Eridge Park will be a hive of rugby action on Saturday, April 22 when the Bowral Rugby Club will host a Shute Shield match between Sydney Uni and Norths at 3pm. 

The grand final rematch will be televised by 7Mate and promises to be a hotly contended match. 

A total of seven games from both the Blacks and Sydney teams will play across the duration of the day. 

Bowral Blacks club president Mark Freund said Sydney Uni played its first game at Eridge Park about four years ago. 

“Sydney Uni played a trial match against Tuggeranong and they fell a bit in love with Bowral rugby park,” he said.

“They had such a good response to the ground and they said they’d like to bring another match back to Bowral.”

Freund said the club was especially excited to host the match as the first grade side would be the curtain raiser. 

“It will give the Bowral first grade boys great exposure,” he said. 

The Blacks first grade will kick off at 1.30pm against Wonoona Shamrocks. 

Freund said thousands were expected at Eridge Park on Saturday after a similar turnout last time.

“At the last Shute Shield there were about 3000 people that came to watch, so we are hoping for the same if not more this year,” he said. 

“It will put a good spotlight on our players and what our area can provide.

“It's good not just for or club but tourism right across the Highlands.”

 The club will also celebrate 45 years of rugby in the Highlands on Saturday. 

To mark the occasion the club will host the a 45^th Anniversary Ball at McGrath Hall, Chevalier College. 

Welcome drinks will commence at 6.30pm. 

The club will also induct two life members and recognise the contribution of other life members at the ball.

“After a big day of playing we will need to get our tails into gear and get to Chev for the ball,” Freund.

He said more than 200 people would attend the ball, from current players to former players who helped start the club.

 “It will be great for all of our players to connect and see how far Highlands rugby has come,” he said. 

The Bowral Blacks Rugby club started in 1972 when a couple of people in the district were interested in rugby.

Once a team was established, Bowral entered into the Canberra Cup.

In their second year of the competition they won the premiership and continued to be competitive until the late 70s when they began to play in the Illawarra competition.

Freund said the cub was looking forward to a big day of rugby. Matches will commence at Eridge Park from 10.45am.