RUGBY FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 1 August 1932, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL

MERIVALE TEAM ENTERTAINED.

PRAISE EOR WESTLAND PLAYERS

The Westland R«'gby Sub-Union entertained the visiting Merivale rugby tesa.tn together with file 1 local team and members of tihie Rtf trees’ Association at a dinner given at the Club Hotel, on Saturday evening. Mr J. C. Stafford president of the Suit-Union, presided and with him was Meesre Lodge (manager of the Mei’iva,le team), T. White (president of the Merivale Club), Reaves (president of the Referees’ Association), D. R. Dowell (selector), A. H. Lnwn (tieasurer) and E. W. Heenam (secretary). After a very sumptuous dinnler a short toast list was duly honoured. " r

The toast of ‘.‘The Westland Rugby Sub-Uni on” was proposed by Mr White. He had been agreeably surprised at the splendid exhibition given by the "Westland team, that afternoon, and the local team deserved their win. As all were aware, his Club had brleiu defeated by Westland an- their first visit to the Coast and they had left tin sir. Club banner with the Sub-Union and to-day had specially come across to take it back home with than, hut were not equal to the task. “We congratulate Westland on their very fin'e performance. The Sub-Union certainly has a youthful team and onie that, if held together, will develop into a very fine side indeed. To the SubUnion we extend our very l est thanks for selecting Merivale. out of all teams submitted by the Canterbury Union to make this tour.” -Arrangements, were, very complete and every member of the party would go- back home with pleasant memories.

The toast was responded to by Messrs D. R. Dowell, F. McGregor and E. W. Heenan.

Mr McGregor, on behalf of tine SubUnion, thanked the Merivale team for the hearty manner in which tli- y hr received the toa-st. The game had cer-,-thinly surprised all, and Westland were certainly proud of their team’s display-. To-day’s victory would give the young players great incentive to cairy on, and the team would make much im provement. He 1 also thanked the Merivale team for making the trip; and would use his best endeavours to get the executive to send the Westland team to Canterbury to play a’ -rierurn game with Merivale. Mr Dowell endorsed Mr McGregor’s remarks and said, that ate an executive officer, lie certainly would itse his best endeavours to assist Mr McGregor -With the tour. As a selector he was naturally pleased with the performance of the local team and attributed their win to the -splendid play of the forwards who dominated the’ play. Mr E. W Heenan, replying, stntrd that, he was more than pleased with the win of the local- team and was certain that with this victory their team would materially improve. The team was. young and’ the coach had , worked a vast improvment since their last Shield game, On behalf of the Sub-Union he- would only say that they had tried to make the trip pleasant, and was pleased- that the team and supporters had enjoyed it. The Merivale team had not been successful in’ retrieving their banner, and they looked forward with pleasure to another visit, biit he assured the Merivale team that-, before they came back, the- SubUnion would endeavour to take the Westland team over to Christchurch and play a return game with Mdrivalo. This year it would hardly be ponsible as thle Coast team had some' heavy engagements, one being to' assist the West Coast Union to bring the Rainfur iy Shield to the- Coast, and also the. Seddoii Shield, but he wolikl use hi,? best endeavour's to make the visit next season when probably present troubles would'blei over. Mr J. C. Stafford proposed' the toast of “The Merivale Club.” He said that this was the second occasion that this club pad made the journey to Hokitika to play the Wentlancl team and'the game had been enjoyed by all. He was naturally -plkascd with the success of their boys, but lie congratulated the Merivale team on their; splendid game. The Merivale team would always be welcome to Hokitika, and he assured them that hi? would keep the banner until the club could come over again,. The followers of the game in Hokitika had been wef’ pleased with the match and he as smred the visitors that the Coasters had a warm snot in their he'arts for the Merivale boys. Cheers werte given for the visitors.

Mr Lodge responded and said it was a pleasure to come to Hokitika. The Suh-Unioin. and the people had given the team a wonderful reception, and the game was a .spHlendid effort by the Westland team; who well deserved their, win. He did not like to individuaptee, birt some of the local players would be an acquisition to any team in Canterbury. “We w'ere well, beaten on thle day. We were of the opinion that we would this time take hack our baimteir to Christchurch, but we will have-to crihie and try again.” Tt was a iSeasmre to come over. If the SubTTiiidn could arrange to make the toitr to Christchurch, as sugg isted, the? Afisriv de club woiiht welcoiiilp tlmni aM. Air Boshan also respond' d to the toast. He conigratu'atcd the team on their win. which was well. merited, and the side, if kept together would improve into a first cla=s fifteen. The forwards plaved a splendid garni? and the hacks went well, their handling being pflrticuilar’y good.

The toast of “The'Referee” was proposed by Air Kirkland, AfV Out-bash replying. AR G. Day proposed the toast of the Westland team when! h 1 congratulated. Air M. Davidson replied. The tost toast was that of “Alin© Host.”