Here is a piece by our local scribe Trevor Rowe. It is titled 'THE OLD FAMILY DUNNY (The Long Drop)' I've been challenged it seems to write something funny About the path down the garden to the old family dunny, No fancy toilets then, they called it the long drop A great big deep hole, with the dunny on top. The seat was a board, with a hole in the middle And us kids often missed it, when we went for a widdle. Sometimes there were two holes, if the dunny was wide And there us eight brothers would sit, side by side Because under that seat, great big spiders would hide. Round the back was a crack, naughty boys could peep thru, And I remember the day, Grandad went to the loo. Charlie - snuck round the back with a long piece of grass And stuck it through the hole - to tickle grandad's - BOTTOM? But poor Grandad thought, a big spider had gottim And he shot through the door - his trousers forgotten.
Now the end of this story, I remember so well Is of mum - chasing Charlie Who was running like hell.
***
An article from the Press, September 9, 1981, titled 'Bright Future Ahead for Stratford Rugby?' An interview with coach of Stratford Senior A, Mr Ian Snook, reviewed the 1981 season. He predicted that in two or three seasons Stratford would be right back on top of Taranaki rugby. Among his comments:
? Trevor Hucker as being a flanker of the highest calibre. The other flanker, Shane Goble, was probably as dangerous a runner with the ball in hand as any forward in Taranaki, but unfortunately, too often, movements would die when he was tackled. He's tough and fast a played a major part in Stratford having the best pair of flankers in the province. With more experience I feel he and Hucker could provide the winning of many games next season.'
? Of the other forwards Graham Garlick made a lot of progress. Apart from one or two games he played a major role at line-out time and his scrummaging and general play improved throughout the season
? Gary Tipler gave the Stratford team a front row that could match anything in the 'Alf West' section, and when he put his mind to it, his general play was of a high standard.
? Geoff Strampel played at lock or No 8, and though a little on the small side, his agility provided useful line-out ball and his determination meant he was always in there mixing it with the bigger players.
? Ross McKinley became available part way through the season and his tight work at lock was most valuable. He provided Stratford with much of the tidying work that was virtually non-existent before his arrival. He was not 100% fit for the Tukapa game. He was left out of the team and then came on as a reserve, showing that sore back or not, he was the best tight-forward on the day.
? Brian Needham started the season usefully, then after a series of matches where he was not selected, he came back and turned in a complete display against Eltham. This was his first major step and with his dedication I'm sure he will continue to improve next season.
? Although the youngster Brian Luff has a lot to learn, he is undoubtedly a skilful ball player and potentially a top-rate line-out taker. As he gains more experience and gets a few knocks and bruises, I'm sure he will be capable of making it as a No 8 representative. Time and attitude will tell on that one.
? Miniature Grant Childs got very few opportunities as hooker, but his value to the team was immense.
? Gerard Karalus was another who had a few chances on the flank, but when he did play he proved an able substitute and always gave his best.
? Stephen Davidson, a well-known Taranaki representative, provided the bulk of scoring and impetus from fullback.
? Hori was often a marked man but came through with flying colours. As a novice in the captaincy stakes he always set a high standard and often provided the enterprising decisions necessary for the development of our game.
***
The couple from Kaponga goes to the A & P Show. They watch the bulls parade around the ring. The commentator says of a fine Jersey, 'This bull produced 60 times last year!' The wife nudges her husband in the ribs and says, 'See that was more than five times a month!' The commentator says of a top Friesian sire, 'A fine specimen, this bull produced 120 times last year.' Again the wife pokes her husband. 'That was 10 times a month! What do you say to that?' The husband is becoming a little agitated by now. The commentator says of a prize stud Dexter, 'And this extraordinary specimen produced 360 times last year." The wife slaps her husband on the back. 'That's once a day, every day of the year! What do you think of that!!?' The husband turns and looks at his wife. 'Sure, once a day. But I bet it wasn't with the same fat old cow!'
***
All of the animals except man know that the principal business of life is to enjoy it. - Samuel Butler
Have a great week!
Sunny side up and Sometimes Serious by Rhonda Bunyan
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