Marist Albion RFC

Believed to be the oldest rugby trophy in Canterbury, the John McKendry Memorial Cup will be at stake again this weekend in the First XV match between St Bede’s College and St Thomas of Canterbury College.

The trophy bears the name of John McKendry, Christchurch’s most outstanding rugby player in the early 1890s and a Canterbury representative in 1892.

McKendry, who was a big man for that era, but not by today’s standards at 6ft 2inches (1.88m) and 14stone 7lbs (92kgs) was named the most valuable player in the Christchurch senior competition for three years in a row, 1892, 93 and 94, playing as a wing forward (loose forward) for East Christchurch.

The cup was only awarded for the first time in 1890, and by winning it three years in a row it was given to him to keep. He gave up rugby quite young in his mid 20s.

Jack, as he was more popularly known, or the self-proclaimed “King” to his family, was immensely proud of the trophy, and it had pride of place in the family home in Talfourd Place, beside Lancaster Park.

Grandson Don McKendry said that Jack was always immaculately dressed in suit, hat and tie, befitting a man who was a bootmaker by trade and had his own factory in the back section of his property.

“By all accounts he was an absolute character, a keen sportsperson, especially rowing and also a horse trainer. The stables were down by the boot factory and he would work his horses on Lancaster Park which I believe had a 440 yard track, so four times round for the mile,” he said.

Jack was born in Ireland and came to New Zealand as a two-year-old with his family, landing in Dunedin, then moving straight to Christchurch in 1873. He had eight children, four boys (Terry, Maurice, Pat and Brian) and four daughters (Helen, Noreen, Rosaleen and Nancy) and it was from this stock that the McKendry family, prominent in many sports throughout the years, but especially rugby and cricket, sprung. Rosaleen, herself a Canterbury netball representative, is the great grandmother of one of New Zealand’s best football players, Ryan Nelson.

Telfourd Place and rugby are the two constants in the McKendry family from that date. The boot factory and stables of Telfourd Place were replaced in 1945 by a concrete business, set up by son Maurice and then carried on by his sons Don, Terry, Tom and Tony. The business remained in Telfourd Place until shifting to Annex Road about 35 years ago.

“Jack was the longest living resident of Telfourd Place and at one stage the City Council offered to change the name to McKendry Place, but he turned it down, which was such a shame.

“Being close to Lancaster Park meant that on big game days the McKendry premises were a well known watering hole and we have entertained a vast array of players, coaches, friends and overseas fans. We also employed many rugby players over the years, especially if they played for Marist,” he said.

Jack died in 1952 and the McKendry family presented the trophy to be played between Xavier College and Christian Brothers High School, Dunedin. As schools and names changed, this then was played for between Catholic Cathedral College and St Thomas of Canterbury. It was last contested in 1998.

It was a fitting donation as four of Jack’s grandchildren, Don, Terry, Tom and Tony were at Xavier at the time.

Don was the first McKendry to play for the trophy in 1954, which was he won by Xavier College, and they repeated the feat in 1955 with an 11-8 win.  Don’s brother Terry was in the side the following two years, which were again successful with a 16-6 win and a 25-3 victory.

The Xavier side of 1957 was the first to ever beat St Bede’s, 9-3, and for Terry, it was the start of lifetime friendships with many that he played against including the late Tommy Hannan and also Jake Burns, a friendship that continued with their long association with the Marist club. He went on to play senior rugby for eight years in the 1960s and was club captain for eight years in the 1970s, a golden era for the club, a life member and now lay patron of Marist Albion.

The Xavier, St Thomas’, St Bede’s, Marist connection has been a strong link for the McKendry family, and it still holds true today with Phillip McKendry, son of Terry and great grandson of Jack, helping with the coaching of St Thomas’ First XV.

For Phillip, when playing for the St Thomas’ First XV in 1983, he followed in the sprig marks of his father with history repeating itself twice, firstly in successfully playing for the John McKendry Memorial Trophy against Xavier and secondly being in the first St Thomas’ side to defeat St Bede’s.

“It’s great to be able to play for the trophy again. I was involved coaching the St Thomas’ First XV along with Steve Hart, who worked so hard to have the side included in the Press Cup back in the early 2000s, but have been away from Christchurch for many years, returning before Christmas. I’ve really enjoyed being able to help out coaches Johnny Leo’o and Dan O’Brien and we’ve had some success already this season in beating Christchurch Boys High School for the first time in 35 years.

“However, St Thomas’ have only ever beaten St Bede’s twice, the last being two years ago, so it will be a strong challenge, but the good thing is that the victor will be a worthy winner of such an historic trophy,” he said.

The match will test the loyalty of a few. Justin Boyle, Rector of St Bede’s, is a St Thomas’ old boy and was part of a McKendry Cup winning team as a pupil while Steve Hart, Rector of St Thomas’ is a St Bede’s Old Boy. Gerry Davidson, Deputy Rector of St Bede’s, the current general manager of the First XV and former coach of the side, is a Xavier old boy, who also played in a McKendry Cup winning team.

Article added: Friday 21 June 2019