Early History Of Rugby In Horowhenua

Chronicle (Levin), 13 July 1949, Page 4

Early History Of Rugby In Horowhenua

(To the Editor) Sir, — I was interested in the programme issued by the Horowhenua Rugby Union in connection with the football match last Saturday for the Bebbington Shield. In it was some ancient history dacirig back to 1874, but I doubt that there . are many in Levin who can recollect much about football • of that period. ✓ Some of those original rules were stiil in force in 1888. ■ At. that -time X was an enthusiastic young fqotbalier who played regularly on Saturday mornings on' Newtown Park against , other school boys. Then there was no paternal body to *- arrange matches'. for us. We ha'd to issue a formal challenge such as this: "We the undersigned members of the school hereby 5 challenge you, of the — — schooLto a ' f riendty game of football" and so- . on, followed by the signatures of the members of .our team. This most important document was du y delivered and afterwards tne ' challenge was accepted in similar ianguage, with the names of the opposing gladiators attached. Subsequentiy we all waxked to Newtown Park, complete with "lunches, played our game and then waited for the bier game in the afternoon.

The purpose of this letter is to recall • the rule dealing with the "maui in goal." As far as my recollection goes, this was brought about by one of the attacking side endeavouring to score a try, but being prevented from grounding Ihe ba 1 by one or even several of his opponents. They would be all grasping the ball, the object of the defenders being to keep the opponent on his back and to wrest the ball from him, It was an exhilirating- spectacle which roused the other players and the speetators t'o a pitch of frenzy. It was usual to crowd round' and yell much the same as we hear at the present time at wrestling matches. If the attacking piayer happened to be a 'diminucive half-back and the defenders hefty front rankers, there would, of course, be not try. Yes, they were tough times but we seemed to survive even without the good service of the St. John Ambulance. Yours etc., "HALF-BACK." Levin, July 12.