Long runs end

Press, 16 March 1982, Page 16

Long runs end

Two of the longest-serving players in the senior competition. the Christchurch five-eighths, Murray McEwan, and the Albion fullback, Ainsley Quested, have both retired. Each had 14 seasons of senior football and this leaves the Merivale-Papanui prop. Denis Skipper, as the most experienced player in the grade. Skipper is about to embark on his fifteenth season.

McEwan will retain an association with the Christchurch team. He has been appointed the senior manager, but may switch to assisting Stewart Cron with the coaching if his brother, Paul McEwan, is unable to find the time to fill this role.

McEwan had an interesting career, and not' just because he was associated with the very good teams Christchurch fielded through

the 19705. He played in no ' fewer than five champion-ship-winning sides. v

McEwan made his debut ‘ for Canterbury in a Ranfurly Shield defence against Buller ( in 1970 and he also went on Canterbury's northern tour ■ that season, without getting a ' game. His next appearance was against West Coast in i but it was not until 1976 that . he commanded a regular i place. He retained it until f--1979. finishing with a total of 51 games for Canterbury. a Quested received a Canter- ; bury trial early in his career " and that was the closest he ? got to a red and black jersey. However, he served Albion ably, mainly as a full-back, •, although sometimes shifting - into the five-eighths. Unlike McEwan, Quested i, has not retired completely. ? He intends to continue play- '■ ing this season in the semi- » social president’s grade.