RUGBY FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 May 1931, Page 10

RUGBY FOOTBALL

WEST COAST EXECUTIVE. At last evening’s meeting of the West Coast Rugby Union, Mr J. Guy presided, Messrs T. Mclntosh, W. Williams, A. White, T. O’Donnell, AV. Rothwell, S. J. Hayden, J. Stokes, T. Eggleton, W. Hannam, T. P. Ryan, J. Kyle, W. Bicheno, J. Kay, W. Pring, and the secretary, Mr W. Bruce- being also present. An apology for absence was received from Mr A. A. Adams. An application was received from the Kotuku Football Club, asking for admission to the Union. The letter stated that at present matches were arranged with teams from Te Kinga and Ru Ru. A request for a football, and a book of rules was also made. It was decided that the Kotuku Club be informed that all clubs were this season supplying their own footballs, but the secretary was instructed to forward a book of rules. The application for’ admission to the Union was not considered, as it was held that the three clubs, Kotuku, Te Kinga and Ru Ru formed a Sub-union. The Kaiata School Committee asked that the Union donate a football for school - matches.—Referred to the Schools’ Committee. It was resolved that Messrs Kyle and Bicheno procure footballs for the purpose of donating them to the various schools, the Union to furnish the cost until the usual grant was received from the parent Union. The Cobden Club applied for the transfer of J. Rimmer from Rivals Club to Cobden. Mr O’Donnell: The application is not in order unless the player makes a personal request. We have a ruling to that effect. In support of the application, Mr Eggleton stated that Rimmer was a financial member of the Cobden Club prior to playing for Rivals on Saturday. The position was that Rimmer happened to be in Hokitika, and as Rivals were unable to field a full team the captain of the team asked Rimmer to play, and the latter did so, as an obligement to the Club. Mr Eggleton added that he was quite aware that player had to be a resident of a district for fourteen days prior to being eligible to play for any team in that' district. Rimmer had been in Hokitika for the requisite period, but would be transferred back to Greymouth, and would be available to play for Cobden next Saturday. Rimmer was a bona fide resident of Cobden, and the fourteen days restriction should not apply. )

Mr Mclntosh: The Rivals Club deserve a rap over the knuckles for asking Rimmer to play. We had enough trouble last season, over players being residents in one district, and playing for clubs in another. Mr Ryan pointed out that Rimmer’s was an exceptional case. This playei had been engaged temporarily on rail way business, at Hokitika, and was not deemed to be a resident there. Mr Malcolm Houston, captain of the Rivals team, had communicated with Mr Ryan on the matter, and it was at the latter’s suggestion that the application for a transfer was made. The Union,should use certain discretionary powers to stretch a point in certain circumstances. If the application was granted, it would be not unduly favouring either club. \ Mr Rothivell moved that the Application be granted. This was seconded. Mr O’Donnell: It is wrong to start a precedent by allowing the application. Last season we had enough difficulty over similar happenings. Players made application for transfers, and were then refused because they did not comply with the rules. Rimmer is noAv a member of the Rivals club. The Chairman: He is not a member until he is proposed and seconded, and accepted for membership. Mr O’Donnell held that a player became a member of a club when he played for that club in a match. This prevented players from jumping from one club to another. There was nothing to prevent a man from being a financial member of as many clubs as he wished to be, but he could play for only one club. Mr Eggleton again stressed that

Rimmer had played for Rivals only because that team was in need of players. If it had been a case of “ringingin,” he (Mr Eggleton) would be right up against the application. Mr Rothwell: It is only a case of a “sport” being in the game. He hopped in to help the club out of a difficulty.” Mr Mclntosh: Should another similar case crop up, the Union will have to do the same as it does with th?s case, to be consistent. Mr Ryan: Rimmer cannot hoav play

for a. Hokitika Club, as he is a resident of this district. Our own rule does away Avith the necessity for a personal application. An amendment Avas then moved by Mr Mclntosh, and seconded by Mr O’Donnell, that Rimmer be requested to make a personal application for a transfer. Messrs Hannam and O’Donneb cited cases of players Avho applied for transfers last season and were refused, but Mr Eggleton replied that Rimmer’s case differed from others. Mr Stokes: When is a man a member of a club?

