WAIRARAPA RUGBY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 August 1938, Page 9

WAIRARAPA RUGBY

FORMATION OF UNION. SOME EARLY HISTORY.

' (By

“Blue and Gold.”)

The year 1886 marked a new epoch in the history of football in the Wairarapa—the establishment of a separate Rugby Union from Wellington. To the Masterton Club is due the credit for initiating the formation of a Rugby Union in the Wairarapa. At a meeting of the club a proposal was carried to the effect that steps should be taken to bring about the formation of such a Union. Other clubs in the Wairarapa were communicated with. As a result of this effort a meeting of delegates was held at Carterton on March 27, 1886. Those present were Messrs F. W. R. Seed, chairman, Ewen, W. M. Dempsey (Carterton), McKenzie, O’Connor, Wickerson (Masterton) and F. W. P. Jackson, Alick Webster and C- Beard (Greytown). It was decided to form a Wairarapa Rugby Union. Mr W. C. Buchanan (later Sir Walter) was elected patron, Mr George Beetham, of- Masterton, president, Messrs F. W. Seed, J. P. Russell, and A. R. Bunny vice-presidentc, Mr F. W. P. Jacksoni secretary and treasurer, Messrs Wickerson, W. McKenzie, A. L. Webster, Beard and Dempsey a management committee, and Messrs Seed, McKenzie and Maguire a match committee. It was decided that the uniform be green jerseys and stockings, black knickerbockers, and black velvet cap, the jersey and cap to have the initials W.R.F.U. on them. Though it had been decided to establish a senior competition that season the project did not come into operation till 1887 when the long series of ehampionship contests were commenced. However, the junior championship was established in 1886 for a cup presented by the Union, Masterton defeating Te Ore Ore in the final by 7 points to nil. That season (1886) Wairarapa obtained their first win over Wellington winning at Grey town by 4 points to' 2. The first match between the two teams at Wellington earlier in the season was won by Wellington by 6 points to nil. Of the delegates present at the formation of the Wairarapa Rugby Union Messrs C. Beard and W. McKenzie (formerly a Wairarapa newspaper proprietor) live at Palmerston North. The others have crossed that Great Divide where scrums and line-out, tries and goals and mauls are unknown. Charlie Beard wqs a ■ great player in his day and did splendid work in organising the game in the district and assisting it to progress. The name Beard is a household one in Wairarapa football and many of the family have won representative honours, including Em (“Spadger”) Beard, one of the finest line-out forwards Wairarapa has ever seen. In 1886 Wairarapa was only defeated by one point by the visiting New South Wales team.