Darfield Wins Coleman Shield

Fullback Alister Collins received his 50 game tie from Co-Captain Harrison Groundwater.

Hamish Pauling, Hamish Inch, Tim Wright, Haigh Jebson and Will Wright, all of whose fathers played in the 1986 victorious Sheffield Team. ...continued from front page. The following season saw Darfield finally get its chance, but in a Final played at Darfield saw a very determined Lincoln side beat the Don Gillanders lead, Darfield team. Since 1987, Darfield has had an up and down run with sides being combined with Kirwee in 1993 and 94 (Central Malvern), and for a few years they couldn’t field a Division 1 team. Then in 2002, after a very strong under 19.5 team, along with an even stronger under 17 team coming, it was decided to re-enter a Division 1 team. The first couple of years saw some cricket-like scores against Darfield, but slowly they built. In 2005, the team won the combined Competition (Ellesmere and Mid Canterbury) to win the PGG Cup. But they played Leeston at Darfield for the Coleman Shield and again fell agonisingly short. Since then, Darfield has tried five more times and lost every Final, coming very close in 2017 against old foes Southbridge. On Saturday, July 30th, an extremely well-coached Darfield team took to the field at the Duck Pond for its eighth Coleman Shield Final, this time against Prebbleton. Prebbleton took off with a very good start and lead 17-0 after 11 minutes. But slowly, Darfield came back into it helped by their level-headed Co-Captain Harrison Groundwater. With time running out and Darfield trailing 26-20, Toby Kars crossed the line to score at 79 minutes, to make a close 26-25. The crowd was completely silent as Fullback, Alister Collins went to kick the successful conversion. to kick the two points. The final score was 27-26 to Darfield and the Club couldn’t have been prouder. So, after 55 seasons, the Coleman Shield is finally in the hands of Darfield! Club President and team member, Sheldon Reed commented that in was incredible feeling and he still wasn’t sure if it had sunk in, four days later. “I would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone that helped on the day, as well as during the season,” said Sheldon. “I am beyond proud and it is a moment for the Club and community to cherish for years to come. There are a lot of people that even though they weren’t playing on the field, at the time, that this Shield belongs to as well,” concluded Sheldon.

SHEFFIELD RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB - Senior A 1986

Winners of E.C.R.S.U. Coleman Shield. Joint winner of Trusteebank Trophy Played 16 Won 14 Lost 2 Point for 313 Against 115

Back row: L. R. Golding, S. J. Smith, M Fanthom, D. N. Beatty, J. Wardlow, A. G. Marsh, T. G. Chapman Middle row: K. G. Pauling, N. H. Wright, H. M. J. Dods, A. J. Thorpe, J. R. Jebson, R. M. Cooper, D. A. Inch, K. Rowlands Front row: P. W. Jenkins (President), J. C. McIntosh, A. J. Jenkins (Coach), J. K. Jenkins (Vice-Captain), C. G. Ferguson (Captain), M. B. Elvy, M. H. Bull (Manager), J. P. Morrison, P. D. Kennedy (Club Captain) Absent: G. L. Jenkins

Darfield Division 1 Team for the Shield Match: 1: Ben Alexander 2: Greg Dunshea 3: Colin Payne 4: Tim Wright 5: Sam Groundwater 6: Haigh Jebson 7: Joe Adams 8: Michael Brankin (CC) 9: Lance Meikle 10: Harrison Groundwater 11: Kieran Meikle 12: Jared Kars 13: Toby Kars 14: Sheldon Reed 15: Alister Collins 16: Tom Pa erson 17: Hamish Pauling 18: Blair McIlroy 19: Will Wright 20: Ged Roessink 21: Jeff Garland 22: Hamish Inch Coach: Mervyn Todd Manager: Sco Mitchell Manager: Hamish Redfern Trainer: Sam Francis Physio: Ma Bre kelly

Other players in team:

Daniel Baxter Jake Baxter Richard Catherwood Rhys Clatworthy Geoff Cridge Ferg Gunn Ryan Hughes Ben Kars Sco McIlroy Rick Pinny James Stanbury Simon Ward Bobby Wright Co-Captain, Harrison Groundwater.

Mul ple sets of brothers involved: Harrison & Sam Groundwater Ben, Jared & Toby Kars Blair & Sco McIlroy Kieran & Lance Meikle Tim & Will Wright Daniel & Jake Baxter

DARFIELD RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB - Senior Team 1987 Runners-Up Ellesmere Senior Competition

Back row: S. J. Gunn, R. Saunders, M. J. Nevin, M. B. Shipley, B. M. Crean, C. H. Ridgen, D. R. Hynam Middle row: E. L. Kars (President), C. F. Miller, A. J. Sheehan, P. M. Winter, M. A. Calcott, A. J. Lee (Coach), M. R. Perkins (Coach) Front row: B. J. McKay, M. A. Campbell, L. N. Hewitt, D. B. Gillanders (Captain), T. R. Ridgen (Vice-Captain), W. D. G. Brownlee, P. M. Lancaster, W. K. Rhind Absent: L. L. Munro, R. Hartnett Patron and Life Member, John Creamer with the Shield.

Alister Collins with President and team member, Sheldon Reed.

Congratulation to neighbouring Clubs for wining their respective Grades; West Melton - Division 3 Champions and Burnham, Dunsandel, Irwell - Colts Champions.