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Wellington club rugby interclub trophies listed below (in alphabetical order).
Just the men’s Premier interclub trophies listed below in version 1.0:
Alby Jack Memorial Cup
Oriental-Rongotai v Wellington Axemen
Albie Jack (1917-2000) played before and after the war for Oriental and also for the combined Ories/Poneke side during the war. He captained Ories to Hardham Cup victory in 1949, before transferring to the Axemen in 1950 where he played in the top team and co-coached them with Jack Cragg in 1959 before ending his career as Player/Coach of the B side in 1960. Jack was a Wellington Representative in 1945.While serving in the Middle East and Africa he played for the 25th Battalion. As an administrator, he was a Vice -President of the Wellington Football Club, a foundation member of the Wellington Rugby Supporters’ club and an early member of the Centurions club.
Alby Makeham Shield
Poneke v Upper Hutt Rams
First played for in 1989. Alby “Kick it again” Makeham was the halfback for Poneke 1951-59. He played for Upper Hutt 1960-62. He was a Wellington representative 1954-59 and a NZ trialist in 1958 and in many quarters unlucky not to be an All Black.The Poneke website said that he had great pass and kick and would talk for the full 80 minutes. He played cricket in the Hutt, then mercantile cricket for Poneke until he died. Following his playing career, he helped coach young Poneke halfbacks, including future All Black, Ofisa Tonu’u.His mother “Ma” Makeham was a passionate Poneke follower, who was a life member 1975-96.
Alf Keating Memorial Trophy
Northern United v Wainuiomata
Alf Keating played for both Wainuiomata and Norths. When he passed away the family donated this trophy in his name. A memorial occasion in recent times was when Wainuiomata beat the Norths Senior 1 26-5 in 2000, with Jonah Lomu playing for Wainuiomata and scoring two tries in front of a 5,000 strong crowd at Porirua Park. In 2007 All Black Piri Weepu led them to a 30-29 win over Norths in the Swindale Shield.
Anthony Waldrom Trophy
Avalon Wolves Premier v Wainuiomata Premier. Inaugural meeting for this in 2018. Named in honour of former Wainuiomata first five-eighth Anthony Waldrom. Both his sons, Thomas and Scott, played for Avalon and had long professional careers early in the 2000s.
Ash Pointon Cup
Oriental-Rongotai v Johnsonville
Ash Pointon played over 250 combined Premier games for Ories and Johnsonville throughout the 1980s and 1990s and coached Ories teams into the 2000s. He sadly passed away in May 2017 after a long battle with cancer, aged 56. His 167 games for Ories stood as a club record for 30 years. He first joined Ories in 1980, out of Rongotai College. He started his playing career at lock and moved to No. 8 and then blindside flanker. He moved to Newlands and transferred to Johnsonville and finished his playing career as a Swindale Shield winner with the Hawks in 1997.
Barlow Trophy
Northern United v Johnsonville
Bert Barlow played senior club rugby as a wing for Johnsonville before moving to Titahi Bay. Once settled in the Bay, Bert became active at the local Titahi Bay Rugby Club, becoming a lower grade coach in the lower grades before moving through to coach the club’s top team with another old Bay stalwart, Ken Stirling. He was also that club’s Club Captain, Building Convenor & President. Bert also had a big input in the completion of the upgrade of the old Onepoto Park Clubrooms.
Beet Algar Rosebowl
Old Boys University v Poneke
Beet Algar played a symphony on the rugby field in the romantic era of Wellington Rugby, representing Wellington between 1914-22. He played 6 games (no tests) for the All Blacks in 1919 and 1921. Algar captained All Blacks against Manawatu-Wanganui- Horowhenua in 1920. Beet’s full name was Beethoven Algar, his family loved music so he was named after the famous musician. Beet was heavily involved with the Poneke club. He was the captain of the senior side from 1919-1922. When he retired from the game he was a key administrator of the club. Up until 1978 until he died he was the club’s patron. He had a brother called Doug that represented Wellington as well.
