Another one for the trophy cabinet. The Gnomes win over Kumeu on Saturday saw them secure the Hudson Meechan Memorial Shield.

This is the second year the two teams have played for the Shield. For the past 15 years the Kumeu and Northcote u85s played for the Hudson Memorial when playing at Riverhead. After the passing of Cote and Kumeu legend Eddie Meechan, it was decided that the Hudson Memorial would be retired, and the Hudson Meechan Memorial Shield was introduced.

The Shield is played for ‘Ranfurly Shield’ style, with it only able to change hands by winning on the current holder’s home ground – which means it’s back on the line later in the season when Kumeu play at Harvey Wright in round 2.