PROTEST ENTERED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 151, 28 June 1945, Page 9

PROTEST ENTERED

RUGBY PROMOTIONS POSITION OF TECHNICAL 0.8. The action of a special committee of Auckland Rugby Union in promoting "Je Navy team to the first division for 'he GallaheTr Shield competition was the subject of a protest from the Technical College Old Boys Club in a letter received at last night's meeting of the Management Committee. Navy and Technical finished up the second division preliminary round on even terms.

'We respectfully ask for an explanation of your committee's justification in Promoting another senior second division team when two teams are level in points at the conclusion of seven matches," stated the letter from the Technical Club. "It surely does not redound to the credit of the Union," the letter continued, "if such promotions are judged on the one Saturday's game, as appears to have been the case in point. We would draw attention to the fact that the Navy side defeated Technical 6—5 and were unable to cross Technical's line, all their points being from penalty kicks. As a comparison to last Saturday's game, we would also draw attention to the fact that Technical scored four tries against the Subtirjjs team and defeated them by the biggest margin of any team this season, 17—6. Navy only scored one try against Suburbs in defeating them 15— S. In the seven matches played this year, Technical has scored 03 points for and 43 against. In the points against we would point out that only four tries have been registered bv opposing teams, the balance being penalty kicks. Perhaps the Union has other reasons to justify its action, but we feel that a published explanation is surely due to our club and the Rugby supporters in general." The chairman, Mr. A. A. Baker, said the committee set up by the Union nau verv carefully considered the question of promotion and, rightly or wrongly, decided to promote Navy. Full consideration had been given to Technical's chances and the committee was of the opinion that it was not ready for promotion.

Mr. C. L. Cherney said the Technical letter called for a reply, and he suggested that the drafting of a suitable letter outlining the committee's reasons for promoting Navy be drafted and a copy be submitted to the next meeting of the Union. They could do nothing else, he added, but justify the action of the committee, which was taken after a full discussion. The Union had already confirmed the action of the committee, and consequently its hands were tied.

In reply to a question, Mr. Baker said he saw no particular reason why the committee's reply to the Technical Club should be published.

It was decided to act along the lines suggested by Mr. Cherney. Mr. E. York reported that the annual primary schools' field day for the Brother Calixtus and Harry Frost Shields would be held at the Domain on July 6. "All the arrangements have now been completed," stated Mr. Baker, when reporting that it had been decided that Grammar Old Boys and Marist would visit Te Aroha on July 7 and play a Gallaher Shield competition match. The visit is in response to a request from the Te Aroha Union to give a boost to country football, and the match will be the play-off for the Pollard Cup. In response to a letter from the New Zealand Rugby Union,! it was decided to nominate Mr. F. W. Lucas as a North Island selector this season. The Thames Valley Union wrote stating that July 28 was a suitable date for the match at Thames between Auckland Colts and Thames Valley. Mr. L. S. Drake, selector of the Colts' side, pointed out that the team to travel would be an Auckland B team and not a representative Colts' fifteen. It was decided to advise the Thames Union to that effect. After a brief discussion, it was resolved to declare Navy and Technical College Old Boys the Joint winners of the preliminary round in the A section of the second division and Eden and Training College the joint winners, of the B section. They are to be congratulated on their performances. It was pointed out that as a result of Navy's promotion to the first division all points gained in the first round be washed out and that the Thistle Cup competition for second division teams commence next Saturday.

It wgs resolved to revert to the prewar policy of presenting photographs to teams winning championships In the various grades.