Coast league man dies

Press, 24 October 1989, Page 38

Coast league man dies

Greymouth reporter Mr Robert Mamari Clark, of Cobden, well known in rugby league and bowls circles, died last week, the day after he had competed in a bowls tournament to mark the West Coast Rugby League’s seventh-fifth jubilee year. Mr Clark gained his unusual second name from a ship of the same name, on which he was born in the Bay of Biscay when his parents

were travelling to New Zealand. During his life, Mr Clark worked in sawmilling, and gold and coal mining. He played rugby league in Inangahua and Blackball, and represented the West Coast in the late 1930 s and early 19405, and gained South Island honours. He also represented the West Coast in tennis and cricket. Mr Clark coached the West Coast representative rugby

league side when it gained a draw with Auckland in Auckland ‘in 1947. He later served for some years on the Coast league’s board of control. He began bowling in Cobden in 1967, and gained Coast selection in the early 1980 s. He was made a life member of the Cobden Bowling Club in 1987, and took a keen interest in the club's gardens and surrounds. Mr Clark is survived by a son and two daughters.