RUGBY REMINISCENCES

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 11, 30 September 1927, Page 13

RUGBY REMINISCENCES

HISTORIC GAME RECALLED

(BY

GOLDFIELDS

VETERAN

’ Among the thousands who listened in while Mr. W, J. Meredith described the recent Auckland-Wellington Rugby match was an ex-Auckland representative player, whom followers of the game will remember well, Mr, Ij. Johnson, At his home at Waikino, Waihi, so many miles from Auckland, he was able to visualise the big struggle’ going on, and his mind flew back two score of years to Wellington, where another such memorahle game took place, In a letter congratulating Mr. Meredith on his racy and highly interesting account, Mr. Johnson writes: This match against Wellington has always been the classic, and it appears to me all the jealousies and feelings, perhaps more imaginative than real, between Wellington and Auckland, are settled year by. year when their respective fifteens clash in the grand game. In spite ef the atrocious weather conditions it must have been a brilliant game. 1 was particularly amused at your frantic instructions to Hook to put the ball down when he was racing round to finish up behind the posts the brilliant work which culminated in his second try. You evidently, like myself, have seen scores missed by the player seeking to make the shot at goal easier. , While listening to you yesterday my ‘mind was carried back to the match Auckland v. Wellington, played at Potter’s Paddock in 1908, in which match I had the honour of helping Auckland to withstand Wellington’s challenge for the Ranfurly Shield as wing-three-quarter. There is a distinct reseniblance between the two matches. The first half was a terrific battle, and finished up, I think, three points all. In the last 15 iminutes the Anckland team took absolute charge and rattled on 21 points, to win by 24 to 3. Bob Magee had his kicking boots on that day (like Berridge yesterday), and did some brilliant goal-kicking. At the dinner to the teams after the match the ball nsed was inscribed by the members of the teaims and presented to Magee. I daresay he still cherishes the trophy, The Auckland team that day was A. Renwick, F. Wilson, G. Murray, E. Johuson, G. Bater, R, Magee, I’. Morse, G. Gillet, I. Herting, J. McGuire, Til. Hayward, W. Cunningham, A. Francis, G. Nicholson, C. Seeling. The Wellington team contained Fred Roberts, Ranji Wilson, Spencer, Green, Hardham, and Kvenson among others, not forgetting the brilliant If. Mitehinson. Frank Wilson paid the supreme price in France, while Cunningham, with whom 1 also played in Goldfields representative inatches, died a few days ago. We also had a hard fight against Taranaki that year, but what a back team they had. Cameron, Dive, Mardgraves, TIunter, Mynott, with Colenan wing-forward! I think New Zealand is right back to pre-war standard in football, and that if the scleetors do their work right the team for South Africa should be a moeniiernt combination, ~ Be