INTERESTING HISTORY OF WANGANUI SENIOR RUGBY CLUB CUP

Wanganui Chronicle, 1 July 1948, Page 3

INTERESTING HISTORY OF WANGANUI SENIOR RUGBY CLUB CUP

(By

“Observer.”)

With Pirates winning the Wanganui senior club Rugby championsnip for the second consecutive season, recalls that the Wanganui senior Rugby Cup dates back to 1888, when the Gordon Club won the championship, in the two toliowing years, tne Wanganui Club was successful. Kaierau had its name first inscribed on the cup in 1891, and won it in the next three seasons. In 1895 the Wanganui Club broke a run of Kaierau successes by winning the trophy. In those days Waveriey fielded a strong side, and they won the cup in 1898, and 1902. Pirates’ first championship fin- u was registered in 1901. CaptainTom Craig, the Wanganui Coli fiate School Ola Boys won the title in 1904 and 1905. The next season Kaierau was captained by Alec Takarangi, and they won it with a strong fifteen. Alec Takarangi played his last club game in 1915 and captained Kaierau to victory that season. FIRST WORLD WAR. During the years of World War I, die first fifteen of the Wanganui co .egiate School played in tne seniGi aampionship and they oeat Kaierau. a a memorable cup final in 19ii. _ney were captained by Jim Stewart - nd won by 16 points to 9, scoring al. .neir points in the second hah. .hat match Stewart, who was a great 'Oai-kicker, kicked a penalty irom naif way. Included in the School fifteen were A. E. Porritt. who is now physician to the King, and who, in the final of the 100 metres at the 1924 Olympic Games, came third. Only last week there arrived in Auckland after an absence of 28 years, another member of the T■ : / n of 1917, Juy Marriner, who has won high cognition in as a pianist and lecturer. In 1918 Old Boys formed a team which won immediate success and secured the cup for three consecutive seasons. Some of the players of Old Boys’ sides in those years were C. Baddeley, Glen Strachan, Campion, Ray Scott, Snowy Svenson, Les Palmer, Oscar Daynes, Clem Swan and Fred Packer. The 1922 season saw a new team in the senior championship. Imlay. Captained by Bert Delves, it won the title that year. C. Baddeley led Old Boys to victory in 1923, Kaierau won the championshin in the next two years, and in 1926 Pirates’ turn came to win the honours. * THE 1928 FINAL. Twenty years ago this year the Wanganui Marist fifteen won the championship, beating Kaierau in a dour struggle on a rain-soaked field. Technical Old Bpys had their name first recorded on the cup in 1931, when they were captained by Bert. Delves. Kaierau dominated the championship. until 1936, when Arthur Bullock-Douglas led Wanganui and Old Boys to success. In 1937 Bulls entered a team in the Wanganui senior championship, and with a first-rate club side, won the title. In 1937 the Wanganui Rugby Union celebrated its golden jubilee of 50 years. Coached by Mr. R. O. C. Marks, Wanganui and Old Boys won the cup in 1938, 1939 and 1940. Because of the war the club championship was suspended for a couple of seasons. Pirates have dominated the scene in recent years, winning in 1944, 1945, 1947 and 1948. Technical Old Boys won the final in 1946.