Presentation Of Trophies At Football Dinner

Chronicle (Levin), 30 September 1949, Page 2

Presentation Of Trophies At Football Dinner

— r • The Rahui Football Club held a reunion dinner in the Raukawa- ' Hall on Wednesday night, when a large number of members, players,' and . supporters attended. The' presi'denL Mr. H. Moffatt, was in the chair and extended a welcome to all, expressing special pleasure at the presence of Messrs R. L. Robinson, president of the Horowhenua Rugby Union, and Mr. D. J. Qliver, the senior selector. Mr. Moffatt extended thanks to the club's coaches, members and players who had responded to the good work done, which had achieved exceptional results throughout the season, results of which all could be justly proud. "None are 'due for more praise than those who have brought the junior team up to the high standard now enjoyed," continued Mr. Moffatt. He added tliat the material was doubtful early, but thanks to the efforts of the coach and manager the junior team had finished the seasoh a strong side, with some excepnonal performances behind it. The fourth - grade team, too, earned praise from the speaker, having played fine football all through, with but two losses recorde'd. "It has been our pleasure to welcome new players with new ideas an'd they have livened up play," continued Mr. Moffatt. After partaking of a sumpfcuous repast, the loyal toast was proposed by Mr. Moffatt, follow.ed by the toast* of "Absent Comrades" by Mr. R. Higgott, who made reference to players of former years who had played the game for the game's sake, just as this year's teams had done. Union's Work. Mr. H. Wylie proposed the toast of "The Horowhenua Rugby Union," and in doing so paid tribute to members of the union who gave their time and services for the good of sport. He offered congratulations to the union's president, Mr. Robinson, and the Rahui delegate, Mr. A. Watt, on the gratifying result of the season 's efforts. Greeted with a generous measure of applause when replying, Mr. Robinson expressed his pleasure at the assuranee that the work of the union was appreciated. He recalled that when a player, he at times looked on the union as a boay that did nothing for clubs. This was not so, and union members today were former players who were trying to give something back to rugby football. "It is the union's job to foster and the clubs job to play the right type of football. If we play an attractive type of football which appeals to spectators we will continue to advance." Continuing, Mr. Robinson said that the majority of spectators attended football for the entertainment they derived from it. He congratulated the Rahui club on what it had done towards fostering the right type of football, on the good Work done by the coaches and the ability of the players, and the people who had attended for the enthusiasm they had shown. The speaker conclude'd by advising players to help the administrative side in later years when their opportunity came, but meantime to "keep together, keep the team spirit, and you will make friendships you will carry with you all your lives." Referees Praised. Mr. C. Pussell, in proposing the toast of "The Referees," paid tribute to the good work done by them, stating that the job of the referee was the most diffieult. He thanked them for lectures given > and for their willing help at all times. "We all moan sometimes about the referee, but we all come Up smiling again next week." In acknowledging the toast, Mr. Oliver said he was sure referees all gave fair decisions. "We have got to blame someone if we get beaten, however," the speaker adde'd. The toast of. "Life Members" was in the hands of Mr. H. Branch, who stated that in Messrs W. Kendrick and M. Johnson the Rahui club had two "great bat- * tlers" for football. Mr. Kendrick

had been president and union delegate, and during the depression years no one had worked harder in securing finarieial members. Mr. Johnson had coached the Rahui juniors in 1935 when they had carried all- before them, and in 1938, the o'nly year prior to the present one that Rahui had fielded a senior team, Mr. Johnson had played senior when the Nash Cup was won. Replying, Mr. Wylie said he knew on.y too well the feelings of the club's life members towards the achievemems of the teams this season. "They will derive ; great pleasure in knowing that j on the only two occasions Rahui I has fielded a senior team they ] have emerged winners of the I knock-out competition." He assur- ! ed all that he had extreme confidence in the ability of the junior team to bring home the knock-out . cup also at the. end of the present | week. i other toasts .honoured were: — "Kindred Sports," proposed by Mr. Arda Hakaraia' &fid fespdfided ' to' ' by Mr. J. Bartosh; "The Otaki • Maori Racing Club," Mr. A. Watt — Mr. R. Higgott; "The Press," Mr. G. Engel; "The Caterers," Mr. Moffatt. The senior selector, Mr. Oliver, congratulated the club on its record during the season, with special praise for the efforts of J. Winterburn and all others who had gained repfesentative honours. He said that the try scored by B. Wallis against the Wellington representative side was a very good effort indeed and would long be remembered. He hoped next year to see Horowhenua at the "head of the ladder, with perhaps stronger representation from Rahui." Prior to concluding, Mr. Moffatt asked Mr. Robinson to present the Nash Cup to the captain of the Rahui tefum, Mr. J. Winterburn. In doing so, Mr. Robinson complimented the team on the manner in which it had "stuck to its guns and piayed better football towards the end of the seasoh. The cup will compensate you for the good showing." The team's, captain contended that the cup was well earned, adding that "the boys" had trained hard and had shown excellent team spirit throughout. Other awards made were as follows: — The O. Pussell Memorial Cup for the best senior "club spirited" member: A. Watt, who it was stated had never missed a practice; medals donated by Messrs H. Branch and F. Eales, A. Winterburn (most improved back) and J. Spiers (most improved for ward) , Birley medals for junior players: J. Clark (forward) and to R. Giddens (back) , fourth grade awards: Ian Mudge (forward) and B. Connolly (back) .