Rugby: Eskew sure to survive

Eskview Rugby Club patron Brian Bates, left, president Darryl Gooch and coach Doug Somerville ponder the club’s survival strategies. Photo / Paul Taylor

Cancel the wake for the Eskview Rugby Club.

That was the message from club president Darryl Gooch last night after an anxious six months for club stalwarts, during which time permanent closure has been a serious threat.

That option was still there when a quorum was unable to be mustered at the Bay View-based club's annual meeting on January 30.

"That was the wake-up call for everyone. I'm 99 per cent confident a committee will be formed at our next meeting on Tuesday night and the club will continue," Gooch said.

"Six months ago we put posters out among the community asking for help but that approach was a little too soft. It wasn't until the annual meeting, when the community realised how serious the situation was ... all we need is more help from people wanting to put their hands up," Gooch explained.

Last year the club's only afternoon grade team was the colts. Gooch said the colts have again got good numbers and the return of a division three side is a possibility.

"We're confident we'll have six junior grade teams, one in each grade from fifth to 10th and there is even talk of an 11th grade side."

Gooch agreed country clubs struggling to survive is a sign of the times in the Bay.

"We went to the Hawke's Bay Bay Rugby Union for assistance and they told us all the country clubs were struggling and all we could do was give it our best shot as we battle to continue," he added.

Club patron Brian Bates has been involved with the 83-year-old club since 1958. He can recall when Eskview teams played on a paddock belonging to market gardener Ron Le Quesne before the club moved to its current Petane Domain site in the late 1950s.

"We showered in the produce shed and Mrs Le Quesne would always put on some food for us and the opposition."

"I would be disappointed if we didn't get a quorum on Tuesday night. If we lose the club it's gone for ever," Bates stressed.

"I know everyone is so busy these days but all we need is some young blood in some of the roles which require filling and I have no doubt the club will continue," he said.

Club stalwart Pete Winter's 18-year stint of senior rugby for the club ended in 2013 when he was 45.

He has also held a variety of administrative roles at the club including president in the club's 75th jubilee year in 2007, bar manager and treasurer.

"I recently stood down from admin roles but I'm prepared to put in some toil behind the scenes to help those newcomers to the roles. My playing days are gone but I'm sure there will be enough without me."

Among his playing highlights were helping Eskview win the Hawke's Bay division three championship with an unbeaten run in 2006 and playing in the annual Waikare Cup fixtures.

Matches between Waikare and Eskview have been staged since 1949.

Former New Zealand Rugby Union president and prominent Hawke's Bay philanthropist Sir Russell Pettigrew, 94, is among the club's former players.