FIRST RUGBY MATCH

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVII, Issue 10888, 7 April 1927, Page 6

FIRST RUGBY MATCH

GAME AT ASHBURTON IN 1874. A PIONEER'S REMINISCENCES. (Press Association —Copyright.) V LONDON, April 5. "It has always been a matter for regret that the' Rugby code was not universally adopted throughout the Dominions," says Mr Alfred St. George Hamersley, writing-in the "Evening news." He took parir in the first international match between England unci Scotland, and was the originator of Rugby in Canterbury and VancouHe says, "All who have seen the All Blacks realise Australia's and Canada s loss in not adopting Rugby." He recalls the first New Zealand match in 1874, played at Ashburton between iNiorth and South Canterbury. The players travelled fifty miles, fording rivers in coaches, and returning that evening.

Mr Alfred St. George Hamersley, MP K.C., has had a remarkably varied career. Born in Oxfordshire in 1848 and called to the Bar, Middle Temple, in 1873, he practised for some years in New. Zealand, and married *\Uss Isabella Snow, of Wellington. In ■his clay he was one of the finest Rugby players in England, representing that country four times, and once 'captaining the side. While in this country he also took a keen interest in military matters and was a captain in C. Battery New Zealand Artillery. When the warbroke out he recruited and trained four batteries of heavy artillery, andjn 1917, at the age of 69, saw service in France as commander of the Heavy Artillery Group.