SUCCESSFUL TOUR

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22405, 12 August 1947, Page 8

SUCCESSFUL TOUR

P.B. RUGBY REPS. CONDUCT COMMENDED PRAISE. FOR SELECTORS “Tiic behaviour of the team was exemplary, both o?i anti off the field and the whole tour was a complete success.’ said Mr 15. Dodge, touring manager of the Poverty Bay Rugby representatives, when reporting to the union management committee last evening on the tour to Wairarapa, Bush and Hawke’s Bay during which the team won the matches in each centre. "The playing success of the tour was due to attention to training prior to and during the tour with resultant physical fitness and development of combination,' continued Mr Dodge. In each game the touring team had to cede a handicap in weight, the difference ranging from half a stone to a stone per player. Mr Dodge referred to the excellent relations which had been strengthened during the tour with the unions vished. In each centre the visitors had been accorded (he most generous hospitality and the evident co-operation had been a highly-pleasing feature of the tour. Mr Dodge repeated the tribute paid to the selectors. Messrs F. Solomon and J. Gillespie, after the game in Napier on Saturday for the big part their tuition had played in the success of the tour. It was exceedingly pleasing, said Mr Dodge, that the district had the benefit of the services of two such mentors who were willing and able to hand on the practical knowledge gamed in first-class Rugbv and so return to the game whatever lay in their power of the benefit they had derived from it. Mr Gillespie, who travelled as the team manager, also traversed various phases and endorsed the appreciation expressed by Mr Dodge of the excellent conduct of ‘the players throughout the tour. . “The players made a team of whicn any union could be justly proud," added Mr Giilcspie. Goodwill Messages

Evidence of the popular opinion earned bv the tourists in the first two games was given in the receipt of telegrams from Wairarapa and Bush wishing the Poverty Bay team success in the final match aaginst Hawke’s Bay. These, together with goodwill messages received from Gisborne during the tour, had been greatly appreciated by the players. ' Congratulations to the team and the managers were voiced by the union chairman, Mr M. H. Beuth, and. other members of the committee and it was decided to forward letters of appreciation to the selectors the unions visited and places of accommodation. As personal souvenirs of the tour, it was decided to present each member of the team with a copy of the team photophotograph taken during the tour. . There were present at the meeting Messrs M. H. Beuth, chairman, B. Dodge C. Mills. B. G. Seeley, W. E. Bullivant, E. Felton J. O’Neill, K. F. Jones. F. R. Piercy and W. S. McKee, secretary. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs T. W. McGuffie, A. Dods, F. McAneney, and A. J. Fulton. Junior Deputation Introduced by the junior representative selector. Mr A. Gardner, two players L M. Boyle (Old Boys) and A. Brown (Old Bovs) formed a deputation ;nd requested, particularly in view of the return match with Wairoa next month for the junior Barry Cup, that further games be arranged for the Poverty Bay junior reps. It was urged 1 hat, to encourage junior Rugby, endeavours should be made to arrange fixtures on a home and home basis wi'h other outside unions. During a general discussion which, folio.ved the chairman explained that previous efforts to arrange junior rep fixtures had disclosed a lack of interest among other unions. He gave an assurance, however, that (he committee was anxious to do everything possible to encourage interest among junior players. It had already been decided that the return game with Wairoa at Gisborne on September (i would be the principal match of that day and consideration was being given to an earlier game with a Waikohu colts’ team. Mr Beuth further indicated that full consideration would be given .to me rccrc-'ent atives of the deputation.

Following the withdrawal of the deputation it was decided to send the junior representative side to play Waikohu colts at To Karaka on I'i together with the third grade reps., who are to meet a Waikot.., junior team. Haumoana Request

Approval was given to a telegraphed request for the Haumoana (Hawke’s Bav) Club that, a third grade game be arranged with a Gisborne team at Gisborne on September 13. The delegates of both the Old Boys and H 5.0.8. clubs immediately applied for the fixture which went to H. 5.0.8. on a drawing of lots.

The 11.5.0.13. club was granted permission for a junior team to travel to Hastings to play on August 16. The High School team of the junior competition was given formal permission to travel tu Tauranga to play on August 23. The transfer of W. Nikora from the Celtic club to Ilauiti (Tolaga Bay subunion) was approved. Tiie draw for Saturday’s competition games was approved as follows Seniors.—At 2.45 p.m: Old Boys v. Kiwis, Oval No 1 ground: Celtic v. H S O 8.. Oval No. 2; Marist. a bye. Juniors.— At 1.15 p.m: High School v Marist. Oval No. 1: Old Boys (A) v. Celtic Oval No. 2: Old Boys (B) v. H. 5.0.8. (B), Oval No. 3; H. 5.0.8. (A) w.o. Y.M.P.

Thirds.—At 1.15 p.m: High School (11 v H. 5.0.8., High School No. 1. ground: Old Boys v. Marist, High School No. 2; Hi eh School (ID, a bye.

Fourths.—At 1.15 p.m: High School v. Intermediate, Intermediate No. 1 ground.