Opawa rugby club memories set to be rekindled

Their club may be no more, but memories of the Opawa Rugby Club live long in the minds of those who were involved with Marlborough’s famed ‘Black Cloud’.

Next year former players, administrators and supporters will have a chance to share those memories and catch up with old acquaintances when a reunion is held in Blenheim over King’s Birthday Weekend, June 1-4.

The planned get-together is the brainchild of former Black Cloud players Mike ‘Duke’ Ellison and Alan Church.

“We were having a catch-up in June and Alan brought up the idea of a reunion. I had also been thinking along those lines for a while so we decided to get something up and running,” said Mike.

A committee comprising Mike, Alan, Gerard Coffey, Larry Smith, Phil Fisher, Greg Brimble and John Hegglun was formed to bring the event to fruition.

The formal part of the event will be held at the Lansdowne Park Hub, the over 200 guests expected to attend.

The Opawa club was formed in April 1906, as part of the club rugby District Scheme which split the province into six separate clubs on a geographical basis.

They won the prized Citizens Cup in their first season and went from strength to strength, claiming numerous senior and junior titles over the years and producing a steady stream of representative players – including future All Blacks Alan Sutherland, Phil Clarke, Jack Best and Anton Oliver along with Maori All Black Jim Joseph.

In 1994 Opawa officials elected to combine with two other Blenheim clubs, Old Boys and Redwood, to form the Harlequins club, their headquarters based at Lansdowne Park.

After initial success, Harlequins have struggled to field top level teams in recent seasons but showed they are on the road back last season when they fielded a side in the division two competition.

Mike, who played for the ‘Cloud’ in the 1970s and ‘80s, sees the reunion as “a chance to give something back to the club”.

“The reunion has evolved into a fundraiser, with the aim of raising some money for the Harlequins club,” he said.

“We just want to be part of a celebration and it felt like the right thing to do,” said Mike, who is now based in Napier.

The celebrations begin on Thursday, June 1 at the Lansdowne Sports Hub from 5pm with registration, photos, meet and greet with finger food plus an auction.

The following day participants will gather back at the Hub in the evening for food, entertainment and the completion of the auction.

On Saturday, the Harlequins senior team will be wearing retro playing jerseys during their match on the Lansdowne No 1 ground, followed by the after match at the old Harlequins clubrooms. Then it is back to the Hub for a three-course meal with live entertainment.

The next day involves lunch at Dobson Street Beer Garden with live entertainment and final goodbyes.

Merchandise, polo shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies and a book on the club’s history will be for sale.

Mike urges those interested to go to the Facebook page called “Opawa Rugby Reunion” where all the details including itinerary and registration forms can be found.