Bill Cavubati Cup
Old Boys University v Johnsonville
Presented in 2024 by Bill Cavubati, a former Wellington, Hurricanes prop who played internationals for Fiji. Cavubati was the Hurricanes’ heaviest Hurricane and was involved inagural teams after the Super 12 competition started in 1996. Cavubati started playing for University teams (later Harlequins and now Old Boys University) and for Johnsonville, being a Swindale Shield winner with Johnsonville in 1998. OBU were the first winners of this contest, winning 41-37 in round one 2024.
Bill Elvy Memorial Trophy
Petone v Marist St Pat’s
This trophy was presented by the family of Bill Elvy for competition between Petone and Marist-St Pats. Bill Elvy was originally from Canterbury and was an All Blacks wing in 1925 and 1926. He played for Petone soon after his arrival in Wellington. He was a Wellington representative in (1927-1929) and made the North Island and New Zealand XV Teams (1929). Bill’s son Norm played for both the Marist and St Pat’s Clubs and his Grandson Martin played for MSP.
Bill Francis/Jack Taylor Trophy
Petone v Wellington
First contested between the Petone and Wellington Premiers in 2017. Both were former Wellington Axemen and All Blacks (Bill Francis MBE in 1913-14 and Taylor in 1937-38), and their extended families, the Francis/Morgan and Taylor/Cleland and Whittington Families, donated this trophy. Francis was a hooker who played 20 matches for Wellington between 1913-15 and in 1921 and played for the All Blacks 12 times in 1913 and 1914 including in seven internationals. Taylor played 35 times for Otago before moving to Wellington and playing 10 times for them in 1939-40. He played six internationals. Taylor later coached the Wellington representative team and became the chair of the Wellington Rugby Union management committee. Petone and Wellington also contest the Air New Zealand Trophy, which is played for between the two clubs across all senior matches between the two clubs in a season.
Bill Jones Cup
Wainuiomata v Wellington
The Bill Jones Cup honours one of Wainuiomata’s greatest supporters from their early days. Wainuiomata’s home ground is also named after him. When the the two teams met in the Swindale Shield in 2014 it was their first Premier meeting since 1987.
Billy Herbert Memorial Trophy
Avalon v Hutt Old Boys Marist
Billy Herbert was a prop who came to Avalon in the 2005 pre-season but suffered a massive heart attack on the last training night before the first competition game. He had previously played Premier for HOBM, and his family organised this trophy in his memory.
Bob Lendrum Cup
Upper Hutt Rams v Oriental-Rongotai
Former Oriental lock and Upper Hutt coach and representative player and coach Bob Lendrum passed away in early 2021. Lendrum came to Wellington from ‘up north’ in Whangarei and joined the Oriental club. He represented Wellington between 1963-1966, went to Fiji for work and coached their national team whilst there, before returning to New Zealand and living in Upper Hutt and also became a Hutt City Councillor. He was a Life Member at both the Upper Hutt Rams and Oriental-Rongotai, as well as the Centurions RFC. The Rams and Ories play for the Bob Lendrum Trophy in the first round of the Swindale Shield.
Bondy Memorial Cup
Hutt Old Boys Marist v Oriental-Rongotai
The Bondy Memorial Trophy commemorates Don Bond who passed away in 2011, just a few weeks before Ories won the Jubilee Cup for the first time. Bond was the patron of Ories, being a former Ories player, Club Captain, WRFU delegate, Life Member, President and Chairman. He was also a Wellington Colts, B and A representative team Manager. The inaugural encounter for this was in 2012.
Carman Cup
Tawa v Johnsonville
The Carman Cup was donated by Arthur Carman who was the first Patron of the Tawa RFC. He was also a member of the Johnsonville club. The trophy was first played for in 1952 and apart from one year (1994) it has been contested each year since. Both clubs have had a close relationship with each other over the years. When Tawa was initially formed Johnsonville gave Tawa the use of their training ground on Monday nights. Most of the Tawa players rode their bikes to training along the back road to Johnsonville. Arthur Carman was also an author and publisher of many rugby and sports book and was the editor of the NZ Rugby Almanack for years.
Chris Stirling Cup
Wainuiomata v Tawa
This cup was presented by the Wainuiomata Premiers in2009 in appreciation of the excellent work Chris Stirling did for Wainuiomata as Club Coaching Co-ordinator from 2005 to 2007.Chris Stirling also has very strong connections with the Tawa Rugby Club where he played over 200 premier games for them and was their Club Coaching Co-ordinator for a time in 2008 and 2009.
