FOOTBALL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 233, 16 July 1935, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

THE ASHBURTON UNION. TWO DEFAULTS TO METHVEN. The Ashburton Rugby Union’s Management Committee met last evening, the president (Mr J. 0. C. McLachlan) presiding. The Methven Club stated that on Saturday for the second) occasion in succession the senior team travelled to Ashburton only to be told that the opposing team had defaulted. No exception was taken on the first occasion but it was hardly fair when such a thing occurred twice. The club considered it was time the rule requiring the default of lower grade teams when a higher team defaulted was enforced. It was also hoped that the Technical Old Boys v. Methven B junior match in the second round could be altered from Ashburton, as it was played in town in the first round.

The chairman stated that special circumstances had compelled Old Boys to default and the club was automatically fined, although this perhaps was little consolation to Methven. The default could not be averted. Mr H. R. D. Porter said that something would have to be done before next season in regard to the matter of teams defaulting in the competitions. No action was taken.

With reference* to the junior match, it was explained that there had been an error in the draw and the fixture would be played at Methven. In connection with the complaints regarding the behaviour of the Alleriton third grade team, the club expressed regret and assured the Union that steps would be taken to prevent any further trouble. The Ellesmere Sub-Union confirmed August 24 for the annual senior and junior representative matches at Ashburton.

The Buller Union also wrote confirming August 10 for the representative match against Ashburton in Ashburton. The case of F. Sotham (Old Boys) and F. B. Ownsworth (Technical Old Boys), who were ordered off the field in the senior match on July 6 after an exchange of blows, was considered. Ownsworth, who was unable to appear, wrote apologising for the incident. He said he had acted on the spur of the moment when provoked, and he regretted it. Sotham, who appeared before the Union, explained that he did not receive notice to attend the meeting of the Union on July 8. So far as the occurrence was concerned, he had received several elbow jars in the line-outs, and would not have retaliated had he not had cause to do so. In his opinion the match was not rough. As both players did not take part in matches last Saturday it was considered they had served the penalty of standing down, for one Saturday, and no further action was taken. It was decided to endeavour to arrange for a Town v. Country match on July 27, when the representative team will be on tour and to ascertain what support would be forthcoming for a seven-a-side tournament on August 3.

A satisfactory report was made by the manager of the touring team (Mr Porter), who stated that it was expected to have about £IOO in hand when the team left Ashburton, It was decided to thank Mr A. Shannon who refereed the third grade match at Rakaia on .Saturday in the absence of the referee appointed by the Appointments Board. The chairman stated that the failure of referees to fulfil their engagements placed the Union in a precarious position, and it was agreed to refer the matter to the Referees’ Association. Arrangements made by Mr G.Day for the visit of the Linwood Club s representatives to play a match against an Ashburton combination on the Domain Oval on Saturday were approved. Representative Team.

The following team has been selected 1 for the match: — , _ . Full-back, S. W. Kerr (Old Boys). Three-quarters: T. Lilley (Methven), J. Varcoe (Technical Old Boys), G. Stephen (Methven). Five-eighths: A. Bradford (Ula Boys), D” McCormick (Methven). I-lalf-back, G. Day (Technical Old Boys), (captain). . ._ r ~ x Forwards: E. McKenzie (Methven), A. Young (Methven), A. Doig (Rakaia), C. Pablecheque (Methven), N. Hawke (Technical Old Boys), A. Dolan (Methven), S. Pennal (Allenton) and G. Dalton (Methven). „ Emergencies: R. Rose, K. Doig> L • Cates, Tj. Vessey, B. Doig, and O. J±. Davison, . Mr Porter was appointed manager of the team, and Mr A. H. Guiney referee of the match. Draw for Saturday. The draw with referees for lower grades is as follows: — Junior Grade—Methven A v. Hinds, at Methven (Mr A. C. Triggs) ; Springburn v. Technical Old Boys, at Springbum (Mr A. Cox); Mayfield v. Rakaia, at Rakaia (Mr C. W. Wellman) ; Methven B v. Old B'oys, at Methven (Mr D. Wood). , Third Grade—Methven v. High School, on Domain Oval, curtainraiser (Mr C. Miller); Technical Old Boys v. Allenton, at Showgrounds (Mr L. Hadley); Old Boys v. Rakaia, at Rakaia (Mr iS. Alexander). „ . Fourth Grade— High School v. Technical, at Showgrounds (Mr G. Cates). MINIATURE RIFLES.

THE METHVEN CLUB. There was a good attendance at the weekly shoot of the Methven Miniature Rifle Club, and the shooting was up to the usual high standard. The shoot for the weekly club trophy resulted in a win for N. Law. As this is his second win, he wins the trophy outright. The following were the best scores:—N. Law 64 (handicap 11), 62, 62; S, Hyland 69 (1), 69, 68; J. Carr 69 (1), 69, 67 : M.' Holland 69 (scr); H. Noble 67 (1); W. Lumsden 67 (2); J. Rouse 66 (3). The A grade button was won by M. Holland 1 with a possible, and the R grade by W. It- Law with 65. A trophy presented by the Peerless Rubber Company was competed for and drew a large entry, eight of whom qualified to shoot-off. The following were the best scores: —S. Hyland 69

(handicap 1), W. Lumsden 69 (3), H. Noble 69 (3), J. E. Carr 69 (1), 66; M. Holland 70 (1), 69, 69, 68; L. Haskett 67 ! (4), 67, 66; W. Law 65 (6), 64, 65, 67; N. Law 62 (11), 60, 63. This shoot will be completed next week.' The team to* shoot against the Rakaia Club on Friday will be selected from the following:—H. Noble, S'. Hyland, M. Holland, J. E. Carr (captain), W. Lumsden, G. Waddington, J. Rouse, C. Black, T. Middleton, B. Cleeve, W. Law, N. Law, L. Law, J. Manning, J. Mollett, G. Dickson, T. Dickson, U. L. Haskett and S. iVI. Jackmon. The annual match between the Methven Gun Club and Methven Miniature Rifle Club for the D'.C.L. Challenge Shield will he fired on Saturday, July 27. The shield is at , present held by the Gun Club. THE WiLLOWBY CLUB. At the weekly shoot of the Willowby Miniature Rifle Club on Monday evening the first round of Mr G. Bowman’s trophy shoot was fired. The hotty button was won by T. Mac Kay. Scores were as follow: —T. Mac Kay 77, D. Mac Kay 76, N. Maginness 75, L. Pratley 75, T. Whearty 75, B. MacKay 72, A. Hillier 72.