TRIBUTES PAID TO TEAMS: LAST EVENING’S FUNCTION

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 September 1949, Page 8

TRIBUTES PAID TO TEAMS: LAST EVENING’S FUNCTION

With the president of the New Zealand League (Mr J. A. Redwood) and the chairman of the Australian Board of Control (Mr H. Flegg) among the 90 guests, the complimentary dinner tendered to the members of the Australian touring team by the West Coast Rugby League at the Albion Hotel last evening, was a unique function in the history of the game in New Zealand.

During the evening, high tributes were paid to the calibre of the Australian team and individual players and also to the sportsmenship of both teams yesterday. Proposing Ihc toast of the Australian team, the Mayor (Mr F. F. Boustridge) said that the people of Greymouth felt it a great honour to have had the opportunity within the past fortnight’of seeing in action and meeting the representatives of Austrial in two codes of football. Congratulating the Australian team on its fine display yesterday, Mr Boustridge said that, from all accounts, the losers had enjoyed the game just as much and they had been given something to learn, which would improve the West Coast game in the future. Traditions Kept

Responding, Mr A. Thompson, manager of the Australian team expressed appreciation of the action of the West Coast League in arranging the dinner. He added that the team had heard certain things about Greymouth but, fortunately, here had been no foundation in them from a r Rugby League point of view. He I congratulated the West Coast team on the game it had provided and added that there was not one incident in the game which was not in keeping with Rugby League traditions. Mr Keith Froome, captain of the Australian team proposed the toast oi the West Coast team. He said that the scores, in his opinion did not represent the game one bit. It was particularly good and clean and he thought the public must have enjoyed it. He referred to the fact that the West Coast had three players who had already been a thorn in the Australians’ side in the Test and prophesised that in a year or two G. Menzies would be seen in Sydney and Melbourne with a New Zealand side. Responding, the" captain of the West Coast team, Mr- M. Thomas, congratulated the visitors on their fine per-, formance and expressed the hope that it would not be long before another Australian side came to Greymouth. “I would also like to take this opportunity of thanking the West Coast, boys for the co-operation they have gj.ven me throughout the al-

though we have not been a very successful team,” added Mr Thomas. ; .There was no chance of Rugby League'slipping into the doldrums when it had such men “behind the guns in both countries, said, Mr J. Kidd, president of the West Coast League, in proposing the toast of the New Zealand and Australian Leagues. He expressed the hope that more visits would be arranged, stating that it was a tragedy that they should have been so infrequent, with Australia only eight hours’ flying time away. The president of the New Zealand League, Mr J. A. Redwood, expressed his thanks to the men who had done so much to promote the game “in this remote area of New Zealand” and his appreciation to the Australians for the type of football they were giving the people of New Zealand. Mr H. Flegg, chairman of the Australian Board of Control, gave an assurance that a more frequent interchange of visits would be arranged between the two countries and said that he had had no idea that League was so well established in the South Island. Referring to the progress which the game had made, Mr Flegg concluded:—“You can be Rugby mad if you like, but you will be League mad before many, years.” Referee Praised “He was very fair and kept the game moving,” said Mr W. O’Connell, captain of yesterday’s Australian team, in proposing the toast of the referee, Mr J. Griffin. Congratulating Mr Griffin on his excellent display, Mr O’Connell said that people did not realise how difficult it was to control a game witn a team from another country, with its different interpretations of rules. Appreciation of the compliments paid him was expressed by Mr Griffin who thanked the Australians for the co-operation they had given him. “I, fortunately, am not in the position of a man a week or two ago here, who had all the bricks thrown at him, although I thought he did a pretty good job,” added Mr Griffin. In presenting a Kangaroo tie-pin to the Mayor, Mr F. Moynihan, business manager of the Australian team, said that he also wished to thank the West Coast League for such a fine function and also to say a word of appreciation of the hospitality of the proprietor of the hotel, Mr Dowell, and of his staff. A tribute to the press, particularly in. Greymouth, was paid by Mr Redwood, and Mr L. Ryan, one of the Australian journalists, responded. Manager Pleased With Greymouth Arrangements “We have enjoyed every moment of our stay in Greymouth and our only regret is that we did not have at least another day here to see more of the scenery of your district,” said the business manager of the Australian Rugby League team, Mr F. Moynihan, prior to the team’s departure by this morning’s express for Christchurch. Mr Moynihan added that all the arrangements which had been made for the visit had been admirable. Members of the team had been very happy at the Albion Hotel and were loud in their praises of the attention they had received from the proprietor and staff and, better still, the proprietor was just as pleased with the team.To break the tension of the tour, the managers relaxed the restrictions on the players last night and after the complimentary dinner, many of them attended dances and other functions . . . 6. / TEAMS ANNOUNCED FOR SATURDAY The South Island and Australian teams for Saturday's match in Christchurch have been announced as follows:— South Island: Backs: J. Soster (W.C.), K. Henry (C), A. W. McKenzie (C), L. Brown (C), P. Callanan C), G. Menzies (W.C.), J. Haig (C), G. H. Ord (W.C.); forwards: P. Smith (C), R. Aynsley (W.C.), J. Newton (W.C.), C. Mcßride (W.C.),F. Blanchard (C), N. Withell (C), A. Atkinson (C). One back and one forward are to be omitted.' The West Coast members of the team left this morning for Christchurch. Australia: Backs: V. J. Bulgin; J. N. Graves, N. J. Hawke; M. P. McCoy, P. McMahon; W. P. O’Connell, G. K. Froome; forwards: L. Cowie, R. Rayner, K. Hausen, J. Holland, K. Schubert, N. Mulligan.'. WEEK-ENDFIXTURES The following are the West Coast Rugby League fixtures for Sunday:— Senior (knock-out final) .—Blackball v Runanga, at Wingham Park No. 1, 2.45 (J. Mathews). Reserve.—Nelson Creek v Rapahoe, at Rapahoe. 2?45 (R. Baird). Third Grade.—Runanga v Brunner, at Wingham Park No. 1, 1.15 (B. McGirr); Riccarton v Lake Brunner, at Te Kinga. 2.45 (H. Win). Fifth . Grade (knock-out final) .— Marist v Kohinoor, at Wingham Park No. 2. 1.15 (W. Hopkins).