Preschoolers and staff at Ashburton Baptist Preschool have been among the scores of Mid Cantabrians wearing green and gold this week.
They are showing support for the Mid Canterbury Hammers rugby team.
People have been decked out in the Mid Canterbury colours, decorated shop frontages and sent messages of support for the team ahead of this weekend’s Bunnings Heartland Championship’s Meads Cup final at Ashburton.
The Hammers will play Thames Valley on Saturday at Ashburton Showgrounds. Kick-off is at 2.05pm.
The team to play is due to be named today (Friday) at 2pm.
Mid Canterbury Rugby Union are encouraging people to head to the showgrounds on Saturday to show their support.
“Bring your signs, your voices, and that Hammers spirit!”
Entry cost $10, under 16 free.
The Hammers are one game away from the perfect unbeaten season. And the last time they played defending cup holders Thames Valley, they beat them 50-34.
But don’t be fooled, it’s finals time. Anything can happen.
Mid Canterbury have already faced Thames Valley in a final – last year.
In 2024, Mid Canterbury travelled north to play Thames Valley Swamp Foxes at home after beating South Canterbury by one point in the semi-final at Fraser Park, Timaru.
Thames went on to win 37-29 and take the Meads Cup.
Last weekend, in semi-final play the Hammers faced a revved up Wairarapa Bush at Ashburton in strong nor’ west winds.
They took the victory, but there was just two points in it. Final score was 21-19.
This weekend, in front of a large, vocal, home crowd, the Hammers will need to keep up their unbeaten momentum to take the Meads Cup – last won by Mid Canterbury in 2014.
Television coverage of the final will via Sky Sport NZ.
