H.S.O.B. REPLY

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31659, 20 April 1968, Page 15

H.S.O.B. REPLY

Anzac Day Rugby The president of the High School Old Boys Rugby Club has replied to a report which was printed in “The Press” on Thursday. He says: "I would appreciate the opportunity to correct any misunderstanding that may have arisen from the report which appeared in ‘The Press’ on Thursday, April 18. with regard to the altitude of the High School Old Boys’ Rugby Football Club towards playing the match scheduled against the University club on Anzac Day, and that the C.R.F.U. was ‘under strong pressure' from our club. The position was this: Within a few hours of learning that our senior team had again been drawn to play on Anzac Day. our deputy club captain made a phone call to the convenor of the competitions committee, simply seeking consideration for a* change to the following Saturday. “The members of this commit tee efficiently carry out a difficult task and have always given fair consideration to any reasonable request. For instance. they had already agreed to arrange the draw to place as many High School Old Boys' teams (including seniors) at the Boys’ High School grounds in Straven Road on Saturday, May 18. which is the Old Boys' annual winter sports day: a consideration for which our club was very grateful. “Our request to play on Saturday, April 27, was considered reasonable by the union and immediately approval was given. Our club was, and still is, very happy to play on Aanzac Day if the C.R.F.U. wishes this to be the case. “The main reasons for our request for change were not those stated, ‘that it was unfair that our players should again be deprived of the chance to represent Canterbury.’ This was only a very minor consideration. We were also aware of the preference of the University club to play on the Saturday instead of Anzac Day as this club was planning its annual match against Otago University for Wednesday, April 24. “Also, I wish to comment on the statement that our club’s ‘attitude underlies the insidious Hitiltrauon of club loyalties and prejudices into Canterbury Rugby.' Over the year, fortunately. there is ample evidence that the High School Old Boys’ club and, in particular, its representatives on the C.R.F.U., Mr C. H. McPhail, the chairman, and Mr R. Thomas, have adopted the broad principle that what is good for Rugby in Canterbury is good for all clubs, including our own. This policy was in fact again confirmed at our last annual general meeting.