AFTER THE MATCH

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 48, 25 August 1930, Page 14

AFTER THE MATCH

YEARS TURNED BACK

OLD PLAYERS REMINISCENT

Pages of football history were turned back in one of the spacious rooms under the grandstand at Athletic Park after the match on Saturday afternoon by '■'oldtimers," who, with smiling eyes aud cheery facesi told of players and games of their time, and, although paying graceful tributes to players of the present day, it was with evident pride that they referred to the stalwarts of years ago. The function was one arranged by the Management Committee of the Wellington Rugby Union for the entertainment of former Wellington representative players and officials. It was a happy gathering—nothing staid about it, and, no doubt, it served to bring together many men who had not met perhaps since their football days.

Refreshments were provided, and a few short speeches were made.

As is customary when old players come together, stalwarts such as Colonel G. 1?. C. Campbell, Mr. T. S. ("Barney") Ronaldson, and the others who spoke, grew reminiscent.

Colonel Campbell welcomed the guests, and in his subsequent remarks ho took the gathering back to playing days of 1870. if-te said that some of the players of those days were giants, but admitted that there were some giants among those playing today, too, and he referred, as an indication of the size of some of the old players, to the removal on one festive occasion of the old Barrett's Hotel sign, placed fairly high up on the building. The game that had been played that afternoon between Auckland and Wellington, he had no. hesitation in saying, was one of the finest exhibitions of Rugby football he had ever seen. Colonel Campbell expressed the hope that similar gatherings of old-time players and officials would be held in ths future.

Some of the greatest playei'S that had ever represented New Zealand, said Mr. A. F. Wiren, had taken part in matches between Auckland and Wellington. He thought that the standard of play in tho latest match was up to anything that had been seen in the past. Mr. Wiren dealt with tho Auckland team of 1883, mentioning the names of several of its members, including the late Bob Whitesidc, who, he thought, as a scoring man, "took the cake."

Mr. Itonald.son thanked the li'ugby Union for having invited the "old crocks," as he put it, to be present, and said he hoped they would be able to attend many more similar gatherings. He said he was playing- in 1880. and he felt he was rather an old-timer. (Applause.)

111. E. Davey, who* was introduced as having been n speedy runner in his day, apologised for the absence of another old stalwart. Mi1. ''Tab.'' Wyriyard. Mr. Davey dealt with players and'incidents of as far back as 18C9, and said that his playing days were finished in 1884. "As an Aucklandw I am very pleased to be here this afternoon," said Mr. M. ■1. Sheahan, a vice-president anil life member of the Auckland Rugby Union, lie agreed with the tribute that had been paid to the late Bob Whitesidc. As had been truly said by a previous speaker, Whiteside was a phenomenal scorer. He had seen many football matches between Auckland and Wellington, and the one that afternoon had been as good if not better than those of the past. Mr. Sheahan concluded with the following line.;:—

'/Let every year as it rolls by Be brighter than the last And pleasant to the memory bring Reflections of the past."