RUGBY FOOTBALL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 8, 21 September 1945, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

PUKEKOS AND BILLIE-FAIRIES

Visitors to Matata held on Satur-i day last besides helping a worthy cause, were treated to some sparkling exhibitions of individual play, team work, combinations (not Bernie!) tricky rims nippy sidesteps and "'what have you" when the ■ Pukekos and Billy-Fairies fought a no-score struggle for almost an hour. The teams were: — Billy-Fairies (blue and gold): Jock Sunkle; Merv Cummings; Keith Hol-v lis; Alan Stewart; Sunny Davis; Stan Beaumont; Bones Roach; Jack Stewart; Pol Laurie; Hec Collins;, Pat Casskly; Tom Grant; Ned Jaram; Bill Kane; Jack Thorn. Tommy Schou, of Matata, sport. ingly donned jersey and boots' o replace Merv Cummings who had the misfortune to suffer an injury to his shoulder. Billy-Fairy supporters and sports everywhere will be pleased to hear Merv is making a rapid recovery. For the Pukekos (blue and black feathers some with red noses. Not you Bernie: Freddie Burt; Oscar Lord; Eddie (Twilight) Hohapata; Mac Davis; Jack Porter; Leo Anderson; Jock Thomas; Sonny Williams.; T. Whiteley; Harold Webber; B. Magee; Jim Parkinson; Bert Cisley; Wetini Moko; Tom Mackin. Bill Goldsmith handled the whistle and the players in no mean manner. Both sides although not continually at the same pace, had an equal share of the scrums, the ball and the field. Many of the older sports, such as Alan Stewart and Tom Grant showed they still had. plenty of 'kick and had not forgotten many of the tricks of former days. • One or two of the Pukekos (not you ) chased the Fairies through force of habit, but admits ted that they'd had it when the final whistle; blew. In the evening both sides and officials were entertained to a dinner by Mr and Mrs Hebert Anderson. Under the chairmanship of Mr Les Brown, the following toasts ? interspersed with items, including animal noises kindly rendered by Mr Jack Patterson were honoured. "The Rangitai'ki Rugby Union" proposed by Mr T. Mackin replied to by Mr Eric Nowman; "The. Play-> ers" proposed by Mr Les Brown and responded to by tbe two captains, Jack Stewart and Freddie Burtf Mr Hec Collins proposed the toast "Mine Host and Hostess." and expressed the warm appreciation of those, present in regard to the line dinner they had put on, (Cries of hear hear). Mr Herb, Anderson, in thanking Mr Collins for his remarks said it gave him great pleasure to entertain sports at all times, particularly for such a function in aid of the R.S.A.

Mrs Anderson in seconding her husband's remarks j said the work entailed was rewarded by the spirit of the gathering and it gave her great delight to see many of the real old sports present.

Mr Goldie Mexted, Alan Stewart and Tom Grant, in .thanking Mrs Anderson for her remarks, again expressed appreciation of the fine dinner .

In reply to Mr Bernie McGee's toast the "R.S.A." Mr Les Brown thanked one. and all for the work done to make the afternoon and evening a success. He was sure everyone had enjoyed themselves and the Association had benefited to the extent of £14. It was the intention of the Association to raise this year while the memory of war was still fresh in the minds of the public the sum of £1000. This amount would be needed to carry on the R.S.A.'s work in the future and the establishment of a suitable resting place for those of the 1200 ex-servicemen in the district who would pass on. Many of these men and their dependants would need help and the R.S.A. would give it as it always had. In again expressing his thanks the chairman stated he hoped that all functions in connection with the appeal would be as successful as this one. After the toast "Absent Comrades" proposed by Mr C, Sainty was drunk in the evening concluded with a hearty unanimous vote of thanks to the chair and the | singing with great gusto of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow."