Get revved up about the Ranfurly Shield
Matamata has pulled off a coup and will be hosting Waikato to defend the Ranfurly Shield.
UMS is hoping for a big crowd to attend the July 30 game at Bedford Park to watch Waikato take on King Country at 2.35pm, with curtain raisers, food and beverage stalls, half time and full time entertainment.
King Country have already confirmed several supporter buses will be making the trip north so the Waikato team needs your support.
United Matamata Sports presi- dent Aaron Hill, whose club is hosting the game, hoped businesses would take the opportunity to support this unique rugby game and showcase the town.
The club would have the Ranfurly Shield in town the week before the game so if businesses thought outside the box and organised a way to promote the game with their business then the shield could be visiting them.
The club will be hosting the Matamata Business Association BA5 meeting on July 20 at Bedford Park.
There are corporate hospitality sites available at the game, con- tact malcolm@panelworks.co.nz.
The Corinthian Rugby Club are planning a pre-game function for their members in the UMS clubrooms which includes food, beer and a ticket into the grand stand.
George Simpkin has organised a UMS old timers tickets which includes a meal at the Matamata Club and a ticket to the game.
The shield would also visit local schools.
Tickets for the game would be available from the iSITE from July 11. Adults are $15, grandstand $25, kids aged between 5 and 16 are $5 and under fives are free.
‘‘I got very excited when I heard a Ranfurly Shield game was coming to Matamata,’’ Jacob Henderson said.
That was why he has organised a luncheon at his pub, The Redoubt, before the game.
Ranfurly rugby fans can get revved up before the game by hearing ‘‘Waikato legend’’ Dwayne Monkley speak at the pub and then head down for kick off.