Internationals to defend Reserve Grade title
Thanks to Edwin Meachen for putting together this match preview...
The MSP Internationals will face old rivals Poneke Ruffnuts in this Saturday's Reserve Grade Division One Final. Kick off is at 2.30pm at Kilbirnie Park.
Division One of The Reserve Grade competition in Wellington Club Rugby has evolved into a wee bit of an enigma. It is a grade full of talented players, young and old, some new to rugby, some returning and some seasoned senior or premier players.
Ultimately they are players who tend to be over committed outside of rugby yet still have the competitive drive and passion to turn up and play rugby on a Saturday with their mates, not only to have fun, but to WIN... and have a beer afterwards to brag about it! Reserve Grade welcomes the phrase "Social...but Serious!!".
This has become more apparent in recent years with the fierce, yet friendly, rivalry that exists between Wellington rugby clubs, and mates, in the eastern suburbs. Namely Marist St Pats and Poneke, aka The Internationals and Ruffnuts respectively.
So the cream has truly risen to the top in 2013. The two teams will again battle it out for the supreme award - bragging rights!! To say they are the winners of the most competitive and by far THE most entertaining rugby grade in Wellington.
MSPI have narrowly lost twice in 2013, both times to their finals opponent. Round 1: Poneke Ruffnuts 25 MSP Internationals 20; Round 2: Poneke Ruffnuts 26 MSP Internationals 19.
This weekend sets itself up to be another epic grudge match. Can the MSP Internationals defend their 2012 title to win back to back and their third championship in five years?! Or will the Poneke Ruffnuts make it fourth time lucky, being winless after making their grade final for 3 straight years!
Check back next week for video highlights...
The Statistics:
Semi-Finals:
Poneke Ruffnuts 36 beat Johnsonville Cripples 15
MSP Internationals 30 beat OBU Bergs 0
2013 Points for and against:
MSP Internationals: 413 - 194 (+219)
Poneke Ruffnuts: 390 - 186 (+204)
MSP Internationals History:
2008 - Inaugural Season - 2nd Division, no final but placed second at the end of season
2009 - Won final vs Upper Hutt J8s (Undefeated Season)
2010 - Lost final to Upper Hutt J8s
2011 - Lost semi-final to Poneke Ruffnuts
2012 - Won final vs Poneke Ruffnuts
2013 - Final vs Poneke Ruffnuts this Saturday
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