Collins Memorial Trophy
Northern United and Petone
In memory of cousins Jerry and Willie Collins, both former players with strong personal and family affiliations to both clubs and who both tragically passed away young. Willie was involved in several clubs, Petone Avalon, HOBM and the Upper Hutt Rams, and his brothers Joe and August were also long-time Premier players. Boxing coach and trainer Willie passed away in a diving accident in 2015. Jerry captained Norths when he was 18 and went on to a long Hurricanes and All Blacks career and playing career overseas before dying in a car accident in France in 2016. The inaugural Willie Collins Memorial Medal was also presented to the Man of the Match in this fixture in 2017.
Cyril Collett Memorial Shield
Northern United v Poneke
Collett played for Porirua in the 1950’s, with his sons Paul and Bruce later turning out for Porirua and Poneke.
Darren Larsen Cup
Petone v Wainuiomata
With strong ties to both clubs over many years, this trophy was presented to both clubs for play at Premier level by former Wainuiomata front rower Darren Larsen, who is well known as a leading club and representative coach in and around Wellington and as a former WRFU Academy Manager and current Hurricanes Recruitment and Development Manager (2021).
Dean Gifford Memorial Cup
Old Boys University v Wellington
Dean Gifford was a much-respected police officer who passed away at a young age in 2012 after battling cancer. Gifford was a lock who played for both the Old Boys University and Wellington Axemen Premiers, as well as for Ories and MSP and Petone Police, and also stints for Nelson Bays and Wairarapa-Bush. The St Pat’s Town old boy also coached rugby. First played for in 2013.
Duncan Cup
Wests Roosters v Johnsonville
The trophy was first played for in 1997/98. About to be added in.
F.J. Tilyard Memorial Shield
Petone v Poneke
The F. J. Tilyard Shield was first contested in 1958, between Petone (founded 1885) and Poneke (1883). The Tilyards were a famous Poneke family. There were four brothers. Fred and Jimmy were All Blacks while the other two, Harry and Brun, played for Wellington. Fred played for four club championship winning teams, was a Wellington Representative for seven years, was an All Black in 1923 and was a club administrator for 20 years.
Father Cleary Shield
MSP v HOBM – Premier
Marist supremacy for the Father Cleary Shield, which commemorates the late Father Tom Cleary (commonly known as “Creeps”) a sportsmaster and well known first XV coach at St. Pat’s College, Wellington and one of the founders of the St. Pat’s College Old Boys RC. It was donated by the Roche family for competition between Marist and St. Pat’s at a time when relations between them were not very cordial, in the hope that it might improve these relations. Its effectiveness may be judged by the fact that the two clubs are now amalgamated. Following the amalgamation, the trophy briefly fell into disuse. It was revived in 1974 for competition between MSP and Hutt Valley Marist. In 1995 it was re-allocated for the first round match between MSP and Hutt Old Boys Marist after their amalgamation with Hutt Old Boys.
Forsyth Trophy
Tawa v Wests Roosters
About to come.
Gareth Head Memorial Trophy
Petone v Wests Roosters
Gareth Head played his early rugby for Onslow before moving to Petone in 1966 and playing in well over 100 Senior games many of these in the front row with Petone’s All Black Great Ken Gray. Gareth also played over 100 games for Wellington.When he finished playing he coached the Petone senior 3rds in 1978-79.The Wests club was formed from an amalgamation of the Athletic, Onslow and Karori Clubs in 1982 and Head was their inaugural coach. Two seasons later he was back at Petone and teamed up with long-time teammate Andy Leslie, coaching the Petone Premier side as well as the Wellington Colts. He helped establish the Ken Gray Academy at Petone and was an active member of the 1985 Centennial Committee. His sudden death at age 54 in January 1997 was a great loss.
