25 JUL 1998 , Edition 2, Page 11.
Rugby gives a hand
Question: You’ve just scored 121 points, kept the Ranfurly Shield, and started preparing for the challenge of neighbours King Country. A team of soccer minnows outscore you on the publicity front, and the Waikato Times goes into bat for them with a $1000 donation.
Do you: (a) write a letter of complaint to the editor or;
(b) write a cheque for $500.
Take a bow Waikato Rugby Union for doing the latter.
The money is going into a travel fund for the Ngaruawahia club, which has drawn Dunedin Technical away after beating the odds by reaching the semifinal of the cup.
United are enjoying an unprecedented wave of publicity for their giant-killing exploits — and the WRFU came to the party after the Waikato Times challenged others to give United a push.
“We’re keen on bringing national trophies here, and even more on keeping them here,” said WRFU marketing manager Pat Mellsop.
“It’s the least we can do.”