RUGBY RULES

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 71, 25 March 1931, Page 15

RUGBY RULES

RELEGATION TO B. GRADE

MOVE FOR RESCISSION

In the interests of football in Wellington •ond because he felt fiom the general trend of discussion at the annual meeting that delegates were convinced in then' own minds that the rule relegating tlio lowest team in the senior A grade competition at the end of the season to the senior B grade was a failure, Mr, 11. Murphy strongly urged upon other members of the Management Committee of the Wellington Kugby Union last evening the desirability, in his opinion, of the whole matter being reopened. No alteration to the rule was made at the annual meeting last week, but, after a lengthy discussion last evening it was decided to hold a special meeting, of delegates on - Bth April to discuss a motion that, the resolutions of 1926 and 1930 governing the senior A and B grade competitions should be rescinded and that there should be two open grades without restriction. Mr. Murphy said he did not think'that any of the delegates went away from the annual meeting of-the union with a view other, than that the relegation rule' was a failure. With University playing in the senior B grade he thought that the committee would be a "laughing stock" again, just as last year when Wellington were relegated to the B grade, and obviously were in a. class of their own. He suggested • that the views of the clubs with senior B teams should be obtained. "I am one of those who think that University are undoubtedly too strong for the B grade," said Mi-.. A. J. Griffiths. His suggestion was that there should be some system of .grading in the senior competitions. ■ . . Mr. Murphy contended that the general view of the delegates at the annual meeting was that there'was something wrong with the rule as at present. The chairman (Mr. J. Prendeville): "I didn't take that view from the trend of the discussion." . ' Replying to the chairman, Mr. Murphy said that the day after the meeting Mr. S. D. Shearer (Johnsonvillc), who spoke in favour of the .relegation rule, told him that "the thing was all wrong." Mr. Prendeville: "How do you know that University is going to be too strong?" Mr. Murphy, said that University as a team, were not-the weakest team in the A grade last season. The chairman said that delegates bad an opportunity at the annual meeting to rectify matters if they so desired. The position had been known practically since last October. ». Mr._ J. N. Millard said he did not air his views at the annual meeting because of the ruling given by the chairman (Dr. M'Evedy). The,ruling really did not give delegates a chance in that direction. v Professor Boyd-Wilson (University): 'Frankly, I was disappointed with the chairman's ruling. I .was in a difficult position." Mr. Prendeville: ."I.must take. a.considerable amount of blariie for the chairman's ruling, so we must not biame the chairman in that respect." Mr. Prendeville referred to the two existing rules, one limiting the number of teams in the senior A grade, and the other dealing with the relegation of the lowest team in the A grade to the senior B grade. The chairman said he had no objection to 'a special meeting, being called, and a resolution; to hold a special meeting was then put_ to the meeting and carried. Discussion then turned to the exact matters to be dealt with at the special meeting, Mr. Prendeville stating that it was, necessary that something on definite lines should be placed before the delegates. As no one suggested a n.otion for consideration, he moved, although he made it plain that the motion did not express his views, that the resolutions made in 1926 and 1930 governing the senior A and senior B competitions be rescinded and that there should bo two open grades without ; restriction. Mr. H. D. Morgan: "If we support that' now, are we bound to stand by it?" Mr. Prendevillo (decisively): "No. Personally I am in favour of it." _ On being put to the meeting the motion was adopted imnnimouKly. .