It’s Southbridge Shield time!

The Southbridge Shield will be up for contest on Fathers Day next weekend at the Rangiora Showgrounds, as a double header for the Canterbury NPC game V Wellington.

Currently in North Canterbury’s possession, the Ellesmere side will travel to Rangiora to play for the 101st year of the shield on Sunday 1 September.

Each year North Canterbury and Ellesmere lock heads on the field to fight for prestigious silverware, often described as their equivalent of the Ranfurly shield, or even a test match. The on field rivalry between the teams is fierce, and once brought the esteemed Robbie Deans out from retirement to play one more game and bring the shield back to North Canterbury.

Last year’s 100th anniversary of the shield brought an enormous crowd of supporters, including past players and those who have never missed a game in their lifetime. North Canterbury were the ones to lift the Southbridge Shield at the end of the day, with a final score of 26-13. They also took away the Tane Norton trophy, which is played for across five rounds of representative footy.

Along with the Southbridge shield, each sub union’s development side, colts and teenage teams will play each other at the grounds – forging a pathway to the future Shield challengers. Starting the day off strong, the U16s and U18s will play at the Rangiora High School, a short walk from the showgrounds. The Colts and the Developments sides will begin shortly after at the Showgrounds, allowing all final whistles to be called before the battle of the shield begins.

Here’s how the days games will pan out:

North Canterbury V Ellesmere

U16s 10am, Rangiora High School
U18s 10am, Rangiora High School
Colts 10:15am, Rangiora Showgrounds
Development 10:15am, Rangiora Showgrounds
Seniors 12:05pm, Rangiora Showgrounds

NPC
Canterbury V Wellington 2:05pm, Rangiora Showgrounds

Tickets to watch all the Rangiora Showgrounds games are just $10 with kids 5 and under FREE! You can buy your tickets here