Leading from the front issuu

RUGBY RULES
jes recollects
“It didn’t matter how
good you were or whether
you won, sport for me
was simply being part
of something that was
healthy and positive.”
The rugby incident that is strongest in my memory is the
time we all piled into the Plymouth, again, and headed to
Taranaki (probably 1966), for a Hawke’s Bay away-game
with the eye on the prize — wresting that hallowed log,
that sacred wooden shield, over to the Bay.
We had an extra on board. The team’s mascot, Hawkeye
with her wings clipped for the journey, was hooked
up to car for the ride across country. It was weird and
disconcerting, being tailed by this massive creature who
looked for all the world like she really was going to fly.
Long story short: Hawke’s Bay lost and the journey
home was subdued. Initially. (Six kids in a confined space
don’t do subdued for long.) Even more disconcerting on
our way out of Taranaki though, was seeing dead magpies
tied to fence posts by gloating ‘Naki farmers, for the
beaten challengers to view on their way home.
It wasn’t long though before the Hawke’s Bay rugger
team’s famous three-year long Ranfurly Shield winning
streak kicked in, and oh those changing fortunes did
taste sweet.
Above: McLean Park — Image courtesy Napier City Council;
Hawkeye is resplendent at one of her many parades; four birds
in town — Catherine, Jan and Mary-Anne proudly view the
town’s mascot.
Glory rugby days continue 41