RUGBY RECORDS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 19, 2 June 1939, Page 4

RUGBY RECORDS

Sir—Like old Awakeri Senior I af>parently slipped a yean wheif remembering da,tes. The match which made the Matata five year a four year record was played at Awakeri four seasons ago at the inside. I thought It was five. Old Ayvakerite asserts it Is three. The latter statement js definitely wrong so on that we break evensI well remember the great success enjoyed by Awakeri during the first round of 1935. They fully deserved it and most of us hoped their run, of successes would continue. When lbe>y Awakeri Senior team entered the conj,\ petition they were rich in forwards —- young and hefty but inexperienced and,.yet still mofie than a match for the other packs. In the backs they were not so well served, and it was mainly through this department that Awakeri for the first two or three seasons failed to register a win I HMever they stuck to it. Always beaten but always on time neatly attired they were a team to be respected on "id off the field. We oil wish they weie still in action. Old Awakeri Senior seems all liet up about my reference to the *lvs year record of Matata. Like the success of Rangitaiki it all seems taken' for granted. Teams in other centres with like records are prominently featured in the leading papers with, a photograph here a,nd there for good measure. The correspondent refers to Matata as being lashed to the tune of 17-3. He is quite right but when, we delve into the match the tune of the win was decidedly flat. Mac and Rugby Howell were not playing. E. Howell scored aj runaway tiy in the first minute and was injured in doing so. A Matata player was ordered off later and deservedly so. It 4s not to the credit of the losing side either thaV three others of their - team woulef have had their driving licenses cancelled if they were behind a wheel at the time instead of on the' foot_ ball field. Matata finished the game with 12 . players and under the circumstances got the drubbing they deserved. - Mac Howell who skippered the ata side in the return match states that the score on that occasion wasr Matata 43 Awakeri 3 ancl short time was played.ln the same year at Awakeri Matata romped home easy winners. In fairness to Awakeri thought their side by this time was depleted' through injuries and absent key players. In wilting this I do not mean to deratg the now defunct Awakeri sen_ ior team. While not having the match success they deserved thsy v were a band of sportsmen har<l surpass anywhere and their demise \£ a misfortune indeed. In conclusion Mr Editor I regret being drawn into this record controversary. If all records written in good faith were contradicted the Beacon and other such aptly named papers? would need to expand Planetlike over night. Yours etc., "PUNT.'*