When only the tough survived.-

Holding on to the ball and

maintaining possession-

Were the tactics by which

good teams thrived.-

Tactical kicking to gain ground

was unheard of,-

It simply conceded possession.-

You held on to the ball through

unlimited tackles-

If you wanted to make an impression.-

As the only team in town -

It provided great spectator sport.-

Win or lose they played their hearts out,-

Every game was fiercely fought.-

For occasional away games in early years, -

They went by train from Boorowa station.-

Accompanied by crowds of supporters-

They came home late, in a state

of inebriated sedation.-

They made the grand final once-

Against the Cherry Pickers' team of imports.-

And, although soundly beaten on the day,-

They took it like good country sports.-

In a glorious four week period,-

They won and held the Weissel Cup.-

And, although finally beaten by Harden,-

They never once gave up.-

A defector from the Cherry Pickers,-

Bruce Powderly was a star of the team.-

Imports from the city declared him-

One of the best the country had seen.-

He came to Boorowa to work for Herb Smith-

A butcher who did his own slaughter.-

His decision to stay on was sealed-

When he married the boss's daughter-

He resisted all attempts to entice him-

To play for clubs in the city.-

When, once, he accepted an offer to trial,-

He missed the train. More's the pity!-

His career was brought to an untimely end-

Multiple breaks to a leg, to his dread. -

They never set properly.

He languished for months,-

Counting the weeks in his hospital bed.-

Young Johnny Scott, Boorowa born,-

Was an early star of the team.-

A mercurial five eight and teller of yarns,-

He helped the team let off steam.-

He told of George Watt's dubious ploy -

Of smearing his jumper with nettles-

To sting the eyes of opposing props,-

Whose games he would aim to unsettle.-

With a limited talent pool to draw on,-

Some families were always prominent.-

Grocotts, Donohues, Simmons and Ryans-

In many years were dominant.-

The most common families to play-

Read like an Irish census.-

With Murphys and Faheys, Corkerys,

Dwyers and Corcorans,-

There was an unspoken consensus-

That, even with its Irish base,-

Boorowa's team was built on inclusion.-

No matter what your background-

Your skills were a welcome infusion.

No club is successful without the support of

Its officials and volunteers.

Wall Eye Cranston and descendants Jimmy and Ross

Worked tirelessly for the club for years.

The Dwyers, George Quilkey, Jake Thomas,

Keith Martin, Ron Grosvenor and Fred Bardon

Among others contributed mightily.

They expected no beg pardon.

Memories of those long

gone days are fading,-

As those who remember pass by,-

But the deeds of the Boorowa faithful-

Are summed up by an unforgettable try.-

In a game against favourites Cootamundra, -

Bruce Weissel was trapped on the wing-

He centre kicked, Mannie Hinton gathering-

Scored under the posts,

sealing a memorable win.-

In 1959 the club folded, never to regain -

It's prized Group Nine position.-

But, in subsequent years, the resurrected club-

Starred in the Second Division.-

-David Weeden