registrations have exceeded the committee’s original estimates which has been pleasing with several attendees travelling long distances to be involved.

Rugby Southland and the 125th committee would like to thank the ILT, Speight’s and Cruickshank Pryde for their generous support of the event and ongoing support of Rugby in Southland.