Addington League Club Has Produced Some Fine Players

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29865, 4 July 1962, Page 11

Addington League Club Has Produced Some Fine Players

A VARIETY of jubilee func. tions in August will mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Addington Rugby League Club. Because of the lack of authentic records, the origin of the club is somewhat obscure, but old identities of Addington are quite sure the club was formed in 1912 by a group of league

enthusiasts, fully aware that the code was soon to be established in Canterbury. This proved to be true and the Canterbury Rugby Football League was formed in July of that year and preparations made to launch the code officially in 1913. On Friday, January 31, 1913, an enthusiastic meeting to constitute the club was held. Councillor J. McCullough presided and the following were elected to the committee:—

Messrs J. Stevens. Moore. Hanna. Falgar. Hardingham, Hutchinson, Murray, Fuller, Kingsland, Watt, Pearce. Foster, Rix and Olliver. Mr J. Wardell was elected secretary’.

Addington played a conspicuous role in the introduction of the league code in Christchurch. Four of its foundation members. Messrs E. J Foster, A. C. Fuller J Wardell and H. F. Garrard, were elected to the board of control, Mr E. J. Foster being appointed deputy chairman.

The Jerrold street reserve, now named Addington Park, was made available and is recognised as the “home'' ground, having been retained and played on by the club, up to the present day.

The first annual meeting of the club was held on February 26. 1913, and it was decided that the colours would be black with white hoops, and with black stockings with white tops. Subscriptions were fixed at ss. In its first club match, a friendly one against Syden-

ham, Addington won, 9-3. Senior Rugby League football officially commenced in Christchurch on Saturday, April 19, 1913, at the Show Grounds, with four teams— Linwood, St. Albans, Sydenham. and Addington—participating. Addington was drawn to play St. Albans on the main ground, and the Addington team to take the

CHAMPIONSHIP WINNING TEAMS.—Above: The unbeaten Addington 1923 side, the first from the club to win the Canterbury senior championship. The players are, from left, back row: H. A. F. Quicke, A. T. Collie, S. K. Symister, G. Linton, W. Clarke, M. H. McLeod. Middle Row: A. McKinnon, R. W. Christensen, A. Green, J. Sanders (captain), D. McGibbon, C. H. Boswell, A. (club captain). Front row: G. H. Brown, E. H. Falgar, R. J. Watt, G. E. Falgar. Absent: C. H. Goodman, E. Cox. Right: Addington’s last success in the senior championship was in 1944, the team also winning the South Island premiership. The players are, from left.—Back row: D. Donaldson, A. Meadows, J. Chapple, K. Willshire, S. Butterworth, B. King. Middle row: D. Yandle, N. Osborne, W. Cox, G. P. O’Callaghan (president), C. Keith, J. Neale, A. Gillman. Front row: A. Bench (coach), J. McCarthy, L. Bench (captain), P. A. Smith (vice-captain), J. Masters, G. Falgar (delegate).

field was listed as follows: Backs: J. J. Stevens. J. McGettrick, F. Sanders, F. Wise, C. B. Hardingham, W. Mutton, and R. Watt. Forwards: W. Flatman, C. Pearce (captain), A. Reid, J. Lagan, W. Murray, and F. Ashworth. The game was closely contested and full of interest. St Albans won by 17 points to 12. the deciding try (converted) being scored on the call of time.

A description of the game credits C. B. Hardingham with scoring the first three trys. the other scorer for Addington being J. Lagan. In that first season Addington had four players in a Canterbury team which met

New Zealand at the Show Grounds in June. They were H. Kelly and Hardingham (backs), C. J. Pearce and W. Flatman (forwards) the club's first provincial representastives.

Addington eventually finished third in the competition. losing six and winning five of the 11 matches played.

Addington had to wait 10 years before winning its first senior championship, although it was runner-up twice and joint runner-up with Hornby on another occasion.

