49-year-old memories stirred

Memories of 49 years ago have come flooding back with the news that Gladstone and Marist will meet in the grand final of the Wairarapa-Bush senior first division rugby competition at Memorial Park, Masterton on Saturday.
The 1958 season ended with Gladstone and Marist level pegging on 18pts at the end of normal competition play in the Wairarapa senior rugby championship and a playoff was staged to find the winner.
Marist were the defending champions and looked set for victory when they led 9-0 at halftime but they were unable to withstand a second half onslaught from Gladstone which saw took them to a 16-12 win, and their first premiership in 23 years.
A Wairarapa Times-Age report said Gladstone scored three tries, two conversions and a penalty to Marist's one try and three penalty goals.
"It was exciting, champagne rugby all the way and the large crowd was treated to a great spectacle," the report said.
"Few would deny Gladstone their amazing win.
"And it was truly a great performance. Among the tailenders in the first round of the championship, they still were not seriously considered as contenders for the major championship at the end of the first round. They managed to get into the top section by the skin of their teeth.
"From that point onwards they did not look back and went through the second round in a blaze of glory and undefeated.
"Their wonderful recovery in the final gave them their fifth win in succession. For a country team which has had to call on players from scattered areas and over a radius of fifty miles, Gladstone's performance has been remarkable.
"Saturday's match was the culmination of their efforts and there was no doubt the better team won. The magnificent Gladstone forwards laid the foundations for the victory but the backs did their part too by holding in check and subduing Marist's dangerous backline. The Gladstone team, as a combination, played the game of their lives."
The try of the match was scored during the second half by Gladstone No.8 S. Carroll, and it also proved the turning point of the match. Back to the match report: "Carroll, the speedy Gladstone No.8, picked up a loose ball near halfway and simply streaked away in a fifty-yard run to touch down in the corner. "It was a classic try." Halfback S. Murphy and T. Nunn also scored tries for Gladstone with J. Cooper kicking two conversions and a penalty. P. Patete kicked three penalties for Marist.