The Rotorua Excursion.

Thames Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 10592, 10 September 1906, Page 2

The Rotorua Excursion.

AN ENJOYABLE TRIP.

The Thames football team report they were royally treated at Rotoi-ua by 'the Riugby Union and the old Tbaimies boys- Oft arrival they, were met by a large number of the latter, promiimlanit .bed'ng' Messrs W- Woodward, Wl. Buokland, W- Constant, and F- Boyes, and were driven out ' to Whakareiwiarewa Avhere the famous geyser wais soaped and played to a good height- Tlhis 'being the first time most of tte Thamiesites had witnessed it'pin eruptioaii, tlhe exhibition was highly -appreciated and the spectators which included also a; large number who liiadi ciome out for 1 the purpose were duly impressed with the magnitude of the themiLal wonders- The principal attractions as fair as tlhie limited time permittedl, wea^a pointed out to thie visitors by their hospitable -hosts, who only expressed regret that they could mot extend their hospitality. The matchi wiaisi playied on the Pukeroa, reserve and the keen, interest taken' in the initial meeting of two doughty teams w;as> evidenced by tihe (numerous attendance- Tlhe gaim© wa® ai hard one', airid although; the. Thiaimies forwards held! .their own, the backs of .Rotoruia were too much for thearii- Without 'ai doubt, said one Thiamieisi Riujghyite, thie beist teaimi won, without allowing for the fact tftiiat Thames was minus tlhree of its best players, Doibsoii, Dunlop and 1 Keating". The rush 'Stopping of the Rotoruaites Was a notable feature of their playMr Plugge abted as referee- After the matoh the two teaimis' were entertained to dinner 'by the Riugby Union, after which! ai pleasant how was spent in speeches, toasts, songs, etc-, prior to leaiving lor thie return journeyTlbJe' opinion wasi unanimously expressed thiat it was one of the most enjoyable tripsl yet taken by the. local boysReferring 'to fli!e uniatch the Riotorua paper remarked: "This .is the first mieetingl of these twio Unions, and tili!e pla.y will be watdhsd with great interest, 'as thie local teami liiave> mot been really extended this seasoni so far- This miatcihi, ihiowerer, will be the hardest that a IJotorua, team hias been asked to tackle since the Unioui lias teem in 'existendei, lor the Tthaimes. is :a noted district for footballers of the istaiunchest kind, who haiVe alwiays put up a goodi fight a,gaiinst tihe best team that thei AiUioklaMd 'Rugby Union! dan produicie from, year to ye«i'-"