RUGBY FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 March 1935, Page 9

RUGBY FOOTBALL

COAST UNION’S REPORT. The following report will be presented to the annual meeting of the West Coast Rugby Union (inc.), on Tuesday next:— k ln presenting the annual report and

balance sheet for the year 1934, it is pleasing to state that the past season has been satisfactory. Although unsettled weather conditions and the loss of the Seddon Shield greatly affected gate receipts, the season proved highly successful from a playing point of view. The different grade compe titions were, closely contested. The following were the winners in the various grades:—Senior, United; Junior, Cobden “A”; Third, Kumara; Fourths, Star. The Knock-out trophies were won by:—Senor, United; Junior, Celtic. Attention is drawn to the performance of the new affiliated Club — Celtic, who were successful in their fir§t season in winning the Junior Knock-out trophy. The Seven-a-Side was set down for June 4, but was [abandoned on account of inclement i weather conditions. The United Club were champions of the Greymouth district and met and defeated Excelsiors, the champions of the Westland district for the McLean Trophy. The United Club is to be congratulated on their fine showing, in winning all the trophies available for senior teams. The Junior champions (Cobden“A”) journeyed to Kumara to play Ross for the, Graham-Wise Cup, but suffered defeat. The committe in charge continued to carry on good work with the schools, Grey Main retained the Campbell Shield, and the Technical School successfully defended the Newman Shield for secondary schools. Primary Schools Tournament for

Seddon Shield District:—This tournament was held at Nelson. Buller won the tournament but the West Coast team put up a good showing. This coming season the tournament will be held in Greymouth. SubUnion Games. —Greymouth journeyed

to Hokitika and defeated Westland in challenge match for the Dittman Shield after Westland had successfully staved off a challenge by the Lake Brunndr Sub-Division representatives. A Greymouth team also visited Moana and played a drawn game with tho Lake Brunner representatives. A colts team was sent to Reefton to play Ihangahua, but were defeated after a close game. Representative Gaines. —-Canterbury v. West Coast at Greymouth: Canterbury sent across a strong team to play West Coast at Greymouth.. In spite of the incessant rain that fell during the day, a large crowd assembled to watch your representatives put up a wonderful performance in holding the visitors to a draw 6 —6. On the return match, the Coast team again made a good showing and ran the Canterbury side to 25-21. The game was watched by a large number of West Coasters, two excursion trains carrying over a large following. For the first time, a Bush Unions (N. 1.

team made a visit to Greymouth. The match .was .played on a Wednesday and resulted in a win for the home team 10 —3. In a challenge match for

the Rundle Cup at Greymouth Buller were not successful In defeating your team. The final score was West Coast 19, Buller O.< Buller turned the

ables on the return game, in West-

port, by the narrow score of 9 —B. The Nelson team broke their southern tour tQ play West Coast at Greymouth being defeated after an interesting game. For the first time a West Coast team made its appearance

in the Capital City. In their debut they made an impressive showing against a strong Wellington side to lose 14—9. These matches against major Unions are definitely showing their value from the players point of view, and your committee is to be congratulated in showing courage in arranging such matches. The first of the Seddon Shield . Challenge matches was played against Marlborough, and your representatives suffered defeat by 3—o, a disappointing result from our point, but we congratulate the Marlborough Union on their success. Junior Representatives: —The junior players were well catered for during the season, playing no fewer than three matches —two with Buller and one with Canterbury, but were unsuccessful. The Third Grade representatives played against Inangahua and the White Star team, Westport, winning the former and losing the latter. Congratulations are offered to Mr R. King oii his being selected as a member of the N.Z. team that toured Australia, and to Messrs R. King and G. Gilbert on their selection in the trial team at Auckland, and to Mr R. King for his selection in the South Island team at Dunedin, and to Messrs R. King, G. Gilbert, A. S. Fong, R. B. Scandrett and W. McNcight on their being selected to play in the trial match at Oamaru. The committee desires to congratulate our President, Mr A. A. Adams, on his being appointed a N.Z. selector. Good work continued to be done at Rugby Park, and the committee is indebted to the members of various working

