Getting down to brass tacks

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

It's time to get back to rugby.

On Friday, April 22, a muster for women's rugby will be held at Rugby Park, and on April 23 the “Tiny” White Opening Day for premier-grade club rugby will be held at the Oval.

The first round of the Senior 1 club championship will also be played on April 23 at venues to be decided.

Having had only five teams last year, the top tier of Civil Project Solutions Poverty Bay rugby is back to full strength with Kevin Hollis Glass Pirates' return to the premier grade in 2022.

Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union chairman Hayden Swann said of recent developments: “I'm relieved for our staff and volunteers. They worked over and above — under the Covid-19 restrictions last year — to organise our community and representative rugby.

“This easing of restrictions will help release the pressure on them, and it will be fantastic to have good crowds.”

The premier-grade teams will be well led this season.

Lee Bros Shield holders GT Shearing Waikohu have as their player-coach Kelvin Smith, who has won that most coveted of local club rugby trophies with both Waikohu and Pirates.

Farm Vets YMP have Kahu Tamatea and Maehe Lautis at the helm.

Clint Pirihi is back with Enterprise Cars OBM (the last club to win five straight titles, from 2000 to 2004).

Willie Waitoa — a Lee Bros Shield-winning captain of Pirates in the Poverty Bay competition and Rangiora Keelan Memorial Shield-winning skipper of Tokararangi in East Coast rugby — will once more mentor the Buccaneers.

Danny Boyle and Wayne Ensor are again front and centre for High School Old Boys.

Larsawn Ngatapa have new coaches — Heath Hawea and Matt Evans.

Poverty Bay Rugby Referees chairman Paul Brown and his whistle-blowers are also keen to be part of the national game — in front of appreciative, good-natured crowds.

Brown said: “We just want everybody to enjoy the game, but also to respect the time and effort of our officials.”