Jim Sanders, captain, in 1923, of the first Addington team to win the senior championship was a most prominent player at that time, having played against Australia at Sydenham Park in 1919. In 1920 this player represented Canterbury, the South Island, and New Zealand against England, playing in all three tests. In 1921 he represented Canterbury, the South Island and

New Zealand, this time against Australia in Australia.

George Falgar, also in the 1923 team, was a fine footballer, having represented Canterbury in 1930, and 1931, and the South Island in 1931. He also played in three games against the crack Queensland team which toured New Zealand and which he. like very many others, considered to be the greatest ever to play in New Zealand. For about five years, George Falgar was the club’s delegate to the Canterbury Rugby League, and after 1944 was secretary to that body. In between times he was secretary of the club and also one of the bestknown referees. Before he retired from active participation in the club’s affairs he was elected a life member

Jim Amos, who joined the club in 1925, was a footballer of exceptional merit and was selected as a Canterbury representative in 1927. He was transferred to Auckland, and while there represented Auckland against England. Returning to Christchurch, in 1929. he was selected to represent the South Island. In 1930, as a New Zealand representative. he toured Australia and in 1932 represented New Zealand against England in New Zealand.

After retiring from playing, he was for many years Canterbury and South Island selector and coach, and was also the South Island representative on the New Zea-

land selection committee and eventually held the position of chairman.

In 1952, he was appointed New Zealand coach of the touring team to Australia that won the Ashes. He coached New Zealand teams in New Zealand in 1953, 1954, and later in 1954 was appointed manager-coach of the New Zealand team which travelled to France to participate in the World Cup series.

The present president of the Canterbury League, Mr L. G. Amos, joined the Addington club about 1926. He was delegate to the centre in 1930. and, filling the positions of secretary, treasurer and chairman of the League, has given the game about 30 years of administrative service, for about 20 of which he was club president.

A junior competition was started on Saturday, April 26. 1913, and in its first match against Sydenham, Addington won by 35 points to nil. The Addington team for that match was:—F. Rix, W. Hall, A. Johnston, M, McGee, F. Sales, W. Gray, C. Hill, J.

Mcllroy, G. F. Neal, W. H. Bowden, C. McKenzie, A. Wilson and G. Absolum. This junior team won the competition and the junior (Barnes) Banner, losing only one game of the 11 played. Senior championship wins were also gained in 1929, 1931, 1935, 1937, 1939 and 1944. The 1944 team was the most recent Addington team to win the senior championship. The performance of this team was of a high standard and earned the title of “Canterbury champions' ’

and South Island premiership winner. This team also won the Thacker shield, Massetti Cup and the Vivian Cup and was also holder of the McMahon Casket and the Gore Cup. The late Arthur ("Perky”) Bench was coach of this fine team and his son Lester, was captain. Also included as vice-captain was Pat Smith, whose record as a footballer was outstanding. He was captain of the New Zealand team that toured England and France after the Second World War. and in 1948 was captain of a New Zealand side that toured Australia. In 1949 Pat Smith was again captain of the New Zealand team which played two tests against the visiting Australians.

The president of the club (Mr G. P. O'Callaghan) during that most successful sea-

son is the present secretary, and also secretary of the jubilee committee—a long time between appointments. The club since 1944 has declined in playing strength and at present does not have a team in the senior competition, although last year its top team won the senior reserve championship and Parata shield. Vigorous efforts are being made to regain senior status, and the club has been fortunate in securing the services of W. F. (Jock) McNaughtan. recognised as one of the best league coaches in Canterbury. However, the comeback will not be easy, and an appeal is being made to players of recent years, to rally and give the club, and particularly its younger players, the benefit of their experience and ability. The jubilee committee has extended a warm invitation to all former players, members and supporters, who are still interested, to attend the jubilee functions which are as follows: Sunday, August 19: Church parade, St. Mary's Church, Church square. Addington. Friday, August 24: Jubilee Ball, Mayfair Lounge, Worcester street Saturday, August 25: Smoke concert. Railway Hall, Carlyle street. Saturday, August 25: Teenage dance. Domain terrace hall. Sunday, August 26: Gala day. Halswell domain. Full day from 1030 am.