Historic Shield Shock

The Wanganui team in the dressing room with the Jones Brothers Shield after Saturday's suprise win over Taranaki Development on Saturday.

Steelform Wanganui received a tangible prize for their first win over a Taranaki team of any type since 1987 when they beat the Development XV on Saturday.

TRFU vice-president Robin Houghton was on hand with former Wanganui and Taranaki representative Graeme Jones to present skipper Peter Rowe with the Jones Brothers Shield.

The TRFU had graciously brought this challenge shield, named after the three Jones brothers who played for Wanganui, out of mothballs from the days when it was contested on Queens Birthday weekend between the Taranaki NPC side and Wanganui.

Obviously, since the widening divide between professional and amateur levels in the 1990's, it is now impossible for such a match to be played, certainly not competitively, but the Taranaki Development side contesting for it could possibly become an annual fixture.

Since the Shield was introduced in 1981, Wanganui had previously held it only three times - the last in 1985.

"What they have done like that is really neat," said Rowe of the TRFU's decision.

"It keeps it alive, that's what it's all about."

The last Wanganui success against a Taranaki team was the 14-9 win in the WRFU's official centennial year fixture at Spriggens Park, 29 years ago.

Since then Taranaki sides have won 20 first class games against Wanganui, along with a 26-all draw in 1996, and won eight non first-class matches, which was predominantly the Development XV.

Wanganui's last win on Taranaki soil was also in 1987 and in Hawera - a 9-7 victory on Anzac Weekend.