RUGBY REVIEW

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 64, 17 March 1927, Page 11

RUGBY REVIEW

WELLINGTON UNION

ANNUAL REPORT

REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES

Although Wellington's match-win-ning record in Bugby football contests last season was probably the most disastrous in the history of the Wellington Bugby Union, the season was a very satisfactory one in many respects. In practically all grades competition Iyas pL 3 k. een °rder ' an<l most ca"se s the championship winners suffered at least "allv reVthe c dUliUg the »««. *W thr *,♦ ♦ l e-aSOD Was most su=cessful, Athlft- I l ng,S for CUP matehea : recoid. A comprehensive review of thP■-$ S,V 3rear " activit«B is given in Snort f f * BUgby Union's .annual report, to be presented at the annual XT c 0" Wednesday next, and fn season* t? P- °^ iS f°r the comin S thf «m S ■OpUUOn is cx Pressed that the time has arrived when the programme of representative matches must be drastically curtailed The report states th number of teams taking part in the eonipeU--1925 T aPP«?™td7 the samp as in 19^5, the actual figures being 155 as tfrf H* ln *« Previou, sfason! although when entries closed at the beginning of the season the numbers were considerably in excess of this figure Twenty-eight clubs were now affilfated to the union. The season marked the inauguration of the senior "B" com? gride 01 T°h Veil teamS COmPetiug » this grade . The purpose of this step was to foster promising junfor clubs—more particularly m the suburban districts —by enabling them to assure their members an opportunity of attaining senior status without transferring to some other senior club, and this purpose was fully, accomplished. SELECTION DIFFICULTIES. Dealing with the poor record' of senior representative matches, the reS f ? ef: ~'<A variety o£ causes confuted to this effect, th* main one being the number of players regarded as being m line for first selection who sustained injuries in club matches or the earlier representative fixtures, which kept them out of the game for practically the balance of the' season. Nineteen players were so affected. Secondly, the attendance at gymnasium practices of those selected for representative fixtures was not wholly satisfactory, and not the least factor was the inability or unwillingness of players to take part ia games on the home ground. Greater difficulty than usual was experienced in getting a team, together for tho Southern tour, and eventually the party left with- eighteen members instead of the usual twenty. This team was also extremely unfortunato in tho matter of injuries. "The most disappointing feature of the season was the difficulty exgperiene-' ed by. the selectors in fielding a full fifteen for matches on tho home ground. At no time were they able to place the same team in the field for two games in succession, and consequently had no opportunity of working up any combination or team spirit. In no ease did the team as first selected take the field, players withdrawing almost at the eleventh hour owing either to unwillingness or inability to play. _ "Wellington, from its central position, is much looked to by other unions to send teams to assist the game in other districts,'and in the past has al- . ways been ready to help in this direction. Tho committee suggests that during the coming season not moro than eight matches at the outside bo played." GROUNDS AND FINANCE. Mention is made in tho report that Nos. 2 and' 3 grounds at Strand Park have been levelled, top-dressed, and resown, and will bo available for use during the coming season. Tho Tnita Club has erected a gymnasium on the union's property in that district, and this will in future bo available as a dressingshed. Efforts to -have this ground ploughed and levelled during the recess, so that two additional grounds would bo available this season, wero not realised. Top-dressing and sowing has been carried out at Athletic Park, and tho ground is in excellent condition. The finances of the union continue to' be satisfactory, though tho profits on the season's working wero not as large as in tho previous year, tli result of £.932 4s 2d, considering the failure of our teams in representative matches, was gratifying. The cliiu gates wero again a record. Tho debt to the.Now Zealand Union has been reduced by £.200, and it is propose! to pay out to tho trustees £750 for the rebuilding fund, making the total £2292 14s 3d. Sending representative teams on tours, and for special matches, increased the ropresontativo expenses this year; and rent of grounds is also an incroasiii"charge. The ordinary rovemic of the accident account was again inadequate, and tho sum of £234 7s had. to bo met out of the general fund. A subject for serious consideration is the question of claims for dental treatment, nml clubs and players must realise that the present rate of levy (about 2s 6d per senior player, reducing to about 9d per fifth-grade player for the season) cannot possibly meet all claims for medical, surgical, and dental treatment, as well as provide for tho primary object of the fund, i.e., a limited weekly payment whilst the player is unable to follow his occupation owing to a football injury. PROSPECTS. So far as club football is concerned, the committee anticipate another successful season. There are many young players of promise coming on, who with the experience gained last season shbuld bo of great assistance to their clubs during the coming season. If tho committee's suggestion r.s to the limitation of representative fixtures is given effect to, and players selected for representative teams take such honour seriously; there, is no reason why'- Wellington should not regain- its former prominent position, the report adds.