The Chairman: When he is proposed and seconded, and pays his subscription, and plays a game. That does not debar him from becoming a member of any other club, but he can only play for one club. The amendment was defeated. Messrs Hannam, Stokes, Kyle, O’Donnell and Mclntosh being the only mem- , bers to support it. The application was then granted. The Wesitland Sub-union applied for the re-instatement of a junior grade player, “who played for Rivals seniors when required,” to the Rimu Club. The Sub-union had recommended the application. Mr O’Donnell: There you are—they were looking for players on Saturday and now agree to a transfer. Remarking that the Sub-union conducted its own junior-grade affairs, tire Chairman favoured the application be grantpd, and this was approved by the meeting. Applications for re-a'dmission to Rugby, from three ex-League players were forwarded to the New Zealand Union with favourable recommendation. Referees’ reports on last. Saturday’s matches were received. Mr T. Reynolds, who had control of the Blaketown-Technical School match, yowled the Union that Blaketown Club had supplied only eleven players, and the “team” arrived on the ground fifteen minutes late. Mr Stokes explained that the club only 15 third grade players, and on Saturday four of this number were ■ down with the ’flu.” The other mem- : >ers of the team had considered de- i faulting to Technical School, but he advised them to keep the fixture. Mr

Stokes assured the Union that Blgketown would be in a position to field a full team in future matches. —The explanation was accepted. Mr W. Pring, who had been appointed to control the BlaketownBrunner junior fixture, reported that Brunner had been unable to field a team, and it had been decided to indulge in a practice match, Blaketown players joining with Brunner. Mr O’Donnell, delegate for Brunner, stated that he had since received advice that Brunner would be in a position to field a good side in future engagements. Mr Stokes complained that the Star Club had neglected to supply a football at Cobden on Saturday, and the Blaketown Club’s ball had to be used throughout the match. It received such a bad knocking about from the stones near the sideline that it was “a shame to look at it,” after the match. He asked for an explanation from the Star Club delegates, as to why Star had not supplied a ball. It was explained that the Star Club had given a football to one of its players, Mr Corcoran, to carry to the grounds, but it had been left by him at the police station. The Chairman: They had the ball, but it was arrested. Mr Eggleton thought that such a difficulty could be overcome if the Union would agree to supply one football to each of the playing areas at Cobden and the Recreation Ground. Witn five footballs in its ‘ possession, it would be better for the Union to have them in use than that they should be allowed to remain idle. On Saturday the players-were standing in the field until the ball was recovered from the rock area at the side of the grounds.

Mr Ryan: I don’t think the ball went far enough out of bounds for most of the players. They appreciated the opportunity to have a rest. ' Mr Rothwell: The referees should be instructed to ask each club for its football before play commences, and if any club cannot supply one, he should impose a fine. Mr Mclntosh: The referees would then be unpopular..

Mr Stokes accented the explanation of the Star Club’s delegate. .

tIECLASSIFICATION.

United Club applied for the reclassification of A. Baldwin, T. Gallagher, T. Burley, H. Grooby, J. Rogers and J. Rear from s,enior to junior grade. Mr Ryan explained that the club had 21 senior players, and the men mentioned would have to stand on the line unless they were given the opportunity to play in the lower grade. Mr O’Donnell opposed the application of Burley, who had been a representative player. The Union had a rule, he said, which prevented reclassification of a representative player to a lower grade. When such a playei 1 had to step back to junior grade football, it was time he stood on the line. Mr O’Donnell did not desire to deprive any man'from playing Rugby, but such a procedure w r as not fair to young players who were desirous of being given the chance to go up to junior grade. He referred to instances in previous years where players had been reclassified to junior, and were now playing senior again. Mr Ryan:* When the selectors Qf the United Club' select their team, it is not for this Union to tell them who they shall put there, when the selectors consider they have better players. The United Club has given a lot of thought to the matter, and it has been difficult to decide whom we shall put down a grade. Because you did something in the ’twenties is not to say that it should be done now. Dunshea went through at the last meeting without question, and he was selected as a representative last season. Burley is one of the best sports the United Club have, and is willing to play junior football. The Club has eighteen players without these six, that is the reason why we are asking fox- reclassifications.

