History Of Manukau Rovers Rugby Club

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 205, 30 August 1941, Page 6 (Supplement)

History Of Manukau Rovers Rugby Club

A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH FOR 13 YEARS Twice Runner-up Previously for the Gallaher Shield, This Winter the Team Made Its Bid for the Championship From Second Division

Manukau Rugby Club is not as other clubs in the Auckland Rugby Union. It has a history of sensation, having exploded into the Union ranks in 1924 as a body of three teams from the Rugby League. It retains a vestige of this origin in its name of Manukau Rovers.

In 1928 its picturesque and colourful senior team, comprising a fair percentage of Maori players, exploded into the AtR.U. first division, and from that time onward has been a force to be reckoned with in championship games.

'TJHE club in 1935 reached the Gallaher Shield final and pl&yed two exciting drawn games with Grafton before having to take second place after a third match that Grafton won I 4—B. Again, in 1938, the Manukau seniors got to the final, and played off an exciting game with Ponsonby, and lost. Twice run-ners-up for the championship, Manukau this year has made its bid from the low level of the second division, and once again got to the final (against Papakura Army). The club's 17 years of existence in the code, 15 of them under the enthusiastic guidance of Mr. C. J. B. (Mick) Williams as secretary, has been marked by exceptional progress of.the game in the Manukau district. Just prior to the war it had 15 teams in the field, but this membership Tjfas pulled down by the spontaneous response of the players to the call for war service. Almost the equivalent of ten teams enlisted, and the club now has 146 ex-members on active service. From one team, the second grade, 13 of the 15 players enlisted in a body. One admirable feature of Manuk&u.almost from its first appearance A.R.U. competitions has been ttsjfine club spirit, which has been fostered by the officials with assistance from the Onehunga community generally. Mr. J. Park, Mayor of Onehunga, and Mr. W. J. Jordan, MVP. for Manukau (now the Hon. \V. Jordan, New Zealand High Commissioner in London) were especially helpful. Largely through Mr. Park's interest and practical help in planning and oversight a scheme was entered upon which made the football ground at Onehunga, Waikaraka Park, probably the best in Auckland in^surface and equipment. It now has a grandstand capable of accommodating 3500 spectators, and equipment with cafe and restaurant, as well as with the most up-to-date ambulance room in the city. Community Following The club itself has acauired a commodious training shed in Onehunga which is fitted with hot and cold showers and with the training facilities of a modern training gym., including a cafe. When the Springboks were in New Zealand in 1937 they commended this place at Onehunga as the best training shed in the Dominion. Adjoining the shed are several tennis courts, also run by the club for the purpose of keeping members together and fit during the summer season. Obviously in obtaining these facilities, the club has worked up a strong community interest and following—one of its strongest assets in retaining membership and financial backing. Colourful Maori Players On the playing field Manukau's club spirit has been reflected in consistent success. In its earlier days after reaching senior status in 1928 the feats of talented Maori plavers gave a special colour to the Manukau performance. Of these Maori players those who will be remembered as having gained representative honours included A. Falwasser, S Watene, J. Brimble, A. Turei, J. Rata and Baby ' Kahu. Other Manukau men who gained caps for Auckland included Dwyer, J. Satherley, Leo Maguire, R. and C. Stewart, W. Schubert, C. S. Pepper and H. Wiklund. The last mentioned got into the Auckland team at the age of 17, and gave great promise, but unfortunately suffered a road accident that ended his football career. Then, too, there was L. Heazlewood, a Wellington representative, who was with the club from 1932 to 1935 before returning to Wellington. As player, coach and general member, he is still spoken of with the greatest respect by club officials, who place him as one who rendered outstanding service to Manukau in fostering and improving the club's team spirit.

J. Brimble was first of the Manukau players to gain representative honours, in 1928, and seven years later Manukau produced its first All Black in Cyril Pepper. When he reached England he was particularly gratified to. be able to shake hands with the Manukau's Club's patron, the Hon. "Bill" Jordan from the old home town, and as New Zealand High Commissioner a particular friend to all All Blacks.

The captain, D. W. Hetherington, who fielded at full-back throughout the -winter, is one of five cricketing brothers who take part in the Auckland City and Suburban competitions. Last season he hit a century for Dilworth Old Boys against R.V. Two brothers were also seniors, Alf (Green Lane) and Roy (Mount Roskill); while William and Des are now members of Transport senior B XI., although Bill was the founder of R.V.; and he, too, play e d senior for that club before transfer to Transport. His son Jack was last summer in the

Brixton side in the City ana Suburban major competition.

Mr. E. P. York, the coach of the team, was also mentor to five other XV. s during the season, two Royal Oak School teams, two Farm Group reps, and one of the Roller Mills Shield sides.

Scores and Scorers This season Manukau won nine of their 13 games, and lost once only. Curiously enough it was a month before the side was victorious, as will be seen from the undernoted table of games arranged in the order in which they were played:— First Round. v. Whenuapai A.P Drawn 3— 3 v. Garrison Artillery Lost 13 —18 v. Grafton Drawn 6— 6 v. Ponsonby Won 5— 3 v. Eden Won 13—8 v. North Shore Won 11— 3 v. Hobsonville A.P Won 12— 6 v. Parnell-Tamakl Won 11— 6 Second Round. v. Training College Won 17— 3 v. Technical 0.8 Won 14—12 v. Grafton Won 17—11 v. University Won 24—14 v. Ponsonby Drawn 11—11 157-104

As shown in last week's Sports Edition the left wing three-quarter, D. T. Boryer, accounted for almost half the points, mostly by goal-kick-ing. Three of his five tries were registered against Technical Old Boys.

Half-back Dave Hewitt, who played for Auckland when South Auckland won 18—11 at Pukekohe on August 2, has seven tries to his credit. He got them in braces, against Eden, Parnell-Tamaki and Training College (the last two consecutive matches); the solo being registered when the team played North Shore.

Frank Lipscombe (back-row forward) did not cross the line until the fifth engagement, and then scored in three out of four games; besides another try later on in the return with Grafton.

The reserve goal-kicker Ayas Alex Patterson (first five-eighth), who also rang on two tries against Hobsonville, and one in each of the last couple of contests.