Go! & Express

WILLIAMS CUP TAKES CENTRE STAGE

- DESMOND COETZEE

THE King William’s Town community will be entertaine­d with a spectacula­r rugby extravagan­za at the Breidbach Sports Grounds where the inaugural Williams Cup tournament will take place on Saturday.

The tournament is the brainchild of the Williams cousins Ferquin, Fernando, Gareth and Lindall and is aimed at honouring and commemorat­ing the lives of their four uncles – Frankie (Ou Blank), Norman (Nommie), Ike and Georgie (Ou G) Williams – who were passionate players, playing a pivotal role in the developmen­t of rugby in King William’s Town and the Border region.

“This event is the first of its kind and will pay tribute to these fallen local heroes who all played and served the former Schornvill­e-based Shamrocks Sports Club with unlevelled passion and dedication,” Ferquin said.

“Clubs from East London, Fort Beaufort, Grahamstow­n, Port Elizabeth and Groot Brak have been invited to compete for the total prize money of R10 000 up for grabs and we would like to take this opportunit­y to thank all the sponsors of the tournament.”

The winners will be leaving with R7000, a floating trophy and gold medals while the runners-up will take home R3000.

One of the special guests include former Shamrocks and South African Rugby Union player Newton Kennedy.

Nommie achieved Border Rugby Football Union colours and his other brothers represente­d the King Sub-Union on many occasions.

History has it that Ou Blank still played first-team rugby for Shamrocks at the age of 50.

“He also served on the King Brumbies executive committee since the amalgamati­on of the three defunct clubs – Shamrocks, St Joseph’s Old Boys and Rubberhide­s.

The main curtain-raiser will feature past King Legends against Africans Legend.

Gates open from 9am with food stalls and a beverage garden available. For more informatio­n on the tournament, contact Ferquin on 078-277-6643.

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 ?? Picture: SUPPLIED ?? FORMIDABLE FORCE: The Williams Cup rugby tournament will be staged in honour of four of the brothers in this Shamrocks Sports Club side who was instrument­al in the developmen­t of grassroots rugby in the Border region. The tournament will be played over...
Picture: SUPPLIED FORMIDABLE FORCE: The Williams Cup rugby tournament will be staged in honour of four of the brothers in this Shamrocks Sports Club side who was instrument­al in the developmen­t of grassroots rugby in the Border region. The tournament will be played over...

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