RUGBY TO-MORROW

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 69, Issue 266, 23 August 1949, Page 4

RUGBY TO-MORROW

West Coast v. Ashburton APPEAL BY MAYOR f I An appeal for employers to allow as many of their staffs as possible leave to attend the Rugby match between West Coast and Ashburton, at the Domain to-morrow afternoon, was made by the Mayor (Mr E. C. Bathurst) at an official welcome to the visiting side at the Foresters’ Hall this afternoon. A novel note was. introduced to the welcome by the holding of a community sing prior to and after the actual ceremony. The leader in the 'singing was Mr S. Wright, while Mr R. Prattley played the accompaniments. Mr W. S. Kerr, on behalf of. the Ashburton Rugby Union, briefly welcomed the visitors, after which Mr Bathurst endorsed the previous speaker’s welcome. It was a. great pleasure to Ashburton to have such a visit and he earnestly hoped that employers would allow as many as possible off for the game to-morrow. The West Coast was known all over New Zealand for its hospitality, but they hoped that Ashburton would not fall below in this respect. It was very different country here, but there were beauties —not all present in the ball — which Ashburton could offer and the Coast could not. The Mayor then handed to each member of the Coast team a booklet regarding Ashburton, adding the hope that they would have an excellent time during their stay. Mr R. Bunt, manager of the Coast team, in reply, said that it was a privilege to be welcomed by the Mayor, and one which they would remember for years to corfe. Already, .during their stay here, they had had bestowed upon them many privileges, by members of the Rugby Union, by business firms, and by private citizens. It was many years since a Coast team had visited Ashburton, but lie trusted that the period until the next would be very much shorter. -Two years ago, the Coast had the privilege of welcoming an Ashburton team and the friendships

made then had been reneived since their arrival here. That was one of the great virtues of such tours, for they paved the way to better understandings between unions ancl helped in the solution of the problems which faced all of them. On the speaker’s call, the visitors then gave three cheers for Ashburton. After a song of welcome by the assembled crowd, the visitors responded similarly, Mr G. Nelson singing tlie solo part, with the full team joining in the chorus. Coast Team Selected The following team was chosen this afternoon to represent the Coast tomorrow: — Backs—-T. B. Muir (12.4); J. R. Steel (11.7) R. Breeze (11.3), M. Stoop (13.0); J. Lindbohm (10.3), C. Hunter (11.7) H. Tainui (11.1). Forwards —-T. Flynn (14.4); G. Nelson (13.0), J. Woods (13.0); J. Curtain (14:0), J. Goldworthy (13.9); R. Eastgate (13.8), R. Fisher (12.2), M. Wells (12.7) Reserves —Backs: G. Richardson (11.4) and J. Gillan (12.3); for-| wards, W. Curtain (13.2) and J. Hagen (14.1).