RUGBY

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 1 May 1926, Page 10

RUGBY

NOTES

To-day the championship fixtures commenced in north and south, and everything points to a good and useful season. Members are earnestly enjoined to train hard and consistently. That is one of the greatest factors ot all in success, given only average ability. This will in the main triumph over ability without training. It gives the public, who are the greatest, supporters and the keenest critics, more interest, and acts as a greater attraction. Like any other sport, Rugby flourishes most when it lias the public with it in its activities. The way to get them is to provide good, fast and open football. That will always act as a powerful magnet. The early days of football and cricket are recalled by Mr John Harre in a letter he sent to the Normanby committee, when he says that his only recreations were on Saturday when he used to go to Waihi for football or cricket with the Armed Constabulary men who were stationed there. Four of the best-known enthusiasts in Rusbv in the Dominion, Messrs C. F. C. Campbell, J. P. Firth, G. C. Faelie and W. J. Hardham, V.C., have been made life members of the Wellington Rugby Dnion. Mr Campbell was a New Zealand representative about 1880, and was one of the founders of the Athletic Club in 1877 - and the Wellington Union in 1879, and has been actively connected with the management of Rugby ever since. Mr Firth was best known as head of Wellington College for 29 years, and one of the greatest teachers of the game to the boys Wellington ever possessed. He was a Wellington representative about 1880 and one of the best referees. Mr Faelie was many years a great player and a Wellington representative, and president of the Wellington Club. Mr Hardham, too, was . a Petone and Wellington representative player, representing his province on 52 occasions and being captain several times. He also gained fame in the South African War, where he secured tho coveted V.C.. and in the Great War. For many years, too, he was on the management committee of the Wellington Union. One of the new executive members on the Manawntu District Rugoy Council is Mr P. O. S. Skoglnnd (son of Mr Phil Skoglnnd, of Stratford, for many years secretary of the Taranaki Rugby Union). Fiftv-fivo years ago on March 2 was horn W. .T. Bancroft, that wonderful Rugby full-hack, identified with the Swansea Club. In all he figured in 33 internationals for the Principality between 1889-90 and 1900-01. Against England he appeared in 12 successive seasons, 11 times against Ireland,. and 10 times against Scotland. At cricket he assisted Glamorgan. Time was when St. Thomas’ were the dominating factor in Hospitals Cun Rugby football —from 1888 to 1897 they were successful in the. final on every occasion, St. Mary’s Middlesex. St. Bart’s. Guy’s, University and St. George’s all falling to them in turn. In 1898 they were runners-up to Guy’s, hut from that time onwards until the present season they never reached the final tie. ‘Their success over St. Bart’s last month was contrary to all expectations, but was, nevertheless, thoroughly deserved.

RUGBY MAN’S FINE ACTION. It is now certain that L. Williams, the Kaikorai and All Black forward, will not he seen on the football field again (writes “Full-back” in the Otago Daily Times). Williams is . still unable to return to work, so it will he seen that he has had a long spell since his leg was broken during the course of a match between University and Kaikorai at Tahuna Park last season. The powerful Kaikorai forward will always be remembered as one of the cleanest players who ever pulled on a jersey in Dunedin. Followers of the game in Invercargill still talk admiringly of Williams’s fine action during a match between Southland and Otago. Den was leading a- dribbling rush in splendid fashion when Kilby stooped down and picked up the hall. Still well in his stride. Williams grabbed the small half-hack and held him aloft in a pair of brawny arms. He then loosened his hold, and finally slipped Kilhv to earth again with' the greatest care. The great hurst of cheering that greeted Williams’s action was good to hear.