PETONE RUGBY CLUB

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 257, 26 July 1930, Page 25

PETONE RUGBY CLUB

A Remarkable Record

AN ASSET TO THE TOWN Nothing, it is almost safe to say, has served to make Petone’s fame more than its Rugby football club. Pounded in 1881 as a junior club by J. Woods, a Wellington representative player, it was named Petone (the end of the beach), the Maori name for the first white settlement of Petone. The first office-bearers were: President, Sir William Herbert; club captain, Mr. J. Wood; secretary. Mr. W. Riddler; treasurer, Mr. G. Carey. it won the junior championship in ibJU, winning 11 matches out of 12 played* scoring 73 points to 2 against. Club Amalgamation-

Through the initiative of Mr. T. M. Wilford, who was then Mayor of Wellington, Petone and Epuni clubs amalgamated, IS9I being Petone’s first year m senior grade Rugby, when it was runnerup in the competition. . _ Success came the club’s way in 1895, when it won the senior championship for the first time. _ . , . At the end of the season Petoneplayed Linwood, winners of the Christchurch championship, and after a hard game a draw resulted. _ , In connection with these two cluos there are many coincidences. The clubs were formed the same year, won the junior championship the same year, were promoted to senior grade together, and won the senior championships of their respective unions for the first time in 1895. „ Notable Years. Petone club again won the senior championship in 1899, and in that year built a gymnasium. In 1904, 1905, and 1908 it won both the senior and junior championships, the junior shield becoming the property of the club. A brilliant record was established by the Petone club in the 1907 season, when it won fill five championships of the Wellington Rugby Union. This Is an unique performance for Wellington, and for the Dominion. The following list, showing the scores of the various teams, speaks volumes for the high standard of play through-

In 1908 the following was the positions of the teams: Seniors finished second, juniors finished first, thirds finished second, fourths finished first, fifths finished first. In 1910 the club won the junior and third grade championships and in 1912 the junior and fifth grade championships without any points being scored against its teams. More recently the club won the senior championship in 1922-23-24, three years in succession. Famous Names. Among those who have done yeoman service for the club was the late Major W. J. Hardham, V.C., whose name will be remembered as Jong as football is played in Petone. Among the many famous families connected with Petone Club are the Nicholls family (Mark, "Ginger,” “Doc. ); Ryan family (Jimmy, Eddie, etc.), Parker family All Blacks from the Petone club in-

dude T. Cross, D. McGregor, W. Pringle, W. 8. McKenzie (“Offside Mac"), W> Hardcastle, P. Jacob, G. Maber, J. T. Milne, W. Reedy, J. Ryan, Mark, “Ginger” and “Doc." Nicholls. J. T. Lynskey, a Petone schoolmaster, who was the greatest coach Petone ever had, coached Mark Nicholls, and his influence is still felt in the club although he was transferred from Petone a number of years ago.

out the club: — W. L. D. Points p. F. A. Senior 12 9 1 2 171 49 Junior 11 9 1 1 185 29 Third 13 13 0 0 156 15 Fourth 11 10 1 0 190 21 Fifth 10 10 0 0 219 9 57 51 8 3 921 123