RUGBY FOOTBALL

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 136, 4 March 1940, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

Review Of Last Season In Wellington KEEN COMPETITION Satisfaction witli the new system of conducting senior Rugby championships is expressed in the annual report of the Wellington Kugby Union, which suites that the system provided keen competition and was responsible for 11 decided advance in the standard of play. As a result of this public interest was maintained at a high' pitch. '1 he report adds that the season was a successful one from every point of view. 'The weather was the best experienced for many years and there were no postponements of matches in any grades. Gate takings from club matches sitowed a marked advance and were actually the highest fur any season since 11)31. 'The new system in the senior grade provided for 12 teams in the first division and ti]i to 10 teams in the second division, the senior B grade being eliminated. Competition to decide the six teams to play off for the first division championship was very keen, and the final round provided football of it high wtiindard. 'The other six division teams played a special round for the llardhant Cup, provided by the committee to perpetuate the memory of the late Major W. J. llardham, V.C., who during his time gave outstanding service to the game both as a player and as an administrator. In consetfuenee of the elimination of the senior B division, teams in the junior grades were stronger than in recent years and play was of a high standard, with teams evenly matched. Sportsmanship Praised. An outstanding feature of the season, the report states, was the excellent spirit of sportsmanship displayed by teams in all grades, and the commitice congratulates clubs oil this pleasing feature. 'There were 1 12 teams in the grade competitions. Hint. number being sliglilly more limit in the previous season. Entries in the secondary schools’ competitions were approximately the same as in the previous season, anti the competitions were contested in the highest traditions of the game. Primary school football iu Wellington and in the Hutt Valley enjoyed a successful s'euson. Some diflieuliy was experienced in placing a fully representative side iu the field in all the main fixtures, but, nevertheless, the representatives gained a satisfactory measure of success in matches with teams from other unions. At one stage it appeared likely that the season would be one of the best, on record in playing results, but injuries to some players and the inability of others to obtain leave for matches away from home necessitated changes, which affected combination and team work. However, the record of the representatives was most satisfactory. Mr. A. McDonald succeeded Air. M. E. Nicholls as selector, and the report makes special reference to the conscientious manlier in which he carried out his duties. In coaching the representatives Mr. McDonald also accomplished much good work.

The financial statement shows a balance (surplus income for the year) of £B2O/17/-.