FROM 1920 to 1971 it was one of the most sought-after trophies in Australian sport. Boys dreamed of playing for it and men would run through walls for it. Even Ray Warren started his broadcasting career calling games contesting it.
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We are talking about the Maher Cup of course, regaled for decades as the pinnacle of rugby league in the Riverina.
The Maher Cup was a weekly challenge event which attracted remarkable attention in the region.
It was not uncommon for trainloads of fans to travel to various towns to support their team, with mid-week crowds of more than 10,000 a regularity.
There have been great players and great sides such as the Young Cherrypickers of the mid 1950s with Doug Cameron and the Harden side of 1959-60.
Tumut also had its share of strong teams but, then, every country town at one stage had a purple patch.
While previous reunions have been staged by Tumut, the next instalment will be held in Cootamundra in what may arguably also be the last as many veterans from those heady playing days become too old or have passed away.
Tumut stalwart Ray Carr says the aging population of Maher Cup veterans is slowly bringing down the curtain.
“The youngest Tumut player who played in the Maher Cup is now 64,” Carr said.
“The oldest survivor is Jim Woods who played for Temora.
“He’s 102 now and lives in Queanbeyan.”
With proceeds from the night to be channelled towards Riverina Men of League and approaches made to former Junee local Ray Warren - the doyen of Rugby League broadcasters - to attend the event, it should be a fantastic night.
The reunion will be held at the Cootamundra Country Club on February 13, 2016.
More details on the reunion can be obtained from Jim Moon on 0417 495 118, Tom Spain on 0407 422 079 or Ray Carr on 0417 471 947.
