Rugby Commitments

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 134, 9 June 1938, Page 24

Rugby Commitments

LOOKING AHEAD.

A BIG PROGRAMME.

AUCKLAND'S ARRANGEMENTS,

NO HOME-AND-HOME FIXTURES.

The Taranaki Rugby Union is to be ach ised that owing to full representative programmes for three seasons home-ami-home matches could not be conveniently arranged. This decision was made at the meeting of the management committee of the Auckland Rugby Cnion last evening. • ol 'tline of Auckland's commitments in the matter of outside fixtures in t'he next few seasons was given by the chairman, Mr. A. A. Baker. Members were aware of the degree to which the available <la,\s this season were occupied by club fixtures and representative mate-lies already arranged, he said. The 1!)3!) season would be a very big season for Auckland, as all the major southern unions were due to play matches 'here, in addition to Weilington and Hawke's Bay. Then in 1040 Auckland would be making a southern tour in addition to which Taranaki would be playing Auckland. In 1941 Auckland would have Wellington, Wairara.pa and Hawke's Bay paying visits. With such fixtures already arranged as a matter of routine, Mr. Baker said it would be only once in every three or four seasons that home-and-'home matches with Taranaki could possibly be fitted in. Saturday representative arrangements for Eden Park for this season are: —June 18, v. Waikato; July 2, v. Taranaki; Julv 23, v. Northland; August 20, v. King Country; September 3, v. Maoris; September 10, v. Thames Valley; September 17, v. South Auckland. On October 1 the season will close with the challenge match, Gallaher Shield winners v. club to be nominated by A.R.F.U. Mr. S. A. Cleal reported as manager Auckland's visit to Waikato on the King's Birthday, and mentioned having received invaluable support from Messrs. A. Til ley, G. Orrell and M. Johnston. The Hamilton' Rugby Sub-union asked for strong club teams to be sent to Waikato to play third and fourth grade repreI sentative teams, and that a junior representative side be selected to meet the Hamilton junior representatives. After Mr. A. J. Tilly had ventured the opinion that Auckland's 6ub-unions should have first consideration, it was decided, on Mr. Baker's motion, that the letter be referred to the junior advisory board (of which Mr. Tilly. is chairman), with the recommendation that preference should be given to clubs in Auckland sub-unions. Byes in Second Round. In connection with the byes in the second round, Mr. Baker states that after going carefully into the question it seemed the best plan would be to endeavour to arrange a college day on August 6. All club teams would be given a bye on that date, leaving them free to make arrangements to pay visits to country districts. Mr. J. J. derrick remarked that if so desired two clubs could combine to send a mixed fifteen. Mr. G. Orrell anl Mr. L. J. Colgan agreed that the plan was an excellent one, and might establish a precedent for future years. Mr. Orrell said the A.R.F.U. should take a hand in drawing up an itinerary, as many teams in the province might ask for the same city side to be sent to the country. On the motion of Mr. O. S. Harvey, "That the chairman's report was adopted, that the Secondary Schools' Rugby Union be requested to arrange a college day on August 6, that the championship series be suspended on that date, and (when confirmed by the secondary schools) that the sub-unions be notified accordingly to enable them to arrange suitable fixtures with city fifteens." Two Senior Games at Epsom. After considerable discussion, to which Messrs. O. S. Harvey and A. H. Baker were th» principal contributors, Mr. J. Sweeney s motion that the programme submitted by the match committee be upheld was defeated by live votes to four. Mr. L. J. Colgan then moved that two senior first division games be played at Epsom showgrounds and that the junior match, Grafton v. Otahuhu, be transferred to Sturges Park. The chairman (Air. A. A. Baker) reported that the Mount Roskill Koad Board was prepared to carry out constructional work at Seymour l'ark if the A.R.F.U. considered it suitable for lootball. It was decided that tiie matter stand over for a month until the executive viewed the ground under winter conditions. Mr. O. S. Harvey suggested that the Manukau-Otahuhu game should be played at the showgrounds, and not at Sturges Park, as was at first proposed. He said there would be great interest in this game, as apart from the Jordan Cup and. in addition, it would probably decide which team should remain in the first division for the second round. As Otahuhu supporters had been able to see their team in action on its home ground for all the other matches, and had not had to face transportation expenses, lie thought it reasonable to give Manukau supporters a chance to see it at the showgrounds. On the new motion being put and carried, Mr. A. Tilly remarked that the decision to transfer the ManukauOtahuhu match to the showgrounds was. in the circumstances, the wisest decision made by the union this year. Auckland University was granted permission to play the annual fixture with Victoria College, at Auckland, on Wednesday week. June. 22. The venue will be Blandford Park, which is being used this year by various 'varsity sports clubs for practice. Ground Officials for Saturday.—Eden Park, Messrs. S. W. Letlibridge, J. Sweeney; showgrounds oval, Mr. A. Tilly: K"orth Shore. Messrs. J. Herrick H. McDonald; Cribble-Hirst Park. Mr. P.' Grierson; Avondale. Mr. G. Orrell: Victoria Park, Mr. P. Sheehan.