RUGBY FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 August 1933, Page 11

RUGBY FOOTBALL

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEET The Management Committee of the West Coast Rugby Union met last evening, there being present Messrs. A. A. Adams (Chairman), F. W. Baillie. T. Mclntosh. F. Eggleton. T. P. Ryan, and the secretary, Mr. J. W. Bruce.

The New Zealand Union wrote requesting the Union to make their nominations for the South Island team before September 5. —The letter was referred to the selector. The secretary of lhe Grey River Hospital Board wrote, stating that, through the courtesy of Mr. M. E. Spiers in installing a radio in lhe Hospital, those patients who were sufficiently well, -were enabled to follow the broadcast of the Seddon Shield game. The patients had requested him to thank the Union for allowing the broadcast, as it was realised that, the radio would have been of no use, had the Union not allowed the broadcast. The Westland Sub-Union wrote stating that strong exception was taken by the Sub-Union to the action of the Railway Department in refusing to grant excursion fares to Greymouth from Hokitika, for the Seddon Shield match. The Sub-Union asked that the Union take the matter up with the Department, with a view to arranging concession rates for future matches. It was also stated that numerous requests had been made that the Shield matches commence at 2.45 p.m., instead of 3 o’clock.

Mr. Ryan said that as a result of an interview with the Department authorities at Greymouth, it had been recommended by the local authorities that the concession fares be granted for Saturday next, as a trial. As the concession fares would take people back on the late train, he did not think it would be necessary to change the time of starting. It was decided that the secretary draft a reply on the lines of Mr. Ryan’s explanation. M. E. Spiers, for Radio Station, 3ZR, applied for permission to broadcast a description of the Coast —Nelson match on Saturday. An assurance was given that ,there would be no interference with station 2ZR’s broadcast already granted. An invitation was extended to the Union to use the station on Friday evening, or any evening, for the purposes of a talk on the prospects of the team, or any other Rugby matter. It was decided that the application be granted, on similar terms to the Golden Bay—Coast broadcast, provided the broadcast does not affect 2ZR. Accounts amounting to £2O were passed for payment. Cobden were declared winners of the third grade competition, and Blaketown winners of the fourth grade. It was decided that new competitions be commenced for both teams later in the season.

Mr. J. Guy was appointed manager of the West Coast team on Saturday; local managers for the Nelson team, Messrs. Eggleton and Bruce. It was decided that the West Coast team assemble at the Cobden Gymnasium on Friday at 7.30 p.m.

It was decided to invite the Mayor, Councillors, Town Clerk and Engineer of the Borough, to the Shield match on Saturday, as the Union’s guests. The Cobden Club wrote offering an explanation as to there being no electric lights in the Cobden Gymnasium, on Tuesday, August 1, when the Gym. was loaned to the Union for the training of the reps. The lights were on on the Monday, but it was discovered on the Tuesday evening that the power had been cut off at a nearby pole. At first it was thought the Power Board had cut the power off, hut it was learned the next day that the Board employees know nothing about the incident. The only conclusion was that some unauthorised person had disconnected the wires. The Club expressed regret that the incident occurred.

The Chairman said it was quite clear that the Cobden Club were not at fault in the matter.

FIXTURES

The following fixtures were arranged for Saturday: — Seddon Shield? Nelson representatives v. West Coast, at Rugby Park, 3 p.m. (Referee to be appointed by N.Z. Union). Curtain-raiser to Shield game: Newman Shield Primary—Grey Main v. Hokitika, at Rugby Park, No.*! ground (Mr W. Williams). In order to bring the junior competition up to date the following matches were arranged:-—

Stars v. Kumara at Rugby Park, B ground at 1.30 p.m. (B. Charteris); Blackball v. Cobden B at Cobden, at 1.30 p.m. (A. Jamieson); United v. Rapahoe at Tech, ground at. 1.30 p.m. (D. McKay). EXCURSION FARES FOR SATURDAY The Railways Department has agreed’ to run trains at excursion fares on Saturday to Greymouth from all parts of the Coast. The afternoon return train to Reefton will be among those delayed to enable spectators to see the end of the Seddon Shield match. NELSON “STRIKE” SEQUEL. NELSON, August 9. The Pirate senior Rugby team’s protest against the referee appointed for its match against the Rivals, and the subsequent refusal of the Pirates to take the field, when the match was called, also the position of the Referees’ Appointment Board, in its refusal to meet the Union’s request for the appointment, of another referee, was discussed by the Rugby Union Management Committee last night. It was decided to play the fixtures between Pirates and Rivals at a. later dale, and severely to censure the Referees’ Appointment Board for refusing the request, by the Union for another referee. INSOLVENT WELSH CLUBS POORER THAN UNEMPLOYED From limo Io time there have been suggestions of “sham-amateurism” in connection with Rugby football (wiites the Welsh Rugby correspondent of the “Sporting Chronicle.”) Those who are inclined to throw stones in this direction should become acquainted with the Valley Rugby (dubs of South Wales to realise what

pure, undefiled amateurism really means.

Scores of clubs are “on their uppers.” Their inter-club “gates have dwindled almost to vanishing point. Clubs which formerly took £2O at a match now do not take as many shillings. But the players are still keen. They turn out. regularly for practice and fulfil their engagements. Men unemployed for long periods scrape together sufficient to pay their own fares to away matches, and, if the distance is not far . they set out in the mornings to walk. Tea, usually provided by clubs after a game has been dispensed with, or snacks substituted. Women darn and patch pants and jerseys to make them last, and when they no longer will serve they endeavour to persuade people iy better circumstances to provide new ones.

In many of these valley towns football clubs are as poor as, if not poorer than, the unemployed themselves; they are practically down-and-out.

The second-class clubs in West Wales have appealed to the Welsh Rugby Union to call a special meeting to consider their plight, as they fear they will not be able to complete the season. Certainly, many of them can see little prospect of embarking upon another season without a substantial grant. Unfortunately, the Welsh Union is the poorest of the four home unions, and its responsibilities are greater, for, among other things, it provides the money paid to referees, which runs into four figures each year. The fact that France still is not welcomed back into the international fold is a serious loss to Wales. Il feels that more than England, Scotkind, or Ireland, because of its larger commitments and of its smaller incomes. It wants France reinstated. England is reported to be of the same mind. These two countries should press for an immediate pronouncement on the subject from the International Board. Meanwhile the struggling clubs of Wales want help.

Unless something is done without delay, there will be fewer Rugby clubs in Wales next season than there have been for a generation.