MARK NICHOLLS' CAREER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20991, 30 September 1931, Page 11

MARK NICHOLLS' CAREER.

HAWKE'S BAY PAYS TRIBUTE. AUTOGRAPHED BALL PRESENTED. In recognition of his services to Rugby football and as a memento of the close of his wonderful Rugby career, Mark Nicholls, at. the conclusion of the Welling-ton-Hawke's Buy match last Satuida\, was presented with tho ball used in tho game, which was autographed by all the players. In making 1 lie presentation Mr. G. A. Maddison, president of the Hawke s Bay Rugby Union, said that the close of the game marked the close of the Rugby career of an outstanding international. Nicholls, he said, was represented as being one of the greatest tacticians in the history of Rugby, and it was to his wonderful tact and strategy that New Zealand retained its Rugby supremacy in the memorable fourth test played against South Africa at Capetown in 1928. Although he had now entered upon his retirement, time would not dim the memory of his football, which was among the greatest ever seen on the playing fields of the world. Nicholls had played on four occasions against Hawke's Bay at Napier, said Mr. Maddison. He expressed the hope that Nicholls' knowledge would not be lost, to football, and that he would retain his association with the game in the capacity of either coach or referee. In thanking Mr. Maddison for the gift Nicholls made reference to Hawke's Bay's records during the past years, stating that it was fully realised in Wellington what magnificent footballers Hawke's Bay had produced. He assured everyone present that it was but another link in the chain of friendship existing between Hawke's Bay and Wellington. The crowd sang "For He's a Jolly Good Feliow," and gave three rousing cheers for the famous player.