Mr O’Donnell: I strongly resent the remarks made by Mr Ryan. This Union has the power to reclassify any player. The Club selectors may pick any fifteen players, but this Union ■has the discretionary poAver to reclassify any of them, if the members of the Union think fit. That is what the. Union is for.

a In support of the applications, Mr d Rothwell said that Burley had been ” a good player, but was now on the •- doAvn grade, yet still desired to have e a game.- Other players had been put s through for reclassification who had been representative footballers. y Mr O’Donnell reiterated'that he had i- spoken to a player, who had played e against Burley on Saturday, and had i stated that the latter was one of the best men on the field. Mr O’Donnell jr moved an amendment that the players r concerned be granted reclassification. 1 with the exception of Burley. Mr i Bring seconded. The amendment was defeated by 10 t votes to five, and the six applica- ' tions were granted. , Mr Stokes was appointed to keep j the records of matches played, and the results: — FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY. The following fixtures were arranged for Saturday:— Senior: United v. Rivals, at Hokitika; Blaketown v. Excelsior, at Hokitika; Cobden v. Star, at Recreation Ground, 3 p.m. (referee, r W. Williams). Junior: Cobden B v. Brunner, at Technical Ground, 3.30 p.m. (Mr Winchester) ; Star v. Kumara, at Kumara, (Mr C. Dewe); United v. BlaketoAvn at Recreation Ground, 1.30 p.m. (Mr Reed); Cobden A, a. bye. Third Grade: Cobden v. Technical School at Technical Grounds 1 p.m.

(Mr Thompson); United v. Blaketown at Technical Grounds, 2.15 p.m. (Mr Jamieson). Fourth Grade: Technical A v. Technical B, at Technical Ground, 11 a.m. (Mr Bicheno). INANGAHUA SUB-UNION A meeting of the Inangahua Rugby Sub-Union was held last evening. Mr. T. Hepburn presided over the following: Messrs W. Archer, R. Hill, A. Winchester, W. Barry, A. Bradley, A. G. Reid, W. Blom, P. Sullivan and the secretary (Mr. D. Scott). The application of Ikamatua Club to have S. Ramsden, P. Flynn and J. Foster reclassified from Senior to Junior was granted, as was also an application regarding several players of the Waiuta Club.

The matter of Saturday play w’as fully discussed and all members were in favour of it, providing players could get oft. Until this can be arranged, it was decided to play on Sundays. It was resolved that the sub-union

take immediate steps to have a petition circulated amongst Reefton ratepayers to have Saturday made a statutory half-holiday and to be presented at .the next council meeting. A committee was appointed to draw up the petition and canvass for signatures. It was resolved to open the season next Sunday, the senior game bbing Landing v. Reefton at Reefton, 3 p.m. Mr. F. Cutbush referee. Juniors: Ikamatua v. Waiuta at Ikamatua 2.30. Mr. A. Bradley referee. Other fixtures to be arranged later. A discussion took place on the great expense for travelling of junior teams. In some cases 50 miles have to be, covered. It was 'decided to apply to the New Zealand Rugby Union through the West Coast Uniop for a grant of £5O to assist junior players. The age limit for High School players for the Newman Shield was discussed, and it was decided that, owing to the small number of boys toj pick from in the Reef ton School, thej Sub-Union recommend to the West I Coati'; Union that a high school boy who is only tw(o days over the age limit be play for the Newman Shield. The following were appointed a postponement committee: Messrs Hill, Barry and Sullivan. ; It was resolved that no senior player be reclassified after June 1. , The matter of forming a Referees Association was held over.

BROADCASTING MATCHES. WELLINGTON, May 5. Members of the management committee of the Wellington Rugby Union expressed vieAVS generally in favour of the broadcasting, of Rugby matches, when that subject was discussed at a meeting to-night, but they were unanimous that permission should be given only if all the Wellington matches ivere broadcast. Several members said they thought a stipulation should be made that the Broadcasting Company should make some payment, not necessarily to the union funds, but toward such fund as that for unemployment. A sub-com-mittee Avas set up to confer with the Broadcasting Company.

CORNS ARE THE VERY DICKENSGET BID OF THEM, ROOTS & ALL! Touchy corns do not improve the temper; why put up with them any longer. If you had tried Progandra a Aveek ago you would now have no corns to Avorry you. Progandra is no trouble to apply; it is painless and perfectly safe. Where Progandra has healed, no corns will return. Don’t put up with corn tAvinges a moment longer. Try Progandra now—l/6 at all chemists. Toothache is instantly banished by Barraclough’s Magic Nervine. Keep it by you, 1/6. Excess uric acid, the. cause of rheumatism, is removed by Rheumo, 2/6 and 4/6. — Advt.