Hi ,

Well, last Saturday was a sombre start to the season with both the Premiers and Premier Reserves coming a distant second to the Petone club, who came out of the stalls quickly and fully deserved their victories.

Tawa looked well short of a gallop but with that behind us our coaching group now have something tangible to work with for the remaining 12 rounds of the Swindale Shield.

It wasn’t all doom and gloom, especially for six of our Premier team who had their debut match. I am sure they will be far better for the experience.

I still enjoyed visiting the Petone clubrooms afterwards with other Tawa members to share a beer and some well-told stories, with the likes of Petone stalwarts Peter Green and Andy Leslie. Petone are a club steeped in tradition and its this off-field camaraderie that makes rugby special.

Next week we are home to Paremata-Plimmerton, who started the season with two good victories over the Ories away at the Polo Ground.

Who can forget last year's final round robin Jubilee Cup cliff-hanger at Ngāti Toa, where Nigel Hunt scored at the death to win 26-23 and then to repeat it the following week in a sudden death qualifier 28-26!

I’m sure Pare-Plim and their supporters haven’t forgotten, so let's make sure that we get down to the home of rugby Lyndhurst Park to support our boys next Saturday.

In other news:

I’m sure that broadcasters had a major say in it, but rugby missed a major trick by only scheduling three Super games over the Easter weekend and no NZ derbies. All the other codes (including cricket) had a field day!

We still don’t have confirmation of what the Premier format will be (other than it will include 14 teams) from 2027 onwards. As soon as we know, we will let you know!

For all those social/casual members out there, your subs are now due. They are only $30. Please pay them at the bar or to our Chairman, Dave Banks.

We still don’t have confirmation of what the Premier format will be (other than it will include 14 teams) from 2027 onwards. As soon as we know, we will let you know!

For all those social/casual members out there, your subs are now due. They are only $30. Please pay them at the bar or to our Chairman, Dave Banks.

Steve Rogers

President