SENIOR RUGBY

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 157, 30 March 1926, Page 7

SENIOR RUGBY

METHOD OF DIVISION DELEGATES’ DECISIONS Last week the delegates to the Wellington Rugby Union at their annual general meeting, affirmed the principle that "there should be an A and B grade in the senior competition. So much discussion was necessary before the decision was arrived at, that it was considered advisable to postpone discussion on the details until another date. The. delegates met again last night, Colonel G. F. C. Campbell presiding. The proceedings were opened by Mr. J. Prendeville, who moved a resolution in terms of the recommendation contained in the annual report, and which has alrgadv been published. It was at once apparent that anything but unanimity prevailed on the precise method of division, and amendments to resolutions and amendments to amendments were frequent. 'The delegates of the Selwyn Club, recognising that their club was one that would suffer if the recommendations were adopted, strenuously opposed the Rugby Union Management Committee proposal. Kir. A. C. Buck, who bore the brunt of the attack on the senior status of the Selwyn Club, called to his aid the finances of the union (indicative of the public’s appreciation of the fact that the standafd of senior Rugby was high enough already), and also the largeness of the attendances. By what right, he asked, was the union going to degrade one of the oldest clubs in Wellington by sending its senior team down to a B grade merely because now it was passing through troublous times. The experience in Australia, ■where divisions had operated, was against the belief that the standard of Rugby was thereby improved. Twelve or even fourteen teams in the senior grade competition, in his opinion, were not too many. The possibility of bad sportsmanship arising between two teams fighting out for last place in the A grade, or the necessity for going down to the B grade was raised by a Marist delegate. “We are here to-night,” said Mr. S. S. Deans (Poneke), "to do the best we possibly can for Rugby football in Wellington. If it is an injustice to put Selwyn down tq the B division,' how . much greater is the injustice done to other teams by keeping them down to junior. After'all is said and done, it does not matter what club wins the competition. I believe there is too much pot-hunting among some of the clubs.” He volunteered the opinion that too many teams would lower the standard of play. He would like to see the senior competition divided in eight teams for the A grade, and six teams for the B grade. Cine of the clubs applying for senior status is Fastbourne, and Mr. E. Roberts, on its behalf, moved that the senior competition be maintained as at present, and the teams graded next season.

Mr. Prendeville opposed reducing the senior A grade to eight teams, as that would result in an injustice being done to some of the teams that would have to be sent down to the B grade. Mr. Weir (Wellington) favoured the maintenance of the existing order of things. There was too much tinkering with the senior competition, and the more they tinkered with it the greater would be the muddle into which they would get themselves. “Surely,” he said, “there is room in a city like Wellington for 14 or even 15 teams.” Mr. Weir considered that clubs were obsessed with the idea of finishing two complete rounds. “Why,” he asked, “should not the team with most points at the end of the season be declered the winner of the competition without the necessity of having to play other teams twice.” Amendments and amendments to amendments being disposed of, the meeting resolved that for the 1926 season the A grade consist of the existing senior teams, and the B grade comprise any other teams offering. “You have done nothing,” said Mr. Weir; "only divided the junior grade. You have not touched the senior grade at all. I ask you to stop before you do any further damage. You are not competent to make any proposals for twelve months ahead.” These remarks Mr. Prendeville regarded as a reflection on the members of the Management Committee, and indicated he would “toss the thing up straight away.” The decision has not helped football at all.” “We have continually complained,” said Mr. Dean, “that the senior competition is unwieldy. What we have done is to make it more unweildy.” The chairman said that the Management Committee courted criticism by the way the scheme was put before the delegates, and such criticism, which was perfectly natural, was not to be taken as a reflection on the members of the committee.

The meeting accepted a proposal of Mr. E. Roberts that on the 1927 season the last team of the A grade go down to the “B” grade, and the top team of the “B” grade go up to the “A” gradeIt was decided also that in that year the “A” grade would consist of 10 teams and the “B” grade be limited to eight teams. The effect of this decision was merely to postpone the operation of the Management Committee’s recommendation for twelve months. The recommendations concerning all the lower grades were accepted without discussion. WAIRARAPA UNION. “Dominion” Special. Carterton, March 29. The annual meeting of the Wairarapa Rugbv Union was held at Carterton on Saturday night, Mr. W. G. Lamb presiding. The report and balance-sheet was adopted. . The application for the expenses of its delegates to the annual conference at Dunedin from the Wairarapa Referees’ Association was granted. The Opaki Club nominated a junior, third and fourth grade team. Old Boys (Masterton) nominated a junior and third grade team and intimated that thev probably will be entering a fourth gra'de team. Colours registered were blue and gold jerseys, black shorts, and blue and gold ringed stockings. The Featherston, Red Stars, and Carterton Clubs were given permission to plav visiting teams at Easter. The Y.M.C.A. and Dalefield Clubs advised that they would not enter teams this season. The application of the Masterton Club to change its colours to black jersey and knickers and stockings with white tops was granted. The application of the Carterton Club for the regrading of L. Clarke and T. Bond from senior to junior was referred to the Management Committee. It was decided that free gate passes be issued to injured players and to players’ wives. The insurance benefit was increased from 20s. to 30s. per week. Officers were elected as follow: —Patron, Monsignor McKenna; president, Mr. W. H. Booth; vice-presidents, Messrs. E. W. Payton, G. H. Perry, Q. Donald, J. F. Thompson, J. B. Jury, E. A. Campbell, A. B. Balfour, F. W. Smith, G. Vincent, W. H. Buick. W. Darrill, W. D. Horne, B. Rayner, W. Robinson. D. J, Cameron, A. L. Webster, Inx Cam

eron H. J. Rayner, and Campbell Smith j vice-president N.Z.R.U., Mr. C. Reid; secretary, Mr. E. McKenzie; treasurer, Mr. A. Johnson; appeal committee,Messrs. M. Maguire, J. O’Leary, and. D. Logan; sole selector, Mr. E. McKenzie; junior sole selector, Mr. J. Nyhan;.’ third grade selector, to be appointed by. the management committee; delegates to N.Z.R.U., Messrs. E. McKenzie and HT. Tilyard; auditor, Mr. N. R. Arm-’ strong; management committee, MessrsW. G. Lamb, J. O. Pinhey. J. Nyhan: (northern), A. E. Booth, A. E. Hall, and W. Hart (middle). J. W. Milner, A. Tait, and P. Ward (southern). The season it was decided would commence on April 17 with a seven-a-sida tourney, and club matches will commence on April 24. Hawke’s Bay will be played on June 3 for the Ranfurly Shield,’ in a home and home match. Iho Dewar Shield will be decided on championship points. | A bonus of £lOO was voted to the seeretary for his services last season. With the exception of the tour ta Hawke’s Bav, it was decided that no representative senior team tour this season. , It was recommended that three rounds be played in all grades, and that one Saturday be set aside to be known as Chib Day. when the proceeds will ba distributed to assist club funds. Nominations for all competitions must be lodged by April 10. A donation of £5 ss. was made to the Rose fund. At a meeting of the Management Committee, Mr. W. G. Lamb was elected ' chairman.