Another rugby season has come and gone, and it has been a reasonably good one for

Celtic. Thank you, to all who played for us during the season; and to our coaches, managers, administrators, and supporters. Also to our many Sponsors – in particular our four major ones:

The Terminus Hotel; Speights; Sail and Anchor; Zanzibar Restaurant.

Through much hard work at the beginning of the season, by team managers and coaches, we again fielded four afternoon teams in the SCRFU competitions, (plus a Golden Oldies team.)

All four teams were competitive, with the Seniors winning the Scott Cup, for the bottom four teams, while the Under 19 side did likewise in their grade.

On Saturday 16^th. September, the SCRFU is holding a reunion of the team that, fifty years ago, in 1950, first won the Ranfurly Shield for South Canterbury. Interesting to record that 7 of the squad were from Timaru Celtic, namely: J.W.Goddard, T. Doherty, R.Green, M.Eathorne, B.Fitzgerald,

J.Taylor, and C.Durning. ENJOY YOURSELVES FELLOWS – WE SALUTE YOU!

Seniors: This team started the season looking like "top four" material, with wins on their home grounds, over eventual finalists Waimate, and semi-finalists Temuka. The strong North Otago club, Athletic ,were also beaten on their home ground – Centennial Park, Oamaru. This game however saw a heavy injury toll inflicted on our team, with serious injuries to several of our key players. As a result our form fell away. To this observer, a number of our players seemed to lose "self belief," and a string of losses followed. To the team’s credit, they picked themselves up, and ended the season with 3 successive wins, securing the Scott Cup in the process.

Congratulations to Mark Black, and Jock Prue; both represented South Canterbury. Also to Kerry Benson, and Jason Kelly on their selection for the representative Development Squad. And to Gerard Veitch on his selection for the New Zealand Marist Colts team.

Thanks for a job well done to our dedicated coaches Mick Smale and Tracy Brown; also to their hard working support team of Terry O’Loughlin, Mike Prenderville, and John Bennison.

Senior B: This side was always competitive, and played attractive rugby throughout the season. Shortage of players, mid season, saw coach Alan Holman back playing – with disastrous consequences, Alan having the misfortune to break a leg. Co-coach Billy Taylor, assisted by managers Tony O’Driscoll, and Eddie Dawson , kept enthusiasm up, and the side was very unlucky to just miss out on the "top four" finals.

Good to see three of this team, towards the end of the season, given promotion to the Senior team, and showing they were well up to that standard – congratulations to Craig Kerr, Nando Schlunegger, and Scott Sherwin.

Under 19: A controversial decision by the SCRFU, in lowering the Under 20 grade age limit, to Under 19, made it extremely difficult for all Clubs, except the schools, to field teams in this competition. Much hard work by coaches Mark Hitchens, and Shaun Breen – assisted by Club Captain Terry Mulcahy, and team managers John Farrell and Dave Bailey, - saw Celtic secure enough players to field a very talented, and competitive, side. Many of the players were Aoraki Polytechnic students, whose course assignments, and vacations, meant they were not always available. This created some problems, and hard won points were forfeited on one occasion. Nevertheless, a 27-19 win in the Division 2 final, against Timaru Boys High School 2^nd. XV, was a fitting reward. Well done, one and all.

Presidents Grade There is certainly no shortage of "mature players" wanting to play in South Canterbury. On some Saturdays some sides used over 30 players. Hardly in keeping with the rule-book, but definitely "filling a need." Results are therefore a little irrelevant Suffice to say, we had our band of enthusiastic players who kept the Celtic flag flying.

Thanks to coach Paul Braddick, and manager Kevin Baird for what, at times, must have been pretty difficult decisions on who would come off the bench!

Congratulations to our Junior Section, who this year fielded nine teams in the Saturday morning competitions. As always, this part of the Club operated with enthusiasm, and was innovative. Our thanks to John Wainwright, and his committee. This section is the nursery of future Celtic success.

THANK YOU: to our Life Member Bricky Mulcahy for his thoughtful, and generous, gesture in donating a handsome new "In Memoriam" Board, which now graces our Clubrooms. It pays tribute to our founder Father Le Floch S.M., and to those associated with our Club between 1906 and the year 2000.

TOUCH MODULE: the Friday evening summertime Touch Sevens maintains interest and Club profile, while the bar takings from it are very necessary for our financial viability. An organizer for this activity is needed now. If you can help in this respect please contact Kelly O’Driscoll. (The past Organizer is prepared to help, and a written task list is available.)

Thank you to those who have paid subscriptions. Pleasing to report that players, generally, have honored this commitment, with only a few outstanding. There has however been quite a drop off in Social member’s payments to date. Our financial year ends on 30-9-00, and we badly need every dollar of income we can get.

If you have not yet paid ( Social members sub is $25 ) could you please forward it to our Secretary, Colleen Wooffindin, Box 474 Timaru, before 30^th. September.