RUGBY UNION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLI, Issue 9488, 12 April 1921, Page 6

RUGBY UNION.

THE ANNUAL MEETING. PROSPECTS FOR COMING SEASON The Ashburton County Rugby Union iiolu its annual meeting last evening, _.i. t r . u. j-vOOilliarU presicting. The annual report % stated that the standard of football * throughout; iat>i/ reason was up to the stanuaru 01 previous years and the matches were generally well attended.- Un account- 01 the Limited entries received for the junior competition it was decided to xioid oniy tne senior,, third graue, ana fcohooi UxUtcnes. Tlie senior mutcli was •von by Old Boys, the third grade by -voiiouiton, and Ashburton Borough t •vere tiie winners of the schools' competition, 'i'iie annual . seven-a-side Loiu-iiument was a distinct success', uvi'cn in regard to entries and atten-^ aauce. in. the senior event Old Boys v. ere again succes&iul, Canterbury College annexed the third grade competition, and the Borough School representatives won tiie schools' competition. A seven-a-side held in connec-. Dion with the Prince's visit was also a decided success. The results were: senior grade, Old Boys 3 third grade, Rakaia; schools, Ashburton Borough. Towards the end of the season three representative matches were played, 0.10 against Canterbury, one against oouth Canterbury, and one against Ellesmere. The local combination was .lereated on each occasion, but not by substantial margins. One of the greatest difficulties that confronted the committee last year was the securing oi referees, and it was to, be hoped O oxiio oi the enthusiasts who took such a keen interest in this particular line in past years, would offer their 'services this season, and assist in overcoming an obstacle which lay before the committee the whole of the 1920 • football period. As in future seasons, die half-holiday falling on a Thursday in Ashburton and on Saturday in other parts of the County again proved inconvenient in regard to the arranging of matches. Although the committee did what was best in the interests of the players and all concerned it was impossible to arrange them without some dissatisfaction in one quarter or the other, it was therefore earnestly hoped that when tiie matter of the half-holiday came up for decision at the forthcoming election, supporters would vote for the Saturday, if a change from the present unsatisfactory state of affairs could be effected, Rugby football would receive a deciued nllip and matches would not only be marked by a higher standard of play, but attendances would greatly improve.

In moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, the chairman remarked that during last season there were many difficulties, but the officials had dealt with them m the best possible manner. The union, however, hoped for something better this year,* but one of the chief difficulties would still prevail, the half-holiday question. Even if the Saturday halfholiday were passed, it wou,ld not conic into effect until June, and the competitions would therefore have to commence on Thursday. When the Saturday half-holiday came into effect, however, he thought it would be merely a matter of adjustment. The chairman thanked the members of the union for what they had - done during . the past spason m connection, with assisting football m the Asbburton County-. Mr 1 F. Seldo'n said that he would have liked to see a more satisfactory financial state of affairs. The general account should be on a better basis.

The report and balance sheet were adopted. . The election of officers resulted- as follows : Patron, Hon. W. Nosworthy ; president, Mr P. B. Robilliard ; vicepresidents,' Messrs F. W. Seldon, W. Jdyce, D. Friedlander, J. M. Wilkie, find W. F. Watters; delegate to Canterbury Rugby Union, Mr F. D. .Kesteven; classification committee, Messrs W. F. Watters, D. Friedlander and F..W. Seldon; selectors,. Messrs D. Friedlander and E. •J. O'Brien; postponement committee, Messrs Robilliard, Watters and Seldon. The appointment of a secretary and treasurer was held m abeyance, the present secretary, Mr J. Bathgate, having intimated that he could not carry on with the work. He undertook to carry on until a successor, could be appointed. It was decided to close nominations for competitions 'next Monday,, when the opening date of the season will do fixed. ' '