Lion’s Den place for rugby tour memories
REGARDLESS of the result of last night’s match against the Blues in Auckland, we already know there is huge interest in the British and Irish Lions rugby tour, which is heading Dunedin’s way next week.
So, given the city’s proud history in hosting the Lions over the years — and the success rate of both the All Blacks and Otago in Carisbrook clashes with the tourists — we’ve decided to declare The Wash a ‘‘Lion’s Den’’ for the next few days.
We are inviting readers to send us their favourite memories — and their photos, too — of past Lions’ matches in Dunedin and to help jog your memories, I’ve listed the results of all the previous games today.
They show five wins by Otago, including a thrilling 3724 win in 1993.
As it happens, I already have a reader memory to kick off proceedings today, from John Burton, of Dunedin who writes:
‘‘Hi Dave. The Lions’ visit is almost upon us and I note that one of your reporters drew attention in today’s ODT (31.5.17) to Otago’s proud record against previous Lions tourists. The last victory was in 1993 and it was followed in 1994 by a win against the Springboks. The cap in the attached photo was produced for members of the Supporters Club following the 1994 victory. I don’t think a great number were produced. Let’s hope the Highlanders can continue in the same vein as the Otago teams of the past.’’
If you have a contribution, email it thewash@odt.co.nz, tagged ‘‘Lion’s Den’’.
Previous results by Great Britain/Anglo Welsh/ British Isles/the Lions in Dunedin:
1888: Played Otago twice and
won, 83, and 43.
1904: Beat OtagoSouthland
Combined 148
1908: Lost to NZ 325 and to
Otago, 96. 1930: Beat All Blacks 63 and
Otago 339.
1950: Drew with All Blacks 99;
lost to Otago 239.
1959: Lost to All Blacks 1817;
lost to Otago 268.
1966: Lost to All Blacks 203 and
to Otago 179.
1971: Beat All Blacks 93; beat
Otago 219.
1977: Lost to All Blacks 197;
beat Otago 127.
1983: Lost to All Blacks 158; No
match v Otago.
1993: No test in Dunedin; lost
3724 to Otago.
2005: No test in Dunedin; beat
Otago 3019.
Manual training memories
Yesterday’s topic about manual training at schools proved really popular with readers, with several posts on Facebook as well.
Claire Paterson sent me some extracts from her copy of the 96page Homecraft for home and school textbook, printed by Crown Print Ltd, Moray Pl ‘‘and probably in every school Manual Room in NZ!’’ (the foreword was written in 1962).
She adds: ‘‘There are many sensible suggestions but most young folk would be in fits of laughter over the instructions, manners and etiquette. I doubt fast food outlets and TV dinners were invented then!’’
One of the pages is headed ‘‘Serving afternoon tea’’ and outlines nine ‘‘rules’’ for youngsters to obey, including such quant advice as ‘‘Decide on a suitable menu; dainty cream cakes would not be suitable for farmers’’.
Similarly ‘‘Use appropriate china. Men dislike dainty cups’’ and ‘‘Always serve the most important guests first and yourself last’’.
There are also handy tips on things like ‘‘How to set the table for dinner’’ and ‘‘How to sweep the floor’’ as well as the wisdom, which holds true today, of serving nutritious breakfasts for the family.