parties that assisted, and to all those who gave advice in connection with the ground. During the season, the Hon. Secretary, Mr J. W. Bruce was transferred. from Greymouth. At a small social function, the members of the committee met and presented Mr Bruce with a small token of their appreciation of his services as Secretary. The records of the Union also were minuted to record the appreciation. It is with deep regret that your committee has to refer to the death of one of the stalwarts of Rugby, in the person of Mr T. Scott, who, until his decease.’was Hon. Secretary of the West Coast Rugby Referees’ Association. We would like also to refer to the loss sustained by.N.Z. Rugby in the death of Dr. P. F. McEvedy, President of the N.Z.R.U. The thanks of the Union are due to: The Referees Association for the splendid work carried out by the members during the past season. The Press for their regular and accurate publication of our mutches. Mr J. .1. McLeod for the care of and attention to the playing material of the Union. To out resident delegate in Wellington foi his services and for furthering our interests in the Rugby Union world. TO the selectors for the capable manner in which they carried out their duties. , An examination of the financial statement and balance sheet will show that the past season resulted in a loss on the year’s working. The main source of revenue, the Seddon Shield being lifted from us. In addition the weather, in Club games, adversely affected the gates. It is to be hoped that the Queen Carnival which has been promoted by the committee will make the financial side of its affairs a success, and an appeal is made to every player and supporter to lend his aid to this worthy object.

COBDEN CLUB’S MEETING. The annual meeting of the Cobden Rugby Football Club was held, last evening, Mr. T. Gilmour presiding over a large attendance. A motion of condolence was passed with the relatives of the late Thomas Scott, a vice-president, and father of a former club member. The annual report, as previously published, and the balance-sheet, were read and adopted.

Officers were elected as follows: — T. A. Gilmour (re-elected); Vice-Presidents; Messrs. J. Owen, Ab bie and Ramage, W. Inglis, J. Lindbom,

J. Keeney, E. Dewar, A. Harrison. 11. Moore, J. Robinson, W. Gieseking, C. Sexton, J. Morresey, N. L. Field, B. Watkin, J. Gordon, and Mrs. M. Bradshaw, W. Kells, Hon. Vice-Pres.: Dr. H Ray and Mr. F. Izzard; Secreary-Trea-surer: Mr. G. Anderson (re-elected); Assistant Secretary: Mr. J. Duncan; Club Captain: Mr. F. W. Baillie; Trustees: Messrs. F. Eggleton and F. W. Baillie; Delegates to W.C.R.U.: Messrs F. Eggleton and J. Keith; Manage-

ment Committee: President, H. Speir cer, J. Keith, F. W. Baillie. J. Warren, D. Hyndman and captain of each team; Social Committee: Messrs. Gilmour, McKechnie, Todd, Lindbom, Campbell, Moss, Hyndman, D. Eggleton, D. Abbie and G. Burn; Insurance Committee and Hall Committee: Messrs. N. Eggleton, F. Baillie, J. Keith; Auditors; ‘ Messrs. Gilmour. Baillie; Selection Committee: Club Captain, captain, and vice-captain of each team . It was decided to support the Blaketown Club’s remit, that the Union provide footballs for club matches.

Messrs. J. Warren, Trainor, Manning, Jamieson, Hawkins. Campbell, McKechnie, Rowe, V. Smith and Mosley were elected members of the club. Subscriptions were fixed at senior and junior ss, and thirds 2s; and insurance subscriptions, senior Is and junior and other grades 6d each match.

'lt was decided that senior, junior and third grade teams be nominated. It was decided that training commence on Tuesday evening next at the Club’s pavilion, and that a practice match be played at the Cobden Domain on April 6. It was decided that a letter of thanks be §ent to the former licensee of the Australasian Hotel, Mr. F. Izzard, for the use of dressing sheds and in appreciation of many courtesies extended the club.

The Press and the ladies were accorded votes of thanks for assistance during tho year. UNITED CLUB MEETING. The annual meeting of the United Rugby Football Club was held in the Club’s pavilion last evening, Mr T. P. Ryan presiding over a. large attendance.

