Unison Challenge Shield Opens Magpie Season

Unison Challenge Shield Opens Magpie Season

Friday, 24 August 2012 – The inaugural Unison 1st XV Challenge Shield final was played last night at McLean Park as the curtain raiser for the Magpies first game of the season.

Central Hawke’s Bay College (CHBC) won against Lindisfarne Two in the B Grade Final, a score of 15-0.

It was a tightly contested game, with the score nil-all at half time. In the second half, CHBC scored two tries, securing the win.

CHBC Captain Travis Taylor said the team was delighted with the opportunity to play the curtain raiser.

“With the nerves a bit more settled in the second half, the boys started to enjoy the atmosphere of playing on McLean Park, and played good, intelligent rugby to dominate the second half.

“It was great to come away with the win in front of our family and friends that had travelled up from Waipukurau to support us.”

The Unison 1st XV Challenge Shield is an extension to Unison’s sponsorship of the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union’s junior programme. The competition offers two grades of competition, with B grade teams playing for the Challenge Shield, and A Grade teams playing for the Challenge Cup.

David Russell, Assistant Principal of CHBC said the Unison 1st XV Challenge Shield had been a great focus for the team.

“I would like to thank Unison for their input into 1st XV rugby. There was a bit of a void in terms of purpose and status of the Hawke’s Bay competition, and their input may be a catalyst for lifting its profile.”

As the Unison Challenge Shield winners, CHBC was awarded the Unison Challenge Shield, as well as a medal for each team member, presented by Unison Commercial General Manager, Jonathan Kay. The school received a $1,000 sporting equipment voucher courtesy of Unison, and runner-up Lindisfarne College received a $500 voucher.

Unison’s Powerman was also at McLean Park last night to launch the start of the season, with Magpies players helping Powerman fire giveaways into the crowd, including t-shirts, beanies and a Magpies rugby jersey.

The final of the Unison 1st XV Challenge Cup will be played as the curtain raiser for the Magpies vs. Bay of Plenty match, at McLean Park on 21 September.

ENDS

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