RUGBY FOOTBALL LARGE ATTENDANCE FOR BLAKETOWN CLUB JUBILEE FESTIVITIES

Grey River Argus, 4 October 1948, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL LARGE ATTENDANCE FOR BLAKETOWN CLUB JUBILEE FESTIVITIES

Blaketown Football Club continued its silver jubilee festivities on Saturday afternoon with an interesting series of events at Blaketown. One of the highlights was a procession through Blake Street led by the the Greymouth Municipal Band, followed by the old-timers, carrying placards of the years during which they played. They were led by five members of the original team formed in 1923. The present day players followed behind the old-timers. Blaketown Women’s marching team lead by Miss V. Henderson, brought forth applause from the numerous spectators. Following closely were fourteen floats each depicting scmphrase in the activities of the sporting organisations in Blaketown, or connected with the football team. One inscription was “Blaketown Seniors In Training,” but it appeared to oe more like the joys of some lost explorers on finding a well-stocked bar in the desert after wandering for days without a drink. O-her notable floats were the Bowling Club, “Blaketown Through the years,” the Yacht Club, “Football for Youth,” and the basketball teams who living up to their success, carried a nlacard bearing the significant legend “Great are the Unconquered.” Later at the school football ground the marching team gave an excellent demonstration. This was followed by two football matches between the lower grades, and a goal kicking competition between past and present players. A marchimr display was given by the pupils of the Blaketown school. PAST PLAYERS SCORE CONVINCING WIN Favoured by excellent weather the Old Timers team proved superior to present players to win by 10 points to nil, in a hard, fast game. Fielding 23 players with numerous supporters on the side-line, the Old Timers never looked like being defeated. The backs, ably fed by L. Cooper,who demonstrated the dive-pass on several occasions—often cut through at an amazing speed that left the defence bewildered' Their forward tactics and rugged tackling often had present players in trouble. Only the greater staying power and speed of the younger backs prevented the score from being bigger. C. Preston and R. Bunt both scored good tries converted by D. Olsen. Several of the Old Timers were observed panting on the side line. However, upon’ regaining their wind they rejoined the play. The game was ably controlled by ■Mr A. Fong!

BATHING BEAUTIES Those spectators who perhaps had visions of seeing some ravishing blonde ,or shapely brunette parading up Blake Street in a French swimsuit were sadly disillusioned. The nearest they would be able to .get would be to use their imagination when a decorated motor-vehicle carrying half a dozen modles from a shop window drove slowly up the street. However, their hones might have soared when at a distance they observed what may have appeared to be a rather buxom South-sea Islander tripping daintily along, but alas upon closer examination turned out to be the dashing half-back from the senior team.

The celebrations concluded in the evening with a banquet held in the Blaketown Hall. Among the 350 guests were several from distant parts of New Zealand, as well as many old-timers from various parts of the West Coast. The president of the club, Mr A. Agnew, welcomed the visitors. The following toasts were honoured:— TT The King, West Coast Rugby Union and the Junior Advisory Board (Messrs G. Harker —F. W. Baillie and G. Ormandy); Blaketown Football Club (The Mayor of Greymouth. Mr F. F. Boustridge—Mr A. Agnew); Old Timers (Messrs R. Olsen—F. McEnanev, D. McDonald, J. Bremnan, R. Ashley); Absent Members (Mr F. McEnaney); Sister Clubs (Messrs B. Longstaff—W. Williams (Star), B. Watkin (Cobden), R. Tinnelly (Celtic), J. E. Stokes (West Coast Rugby League), W. Rothwell (United), T. Cameron (Tech. Old Boys); Referees Association (Messrs W. Preston—R, D Haglund); St. Johns Ambulance Association (J. B. Hoggarth —A. Barrow); Ladies Committee and Supporters (Messrs P. Coll —P. McDonald); The Press (Messrs W. Hannam—j. a. Mclnroe); The Artists. Mr J. Benyon. Items were given by Messrs J. Boucher, J. Mclnroe, P. Coll, W. Williams (piano), L. Abbie (violin). Holmes brothers ( a duet), and M Mason. Community singing was led by F. Coll.

TRIBUTE TO PAST Addressing the gathering, the Club Patron, Mr G. Harker, said he was very pleased to have present so many of the old-timers and expressed appreciation for the notable work tney had accomplished in the past which enabled the club to attain the position it held to-day. He paid tribute to the players who had won representative honours and thanked the West Coast Rugby Union for the help extended to the club in the past. He welcomed Mr A. A. Adams, former President of the New Zealand Rugby Union, and Mr F. W. Baillie, President of the West Coast Rugby Union remarking upon the contribution that they had made to the code, and spoke highly of the efforts of the Junior Advisory Board in helping the younger players. Mr Baillie congratulated the club on attaining its silver jubilee and expressed keen a nn reciation of the interest. shown by the club. He was pleased to see so many old-timers nresent, and said the function was, a real credit to the convenors.® He stressed importance of looking after the lower grades upon whom the future success of the senior team rested. “You only have to look after the youngsters and there will be players for many years to come,” he said. Upon the suggestion by Mr Baillie it was decided to forward a letter of congratulations to W. Meates jnr„ on being selected in the New Zealand team to play in South Africa next season. Mr Meates was a former member of the club. Mr G. Ormandy congratulated the club and expressed appreciation 01 its co-operation with the Junior Advisory Board. Mr A. Adams spoke highly of the community spirit shown bv the club in all stages since its inception and of the interest taken in the younger nlayers. Referring to success on the field, he said that fitness was most essential. Proposing the toast of the Club, the Mayor, Mr Boustridge said that a deal of credit was due to past players for the work that had been put into the club to make it what is was

to-day. Football had always been a very important factor in the community since the earliest days. The toast was a particularly pleasing one because of the excellent record of the club for sportmanship both and off the field, and for the conti 1butioin it had made to the national

game. He congratulated the club on its silver jubilee and hoped that the golden jubilee would be jusa as succesfull. , ~ ~ In reply, Mr A. Agnew said that the spirit of the club was never better, and all the teams had given a good account of themselves this season. He praised the efforts- of the coaches, the executive officers and team managers in helping to improve the standard. Mr R. Olsen thanked, the Old Timers for their efforts in making the club what it was to-day. Mr D. McDonald recalled the earlv formation of the club and the first games played M The hard struggle to keep die club going after its inception was recalled by'Mr R. Ashley, who referred to R-ugby as a great Rubby leveller. Mr J. E. Stokes congratulated theclub and recalled the victorious fourth grade team of the 1920 s. H? said that a sporting organisation which always accepted the rules laid down bv the governing bodv would make good progress, as had Blaketown. The hope for the early recovery 01 two members of the Blaketown team Messrs L. Harrington and N. Sweetman. at present patients in the Grey Hospital, was expressed by the Presi-

dent. , In .proposing Absent Members, Mr McEnaney paid tribute to the seventeen former players of the club who had been killed in action during the Second World War. ; Numerous telegrams were read bv . the President. The foil-call was well ■ responded to, though there were : some absentees. During the evening : the President called several times : for silence, such was the enthusiasm Ifkf members meeting for the firs’ ■I time after a considerable number of [’ years.