AFTER TWENTY YEARS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume VLI, Issue 3323, 26 April 1935, Page 5

AFTER TWENTY YEARS.

— RUGBY AT KARANGAHAKE. “CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD.” The Karangahake Rugby Football Club which will field a senior team in Paeroa this season, will play under the old colours, blue and black, which were so well-known in pre-war days. It is interesting to make passing reference to the then playing strength of this township, and it may not be generally known that at one time the Karangahake Sub-Union had eight senior teams playing under its jurisdiction. The year 1912 saw the last appearance of a senior team from Karangahake, and now, over twenty years later, the colours will be again seen in action.

Local legend has it that Karangahake were one time champions of the world. Fortunately both those who tell the tale and those who listen can appreciate the story, otherwise unnecessary letters of denial might flood the country’s Press. In 1905 the famous All Blacks were defeated, prior to their departure for England, honour and glory, by the Wellington provincial side ■■ That a departing representative team should be defeated is fast becoming as necessary a tradition as the actor’s maxim regarding poor full dress rehearsals. Later on Auckland accounted for Wellington, Thames beat Auckland and Karangahake had a win over Thames. Thus did Kaxangahake become champions of the world.

While it is to be doubted that the present team, now at something more than the nucleus stage, can ever claim this somewhat doubtful distinction, it is apparent that the local club has a very promising combination and one which is likely to give the other three clubs very hard games. In addition to a number of players well-known to Paeroa fans, a number of other footballers, now resident in the district, will make their first appearance the competition under Karangahake’s banner. Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure For Influenza Colds