Town and Country fixture returning after nine years

Maheno prop Kieran Byrne throws into a lineout in a match against Old Boys at Centennial Park...
Maheno prop Kieran Byrne throws into a lineout in a match against Old Boys at Centennial Park earlier this month. PHOTO: HAYDEN MEIKLE
A popular celebration of rugby will return to the North Otago rugby programme after a break of nine years as the Town and Country fixture returns.

This celebration, which includes schoolboy and schoolgirl age-grades, has been scheduled for June 3 at this stage.

The Town and Country fixture has had a rather chequered career.

Many years ago, Athletic played Excelsior in a Citizens Shield final at 10am on Saturday before the Town team headed inland to meet the Country XV in the afternoon.

For several years, Queen's Birthday was also utilised for a very popular sevens tournament.

In addition, this year's fixture will take the form of the Heartland trial with Nigel Walsh and Jason Forrest watching.

It was once traditional for the North Otago representative squad to be announced at the conclusion of the game.

Maybe it is a direction that should be pursued, although the enthusiasm from players and supporters will never be replicated as it was from decades ago.

That was when the North Otago side was picked, the team assembled and then went to play matches against Otago sub-unions and then Otago.

Under the new playing calendar which has evolved over the past few years, that is not going to happen.

Round four of the Citizens Shield will be played tomorrow with the No1 ground at Whitestone Contracting Stadium being utilised for the first time this season when Athletic Marist plays Excelsior.

Excelsior is in second place, one point behind Old Boys, which has a game in hand. Athletic Marist supporters will be hoping for win No2 for the season.

Old Boys, which looks the team to beat, travels to Kurow to play the home side while Valley will host Maheno at Weston Park.

- Terry O'Neill

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