RUGBY AT THAMES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20074, 11 October 1928, Page 17

RUGBY AT THAMES.

EARLY HISTORY RECALLED. CLOSE BOND WITH AUCKLAND. GAMES NEARLY SIXTY YEARS AGO [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] THAMES. Wednesday. When tho Thames Rugby Union rejected an offer to affiliate with the Thames Valley Rugby Union members stated that no consideration would induce them to support any movement for secession from the Auckland Rugby Union, which had fostered Thames Rugby for nearly 60 years. Tho first match between Auckland and Thames was played in 1870 at Thames and resulted in a draw, no score being recorded on either side. Auckland was captained by O. Dunnctt and Thames by T. Sandes. There was no off-side rule and players were required to bounce the ball every five yards when in possession, as in the Victorian code. A description of the game states that tho match "soon degenerated into a scries of personal combats because a Thames man was carrying tho ball."

It is also on record that tho Auckland captain had ordered the steamer to wait for half an hour only, as Auckland intended to beat Thames in 20 minutes. The game was played for 90 minutes, with interval or change of sides. Another Drawn Match. The teams met at Thames the following year, when the rule requiring the bouncing of the ball was deleted. The teams played 11 men a-side and another draw was recorded, neither side scoring. Both teams appear to have relied more on the physical strength of members than the scientific nicotics of tho code to win and again there wore many "personal combats." The Auckland team consisted of J. G. Dunnett (captain), C. Clayton,/ R. Duder, Ellis, Humphries, Marshall, Henderson. Matthews, Cussen, L. Cussen and Graham. The Thames players were: —Bull, W. W. Robinson, Donovan, Sandes (captain), Fitzrnorris, Dunleavoy, Woon, Jennings, Crawford, Gudgeon and Williams.

Auckland again came to Thames in 1872 under the doughty Dunnett. The teams played 10 men a-side, lhames being this time captained by E. Jones. At that time a match could only bo won by a goal and, although Dtider scored a try for Auckland, another draw was recorded. The Thames Rugby Union was officially formed in 1889 by Messrs. J. Poland and J. Jordan. Mr. E. Radford was the first president ancl air. H. Fletcher the first secretary. The latter was succeeded by Mr. T. Aitken, now president of the Ponsonby Club, Auckland, who held the post for many years, and is a life member of the Thames Union. The first official representative Rugby match between Auckland and 'Lhames was played at Potter's Paddock in 1890. Players in Auckland Teams.

Since that time games have been played regularly almost without a brdak and Auckland has seldom taken the field against other provincial teams without the assistance of one or more players from Thames. Twenty years it was not an uncommon occurrence for Thames to supply as many as six or eight players for the Auckland representative fifteen. These have included such famous Rugby personalities as R. (Dick) McGregor, W. Cunningham, J. McGregor, M. Buckland, T. Lang, J. Swindley, H. Brownlee, D. Stewart, F. Surman, I. Smith, H. 11. (Circus) Hay ward. Morgan Wayward, who has captained Thames for 13 years, and A. R. Lomas. The Thames Union has played on many grounds in its time, travelling from Tararu to Parawai. The first game was played at Tararu and many other games have been played at Waiokaraka, 1< letts Paddock, Parawai Gardens, Stewart's Paddock and the racecourse. The union has now a ground of its own at Parawai, which was financed largely out of the proceeds of Peace Cup challenge games. It lias been named Rhodes Park to commemorate the services to lhames Rugby of Mr. R. M. Rhodes.

MORRIN S VILLE' S RECORD.

REVIEW OF THE SEASON. THE PEACE CUP RETAINED. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] MORRINSVILLE. Wednesday. The Morrinsville Rubgy representatives have closed the season with a record of seven wins in 11 games. Tho Peace Cup, won from Hamilton early in the season, was retained, its possession proving an incentive for players to strive for representative honours. The outstanding players were:—S. Thomas, fullback; Anderson, thrccquarters; Howard and Cameron, forwards. Tho team's record for tlio season is as follows: —Finlay Cup: V. Waipa, drawn game, 3 points each; v. Cambridge, won, 12 points to 5; v. Matamata, lost 3 points to 13. Peace Cup: V. Hamilton, won 18 points to 16; v. Matamata, won, 11 points to 7; v. Thames, won 11 points to 3 • v. Paeroa, won, 20 points to 9. Other games- V Piako. won, 28 points to 3; v. Cambridge, won, 18 points to 9; v. Putaruru, lost, 11 points to 14; v. Thames, drawn, 3 points each.