OTAGO RUGBY UNION

Evening Star, Issue 22272, 25 February 1936, Page 5

OTAGO RUGBY UNION

ANNUAL REPORT CONGRATULATIONS TO SHIELD WINNERS The fifty-fourth annual report of the Otago Rugby Union states:— It is pleasing to record that the past season was a most successful one, and that the Otago representatives were successful in winning the Ranfurly Shield from our old friends, Canterbury, the holders, after a most exciting game. The committee congratulates the members of the team on winning the shield, and on the fine exhibition of football they gave. The team was tendered a civic reception on its return, and congratulations were received from all parts of tlie Dominion. The fact that the New Zealand team was proceeding to Great Britain during the past season added considerable interest to the game, and trial matches were played in various parts of the Dominion. One of the South Island trials was played in Dunedin between teams from Otago, North Otago, and Southland, and Canterbury, South Canterbury, and Ashburton. An interesting game resulted in a win for the northern combined team by 9 points to 8. Tlie weather was somewhat varied for club matches,, and consequently affected attendances. On the whole, however, the public interest was well maintained throughout the season. The number of players taking part in interclub and school matches compared favourably with past seasons. With the number of grounds now available, the committee lias not the same difficulty in providing playing areas that was experienced a few seasons back. When possible, two senior matches were played at Carishrook, and by the attendance at the early games, patrons evidently appreciated the opportunity of witnessing two senior games on the one ground. The committee desires to express its appreciation to the players who, at times, at great inconvenience to themselves, made arrangements to take part in these early matches. The Caledonian Ground, on which many notable llugby games have been played in the past, was again acquired, and, owing to Bathgate Park not being available, was the headquarters of the Southern Club during the season. It is hoped that, Bathgate Park will he available in the coming season, in which case the Dunedin Club will be able to return to its old home.

In an endeavour to improve the standard of play in club matches, arrangenl’ents were made to hold a round-the-table discussion with captains of senior teams and members of the Referees’ Association. Mr V. G. Cavanagh was appointed to explain the committee’s views on the matter. It was felt that this discussion helped to improve considerably the style of play in the that followed. The committee expresses its thanks to ’ the captains and referees for the desire shown by them to meet tlie wishes of the committee, and special thanks are due to Mr Cavannagh for the manner in which he explained the position to the meeting. It is hoped in the coming season that both players and referees will go out with the one object of seeing that the game is played in the proper spirit. The following were the winners of the various competitions : t irst Grade, Southern; Second Grade A. Southern; Second Grade B, West Taieri; Third grade, Kaikorai ; Fourth

