“SPORTSMEN”

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 45, 21 January 1928, Page 4

“SPORTSMEN”

TRIBUTE TO WARATAHS. REV. MULLINEUX’S MEMORIES. LONDON, Jan. 17. The English ltugby Union gave a dinner to the Waratahs and the English team at the Cafe Royal, the president, Admiral Royds, being in the chair.

Many past and present Rugby Union giants were at the table, including Rev. M. Mullincux, who organised the War Graves pilgrimage, to Gallipoli and captained the English Rugby Union team to Australia in 1899. Olliers included Messrs A. M. Bucher, E. T. Nicholson W. McGowin, Gwynn Nicholls, G. Gilson, G. E. Cookson, H. Ayre-Smith, all former internationals.

Admiral Royds, in paying a tribute to the Waratahs, said that the tour had been most successful from every point of view. The Waratahs had lived up to every principle, placing sportsmanship first and the winning of the match second. Ho realised that the N.S.W. Rugby Union was carried on under difficulties, but true amateurism prevailed, and could not be in safer hands than those of the Waratahs who had won the hearts of Britishers. They played against Gloucestershire under adverse conditions.

Such decisions proved real sportsmanship. He congratulatctd the Waratahs on the fine display against England by whom they were beaten by 18 points to 11, adding that it was a most spectacular exhibition in the last 20 minutes. Ho paid a tribute to Mr E. G. Shaw’s management. MEMORIES OF THE PAST.

Mr Mullineux said that seven of the 1899 team were dead and three were abroad. As many as possible of the remainder came from throughout the country to welcome the Waratahs, as they all had memories of Australia’s wonderful hospitality. One and . all wished they were young enough to go out again on the playing fields. “Indeed,” added Mr Mullineux, “if Australia can find a team of veterans aged 55 or 56, I will find enough oldtimers to play Australia five tests if it is desired.”

The manager of the Waratahs, Mr E. G. Shaw, thanked the ltugby Union which was assisting the game in New South Wales. Ho hoped that the British .visit to Australia in 1930 would enable Australians to return the hospitality enjoyed by the Waratahs. He pointed out that in order to play the postponed match against London, the Waratahs were surrendering a holiday in Switzerland. Matches were to be played, he said, at Vancouver, on February 25, 29, and March 3. DUKE’S ENTHUSIASM.

Interviewed at the end of the match on Saturday Mr Shaw said that it was a wonderful game—the best he had ever seen.

“1 sat beside the Duke of York,” he stated, who thoroughly enjoyed the play,and told me during sonic exciting movement, that ho felt like jumping;'up and Taking a hand himself. The Duke added that he showed the greatest. .interest in the team’s doings throughout the tour

“ficonsider you were unlucky during tliel terrific, pressure in the last 20 min-

utes not tb obtain two or three more tries. The game was tremendously fast, absolutely clean, and played in a sportsmanlike manner.”