Marlborough men feted

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33290, 30 July 1973, Page 1

Marlborough men feted

(From Our Own Reporter) BLENHEIM, .luh 29. Marlborough’s IS Rugby heroes were feted on their return to Blenheim late this afternoon, a hastily arranged public welcome having drawn thousands to Market Place in the centre ol the town.

Led by the Blenheim Municipal Band, which had travelled to Christchurch to lend musical support, the Marlborough team’s 1 bus drove slowly through a crowd of cheering, clapping supporters to; Market Place. The emergence of the captain, R. S. Sutherland.; with the shield drew spontaneous cheers,; which continued when;

TOP: The crowd awaiting the return of the shield holders from Christchurch yesterday. ABOVE: The Marlborough captain (R. S. Sutherland) right, and the vice-captain (A. Goddard) with the Ranfurly Shield arriving in Blenheim yesterday. Sutherland is holding his daughter, Louise. Report of match, back page

the team — looking a little travel-weary — passed through a guard of honour of young players to a cleared space in front of the band rotunda. Here, after photographs had been taken of the team, the players’ accomplishments were lauded by the Mayor (Mr S. P. Harling) and the president of the Marlborough Rugby Union (Mr E. P. Dwyer).

Mr Harling, just out of hospital. could have been excused his sports blun der when he welcomed “the victorious Marlborough football eleven.” The crowd quickly put him right. a therland made a short reply — and Rot the biggest cheer. “IN MELTING POT” Announcements made at the week-end of future Ranfuriy Shield fixtures to be undertaken by Marlborough this season were incorrect, said Mr Dwyer. No decision on any shield fixtures had yet been made, he said. Marlborough’s representative programme for August includes matches against. Wairarapa-Bush on August 11, Nelson-Bays on August 18, and West Coast on August 25. The latter two matches will be Seddon Shield challenges.

The union’s management committee would consider the whole question of Ranfurly Shield challenges this week, z said Mr Dwyer. Until then, everything was “in the melting pot.”