RUGBY FOOTBALL

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 144, 14 March 1931, Page 13

RUGBY FOOTBALL

Progress in Wellington 202 TEAMS PLAYING Thirty-three 'clubs were affiliated with the Wellington Rugby Football Union last season; according to the annual report. One hundred and fifty-six teams took part in the grade championships, and 4(5 nr the secondary schools’ competition, making a total of 202 teams playing under the union’s auspices. “For the number of matches played the record put up by our representatives was oue of the best, if not the best, iu the historv of the game iu Wellington, and it definitely established Wellington’s right to be regarded as the premier province of the Dominion,” the report states. “Niue matches were played by . the ’A’ team, of which eight were won ■ and one drawn, this being the first time since 1919 that our ’A’ team has gone through the season without defeat. In that year fewer games were played, and last season’s record is all the more creditable. Undoubtedly the most notable victory of the season was that over the British team. Our players sacrificed a great deal of time in training for the match, and their victory, after a stirring game played before a record crowd of 32,000 spectators, was well deserved. It was a splendid example of team work, and the forwards in particular excelled them“The southern touring team, under the managership of Mr. J. N. Millard, was one of the strongest the union has ever sent on tour, and for the second time in succession won all its games. By defeating Southland it regained possession of the Ranfurly Shield, and is to be highly congratulated on its successes. “The ‘B’ team had a successful tour, to Marlborough, Golden Bay-Motueka, Nelson, and Manawhenua unions, and won three games, the other being lost by a single point to Marlborough in the last minute, of the game. It may be mentioned that this was the only defeat sustained.by any of the union’s teams, and the committee extends to the Marlborough Rugby Union its sin-we congratulations. Finances. . “The season did not, so far as the finances from the club and representative games are concerned, quite reach the high-water mark established in 1929, but it was nevertheless ahead of any other previous record. Takings from club games at Athletic I’ark showed a drop from £4299/9/- in 1929 to £3828/4/(5, _ and representative games dropped from £2122 11/7 to £2041/0/-, but one game less was played. Season tickets ricreased from £487/1/- to £OOB/12/-. and this to some extent compensated for the drop, in club gates. The drop in club gates was, in the opinion of the committee, due largely to the broadcasting of the test matches, and as evidence of this the following figures arc illuminating:—Ou the Saturday prior to the first test the gate receipts at Athletic Park amounted to £349/10/-, and on the day of the test fell to £215 4/0. On the Saturday prior to the second test the gate was £243/(1/-, and on the. day of the test only £l4B/13/0. For the third test the -discrepancy was even more marked, the figures being £256/10/ and £9O/10/0 respectively. ITospects for 1931. “The outlook for-tbe coming season is such as to justify continued Optimism. Club reports indicate that their membership is fully maintuincd, and many anticipate fielding additional teams tn the lower grades. The experience gained by younger players in the senior grade last season will be of material benefit to them, and everything points to another successful season. . . “Our representatives are due to visit Auckland, Taranaki, and Hawke’s Buy. Canterbury, Otago, Southland, and South Canterbury are due here. As this union now holds the Ranfurly Shield there will no doubt be n number of challenges tor that, trophy, and the public should have plenty to hold its interest. .’ "An Australian side is also likely to visit the Dominion during tlie coming season, and should prove doughty opponents.”