~ 1977 ~ NPC

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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1977

SEASON

Founded 1894 – (affiliated NZRU 1894)
President:
William.J.Craddock
Chairman:
Rodney Dawe
Selector:
J.W.Halsall
Main ground:
Victoria Square, Westport
Capacity:
5,000
Colours:
Cardinal and Blue

Results

Tue 31 May 2:30 pm H Representative Wellington B 09 - 29
Mon 06 Jun 2:30 pm A Div2 Sth-NPC Nelson Bays 10 - 03
Sat 11 Jun 2:30 pm H Div2 Sth-NPC(RC) West Coast 03 - 12
Sat 25 Jun 2:30 pm H Representative Otago XV 11 - 14
Sat 23 Jul 2:30 pm A Div2 Sth-NPC Mid Canterbury 20 - 00
Tue 26 Jul 2:30 pm A Div2 Sth-NPC South Canterbury 26 - 06
Sat 06 Aug 2:30 pm H Div2 Sth-NPC North Otago 06 - 12
Sat 27 Aug 2:30 pm H Representative Canterbury XV 09 - 13
Sat 03 Sep 2:30 pm A Seddon Shield Nelson Bays 14 - 03

THE 1977 SEASON:

After the highs of the previous season, Buller again came down to earth with something of a thud in 1977.

All nine games were lost but there were a few highlights to brighten up what was otherwise a dismal season.

The visit of the British Lions to Westport was one of these. The Lions played a combined Buller-West Coast team which included nine Buller players (Richard Banks, John Lee, Neville Roberts, Brian McGuire, John Gilbert, Alan Ireland, Brian Morgan, Tony Mundy and Rex Mumm).

Brian Morgan was an All Black trialist during the season while John Gilbert reached the milestone of 50 games for Buller in the first match of the season against a Wellington XV.

Overall the team lacked fire power on attack, reaching double figures only once and scoring only four tries throughout the season.

Although Calvin Cochrane and Bill Stephenson were no longer available to the pack, 1977 saw the debut of Piet Groot, later to represent New Zealand Juniors.

Matches played were:

v Wellington XV at Westport Lost 9-29
v Nelson-Bays at Nelson Lost 3-10
v West Coast at Westport Lost 3-12
v Otago XV at Westport Lost 11-14
v Mid-Canterbury at Ashburton Lost 0-20
v South Canterbury at Timaru Lost 6-26
v North Otago at Westport Lost 6-12
v Canterbury XV at Westport Lost 9-13
v Nelson-Bays at Motueka Lost 3-14  {Seddon Shield}

scorers were
v Wellington XV: Gerald Hart (2 penalties), Rex Mumm (penalty)
v Nelson-Bays: Rex Mumm (penalty)
v West Coast: Rex Mumm (penalty)
v Otago XV: Alan Ireland (try), Rex Mumm (try, penalty)
v Mid-Canterbury: No scorers
v South Canterbury: Piet Groot (try), Rex Mumm (conversion)
v North Otago: Rex Mumm (try, conversion)
v Canterbury XV: Gerald Hart (2 penalties), Rex Mumm (penalty)
v Nelson-Bays: Gerald Hart (penalty)