Rugby League & Union Club
Blue Ribbon Rugby League Cup - 5th of October 2013.
Community spirit was the big winner in the second annual Blue Ribbon Rugby League Cup last Saturday.
For the record the Victoria Police Vikings scored a second consecutive victory over the Ararat Devils, 18-4, under lights at Alexandra Oval to retain the Blue Ribbon Cup, however the end score didn't really matter.
A remembrance service was held prior to the game to pay honour to the 157 Victoria Police members who have been killed in the line of duty.
A lone Victoria Police Pipe Band member playing a haunting rendition of Amazing Grace in front of the large crowd, which was then followed by a minute’s silence.
Our thanks to the Ararat community, the Ararat Blue Ribbon Foundation, CFA, SES, Ararat Rotary and in particular the Ararat Rural City Council, because without their support this would not have been achieved.
With other sports being played in the region the Blue Ribbon Rugby League match only has a small window of opportunity to be held, however LSC MacDonald said it is fitting the event is staged around early October. This is after football season and just before cricket starts up, so this is the only time that we can really run it but I think it actually works out pretty well, because coincidentally on October 16, 1856 sergeant John McNally was the first Victorian Police officer killed in the line of duty and this is so close to that date it adds to that importance as well.
Best on ground for the Ararat Devils went to young gun Tamahou Aranui, while top honours for the Victoria Police Vikings went to Brendan Williams.
A special thanks to the Ararat Advertiser and in particular Sam Shalders for his story and Peter Pickering for his photographs. The promotion of this successful event is easy with the assistance of great people like this.
Ararat Advertiser 11th of October 2013.
President: Barry Randall, PH: 9767 7469
Treasurer: David Jamieson, PH: 9718 2111