Hakaraia Trophy
Poneke v Wainuiomata
The Hakaraia Trophy was presented by the Hakaraia family for competition between the Poneke Football Club and the Wainuiomata Rugby Club after Paul Hakaraia Senior passed away in 2000. Paul Hakaraia was a remarkably warm character with a great sense of humour. Despite a permanent disability in one leg from infantile paralysis, he overcame this and succeeded in playing representative rugby as a schoolboy for Horowhenua and was able to cope with Army infantry service in the Middle East, serving in D Company of the 28th Maori Battalion. He kept up with his rugby as a Golden Oldie until he turned 78 years old. Paul joined the Poneke Football Club as a player in 1948 and later moved to Wainuiomata where he built his family a home in the 1950’s. He then joined the Wainuiomata Rugby Club where he played, coached, and managed teams and eventually became Patron of the Club. All five sons played for Wainuiomata, two transferred to Poneke (Peter and Paul Junior) when they moved ‘to town’ to achieve their ambition to play at Premier level thus continuing the friendly association and rivalry between these two clubs. In January 2007, Peter was tragically drowned in a diving accident at Island Bay. The Hakaraia Trophy is now played in the fond memory of both Paul Senior and his son Peter.
Harper Vine Trophy (Avalon v Upper Hutt)
Avalon v Upper Hutt Rams
Donated by the families of Tammy Harper and Bob Vine. Tammy Harper was the first elected Life Member of Avalon Rugby Football Club and had an intense rivalry with Bob Vine of The Upper Hutt Rugby Football Club.
Horan-Millar Trophy
Marist St Pat’s v Poneke
The Horan-Millar Trophy, first played for in 2009 and named after former MSP coach and Marist hooker Mick Horan who played 175 Senior games between 1955-1965 and former Poneke legend of the 1950s-1970s and life member Ken Millar who passed away in 1982. Both Mick and Ken were great club men who locked horns over many seasons in Wellington club football and were good friends off the field who had great respect for each other. Mick Horan played hooker for Marist Bros Old Boys from 1955 to 1965. He captained that team to win the Jubilee Cup three times. He coached the Marist Senior team in the late 1960’s. He coached the very successful Wellington Colts team from 1975 to 1977. He then coached the Wellington B team from 1978 to 1980 winning the initial National B Competition, unbeaten. He had played 175 consecutive games for Marist when he lost 5 teeth in a tough game against Poneke! He was made a Life Member of MSP when he died suddenly in 1982, aged 47.Ken Millar was a Poneke legend through the 1950’s and 1960’s. A very hard man, he was also the Wellington Heavyweight Champion as a boxer – he won 18 Wellington heavyweight titles and 5 National Titles. He represented Wellington at Rugby from 1952 to 1960. He coached the Poneke Premiers in the 1970’s and became Life Member of the Club in 1981 and died in 1982.
Ivan Hardgrave Trophy
Northern United v Paremata-Plimmerton
Ivan Hardgrave was an active club rugby administrator for the Titahi Bay RFC then the Northern United RFC. Ivan was also a Porirua City Councillor for many terms and put up the Ivan Hardgrave Trophy to be played between the local Western Bays RFC’s of Porirua, Titahi Bay, Paremata-Plimmerton and Tawa. Now just between Norths and Paremata-Plimmerton.
Jack Lamason Memorial Cup
Marist St Pat’s v Old Boys University
This trophy was originally established for competition between St Patrick’s College Old Boys and Wellington College Old Boys (largely at the instigation of Vince Paino, a life member of Marist St Pats; Wellington selector and executive member). Following amalgamations, the contest is now between MSP and OBU (formerly Harlequins). Jack Lamason was a legendary figure in Wellington sport before and after the Second World War. He played senior cricket for WCOB for 20 years, represented Wellington and toured England with the New Zealand team in 1937.He also played senior rugby for WCOB, being captain and later coach. He represented Wellington from 1929-36 and was part of the 1930 Ranfurly Shield winning team coached by the renowned Norman Millard. Also notable was that he was never in the 1st XV or 1st XI whilst at Wellington College. He died in 1961.
Jim Brown Memorial Trophy
Petone v Oriental-Rongotai
That trophy was donated by Brown’s former employer Dominion Breweries following the death of the loyal Petone servant and 1965-74 Wellington representative in 2004. Brown was a key member of Petone’s side that dominated Wellington club rugby during this same period. Brown suffered a broken leg in a match against Upper Hutt that reputedly denied him All Blacks selection. He is also honoured with the Jim Brown Medal given to the player of the match in the Jubilee Cup Final.
