Family scores with a proud history

Shane Hurndell
Y OU won't hear the Central players blowing about who they are going to beat at next week's Ross Shield rugby tournament in Waipukurau.
But here's a feat they have every right to boast about.
When Bill Spencer's grandson, Herbert Spencer, and great grandson, Layton White run, on to Central Park in Monday's opening game against Hastings East, it will be the first time four generations of one family have played for the side and been around to celebrate the occasion.
"There may have been four generations of another family play for the side, I know there have been three ... but there have never been four generations of a playing family all alive at the same time," said Bill.
The 75-year-old played halfback for Central at the 1945 event in Wairoa and in 1946 in Dannevirke.
"We won one game at each of the tournaments and I didn't go any further in rep rugby," recalled retired office clerk Bill.
His son, Tim, played No. 8 for the Central side which never won a game at the 1974 tournament in Dannevirke.
Winger Herbert and hooker Layton are hoping to record more wins next week than Tim and Bill experienced.
Bill said the game had changed so much he couldn't give Herbert and Layton much advice.
"All I've told them is to go out, play hard and enjoy the game."
Terrace School's Layton and Waipukurau Primary School's Herbert are enjoying their first experience as Ross Shield players. Herbert is a former Wakely Shield and Central C grade player.
Layton couldn't play any rep rugby last year as he fell of his motorbike and burned his leg.
"I sold the motorbike so that won't happen again," he said with a grin.
Layton said the side's capping ceremony last weekend was a memorable occasion. Magpies captain Danny Lee and several other Magpies attended and Waipukurau's Silver Ferns netball training squad member Jodi Tod was guest speaker.
"Jodi spoke about how she got to the top ... it was pretty inspirational," said Layton.
The pair don't expect any problems at tomorrow's final weigh-in and are awaiting Monday's parade and first game. Central usually has the loudest support and they hope it gives them a huge boost against Hastings East.
"Trainings have gone well, we've improved in our warm-up games and it's almost time for the real stuff," said Herbert.