RUGBY FOOTBALL

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 51, 28 August 1940, Page 15

RUGBY FOOTBALL

WELLINGTON UNION

HARDHAM CUP FINALS

The difficulties created by the clashing of representative Rugby matches with the final games for the Hardham Cup were discussed at last night's meeting of the management committee of the Wellington Rugby Football Union. To postpone the games would have made the situation even more difficult, so it was decided to play the final series of matches next Saturday, the draw being: Marist Bros. Old Boys v. St. Patrick's College Old Boys, Hutt; ilu.tt v. Oriental, Petone; University v. College Old Boys, Kelburh.

; The question was raised as to the position of players chosen to play for Wellington against Taranaki and who were members of teams in the Hardham Gup competition, the bottom teams of which were just as concerned in the results, in view- of- the ■ question of relegation. It was decided that the union had the first call on players.

The-recording secretary for the Griffiths Memorial Competition, Mr. A. D. Chant, reported that this season's competition had been won by the Oriental Club's fourth grade first division team with 444 points. The Hutt fifth grade team .was second with. 443 points, and the Seatoun third grade third division team next with 442 points.

It was decided to write to the Athletic Club congratulating it on its success in carrying off the senior championship. Mr. G. F. W. Jackson said that Petone had won the championship 15 times, Poneke 14 times, and Athletic 12 times. .

Lower grade championship winners were declared as follows:—

Junior 1. —Hutt Army; runners-up, Training College and Oriental. Junior 2.—Petone; runner-up, Poneke. Third I.—Wellington; runner-up, University. Third 3.—Taita; runners-up, Upper Hutt and Seatoun.

Fourth I.—Petone; runner-up, Upper Hutt.

Fourth 2.—Porirua; runner-up, Eastbourne.

Fifth Grade. —Hutt; runner-up, Onslow.

Sixth Grade. —Hutt; runner-up, Johnsonville.

In the junior third division, it was reported that University, which had a game in hand, could, if it won that game, draw level with PorirUa. It was agreed to play this fixture, University v. Oriental, on Saturday. In the third grade second division Seatoun and Oriental, which are level, are to play off on Saturday in the early game at Athletic Park,

The final points for the leading 12 teams in the club championship were announced as follows: —Wellington 160, Petone 158,-Hutt 121, Athletic 87, Johnsonville 80, Oriental 76. Seatoun 74, St. Patrick's College Old Boys 73, Poneke 72> University 70, Marist

Bros. Old Boys 68, Wellington College Old Boys 64.

Mr. de Clifton reported that final arrangements for the visit of the Auckland referees to Wellington on September 14 would be made at the next meeting of the Referees' Association on Monday, September 2. This would be the final meeting of the association for the year. The Hawke's Bay Union wrote thanking members of the Wellington Union for courtesies extended to them during the recent visit of. the Hawke's Bay team to Wellington.

Permission to play the following matches was granted:—Taita juniors v. thirds (August 31) and married v. single (September 7); Bank of New Zealand v. Union Bank of Australia, September 7; Oriental fourth first division v: second division, Prince of Wales Park, August 31; Petone fourth first division v. Red Star thirds. Petone, August 31; Wellington v. Auckland referees, early game at Athletic Park, September 14; Government Printing v. Whitcome and Tombs, August 31.

There were present Messrs G. F. W. Jackson (acting-chairman), H. Murphy, H. B. Simmonds. J. D. King, L. Stannard, A. de Clifton, J. Moffitt, R. J. Burke, F. J. Tilyard, Professor BoydWilson, Father Cleary, and Mr. A. E. Neilson (secretary).