Jim Grbich Memorial Shield
Poneke v Oriental-Rongotai
Jim Grbich was a Wellington representative for seven years as well as a New Zealand Maori representative for three seasons. Grbich, of Dalmatian and Maori descent, came to Wellington from Pukekohe in 1950 and joined the Poneke club for whom he played every season for up until his premature death. Poneke won the Jubilee Cup in his second year at the club in 1951.He played for Poneke for 10 years and was “at the peak of his powers” when he died in a car accident in 1962 near the current Tawa motorway interchange, aged 31. He was one of those few players who always seemed to be where the ball would be. Together with Moray Bevan he formed a lethal combination in the midfield for Poneke, Wellington and NZ Maori, later moving into the loose forwards. N. Gardiner, a long-time member of Oriental, who was also a good friend of the Grbich family, presented the Grbich shield in 1964.
Joe Aspell Cup
Marist St Pat’s v Avalon
This trophy was awarded by the late Joe Aspell for competition between the Marist and Taita clubs when Joe was the licensee of the Taita Hotel.As a result of amalgamations, the trophy is now contested between Marist St Pats and Avalon. Joe played for Marist Old Boys in the 1940s. He served the club in many ways, becoming a President and Life Member. He was a publican and the licensee of several hotels in the Wellington area, a Wellington City Councillor and a notable benefactor of many charitable causes.
Keith Mettrick Memorial Cup
Oriental-Rongotai v Wests Roosters
Keith Mettrick’s contribution to Ories on and off the field from 1957 to 1986 is unparalleled in that time. He made his debut as an 18-year-old hooker for West Coast but moved to Wellington in 1957 where he joined Oriental. He played for Wellington A and B between 1959 and 1963 as a nuggety first-choice hooker. In his last rep year, he was one of four Ories in the Wellington Team. He finished playing for Ories in 1968 and the next season took over as Senior 3rd Coach. Success came immediately and the team won the National Mutual Cup for the first round. Mettrick continued with the Senior 3rds until 1973 but they were unable to repeat the success of 1969. He took over from Bob Lendrum as Senior coach in 1973. In 1977 he was appointed Wellington Senior 2nd/3rd selector-coach, the same year Ories made him a life member. In 1978 and 1979 he took charge of the Wellington Colts. In 1981 he was appointed coach of the Wellington B team, later returning to coach Ories in the mid-1980s. He was pulling on his rugby boots to slog through the Polo mud when he became ill. he was assistant general manager of the TAB when he died in 1986.Keith’s son Neil played Premier rugby for Ories through the early to mid-90’s and returns in 2006 as Manager of the Ories Premier team. The gym at the Polo Ground is named after him.
Ken Douglas Trophy
Old Boys University v Northern United
Kenneth George Douglas played rugby for many years with WCOB in the 1960’s. He later became a member of Titahi Bay RFC where he was instrumental in setting up the amalgamation between Porirua RFC and Titahi Bay RFC to form Northern United in 1989. He remains a great supporter of both Northern United and Old Boys-University Rugby clubs. Ken was a well-known trade union leader who eventually went on to be a director on a number of boards including NZRU and NZ Post. He is currently a Porirua City Councillor and was made a Member of the Order of New Zealand (NZ’s highest honour) in 1998. In 1999, Ken was awarded with an Honorary Doctorate in Laws from Victoria University of Wellington.
Ken Gray Cup
Petone v Paremata-Plimmerton
First played for in 2015. Gray was a versatile prop, who started rugby life as a lock (until 1961) and played over a century of matches for Wellington and 24 Tests and 50 matches for the All Blacks between 1963-69. At 99kg and 1.90cm, Gray was big for that era and he was a no-nonsense player and leader of men on the field and a role model and popular figure off it. He led Wellington to many famous victories, none more so than the twin wins in 1965 and 1966 against the touring Springboks and British and Irish Lions. Leaving the Wellington College second XV he joined the Paremata club near his family’s farm in Pauatahanui, and it was from there 50 years ago this winter that he was selected to play for Wellington B from that club in 1958. Paremata merged with Plimmerton in 1959 to form today’s Premier club based at Ngatitoa Domain. Gray subsequently moved to Petone and played for that famous club for over a decade, as well as for Wellington and for the All Blacks during this time. Petone won the Jubilee Cup on five consecutive occasions between 1967-71, becoming the first club in the competition’s history that stretched back to 1880 to achieve this feat. Gray was captain of the side for the first three of these seasons. He died in 1992. His legacy lives on at Petone with the club’s Ken Gray Academy that was formed in 1996. One of its founders was another long-serving Wellington and Petone prop, Gareth Head who passed away the following year.