Grade, Alhambra A; Fifth Grade. High School A. REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES. The Otago team is to be congratulated on its meritorious performance last season, which culminated in the winning of the Ranfurly Shield. Special thanks are due to Mr W. Pearson for his capable coaching of the team. The following is the result of the matches played;—v. Buffer, at Carishrook, won by 20 to nil; v. Southland, at Invercargill, won 20 to 3; v. Wanganui, at Carishrook; won 26 to 3; v. Wairarapa, at Carishrook, won 44 to 3; v. Southland. at Carishrook, won 11 to 6; v. South Canterbury, at Timaru, lost 12 to 18; Wellington, at Wellington, lost lost 5 to 6; v. Waikato, at Hamilton, won J 5 to 7 ; v. Auckland, at Auckland, won 17 to II; v. Taranaki, at Hawera, lost 8 to 17; v. Canterbury, at Christchurch, won 15 to 6.. JUNIOR REPRESENTATIVES. The junior representatives played two matches, and good form was shown by these young players. COUNTRY FOOTBALL. The game continues to flourish in the country districts, though the attendances at the country matches have not been as good as previously. Country players have at times to travel long distances to take part in matches, ami at considerable expense to themselves. and are to be commended on their keenness for the game. The annual conference between country delegates and members of the Management Committee was held on March 28, when several matters of interest to country football were discussed. It was decided again to select a combined subunion team and play matches against North Otago and Southland. A trial match was arranged at Alexandra to select the team. The combined subunion matches resulted as follow :—v. - North Otago, at Dunedin, won 12 to 11; v. Southland Sub-unions, at Dunedin, won 8 to 3. PAYNE TROPHY. The annual match tor the Payne Trophy between the premier teams of Canterbury and Otago was played at Christchurch between Southern (Otago) and Old Boys (Canterbury), the match resulting in a win for the Old Boys by 13 points to 6. A INGE CHARITY SHIELD. Owing to the difficulty of arranging a suitable date for this match during the season, it was decided to abandon this fixture, and a donation was given by the union to the usual beneficiaries. It is suggested that arrangements he made in the coming season to set aside a Saturday in the first round for Charity Saturday. CONGRATULATORY. The committee congratulates Mr D. M. Stuart on being elected president of the New Zealand Rugby Union during the pa-st year. It also congratulates Messrs J. Hore and F. M. Vorratli on being selected members of the AH Black team to tour Groat Britain. Messrs L. Niven, G. M'Donald, .7. Taylor, C. Gillies, T. Trevathan, J. Hore. F. Vorrath, J. N. Watt. H. Simon, and F. Green were selected for the combined Otago-Southland-North Otago team, and Messrs W. M‘Fa Hand, I). Trevathan, C. Qnaid, F. Green, L. Niven, and Parklnll were selected to represent the South Island against the North Island. Congratulations are extended to the Palmerston Club on celebrating its jubilee during the season. Congratulations are extended to Sir James Hutchison, a past president of the union, on the honour bestowed upon him by His Majesty the late King. GROUNDS. Carishrook Ground continues to he kept in excellent condition, and the M.C.C. team considered it one of the finest cricket grounds in the world. It is pleasing to know that steps have been taken to improve the drainage on the Logan Park grounds, and these should now prove much hotter in wet

weather. The improvements to the Montecillo ground have proved far from satisfactory, and it is also regretted that the class of top-dressing being used on the Hancock Park grounds is not likely to be an improvement to grounds which, in their natural condition, were among the best wet weather grounds available.

THANKS,

Tlie Referees’ Association is again deserving of the best thanks oi the committee and players for providing referees for all grade matches. It is very desirable that players, especially senior players, giving up the game should join the Referees’ Association, and give something hack to the game which has given them so much pleasure.

Special thanks are due to the members of the St. John Ambulance Association for the valuable services rendered to injured players, and we know we are voicing the sentiments of every player in stating that this service is highly appreciated. Thanks are duo to tile Secondary and Primary School Committees for the capable manner in in which they have controlled school foot hall during tlie past season._ Both bodies are lending valuable assistance to the. game.

OBITUARY. It is with deep regret that your committee has to refer to the deaths of Mr E. E. Booth, an ex-Otago representative player and a member of the 1905 All Blacks, W. Sinclair, an ex-member of the committee, J. Davidson, a prominent ex-representative player, and W. Mills, who was one of the earliest Otago representative players. To their relatives your committee extends its heart-felt sympathy. FINANCE. The year was commenced with a credit balance of £360 14s 5d in the National Bank and £413 18s lOd in the Post Office Savings Bank, and closed with a credit balance of £IOO 14s in the National Bank and £lO 4s lid in the Savings Bank. During the year loans of £SO each were repaid by the Auckland and Taranaki Unions aitd £SO was lent to the Wairarapa Union. After allowance is made for the £IOO deposited in the sinking fund this represents a loss of £622 14s _4d on the year’s operations, this being largely accounted for by the cost of renovations to the stand at Carishrook (£535 6s 8d) and the northern tour (£597 8s lid). Unfortunately, we were unable to repay onr annual instalments on the

loan from the New Zealand Rugby Union, though the interest was paid as usual. The committee trusts that the incoming committee will be able to make this payment _ early in the coming season. As this year we have a heavy programme of representative matches to be played at homo, the coming season should be a much more profitable one, but it will still be necessary to keep expenditure as low as possible for some time to come.