Tribute to Wadsworth

Press, 9 October 1976, Page 52

Tribute to Wadsworth

The annual dinner of the Canterbury Rugby Supporter’s Club is a lively and cheerful affair; it is not uncommon for the speakers of the evening to have their remarks supplemented by off-the-cuff contributions from diners.

But the seventh gathering, this week, was notable for the rapt attention given a delightfully humorous speech by a former Walabies rugby player, Peter Johnson — and for the emotional response to a reference made by the master of ceremonies, the Rev. Bob Lowe, to the test cricketer, Ken Wadsworth, who died in August. After the gathering had

observed a minute’s silence as a mark of respect for Wadsworth, Mr Lowe spoke of the cricketer, and his contribution to the game. “Thank you, God, for the life of Ken Wadsworth and for the golden days in the sun, for the game he played, and above all for the manner in which he played it,” he said. “Thank you, God, for a front-foot player. Ken Wadsworth played and lived in the great more — for life is more than meat and the body more than raiment.” Rugby players have already given strong support to the Ken Wadsworth Testimonial Fund. Yesterday a contribution of $4B came from the

Rangiora Golf Club, of which Wadsworth was a member. The accompanying letter recalled that on March 10 Wadsworth won a stroke competition with a net 72. Three days later he played his last innings — and scored a century against Otago in the Shell series final. “He is remembered for his club spirit, as well as for his cheerful determination to perform to the best of his ability at all times” the club’s letter said.

The Wadsworth Testimonial Fund last evening stood at $5575. Contributions may be sent to Box 1005, Christchurch, or left at “The Press” office.