Kerry Williams Cup
Upper Hutt Rams v Johnsonville.
Established 2023.
Donated by Tiny Graham for the Williams Family in memory of Kerry. Ex Upper Hutt player and coach and ex Johnsonville RDO and Father of Nathan and Jamie Williams. Nathan coached UH 2013-2015 and their winning 7s team, and later Feilding Yellows to championship glory in the Manawatu. Jamie Coached OBU and was part of Jubilee Cup winning OBU teams.
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Kevin Carmichael Cup
Tawa v Poneke
Kevin played for tawa but at that stage their highest team would have been 1 lower than Premier Reserve. He went to Poneke to play Premier rugby and played 118 games for Poneke before returning to play for tawa for another 120 games and is a Life Member at Tawa. This was first contested in 2020, with Tawa winning the ingaurgal trophy 17-15.
Marc Verhoeven Memorial Trophy
Petone v Old Boys University
Mark Verhoeven captained both Petone and the Wellington representative side in the late 1980s and early 1990s, winning several Jubilee Cups with the former, and was later OBU’s (then Harlequins) first Premier captain following the merger. His untimely death in Sydney in 2011 was a shock to the Wellington rugby community and the trophy donated in time for the following years fixture, with the inaugural match in 2012 finishing in an 18-all draw.
Maurice Standish Cup
Marist St Pat’s v Northern United
Maurie Standish was an outstanding Premier player and flanker for Marist St Pat’s. He was a Jubilee Cup champion as a player and then coached the Premier team to Jubilee Cup victory in 1988. He also played at Titahi Bay RFC and later coached at Northern United RFC as he was a resident of that area, and a well-respected member of both clubs. The Cup in his name was inaugurated in 2017 to be played for in the first-round Premier game between Northern United and Marist St Pats in 2018.
McBain Shield
Petone v Hutt Old Boys Marist
This shield commemorates the memory of Alexander McBain who was the first headmaster of Eastern Hutt School when it opened in 1915. He was a lifelong supporter of rugby and a loyal member and Past President of the Hutt Club and elected a life member in 1928. Alexander McBain was also vice-president of the WRFU.The shield was presented by his son Hec and Captain T E Bevan for competition between the senior teams from the Petone and Hutt clubs and first played for on 26 May 1934. On that day it was a close fought battle won 6-5 by a strong Hutt side, reportedly in front of 4000 spectators. Since then, the McBain Shield matches have continued to be highly anticipated events and like the old days the Shield game is preceded with a luncheon.
Mick Kenny Memorial Cup
Johnsonville v Wellington
Kenny played for the Hawks before World War II and the Axemen after it and was instrumental in having a Services Trophy that he had played a part in winning during the war – the Harper Lock Shield – being donated to the WRFU. The Mick Kenny Memorial Cup was donated after his death in 2000 for Premier matches between the Johnsonville and Wellington clubs.
Morgan Family Trophy
Petone vs Avalon
This was established in 1987 and donated by cousins John and Trevor Morgan, on behalf of the family. Trevor’s father, Ray Morgan played Senior A, coached Senior B, and was also the club treasurer. Ray was also the secretary/treasurer of the NZRU. He died in 1975 aged 53. John Morgan played age group rugby for Petone in the 1970s. Through his wife Lauren, he joined the Taita club, where he became treasurer. He was on the committee that amalgamated to form the Avalon club in 1980. Trevor represented Wellington between 1971-75. He was also Player-Coach of the Avalon Senior A’s in the clubs early years.
