Marist Colts fixture to revive ex rep’s memory of 1974 debut

Memories will be rekindled when Masterton Marist rugby stalwart Peter Kenny watches the New Zealand Marist Colts play Wairarapa-Bush under-20 at Memorial Park on Saturday.
Kenny was in the very first national Marist Colts side selected in 1974, playing at lock in their lone match at the Petone recreation ground against a Wellington second grade representative side, the Marist Colts winning 11-6.
The selection criteria for the Marist Colts allows for just one player from any of the Marist clubs affiliated throughout New Zealand to be chosen in any one side.
Having been part of that initial team prompted Kenny, along with another Masterton Marist identity Mike Bradley, to donate a shield which is presented annually to the Masterton player fortunate enough to get the nod and midfield back Daniel Blong is this year's recipient.
Blong, a youngster who Kenny believes has a bright future in the game, is one of 30 players who started their current four-match tour last Sunday with a 27-5 win over a Tukapa invitation XV in New Plymouth.
They were playing a Wanganui sub-union selection in Wanganui last night and tomorrow will meet an Old Boys Marist XV in Palmerston North.
The NZ Marist Colts v Wairarapa-Bush under-20 match will be the first curtain-raiser on Memorial Park No.1 to the Heartland championship game between Wairarapa-Bush and Wanganui.It will be followed by a match featuring the Wairarapa-Bush and Wanganui senior B teams.
Saturday's draw is:-
Heartland championship: Wairarapa-Bush v Wanganui, Memorial Park No.1 at 2.30pm (N.Briant, Bay of Plenty; A.Stringer and C.Jefferies; G.Hall and A.Payne).
Representative: Wairarapa-Bush B v Wanganui B, Memorial Park No.1 at 12.50pm (T.Roseingrave; G.Hall and J.Devine); Wairarapa-Bush v NZ Marist Colts, Memorial Park No.1 at 11.20am (A.Stringer; A.Payne and T.Penny).
Golden Oldies: East Coast Wrinklies v Wanganui Bohemians, Memorial Park No.2 at 12.30pm (G.Moorcock; T.Kiel and K.Lochhead).