West Coast Match For Ranfurly Shield Not Definite

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 August 1947, Page 10

West Coast Match For Ranfurly Shield Not Definite

The West Coast Rugby Union’s challenge for the Ranfurly Shield against Otago on September 13, would be in the nature of a “special” challenge, and, in the event of Otago losing the shield, the challenge would become void. Advice to this effect was received in a letter from the. New Zealand Rugby Union by the management committee of the West Coast Union last evening. Following this advice, the . union decided that arrangements be left to the chairman (Mr F. W. Baillie) and he was instructed to procure more information from the Otago Union before proceeding with the matter. A lengthy circular letter was received from the ■ Waikato ’Rugby Union dealing with the use of aluminium sprigs The letter, which incorporated a report from the Waikato division of the St John Ambulance Corps, staled , that .the. rn.aj.or-r ity of injuries in football today were the results of defective leather-sprigs; and concern was expressed that such a state' of affair’s j was’ allowed to exist. It was pointed out that the rules controlling the game stipulated that leather sprigs must be worn.

Considerable discussion ensued, and members intimated that they were in favour of the aluminium type of sprigs being worn.

Mr M. R. Bunt said that the Referees’- Association had carried out a number of sprig inspections with this object in mind, and they had found - that the aluminium sprigs stood up to wear and were far ahead of the leather type.

In reply to a question by the chairman, Mr Bunt said he thought that the referees were in favour of the aluminium type of sprigs. He added that he was under the impression that the New Zealand Rugby Union had been approached in an endeavour to give the aluminium type of sprigs a “try-out.” The letter was referred to the Referees’ Association for their further comment and decision.

Protest By Club

Following the postponement of all junior games last Saturday, a protest was lodged by the Pirates Club (Woodstock) against this action of the union. The protest, which was supported by the Westland SubUnion, stated that it was unfair to keep 120 players idle and to provide a game for only 20 players. Members expressed sympathy with the Pirates Club, and it was decided to advise the sub-union of the reason for the postponrnent. “In any case, weather conditions did not permit the playing of any games last. Saturday, and they have lost nothing,” Mr A. M. Jamieson said, in closing the discussion. 1 A letter was received from the Westland Sub-Union dealing with the arrangements that had been made for players in representative teams to travel from Hokitika ,to Greymouth. The letter stressed that a great deal of uncertainty prevailed among the Hokitika players as to their mode of transport, and players had been left to their individual devices to travel to Greymouth on the occasions of representative matches. Mr A. M. Jamieson said he thought it was clearly a case for the subunion to make the necessary arrangements for its players, and it was decided to inform .the Westland SubUnion accordingly. Mr W. Williams was thanked for his efforts as manager of the West Coast junior team, and his report was received.

The question of expenses incurred by the local managers of visiting teams was brought up by Mr W. Preston, who asked if it was not the usual practice to place an account of expenses before the union. Mr Baillie said that this had been the practice in the past, but that no stipulation was placed on the amount spent by the local managers, except that they rise their own discretion. Expenses were passed for payment. Five Reinstatements Five applications for reinstatements were received from the Westland Sub-Union, and forwarded to the New Zealand Rugby Union with favourable recommendations. Mr A. Agnew was appointed manager of the Greymouth colts team to play Inangahua at Reefton on Saturday. The players will travel by bus, leaving the Post Office at 10 a.m. Permission was given to members of the referees’ selection committee to travel in the bus. •

Permission was granted Star seniors to visit Ngakawau on September 20. Junior Advisory Board

Mr E. W. Todd said that no further correspondence had been received from the Cobden Football Club regarding the playing of unregistered players. The Junior Advisory Board advised that approximately £9O would be required to finance the fourth, fifth, and sixth grade trips to Christchurch. Of this the board was already holding £43. Two subscription "lists had been drafted out and were handed over to the Rugby Union for placement. The chairman said he was sure that the financial aspect could be arranged. Mr Todd advised that the Junior Advisory Board suggested August 23 foi’ the fifth and sixth grade trial matches'. Mr Todd added that the Star, Blaketown, and Celtic Clubs were contemplating conducting a seven-a-side tournament for their .'lower grades in September and desired to know the date when the union matches would close. Mr Baillie suggested that a field

day for fifth, sixth, and seventh grades be conducted in conjunction with the seven-a-side tournament at the end of the season. ; Mr A. M. Jamieson suggested that following the tournament, a tea be given, and that films be shown for the‘'entertainment of the boys. UNION ARRANGES GAM£S FOR SATURDAY

