11 September 2009 Old rugby rivals ready to clash again

A rugby fixture with a history dating back to 1929, and with a trophy first played for in 1952, takes place this Saturday, 12 September, on the No. 1 ground at Lincoln University, kicking off at 1.00pm.

It's the annual "Ag Match" - between agricultural students from Lincoln and Massey universities.

The match venue alternates between the two campuses and it's been Massey University's turn to travel this year. Since 2005 Lincoln has won three times and Massey once, last year, so the North Island team currently holds the LA Brookes Trophy and MOG Shield, which are the prizes at stake.

"This rugby match between Lincoln and Massey has decades of history and tradition behind it," says Lincoln University Scholarship Manager Jane Edwards, who is also Manager of the University's 1st XV rugby team. "There's heaps of rugby rivalry between the two old 'ag' universities and always plenty of intensity in these matches."

This year the Lincoln University team has had the coaching services of former All Black prop and Crusaders and Canterbury scrum coach Dave Hewett. Dave is a graduate of land-based Lincoln University, with a Bachelor of Commerce and Management degree (1994).

The Lincoln University "Ag" team is captained by lock Andrew Smith, holder of a Lincoln University Rugby Scholarship and a member of the University's 1 st XV team.

Festivities around the match start with an "Old Rivals Dinner" at Lincoln University on Friday 11 September, which will be attended by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Dr Chris Kirk, current players and officials and rugby identities from past eras.