SMUGGLED TROPHY

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31154, 2 September 1966, Page 13

SMUGGLED TROPHY

(New Zealand Press Association*

WELLINGTON.

The Wellington Football Association has the Campbell Rose-Bowl, although the Auckland Football Association refused to hand it over to Wellington’s chairman (Mr J. B. Hipkins) on Sunday.

Mr Hipkins travelled to Auckland with the Wellington representative side to watch the F.A. trophy game. At the reception after the game Mr Hipkins asked for the rose-bowl. Wellington had won it by beating Auckland 2-1 at the Basin Reserve last month, he said.

Auckland refused the request, claiming that as far as it was concerned the Campbell rose-bowl was still its property because it had agreed to play for the trophy on a home-and-away basis, with the aggregate score deciding the winner, and Auckland had beaten Wellington 2-1 in the F.A. game, making the competition a 3-3 draw. Mr Hipkins said the rules of the rose-bowl competition were that the cup could not be played for if the game was also an F.A. challenge. When the reception was over, the Campbell rose-bowl was no longer in its place with the rest of Auckland's trophies. When the Wellington team left the function it was noticed that a player was carrying what appeared to be a carton of beer. No comment was made about it.

The carton travelled to Wellington with the team, and was given to W.F.A. officials. They found the Campbell rose-bowl in it. The W.F.A. has decided to keep the trophy for the time being. Members are certain that once Aucklanders check the rules of the competition they will realised it is Wellington’s property.