Murray & Alan Mexted Cup
Tawa v Wellington Premier
Named after the two brothers – the family name being Synonymous with both clubs, playing for both clubs. No. 8 Murray played 34 consecutive tests for the All Blacks from 1979 to 1985. He also played 38 non-test games including 7 as captain and played for Wellington from 1975-86. Flanker Alan also played for the Wellington representative team for three seasons in the early 1980s. Their father Graham Mexted played 38 times for Wellington and one Test in 1950 against the British & Irish Lions.
Murray Henderson Trophy
Norths v Petone
First played for in 2016, Murray Henderson was amongst those that facilitated the merger of Norths’ predecessor clubs Porirua and Titahi Bay, a great friend of many Villagers, and his tireless work for community rugby saw him made a Life Member of the WRFU. They also have the Collins Medal – honouring late cousins Jerry and Willie – at stake for the player of this match.
Omar Cup
Old Boys University v Wests Roosters
The Gregg brothers donated the Omar Cup. Dave Gregg was a fullback for WCOB for many years while Malcolm and Jim Gregg played for Onslow and Wests. It is called the Omar Cup as they both lived in Omar Street in Khandallah. First contested in 1991.
Patterson Memorial Trophy
Hutt Old Boys Marist v Stokes Valley
Donated by N A Patterson & family. This trophy is played for the first time during the season that the two Clubs meet in any grade.
Peter Dunford Cup
Old Boys University v Wainuiomata
Peter Dunford was a Wellington College Old Boys who moved to Wainuiomata in the 1950s and became heavily involved in the local club. First contested in 1986 and won by WCOB.
Peter Jones/Dave Ritchie Cup
Wainuiomata v Upper Hutt Rams
The Peter Jones/Dave Ritchie Cup has been played between the Wainuiomata and Upper Hutt/Rams Premier teams when Wainuiomata returned to the Premier grade in 2006.Dave Ritchie and Peter Jones both worked at St Patrick’s College, Silverstream, with Dave being the co-manager of the Upper Hutt Premier team and Peter Jones, while now living in Silverstream after living in Wainuiomata for 42 years, was the the Assistant Manager of the Wainuiomata Premiers.
Roger Mildenhall Cup
Avalon v Stokes Valley
Donated by the Mildenhall family in 1995.Roger Mildenhall was a Life member of the Avalon Rugby club and a long-term resident of Stokes Valley. Contested in the highest grade first round meeting between the two clubs.
Rona-Morrisey Cup
MSP v Wainuiomata
Cliff Rona played for Marist St Pat’s from 1972 to 1982. He was in at least one Jubilee Cup winning team. In 1977 he was the Vice-Captain of the first MSP team to win the Swindale Shield and were also runners-up in the Jubilee Cup. In 1978 the Premier team shared the Jubilee Cup with Wellington before winning both trophies in 1979. Rona was assistant coach of the MSP Senior 3rd team that won the National Mutual Cup and the HD Morgan Memorial Cup in 1983.Rona returned to Wainuiomata in 1984 and played for that club’s Premier team. John Morrisey became a long serving member and President of the Wainuiomata RFC. John played for the Marist Bros Old Boys Club. He was involved with coaching at the Wainuiomata RFC for more than four decades and has served as Wainuiomata’s President.
Roy Johns Memorial Shield
Poneke v Hutt Old Boys Marist
Roy Hollie Reginald Johns was born on 18 May 1920 at Harris Hospital, 139 Ghuznee Street, the son of Reginald Albert Johns and Eveline Maud Johns. The Johns family lived at 40 Charlotte Avenue in Brooklyn. Roy’s grandfather, Albert, was a partner in the iron-foundry business of Johns, Wallace and Muir, at 63 Tory Street and Roy became an iron-moulder by trade. Roy’s job was considered to be essential to the war-effort in World War Two and he was exempted from active-service as a result. A member of the Poneke FC (and the combined Poneke-Oriental senior team) in the 1940’s, Johns was originally selected for Wellington B in 1941, but owing to the unavailability of the first-choice halfback (O’Halloran from Athletic) he was selected to play against Hawke’s Bay that year, a match lost 13-16. Johns went on to represent Wellington throughout the war years as the regular halfback and was noted to have had “an excellent game” in Wellington’s defeat of Auckland in 1944 by 12-9. Johns also represented the Brooklyn Cricket Club (which played in Wellington Cricket’s Second and Third Grades during the War years) as a batsman, famously scoring 133 not-out in a match against the Hutt Club in 1941. Roy died in 1988 at which time the Memorial Shield was created and first competed for.
