RUGBY Lincoln College To Play In Town

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29783, 28 March 1962, Page 15

RUGBY Lincoln College To Play In Town

The management committee of the Canterbury Rugby Union last evening gave permission for Lincoln College to play in the town competition; but the meeting voted unanimously against allowing the college senior team to play in the senior grade. The chairman (Mr J. O Hattersley) said that according to the rules, Lincoln College could not be refused entry. The college had been granted permission to play in town and that settled the issue. Mr R. W. Thomas: Is Lincoln College a registered club within our district?

Mr Hattersley: Yes, any Rugby club, whether town or country, comes within the union's jurisdiction. Mr H. C Blazey said that the question had been asked whether Lincoln College had been granted a dispensation to play in town this season only. The Ellesmere delegate had said it had at the annual meeting. But it had already been confirmed that Lincoln College was a separate club within Canterbury University so it was not required to comply with the residential rule. Therefore it was not within the province of the sub-union to grant a dispensation. Mr Hattersley said he felt that as individuals Lincoln College needed no dispensation, but as a club it was a different matter.

In answer to a question, Mr C. H. McPhail was told that Lincoln College players could change to Canterbury University if they wanted to. Mr J. Storey said that although Lincoln’s entry could not be refused, he was against the principle. Discussion On Grade Speaking on the college's request to play in the senior grade, Mr D. B. Doake said

he could not see, in fairness to other senior reserve tsssns, such as Teachers' CbUegr. how Lincoln could be allowed into the senior grade. It could create a dangerous precedent. The logical way would be for Lincoln to earn its passage through the senior reserve grade. This would be fair at least to senior reserve teams not represented in the senior grade Mr Blazey said that he supported Mr Doake. If Lincoln College played senior reserve, it would make some of the weaker senior teams pull up their socks if a pro-motion-regutatiou match had to be played. Mr Storey said that Canterbury had done its beat to strengthen county football, but now it had become weakened through Lincoln College's entry into the town competition. He felt that Elsesmere had made • big mistake by granting a dispensation. “Not Back-Door Method” Mr Blazey assured the meeting that Lincoln College’s entry into town competition was not a back-door method by Canterbury University to get two senior teams into the senior grade. Both clubs wished to preserve their identity and to remain separate. But what would happen in eight or 10 years he could not say. After a long discussion it was decided that Lincoln College teams be required to play in town unless the committee decided otherwise. The recommended colours of Lincoln College will be blue j-tseys with one inch gold hoops, white short A and blue socks with gold tops. A request from the college for permission for one team to play in white jerseys foe this year only was rejected.