The following fixtures have been set down by the West- Coast Rugby Union for Saturday:— Senior Representatives.-—Westland v South Westland (Dittman Shield), at Wataroa; Greymouth Colts v Inangahua, at Reefton; Married v Single, Rugby Park No. 2, 1.30 p.m. (A. King). . Junior.—Celtic v Magpies, Park Noi2 ,2.45 p.m. (A. Lindbom); Blaketown v Cobden, Park No. 1, 2.45 p.m. (A. Fong); Tech. 0.8. v Kokatahi, at Kokatahi, 3 p.m. (J. Bennett); Kiwi v Pirate, at Hokitika, 2.30 p.m. (F. Parks); Ross v Excelsior, at Ross (E. Mitchell); St Mary’s a bye. Third Grade.— Technical v Celtic, Park No. 1, 1.30 p.m (G Strode); Cobden a bye Fourth Grade. — Blaketown v Technical, Technical ground, 1.30 p.m. (L. Stewart); Cobden v Hokitika, at Hokitika, 3 p.m.; Celtic a bye. Fifth Grade.—Technical v Star, Park No. .1, H a.m. (B. Thorburn); Cobden a bye. Sixth Grade.— Technical v United, Technical ground, 10 a.m. (A. King); Blaketown v Cobden, Park No. 1, 10 a.m. (T. Anderson); Celtic v Star, Park No. 2, 10 a.m. (R. Haglund). Seventh Grade.—Celtic A v Blaketown, B, Park No. 2, 11 a.m. (J. Rea); Celtic B v Cobden A, Park No. 2, 11 a.m.; Cobden B v Blaketown A, Park No. 2, 11.30 a.m. OTAGO FORWARDS PAVED WAY FOR SHIELD SUCCESS

Otago’s success in the Ranfurly Shield match against North Auckland on Saturday was its seventeenth victory in shield matches since it won the trophy for the first time in 1935. The Otago pack, says the Otago Daily Times, got down to the essentials of forward play—solid, effective scrummaging, close work in the rucks, lively foot rushes, and fast following. They’Watched the ball more closely ajid. showed, greater control in the rucks than the North Aucklanders, and it was from this phase of play that many of Otago’s most dangerous movements emanated. Otago had an overwhelming superiority in the scrums in the first half, winning the ball 15 times while North Auckland did not gain possession from a single scrum. The work of both teams on the line-out was good, and there was little to choose between the two packs in this department), each gaining possession 13 times. Otago had the better of the loose rucks by seven to two. Each side was awarded seven penalties. In the second spell the North Auckland scrum was re-arranged, and North Auckland won six scrums and Otago five. The challengers won 19 line-outs to 18, but in the loose rucks Otago again held a big advantage, securing the ball eight, times to Northland’s one. Otago was penalised eight times and Northland four.

OTAGO TEAM FOR NORTHERN TOUR

(P.A.) DUNEDIN, Augus.t 12. The Otago Rugby football’ team which will leave on a northern tour on August 21 is as follows: — Backs.—R. Orr, G. J. Moore, J. M. Tanner, I. J. Botting, R. R. Elvidge (captain), R. Waldron, S. Sutherland, T. Lynch, L. Woodhouse, and A. McIndbe. Forwards. —P. Johnstone, A. Foster, K. Skinner, L. Harvey, J. McNab, K. O’Connor, T. Wallace, A. Hellyer, L. Aitken (vice-captain), D. Armitage, and R. F. McPherson. The following players were not available for the tour: —D. Hamilton, C. Willocks, J. C. Kearney, and I. Colquhoun.