DICK HONOURED

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 20, 16 October 1937, Page 18

DICK HONOURED

ALL BLACK'S MARRIAGE " GRAFTON CLUB'S TRIBUTE At a social gathering held recently Johnny Dick, the Grafton, Auckland and New' Zealand representative wing three-quarter, was presented by his club mates and supporters with a chiming clock to mark the occasion of his selection for the internationai team and on his recent marriage. Mr. Arthur Baker, chairman of the Auckland Rugby Union, in making the presentation, referred to the high esteem in which he was held and to his career in the various grades in which he had played since joining the club. Dick in replying, thanked the club for its kindness and thoughtfulness which on behalf of his wife and himself he greatly appreciated. Dick was educated at the Curran Street school, where he first played Rugby football. He then went to Auckland Grammar School where he played in the lower grades. Joining the Ponsonby Club, he played fifth and sixth grades. Transferring to the Grafton Club in 1931 he was in the intermediate team which won the championship in that year. This team played 17 matches, winning 15, losing one and drawing one. That year saw two Grafton teams play off, bothl having won their respective sections, Johnny being in the successful team. He then went to first juniors, whose record was: Played 16, won 14, lost two (points for, 260; against, 63). Afterwards he assisted the senior team which defeated Parnell at the Stadium to retain its status as a Gallaher Shield side.

The season 1933 marked Dick s actual selection as a senior player, but early injuries prevented him from playing many matches. • As a first junior player he was advised and coached by Walter Tilby, who has had control of the first juniors for some years. In 1934 he played for the successful senior championship winners and in 1935 he played his first representative game, and in the same year represented the North Island. Subsequent injuries prejudiced his chances of securing All Black honours. In 1936 he again obtained representative honours and this year achieved that high aim of all players — All Black honours. It is interesting to note that up to and including 1934 Johnny alvvayt played centre three-quarter, but it is as a wing three-quarter tliat he has achieved his greatest success and honours. "