MEMORIES OF THE PAST

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 181, 21 October 1927, Page 11

MEMORIES OF THE PAST

“OLD TIMERS” AT LEAGUE VETERANS’ MATCH TO-MORROW A FEATURE of the big sports programme to be held at Carlaw Park to-morrow will be the match between two teams of Old Timers, selected by “Opai” Asher and “Shaver'’ Hardgraves, respectively.

The Old Times’ match, arranged for to-morrow at Carlaw Park in aid of the unemployed relief funds, is creating a good deal of interest, and some of the veterans are stiil confident that they can stage a “come-back," and are looking forward to the opportunity of being able to show some of the pres-ent-day players the way the game should be played. The teams that have been selected by the two veterans. “Shaver” Hardgraves and “Opai" Asher, contain

most of the noted players of the past, and the majority of them are either old Auckland or New Zealand representatives. “Shaver’s" is a mixed team from all the Afferent clubs, but “Opai" has chosen his thirteen from his old club, as. every member in the team has played for City Rovers, and even then he could not use all of the City veterans, and several are included in “Shaver’s" team. “SHAVER" HARDGRAV E’S MEN Among the players iif “Shaver’s" team are:—S. McClymont, one of the best five-eighths ever seen in Auckland, and a member of the Ponsonby dub. He has represented New Zealand and Auckland on many occasions, and has also acted as Auckland and New Zealand selector. L. Farrant, a late member of the Newton Club, was a half-back and has represented Auckland many times. J. Stanaway is a centre-threequar-ter of the City Rovers team, and one time champion hurdler of New Zealand. Jack has a boy playing for

Akarana Club this year, who looks like following in dad’s footsteps. D. McGregor is a threequarter of the Ponsonby team, and an Auckland and New Zealand representative. “Doogey” has of late years been coaching teams in different centres. Last year he coached the Otago Leagueites, and this year he has been coaching the Richmond seniors. J. Simpson was a wing-threequarter of class for Newton, and has represented Auckland many times. REFEREES TO PLAY L. Bull is Auckland’s leading referee. He played for the Grafton Club and Auckland representatives, and was a good forward. W. Mincham is another Auckland referee, and was a prominent fullback of the Ponsonby Club. W. Wynyard was one of the original 1907 All Gold team that toured England, and was one of the best five-eighths in New Zealand. Billy had a try-out in a game lately at the Shore, and showed that he retains his form well. H. Griffin represented Auckland and New Zealand many times, and was a fine forward. He played for Shore in the first League games in Auckland In 1909. Phil Castles was another fine forward, and played for Newton. Tom Avery was a member of the City team, and one of the original founders of the game in Auckland. He toured with the first Auckland representative team in 1910, and is also a life-member of the New Zealand League. W. Gibbons needs no introduction to the Auckland public, and has always been with Ponsonby. He is now official time keeper at Carlaw Park. THE DAVIDSONS

W. Davidson was one of the best centre threequarters ever seen in Auckland. He was considered a great

leader, and many times captained Auckland and New Zealand representative sides. He was a member of the City Club. G. Davidson was also a member of the City Club, and was one of the fastest wing-threequarters ever seen in Auckland. He represented Auckland and New Zealand. Bookam Laing needs no introduction to Auckland fans, being a member of the Shore Club. He has captained many Auckland and New Zealand representatives, and was a firstclass five-eighth, and also represented Australasia. E. Stallworthy was a member of the Athletic Club, and with S. Avery was the originator of this club. After playing for several years, he has since been a member of the Auckland and New Zealand League management committee. “OPAI’S” STALWARTS “Opai” Asher’s team all played for City Rovers. Monk Reid was a forward, and represented Auckland. T. Sheenan was also a forward. Vic Barchard was a five-eighth, and represented Auckland. George Hunt was a wing-threequarter, and was for many years secretary of the club, and in later years presidentHarry Francis was a fine forward, and has represented Auckland and New Zealand, and is a brother of "Bolla” Francis, who played in England for many years. Haddon was another fine forward, and also played for Shore. Harry Ilawkes was a forward, who played up till last year, and has represented Auckland. Harry Winn was a first-class hooker, and has not been out of the game veyr long. Percy Williams was one of the original 1907 team, and later returned to England, and played there for many years. Percy is never more pleased than when he is showing the young players how the game should be olayed. McKubrey is an active member of the Referees Association, and was a good forward. Bill Fitzgerald was a fine threequarter in pre-war years, and is a familiar figure at Carlaw Park these days. E. Asher was like his brother Opai, one of the originators of the City Club, and has been actively engaged with the club ever since. He was a bril-

liant half, and represented Auckland and New Zealand, and has been one of Auckland’s selectors for many years. He is still secretary of his old club. Hogan was also a godo half, but retired from the game early. B. Clark was a good wing-three-quarter, and represented Auckland, fie later played for Shore. Robinson was a fine winger, and represented Auckland on many occasions. Jim Rukutai Is one of the best preserved and fit forwards in the Auckland district. When playing for his

team he was one of the shrewdest forwards in the game. He is a tennis player of note. He represented Auckland and New Zealand for man-, years, and has also managed touring teams to AustraliaTHE RIVAL SKIPPERS The two skippers themselves are well known to all League fans. Opai Asher was one of the greatest wingthreequarters the Rugby game has known. Hej was known in Australia, as the “india rubber man,” by reason <*f his wonderful agility on the field. “Shaver” Hardgraves was a great fullback and wing-threequarter, and his game for New Zealand against thEnglish League team before the war in still talked about. At the present time he has a son representing Auckland.