Did any FIFEs play Rugby ?
A post for largely topical interest
Otago Witness , Issue 2331, 3 November 1898, Page 29
October 28.—
On Wednesday, 19th inst.,[ie this month - October] the Stewart Island football team journeyed over to Ruapuke to play the return match with the Ruapuke team, the game resulting in a draw. Captain H. Roderique conveyed the team there and back in his smart craft the Rosetta. The match was played the following day. All Ruapuke turned out, the spectators numbering about 100 people, to witness the first match ever played on Ruapuke Island. The day was dull, and it was blowing hard. Ruapuke won the toss, and played with the wind in their favour, while the Stewart Islanders played a defensive game. The first spell Symonds (Ruapuke) managed to get the ball from Cotter, who did some nice passing, and scored a try, which was converted by Cotter. Play was then kept in the Stewart Island twenty-five. After some hard play Russell, Taylor, and Rita managed to get the ball over the line, only to be forced down by Stewart Island. The second spell was in Stewart Island's favour, but some of the team displayed a very selfieh spirit. After some good passing by Martin, Campbell, Bernstone, and Joss, Bernstone managed to score, which was converted by Marshall. After more fast play on both sides, time was called. For Stewart Island Roderique, Strahan, Campbell, Bernstone, Martin, Carstensen, and Marshall played a good game; while Russell, Cotter, Taylor, Topi, H. Rita, and Symonds showed up well for Ruapuke. Messrs Westlake and Anglem acted as line umpires and Mr Joseph Dixon gave satisfaction to both sides with his decisions as referee. After the match the teams were invited to dinner by Mr and Mrs Russell at their residence. Somewhere about 60 people sat down to partake of the good things, of which there was plenty. In the evening a concert and dance was held in Mrs Russell's large dining room, which was tastefully decorated for the occasion. Songs were given by Miss K. Kihau, Miss Jessie Gilchrist. Miss B. Waitiri, and Miss May Russell, also by Messrs A. Russell, T. M'Leary, J. Strahan, T. Orr, and G. Fife. Mr J. Westlake kept the company in roars of laughter with his comic songs, dances and skits. Mr A. Russell danced a jig, and Miss Kihau and Miss May Russell danced a very pretty skirt dance. After the concert dancing was kept up till daylight, Messrs Russell and Westlake acting as M.C.'s, while Miss Jessie Gilchrist (piano), and Messrs Anglem and Parry (violins), and Mr Maurice Topi (bagpipes) supplied the music.
Sports. — During the day and in the evening of the following day the Ruapuke athletic sports were held on Mr John Topi's lawn which looked very pretty, all the fruit trees round about being in full bloom. Great interest was taken in the various events, especially the Ladies' Race.
The 160 Yards Championship of the island evoked a great deal of interest, and ended in a win for J. Spence (Ruapuke) by a few inches from Joe Dixon (Stewart Island). The tug-of-war was won by Stewart Island after an exciting pull of 28 minutes with Ruapuke. After the sports every person on the island was invited by Mr and Mrs Maurice Topi to dinner in their house, the largest on tho island. After dinner singing and dancing were kept up till 1 o'clock in the morning. At 6 o'clock the same morning the Stewart Island party left for home, after spending three very happy days. The kindness which was shown to the visitors by the people on the island cannot be too highly spoken of, special mention being made of Messrs Cotter, Russell, Parry, and Topi.
The following are the results of the sports : — Running long jump, A. Russell (Ruapuke) 1, W. King (R) 2; one-mile cross country, S. M. Cotter (R) 1, W. King (R) 2; 100 Yards Championship of the Islands, run in heats, J. Spencer (R) 1, Joe Dixon (S. I.) 2 ; running high jump, T. Jacobs (R) 1, Kavanah (S. I.) 2; one-mile walk, Kavanah (S. I.) 1, B. Anglem (R) 2, E. Taylor (R) 3 ; quarter-mile, J. Spencer (R) 1, E. Taylor (R) 2, J. Newton (R.) 3; Ladies' Race (16 entries) 100 yards, Mrs M. Topi 1, Miss Jessie Gilchrist 2, Mrs A. Russell 3; Tug-of-war, 10 men a-side, Stewart Island 1, Ruapuke 2, All-comers 3. A 2 inch rope parted in this event, which caused a great deal of merriment amongst the spectators.
SH
