Gala Day Start For Club Rugby

Welcome to another season of Premier club rugby in Wellington, the region's most popular and well-supported amateur sporting competition. And for good reason too - a constant flow of excitement and drama in recent seasons makes for another much-anticipated five months of rugby in 2008.

All eyes will be on Jubilee Cup titleholders Hutt Old Boys Marist this year in their quest for a repeat triumph after beating eleven-time champions Marist St. Pat's 18-10 in last August's final at Westpac Stadium. HOBM became the fourth Jubilee Cup champion in five years and the third different winner in three years after Petone in 2005 and Northern United in 2006. But as always for the champions, the HOBM Eagles will face a stern test of opposition throughout the season, with no shortage of other teams ready to knock them off their perch.

But first, players and fans alike can look forward to eleven rounds of Swindale Shield action between the twelve premier clubs in a round robin format, with the leading eight sides then playing for the Jubilee Cup and bottom four contesting the Premier Two Hardham Cup.? The season starts with a Gala Day, the first since 2004's Gala Day at Petone.? This time around the two venues of Trentham and Porirua Park will be used, with HOBM and last year's Swindale Shield winners Northern United playing back-to-back at the Porirua Park number One ground.

In a feast of rugby action, HOBM kick off against the Wests Roosters at 2 pm, followed by Norths against Poneke at 3.30 pm, while at the same time MSP and Old Boys-University meet on the number Two ground. In three 3.30 pm games at Trentham, Petone play Avalon, Upper Hutt play Tawa and Wainuiomata and Oriental-Rongotai square off in a repeat of last year's Hardham Cup final won by Wainui.

Northern United will be gunning for a rare three-peat of Swindale Shield titles in 2008. Norths' road to the title last year was impressive, winning nine and losing two and averaging 41 points per game. But they are sure to be pushed hard by the likes of HOBM, MSP, Petone, and Poneke, who are celebrating their 125^th Jubilee in April.

As well as Premier play, all opening round Senior One Harper Lock Shield and Senior Two National Mutual Cup games will be held at Porirua Park and Trentham Memorial Park from 12.30pm.There will be no better opportunity to catch the action between the best club teams and players in Wellington. The Gala Day promises to be a huge event across both venues with a Club versus Club set-up that will ensure that pride, as well as points will be on the line.

Remember to take last year's rugby rulebook to the games, with the club rugby season not being played under the Experimental Law Variations that the Rebel Sport Super 14 is played under.