Sports Topic— MINORS’ SEASON ?

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 September 1950, Page 4 (Supplement)

Sports Topic — MINORS’ SEASON ?

If South Canterbury successfully defends the Ranfurly Shield when North Auckland's challenge match is played tomorrow, next season may produce further complications as the result of the endeavours of major unions to obtain a match for the trophy. At the present stage it seems probable that South Cantezjbury, if still holding the shield, will play practically all its usual matches against minor unions, who znay monopolise the shield scene. ' In. the ordinary course of events, North Otago and Ashburton will meet South Canterbury in their annual matches in July and these will probably be allowed as shield challenges.' The feeling among South Canterbury Rugby Union officials is that it is in honour bound to give Buller and West Coast the first opportunity of the other unions in challenging because they missed challenge games this season. Since no holder is likely to have more than six or seven games in an ordinary year, _ the chances of "many major unions having challenges accepted may under the circumstances, be rather reznote. Ozi the other hand, of course, a victory for the strong Northlazid side tomorrow —and any other result would be somewhat of an anti-climax after Northland’s claznour for its rights under Ranfurly Shield rules—would completely alter the scene. It may be considered unlikely that West Coast would proceed with its challenge should the match have to be played in Whangarei. Even under the shield rules which provide for up to half of the “gate” to be contributed towards the travelling expenses of the challenging team, the trip would not be an attractive proposition. The risk of a financial loss at a time when the West Coast Union is committed to a somewhat heavy programme of expenditure, aimed at building up an adequate home ground, may be too great to be faced.