Sammy Saili Memorial Trophy
Northern United v Tawa
Sammy Saili passed away suddenly in 2009. He played over 200 Premier games for Norths between 1992-1995 and for Tawa from 1996-2008. He coached junior rugby for Tawa RFC and Tawa College. He was church and Samoan community leader and recruited many Pacific Islanders (from Porirua) to the Tawa club.
Spud Lindsay Memorial Trophy
Poneke v Wellington
Ray Lindsay, known as “Spud” was a Poneke player, administrator, and senior coach through the 1930’s, 40’s, and 50’s, before being replaced as senior coach in 1958. Following this he moved to the Axemen where he was involved until his death in 1973, and the trophy was donated by his family that year.
Ted Connolly Cup
Petone v Upper Hutt
The Ted Connolly Cup was first played for in 1969. Ted, along with brothers Adrian and Eric, played a significant role in the Upper Hutt club in the years either side of WWII. Ted established a post-war team known as “Connolly’s All Stars XV”, initially comprising returned servicemen, which played an annual match.
Terry Farrow Memorial Cup
Northern United v Upper Hut Rams
This cup was donated by the Farrow family in memory of Terry Farrow, Past Life Member of Norths RFC, who passed away in 1999. Terry was instrumental in the amalgamation of the Titahi Bay and Porirua clubs, which formed the Northern United RFC in 1990.Terry’s father, George was the first Life Member of the Upper Hutt club. Other family connections with Upper Hutt include Kerry Farrow, who was a long-time player and captain of their premier side. Norths won the first memorial match staged in 2000.
To’omaga Alex Iona Memorial Cup
Northern United v Oriental-Rongotai
The Inaugural match was on 21 May 2011, between Northern United and Oriental Rongotai. The trophy was presented by Alex’s family to the North’s RFC to be played annually between the two Premier teams. Alex first played for Ories on his arrival from Samoa, then moved to Porirua and joined the then Porirua RFC where he continued to play before taking up coaching in the lower grades. Alex then became involved with management roles on the committee. He continued to volunteer all his life in many roles within the club and became a strong supporter been a strong supporter of the now Norths club, where he continued to serve the game.Alex also had a strong involvement in the Wellington Samoan Rugby Union and was well known within the Wellington Samoan rugby community.
Viv Haigh Memorial Cup
Marist St Pat’s v Wests Roosters
Viv Haigh first played for the old Onslow club in 1929. After his promising career was cut short by injury he turned to administration and coaching. He died suddenly at the age of 46, having had a continuous association with the club for more than 30 years, the last 16 years as Treasurer.After Viv’s untimely death, W.B. Griffiths presented a trophy in his memory for competition between the Onslow and Marist clubs. Marist won the first match, played on 14 May 1960. Marist later merged with St Pat’s Old Boys to become Marist St Pat’s, and Onslow merged with Athletic and Karori to form Wests. Subsequently, the trophy was contested between MSP and Wests in the Swindale Shield.
Wayne Fraser Memorial Trophy
Avalon Wolves v Wests Roosters
The Wayne Fraser Memorial Trophy was donated by the Naenae Hotel to be contested between the Western Suburbs Club and Avalon Club in 1994 after the tragic death of Wayne Fraser. Wayne played for Wests from the age of 21 before moving out of central Wellington and transferred to Avalon where he played until his death. The Trophy is contested on the day that the Premier sides from each club play, between all Senior games where Wests meet Avalon.
Wood Cup
Hutt Old Boys Marist v Old Boys University
The Wood Cup honours Ron Wood, who was a founding member of the Woburn club (later High School Old Boys which merged with the Hutt club to form Hutt Old Boys) and had also played for Wellington College Old Boys. Wood went to Wellington College, played for WCOB during the second world war and then helped start Woburn in 1945. He became the Town Clerk of Manukau City Council in the mid-1960s. The first Wood Cup was contested in 1960 and HOB won the first five before WCOB locked it way for the first time in 1965. There has been a pattern of high scoring close games for the Wood Cup between HOBM and OBU in the modern era.