May 28th Newsletter
Welcome to this week’s WBRU Newsletter for the 28th May 2014
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Eketahuna’s 125 Year Celebrations
This weekend the Eketahuna Rugby Football Club celebrates 125 years of rugby in the Community. The Club was founded in 1889, and has had various names: Kia Ora, Southern United, Old Boys and back to Eketahuna in 1940. Bush Rugby Union was formed in 1890 and Eketahuna played in that Union until 1897 when along with 3 other clubs formed and played in the Makakahi Sub-Union.
1910-the newspaper report of the 1st game reads- ‘When the time came for commencing the game a cyclonic gale accompanied by incessant rain was blowing and it was not fit to put in an appearance on the ground. The game finally went ahead at 4pm” Shades of last Saturday!! 1929-“fundraising by way of a carnival enabled the club members to drain,plough,disc,level and grass the Alfredton Road Domain” Imagine it then, before draining and LEVELLING!
Teams fielded at various stages were 4th grade, juniors and senior, and latterly this has been Under 19,colts,women,and 2 senior teams as well as up to 6 J.A.B. teams.
Since the end of WW2, numerous players have kept the Eketahuna flying at representative level-Barrie Anderson(current patron),Denis Olivant, Frank and Jack Sigvertsen, Morrie Hurley, Graeme Gyde, to name some, and more recently Mike Cornford, Tony Foreman, Graeme(Bunter)Anderson, Tony McKenna, Motu Tua, Graeme Richardson, Gary Rolston to the most recent Johan van Vliet. Others turned their talent to coaching and/or administration-Cecil Parsons, Morrie Hurley , Angus Drysdale, John Willis, Bryan Edmonds, Rob Wylie, Davey Shannon, Sandy Anderson, Ross Rowden, John Gavin and June Edmonds.
Characters make a team and a club-don’t expect names here though, I’m sure you can think of them. Things are not always traditional at Eke-the 75th Jubilee was held 5 years late (who cares?) but at least the Centennial and 125th are on time! Saturday 31st sees the Women play OBU from Wellington at 12.45pm, colts play Linton from Manawatu at 1pm and the premiers play Massey Rams at 2.15pm.
The Community Centre doors open at 6pm for the Jubilee Dinner with guest Reuben Thorne (Ex Eketahuna JAB) being questioned by Eric Rush before an auction of Eketahuna retro playing jerseys.
Sunday is celebrated with the 3 JAB playing Bush Sports at 11.30am with 2 teams of ex Eke players selected and managed by John Gavin and Mike Davis to square off at 12.30pm. During the morning, photos of each era will be taken. The hangi will be lifted at about 4pm so a full weekend is planned. Be there to enjoy the atmosphere and comradelier of rugby.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Event Date Details
Queen’s Birthday Weekend 31st May
Heartland vs. Horo Kapiti
Heartland Season Kicks Off 23rd August Vs. King Country Taupo
Other Games This Week
SATURDAY 31st May PREMIERS:
Eketahuna v Massey Rams Eketahuna 1 2.30pm Andrew Stringer
ARs: Shaun Lynes & Pat Baucke
SATURDAY 31st May WOMENS PREMIER (MRFU):
Eketahuna v OBU Eketahuna 1 12.45pm Dean Goodin
SATURDAY 31st May COLTS (MRFU):
Eketahuna v Linton Army Eketahuna 2 2.00pm Shaun Lynes (FNC)
AR: Pat Baucke & C Henricksen
SECONDARY SCHOOLS (WBRFU):
THURSDAY 29th GAME: JUNIOR GRADE
Rathkeale v Makoura Rathkeale College 3 4.00pm Rebecca Mahoney
SATURDAY 31st GAMES: JUNIOR GRADE
Chanel v Wairarapa Gold Memorial Park 1 10.00am Baden Whale
Kuranui v Wairarapa Blue Kuranui College 1 10.00am Bruce Tomlin
SUNDAY 1st June 2014
Eketahuna Jubilee XV v Invitation XV Eketahuna 1 12.30pm Dean Goodin
ARs: Shaun Lynes & Pat Baucke
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