Votes of condolence were passed with the relatives of the. late Mrs J. SlcLeod, and the late Mr T. Scott. The annual report,' as previously published, and the balance sheet, were read and adopted. The election of officers resulted: — Patron, G. Kear (re-elected); President, T. P. Ryan (re-elected); VicePresidents, C. Rodgers, C. Neville, J. Rothwell, A. Winchester, W. Weenink, H. Ryan. Secretary, J. Weir. Treasurer, A. L. McKay (re-elected); Club'Captain, A. Walton (re-elected); Social Committee, C. Neville, W. Casey, A. Warnes, G. Jamieson, J. Phillips, G. Gilbert, 11. Grooby, I), finis; J. Costello, 1. Walker, A. Hughes, A. M. Jamieson; Delegates to W.C.R.U., J. Rothwell and A. M. Jamieson; Custodian, R. Boddy; Coaches, A. Warnes (senior), A. J. Miller (junior); A. Hopkinson (third grade); Selection Committee, Captain, Vice-Captain, and coach of each team.

It was decided not to support a remit from the Blaketown Club that the Union supply footballs for all club matches.

Subscriptions were fixed at 5/(senior), 2/6 (juniors), and 1/(thirds). Messrs H. McCorkindale, S. Shannon, A. J. Miller, M. Daly (honorary), Uniacke, and A. Harvey were elected members of the Club.

, It was decided that April 6 be the opening day, matches to be arranged for all teams, and that a general practice be held on March 28, for grading purposes. It was decided that letters of thanks he written to Mesdames A. M. Jamieson, A. L. McKay, M. Olson, A. Hughes, and C. Neville, for assistance rendered in the running of stalls and shop days. It was decided to record in the minutes the Club’s appreciation of the services of the retiring Secretary, Mr A. Hughes, during the past seven years. Several members made eulogistic reference to his work.

KIWI CLUB MEETING. The annual meeting of the Kiwi Football Club wa sheld at Hokitika on Wednesday evening. In the absence of the president, Mr J. McCleary presided. The report and balance sheet were adopted, the latter showing a favourable balance in view" of the heavy expense incurred last season in repairing the training shed. The following officers were elected: Patron. Mr W. E. Williams; President, Mr W. Keller; Vice-presidents. Messrs A. H. Lawn, G. Stephens, Hugh Steel, R. Jordan, R. G. Millen. H. J. Cooper, D. Dowell, Mrs O’Connor and the Misses Devaney; Secretary, Mr A. E. Turley; Treasurer, Mr <l. W. pelbridge; auditor. Mr P. Phipps; executive, Messrs D. Nicholson, L. Leslie, D. Diedrichs, J. McCleary, and Roy Roberts; delegates, Messrs J. McCleary. D. Breeze; Club Captain, Mr J. Devaney; Coaches, Messrs J. Devaney and J. McCleary; i .‘-.elector?, senior, J. Devaney, W. Kearns and field captain. Junior, J. Devaney, field captain and another to |be appointed; Social Committee, ' Messrs Henderson, Leslie. J. West. D. Diedrichs. Rupert Roberts. R. Cooper. J. Walker, D. Nicholson. It was decided that the subscriptions be 2/6 for both grades. The following motion was carried unanimously;—That the club’s delegates be instructed to inform the SubUnion the feeling of this meeting is that there has been too nnmy postponement? of club fixtures in the past, and that steps should be taken to icetify the position in the future. It was suggested that the secretaries of town clubs, together with the secretary of the Sub-Union, meet and discuss the possibility of arranging to have a flood light erected in Cass Square for night training. The following new members were elected: Messrs P. Mitchell, F. Freitas. B. Growcott. J. McGrath. J. Mitchell. G. Stapleton. J. Fitzgerald. J. Martini. C. Moore. Naisoctt. J. Davidson. W. Saunders. R. Badelcy. J. W. Thompson, K. Griffen. It was decided to commence training on Tuesday, March 26.