On 6 May 2005, representatives
from the Gordon Stags flew out of Sydney for the 15th World Golden
Oldies Rugby Festival. Our club has attended all 15 international
festivals and this year, whilst the numbers were down, were able to
field a full team with five players from the
Goulburn Fermented Reds and two big New Zealanders whom somehow
we collected in Auckland on route to Los Angeles!!
In all we had a touring party of 30
consisting of players, wives and supporters and enjoyed a memorable
10-day tour taking in the US West Coast, then down to Las Vegas and on
to San Diego via Los Angles and Santa Monica.
The week's rugby, three games in
five days, was bruising against teams from South Africa, USA and the
Cook Islands but the Gordon Jersey was done proud. As with all Golden
Oldies rugby, regardless of which team scores the most points, the
result is always a draw, symbolising the motto 'Fun, Friendship and
Fraternity'. Player's awards were presented to John Finch, Bill Banham
and one of our New Zealand Players.
The Grand Finale was a festival
dinner on board the US Navy's aircraft carrier, USS Midway, moored in
San Diego Harbour. All had a great time and we are looking forward to
the next festival in Wellington, NZ in October 2006.
