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 12 Jun	2:30 pm	H	Representative Match	Canterbury	11 - 15	Match Center
Sat 26 Jun	2:30 pm	H	Rundle Cup	West Coast	00 - 18	Match Center
Sat 03 Jul	2:30 pm	A	Rundle Cup	West Coast	09 - 05	Match Center
Sat 24 Jul	2:30 pm	H	Representative Match	Nelson	19 - 03	Match Center
Sat 07 Aug	2:30 pm	A	Seddon Shield	West Coast	11 - 12	Match Center
Sat 28 Aug	2:30 pm	H	Seddon Shield	Golden Bay-Motueka	31 - 10	Match Center
Sat 11 Sep	2:30 pm	H	Seddon Shield	Nelson	09 - 03	Match Center

MATCH RECORD.
Played, 7; Won, 4; Lost, 3. For, 87; Against, 60

THE 1937 SEASON:
After losing its first three matches, Buller then won the remaining four games, and as these included the winning of the Seddon Shield from West Coast who had taken the trophy from Marlborough, and two successful defences of the Shield, the Union could be well pleased with the team’s efforts.

The results were:

v. Canterbury At Westport Lost 11 to 15
v. West Coast At Westport Lost 0 to 18
v. West Coast At Greymouth Lost 5 to 9
v. Nelson At Westport Won 19 to 3
v. West Coast At Greymouth Won 12 to 11 {Seddon Shield}
v. Golden Bay-Motueka At Westport Won 31 to 10 {Seddon Shield}
v. Nelson At Westport Won 9 to 3 {Seddon Shield}

Nine Buller players, A.J.R.Dunn (Granity Rover), R.J.Finlayson (Westport White Star), J.Hill (Westport White Star), J.D.Lake (Westport White Star), G.D.Mason (Westport Old Boys), G.A.Orman (Millerton Rangers), S.C.Stewart (Westport Old Boys), A.D.Strachan (Westport Old Boys), and G.B.Wilson (Westport White Star), were in the West Coast-Buller XV that lost to the touring South Africans at Greymouth.

A series of trials to aid in the selection of the All Blacks to play the Springboks was held in Wellington, G.D.Mason, G.A.Orman and A.D.Strachan taking part. The Inter-Island match was conducted in conjunction with the trials, G.A.Orman being the South Island hooker for the third time in succession.

Tiroroa Club was accepted as an affiliation; it was the second of that name to be attached to Buller Union.

Excerpt from the Rugby Almanac 1937 edition –

After opening the season with three losses, Buller then won the remaining games, capturing and holding the Seddon Shield. Players of 1936 who did not reappear included W.Handscombe, five-eighth to Wellington, and J. Easton and J. Stewart, forwards, whilst J.Buttress played only once. The new Public Works team (Tiroroa) provided some new players, including Hudson, the ex-N.Z. University Representative. K.Brown, a new winger who showed plenty of pace and determination, was with White Stars in 1936. Finlayson, the new Rep. half, came from the Canterbury Training College. Dunn again proved a sound, reliable last line of defence, and J. Hill filled one wing berth capably. A.D.Strachan was a greatly improved centre, who gave his supports every opportunity. Stewart was again outstanding at second five-eighth, but difficulty was experienced in filling the other five-eighth position, Neighbours, however, doing quite well.

Orman was, of course, the outstanding forward, his hooking giving his backs a monopoly of the ball, and his general all-round play being an inspiration to his fellows. He played in every game and captained the side most satisfactorily.

Old Reps. in J.Brown and Corrie, both solid workers; Mason, a good all-round player; Lake and Pratt, formed a solid pack. Wilson and Phipps were new Reps. who made good. Butterfield after one game in the scrum played in the backs thereafter, and did well. Altogether only 24 players were required for the seven matches, and eight of these were new to Representative honours.

Buller’s nominations for the All Black Trials were A.D.Strachan, S.Stewart, Orman, and Mason, all except Stewart receiving a run.

MATCH RECORD.
Played, 7; Won, 4; Lost, 3. For, 87; Against, 60

June 12, v. CANTERBURY, at Victoria Square, Westport.
Lost 11 to 15
S. Stewart and J. Lake, tries; S. Stewart, penalty goal ; A.D.Strachan conversion
Referee: Mr. W. Kelly (Buller)

June 26, v. WEST COAST, at Victoria Square Westport (Rundle Cup)
Lost 0 to 18
Referee: Mr.A.Pain. (Buller)

July 3, v. WEST COAST, at Greymouth
Lost 5 to 9
J.Hill, try; S.Stewart, conversion.

July 24, v. NELSON at Victoria. Square,Westport.
Won 19 to 3
K. Brown (3), and T. Phipps (2), tries; S.Stewart. 2 conversions
Referee: Mr. E. Smith (Buller)

August 7, v. WEST COAST (Seddon Shield), at Greymouth.
Won 12 to 11
J.Hill (2), R. Butterfield and J. Lake, tries

August 28, v. GOLDEN BAY-MOTUEKA (Seddon Shield), at Victoria. Square; Westport
Won 31 to 10
H.Finlayson (2), J.Hill (2), G.D.Mason, J.Lake, S.Stewart and R. Butterfield, tries;
G.A.Orman, penalty goal; S. Stewart and G.A.Orman, conversions
Referee: Mr.C.McLachlan (Canterbury).

September 11, v. NELSON (Seddon Shield), at Victoria Square, Westport
Won 9 to 3
T.Phipps, R.Butterfield and G.A.Orman, tries
Referee: Mr.R.W.Blazey (Canterbury)