The sun was shining, the sidelines were packed, and the atmosphere at Rangiora Showgrounds on Saturday was nothing short of electric. For the third year running, the Bunnings Warehouse NPC and Representative Rugby came together to create a true community rugby festival.

From the early morning kick-offs, the grounds buzzed with energy. Families, friends, and rugby supporters of all ages filled the venue, enjoying everything from food trucks and bouncy castles to high-quality rugby across the grades. Ellesmere set the early tone with three wins from the morning fixtures, before the stage was set for the highly anticipated Southbridge Shield clash between Ellesmere and North Canterbury.

North Canterbury put in a commanding performance to dominate Ellesmere in a 56–12 victory, lifting both the Tane Norton Cup and the prestigious Southbridge Shield in front of thousands of supporters.

North Canterbury co-captain Nick Hyde said the win was particularly special in front of their home crowd:

“To be able to put in a performance like that, in front of our families and such a massive North Canterbury turnout, is something we're really proud of. To be holders of both the Shield and the Tane Norton Cup is pretty special, a credit to our Colts team, they won for the first time in eight years which is huge. ”

North Canterbury chairman Alistair Sim also highlighted the significance of the day:

“The Southbridge Shield enables both sub-unions to pitch their playing groups against each other in a long-standing relationship that spans over 100 years. The inception of the NPC fixture alongside the Shield has created a partnership between sub-union rugby and the performance pathway, connecting our players and community across the board.”

The event ending the day on a high note for Canterbury, as the Bunnings NPC side stormed past Manawatū in front of a roaring Rangiora crowd, making it five wins from five to start their campaign.

Head Coach Marty Bourke praised both the team’s effort and the special occasion, “To play in front of such a passionate community crowd and deliver a performance like that was huge for us. Days like this show the connection between grassroots and high performance – and the support from the embankment really gave the boys a lift. We're happy with how the team is tracking, and proud to be able to get it done in Rangiora.”

A true community festival, the day was more than just rugby – it was a celebration of connection, pride, and tradition. From U16s right through to NPC level, fans were treated to a full spectrum of Canterbury rugby talent. With thousands turning out, the Southbridge Shield and NPC double-header once again proved to be one of the highlights of the Canterbury rugby calendar.