We hope you enjoy this look back as we look forward to many more years of recording the history of Buller Rugby Union.
We acknowledge all the information from the NZ “Rugby Almanack” Series since 1934 and appreciate their hard and dedicated work in providing this detailed history. – Web Admin

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Results

Sat 11 Jun	2:30 pm	A	Representative Match	Marlborough	09 - 16	Match Center
Sat 25 Jun	2:30 pm	A	Rundle Cup	West Coast	10 - 03	Match Center
Sat 16 Jul	2:30 pm	H	Rundle Cup	West Coast	17 - 06	Match Center
Sat 30 Jul	2:30 pm	H	Seddon Shield	Marlborough	13 - 06	Match Center
Sat 13 Aug	2:30 pm	H	Seddon Shield	Golden Bay-Motueka	23 - 13	Match Center
Sat 27 Aug	2:30 pm	H	Seddon Shield	Nelson	26 - 14	Match Center
Sat 03 Sep	2:30 pm	H	Representative Match	Canterbury	13 - 13	Match Center
Sat 10 Sep	2:30 pm	H	Seddon Shield	West Coast	07 - 06	Match Center
Sat 17 Sep	2:30 pm	A	Representative Match	Canterbury	23 - 09	Match Center

MATCH RECORD
Played, 9; Won, 6; Drew, 1; Lost, 2. Points: For, 127; Against, 100

THE 1938 SEASON:
This was one of Buller’s best seasons, nine matches being contested for six wins, a draw, and two losses, the latter in “away” games, whilst the wins included the four Seddon Shield challenges:

v. Marlborough At Blenheim Won 16 to 9
v. West Coast At Greymouth Lost 3 to 10
v. West Coast At Westport Won 17 to 6
v. Marlborough At Westport Won 13 to 6 {Seddon Shield}
v. Golden Bay-Motueka At Westport Won 23 to 13 {Seddon Shield}
v. Nelson At Westport Won 26 to 14 {Seddon Shield}
v. Canterbury At Westport Drew 13 to 13
v. West Coast At Westport Won 7 to 6 {Seddon Shield}
v. Canterbury At Christchurch Lost 9 to 23

Yet another Buller representative played for South Island this year. He was G. D. Mason (Westport Old Boys), who was one of the props in the Inter-Island match at Wellington.

Excerpt from the Rugby Almanac 1939 edition –

Experiencing a highly successful season, Buller held the Seddon Shield against all of their opponents, and in addition, drew with a, strong Canterbury touring team. Buller’s first engagement was a special fixture at Blenheim, on the occasion of the Marlborough Union’s Jubilee, While the home-and-home matches for the Rundle Cup with West Coast resulted in a win to each Union on their own ground.

The Union suffered a great loss in the transfer of G.A.Orman to the League Code. Indeed, Orman’s transfer meant the loss of the Millerton Rangers Club as well, but the ultimate result was that the limited number of Clubs produced a higher standard in the Grade competition, and in the Representative fixtures. H.Finlayson and A.D.Strachan were main 1937 players who did not reappear, whilst M.Robinson, J.Macky, J.Buttress, J.Johnson, J.Anderson, and D. A.Hudson (to West Coast late) all failed to make the Rep. side. after one appearance the previous season. Twenty-seven players were called on, eight of them being new to First-class Rugby, and four playing in the final engagement when injuries had taken toll and depleted the side. Of the new players, Weenink (from Canterbury), the outstanding wing three-quarter of the season, Alexander and Jackson were regular members of the team who showed great promise. Weenink is referred to more fully in another section of the “Almanack”. Alexander, although rather on the light side, was particularly bright in his work. and was above the average in his position. Stewart was a fine leader of the back division, with Dunn steady as a full-back. Butterfield was quite a useful halfback. In Mason, the Captain and South Island Rep, Pratt, Wilson, Lake and Jackson possessed very fine forwards.

It is expected that Buller will tour North lsland this coming season, when they should find the experience of great value to their players.

MATCH RECORD
Played, 9; Won, 6; Drew, 1; Lost, 2. Points: For, 127; Against, 100

1.—June 11, v. MARLBOROUGH. at Blenheim
Won 16 to 9
A. J. R. Dunn, 2 tries; S. Stewart, 2 penalty goals and 2 conversions.

2.—June 25, v. WEST COAST (Rundle Cup), at Greymouth.
Lost 3 to 10
C. Robertson, try.

3.—July 16, v. WEST COAST (Rundle Cup), at Victoria Square,Westport
Won 17 to 6
W. C. Weenink (2), R. Pratt, J. C.Alexander and G. D. Mason, tries;
A. J. R. Dunn, conversion.
Referee: Mr.J. F.Potter (Buller)

4.—July 30, v. MARLBOROUGH (Seddon Shield), at Victoria Square, Westport
Won 13 to 6
R.L.Pratt and J.D,Lake, tries;
S.Stewart , goal (dropped) from a mark and 2 conversions.
Referee: Mr.R.W.Blazey (Canterbury)

5.—August 13, v. GOLDEN BAY-MOTUEKA (Seddon Shield), at Victoria Square, Westport
Won 23 to 13
W. C. Weenink (2), A.J.R.Dunn (2), T.Phipps and D.L.Strachan, tries
D.L.Strachan, penalty goal and conversion
Referee: Mr.R.C.McCallum (Canter-bury)

6.—August 27, v. NELSON (Seddon Shield), at Victoria Square. Westport
Won 26 to 14
W.C.Weenink (3) and D.L.Strachan, tries
A.J.R.Dunn, dropped goal; S.Stewart, 2 penalty goals and 2 conversions
Referee: Mr.D.F.Johnson (Canterbury)

7. September 3 v. CANTERBURY, at Victoria Square, Westport.
Drew 13 to 13
J.C.Alexander and T.D.Lake, tries
S.Stewart, penalty goal and 2 conversions
Referee: Mr.A.Pain (Buller)

8.—September 10 v. WEST COAST (Seddon Shield), at Victoria Square, Westport.
Won 7 to 6
A.J.R.Dunn, dropped goal;
S. Stewart, penalty goal
Referee: Mr.A.E.G.Rogers (Canterbury)

9.—September 17, v. CANTERBURY. at Christchurch
Lost 9 to 23
K.F.Brown, try
J.C.Alexander, dropped goal; A.J.R.Dunn, conversion.