WAIRARAPA RUGBY UNION CELEBRATES DIAMOND JUBILEE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 167, 22 July 1946, Page 5

WAIRARAPA RUGBY UNION CELEBRATES DIAMOND JUBILEE

HAWKE’S BAY WINS MATCH AT MASTERTON. (P.A.) Masterton. July 20. The Wairarapa Rugby Union to-day celebrated its 60th year of existence, having been formed in 1886, thougu tlie first championship matches were not played till 1887. A round of celebrations had been arranged during to-day’s football matches, including a dinnei at Cartertown and a ball at Gleytown. Old Wirarapa representatives from various parts of New Zealand were present to-day at a gathering at Solway showgrounds, where Wellington and Wairarapa juniors and Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay seniors met, the weather being fine and a large crowd was present. A parade of Wairarapa representatives from 1880 till the present day was most impressive. Wellington were outclassed in the junior match which was won by Wairarapa by 23 to 3. Turning on highly attractive Rugby Hawke’s Bay beat Wairaiapa by 25 points to 6. ’ Throwing the ball about with precision and speed, Hawke s Bay slashed the Wairarapa defence to ribbons. Wairarapa did not cross the ’Bay line. The half-time score was Hawke's Bay 14, Wairarapa 6, In the closing stages of the second half Wairarapa gave flashes of form. Scorers for Hawke’s Bay were: Devoy (2), ■Brownlie (2), Boardman, Clothier and Horton. Addis converted two tries. For Wairarapa Mahupuka kicked two penalties. Thirty years ago to day, the referee, Mr. W. Grantham, donned 'he Wairarapa jersey.