Nightcaps SHEEP DOG TRIALS COMMITTEE

Southland Times, Issue 23179, 21 April 1937, Page 15

Nightcaps SHEEP DOG TRIALS COMMITTEE

LATE MR J. B. PURDUE HONOURED

A meeting of the committee of the Nightcaps Sheep Dog Trials Association was attended by Messrs W. J. A. McGregor, F. Boyle, J. G. Johnstone, J. Nelson, T. P. Johnstone, S. MacDonald, J. Ramsay, T. Fraser, S. L. Ayton, J. Milne, N. Ward and D. McLean. Mr McGregor, who presided, mentioned the great loss the club had suffered by the death of Mr J. B. Purdue. Everyone knew Mr Purdue’s worth, he said. After a period of 35 years as secretary for the club, Mr Purdue had only recently been appointed president.

A motion of sympathy was carried in the usual maimer and, as a further gesture of sympathy, the club decided to leave the presidential chair vacant for the current season.

The club also decided to arrange for the preparation of a memorial address, to be presented to the family of the late Mr Purdue, and to procure a J. B. Purdue memorial shield for competition at the trials next month. Mrs J. Evans, Scotts Gap, wrote in appreciation the honour bestowed upon her by the club, in electing her a lifemember. She also forwarded a trophy, to be won outright at the 1937 trials. It was received with thanks. Many special prizes were received for competition at the fixtures next month and donors were thanked.

The judges for the forthcoming trials were appointed as follows:—Maiden heading event, Mr J. B. Queale (Lochiel); other events, Mr Gordon Mays (Kaikapuaka). The allocation of special prizes was dealt with by the committee. To the long pull event, for which the first prize money is £7, will be added the J. B. Purdue President Cup. This cup, a fine piece of work, is inscribed as follows: “The J. B. Purdue President Cup, presented by the members of the Nightcaps Sheep Dog Trials Association in appreciation of services rendered, in recognition of 35 years’ service as secretary, and in honour of his being appointed president 1937.”

The Purdue Memorial Shield was inscribed as follows: “To be won annually by competitor with two dogs, one scoring most points in open heading events and one scoring most points in open huntaway events. Dogs to be nominated before competition.”

.RUGBY FOOTBALL The first game this season for Nightcaps against the newly-formed United team was played on Saturday. United won by seven points to nil. Carr was the best back on the field and looks likely to be the Western half this season. Bailey and Hope just shaded their pack in what should develop into a good team. The promoted juniors for Nightcaps all justified their promotion and N. J. Grant was its best back. Irwin, Dickson and Currie worked well throughout. The teams were:—

Nightcaps (red).—Hunt, Klemick, Grant, Valli, Excell, Fordyce, Cappie, Boyle, T. Egan, Currie, Irwin, F. Egan, Dickson, Wilson Duncan. United (red and white). —Hope, Chilton, Campbell, Cameron, Chilton, Chamberlain, Bailey, Rowley, Carr, Moir, Rowley, Beadle, Petit, Brayshaw, Collie.

The conditions were good when Beadle kicked off for United. The players were slow in finding their feet and ragged play ensued for some time. Nightcaps attacked, Fordyce kicking through, but Beadle cleared with a good kick. Play see-sawed with United going the better. Play went to the Reds’ line when Moir secured and dropped a neat goal for United. United 4, Nightcaps 0.

United kept up the attack but Grant cleared well. Fordyce and Excell carried on to take play to United’s line. A free-kick to United brought relief. United was getting most of the ball from the rucks and scrums. A promising movement by the United backs, Pettit showing up, was spoiled by this player hanging on, and Cappie cleared. United was definitely going better and play was desultory at this stage. Beadle had an unsuccessful pot and half-time saw play in mid-field. After the interval play was uninteresting. Cappie cleared for Nightcaps which set up an attack. United resisted, however, and Carr got his backs away on a good movement. Grant intercepted and saved what appeared a certain try. Even play followed with very little advantage to either side. United endeavoured to open up the play but its inside backs seemed rather selfish, otherwise more points may have been scored. Hunt stopped a good rush by United and cleared nicely. United went through again and Cappie saved a dangerous position. The colours’ forwards took play up-field and Hope secured and went over for a try. United 7, Nightcaps 0; Colours kept play in Nightcap’s half. Grant staved off a likely sortie and Beadle got in a fine kick. Ragged play ensued from which Excell found the line with a good kick. Irwin had a kick at a goal from a free kick but was unsuccessful. Nightcaps at this stage was showing up but could not finish off any movements. Grant carried out a good run, but was pushed out, and the game ended with play in mid-field. United 7, Nightcaps 0. Mr O. V. Berry was the referee.