JUNIOR RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1933, Page 10

JUNIOR RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

PRESENTATIONS AT OKAIAWA.

SPEAKERS COMPLIMENT TEAM.

There was a good attendance at the Okaiawa town hall on Monday night when the trophies won during the season were presented to the Okaiawa junior Rugby team. The president, Mr. J. O’Sullivan, said that after 33 years the championship honours had again come to Okaiawa. He was very proud of the win, he himself having been a member of the team that won in 1900. There were only' a few of these players left and now another of the “old brigade,” Mr. F. Livingston, who played for the Hawera district and was a great football enthusiast, had passed away. He asked the assemblage to stand for a moment in tribute to their memory. Mr. E. G. Betts, vice-president, said he had keen recollections of the previous occasion when Okaiawa juniors won the championship and he remembered most of the players. That team played a fast open game similar to the one played this year. He congratulated the 1933 players on their splendid open game, which was what the public liked, and he complimented the coach (Mr. W. Johnston) on the splendid work he had done. Apologies were received from the president, chairman and secretary of the Taranaki Rugby Union and in their absence Mr. J. Rowe, a member of the union, was called upon to make the presentation. He said he regretted that the shield was not with them that night, it having been sent io New Plymouth to be engraved. The Okaiawa juniors played good open football and it was a treat to watch them. He had been an interested spectator of the match against Hawera, Okaiawa’s only defeat in the season.

Mr. Rowe said Okaiawa had produced many great footballers and at present possessed a splendid forward in Ray Clarke. He was sure much more would be heard of him in the near future. The Okaiawa team had played the game and he was sure that when the members went up to senior they would win the shield next year. It was the training that stood to them, also the work of the coach, who had put all his heart into the team. He called for cheers for the junior champions. Mr. O. Platt, secretary of the Toko Football Club, congratulated the Okaiawa team on its achievement. The trophy had been held by Toko the two previous years, but he had to compliment the Okaiawa players on their victory. He regretted that the trophy was not available that evening. He had sent it in to Stratford but evidently it had not been forwarded. With the victory of Waimate in the seniors and Okaiawa in the juniors it showed that football was flourishing in the south. With a little more interest and encouragement football would be much improved and. he had hopes that the Ranfurly Shield would come to Taranaki next year. Mr. Skipper, captain of the team, acknowledged the compliments and paid tribute to the successful management of Mr. W. Johnston. He hoped the players would keep together so that they would have another successful season next year.

The president called upon Mrs. Gibson, for whom cheers were given, to present the Gibson Banner. Mrs. ' Gibson expressed the hope that the team would one day win the senior championship. Mr. W. A. Guy presented the Lovell and Christmas Shield won for seven-a-side at Manutahi. He said the team played good football and if the style of play were continued it was probable some would attain All Black honours. The team had also won seven-a-side tournaments at Rahotu and Patea.

Mr. T. Guy, the captain, in reply said the members had played well and it was a pleasure to play with such a team. Mr. W. Johnston, the coach, thanked the speakers for their compliments and added that success was due more to the team ' than to himself. Last year the team lost one match and lost the championship. This year it lost one game but won the championship. The team trained well and played good, hard, open football. It was the best junior team Okaiawa had for years. On behalf of the team Mr. Skipper made a presentation to Mr. Johnston in recognition of his services. Mr. T. Nuku spoke on behalf of the Maori race, saying they, were always pleased to help the sport of football. Under his leadership the team then gave a haka. The president paid tribute to the splendid work rendered to the club by the ladies and cheers were accorded them, Mrs. W. Johnston returning thanks for the compliments and expressing pleasure that their work had been appreciated. The evening was spent in dancing, music being played by Wills’ Melody Makers band. OPERA HOUSE TALKIES. “SAY I'.' WITH MUSIC.” Jack Payne and his band appear in “£&y it With Music,” which , comes to the Opera House to-night for a twonight season and a matinee on Thursday. It is one of those screen novelties which picturegoers delight in. The clever musician and the band which charmed Britain’s radio listeners live on the screen with such fidelity that members of the audience feel they are listening to the actual band. Seats may be reserved at Miss Blake’s.

The box plans are open at the Opera House confectionery for “The White Sister,” which commences on Friday for a season of three nights and one matinee.