RUGBY FOOTBALL INTER-UNION CONTROVERSY OVER COMPETITIONS

Grey River Argus, 24 August 1949, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL INTER-UNION CONTROVERSY OVER COMPETITIONS

. Members present at last night’s meeting of the management committee were Messrs F. Baillie (chair), O. Scott, (Sec); J. Webster, E. W. Shannon, W. Blair, J. Smith, B. W-atkin, G. King, E. M. Todd, J. Jackson and A. Agnew. Leading a deputation of six members from the Westland Sub-Union. Mr Algar, the President, outlined difficulties and differences of opinion held cui ing the past season. He suggested that in future a Board of Control should be set up to any matters which might cause friction between the Union and the Sub-Un-ion.

In regard to Mr Algar’s first complainl, that of the separation of the teams c-f the two districts in the second senior competition, the chairman iMr F. W Baillie) said that ihe matter had been fully gone into by the Management Comm.itc.i2 ar.d subsequent developments had proved tiie decision a wise one, as the Greymouth second competition had already reached finally. As for the sub-union’s second complaint, that of not sending the Greymouth fourth grade representatives to Hokitika on Saturday last to plav Westland in a curtain raiser, the chairman said that he had been against the decision, but it had been carried by the majority of the Union. He added that he intended to put it to the meeting that this game should be played at a later date. Mr O’Brien (Hokitika) said that it bad been stated that this fourth grade rep game was unnecessary as a trial, dunging by the names of the fourth grade representatives published, he said, some ridiculous mistakes appeared to have been made. Mr O. Scott interjected that Mr O’Brien might be out of order- in criticising the selectors. 1 Mr C’Brien said he would backhisl own 'judgment in being able to pick a footballer, not having been entirely reared on a soccer field; but he was not attacking the selectors, as that would be illogical in view 01 the fact that he himself had asked for a trial panic. However, several of the boys had not played for the full season, and ‘he thought their, names could not have been forwarded to the selectors, who could not be expected to know them as they had not seen them play. , Replying to Mr Algar, Mr G. M. Todd said the Junior Advisory Board had not received instructions about Saturday last, August 13, as the date of the fourth grade representative match but they were asked to remember it, and Mr Jackson (President of the Junior Advisory Board' was asked to bring along a report, which he did. After Mr Jackson had reported later that fourth grade players would have to stand down, the committee upheld the Board’s recommendation to waive the game. Mr Todd pointed out that the suburn on had representation on the Junior Advisory Board, the Management Committee, and the Fixtures Commit- ■ tee Mr Algar replied that what he really meant was that the sub-union did not have adequate representation for the number of players concerned Mr Todd; “The same may be said about some of the town clubs. The main thing is that delegates should forget club or sub-union for the good of the game. Mr Algar said his point was not about the past, but what could be dune to prevent future friction. After it had been pointed' out that the sub-union held its inaugural meeting after the West Coast Union’s General Meeting, it was decided that next year the sub-union should hold its meeting before the West Coast Union meeting, as club • delegates would then be able to be present at the Union's meeting to discus the year’s agenda.. The discussion closed after the chairman had proposed a vote of thanks to the Sub-Union delegates for attending the meeting, and Mr Algar had replied by moving a vote of thanks to. the chair for the good hearing received. DITTMAN SHIELD CHALLENGE On the invitation of Mr Algar it was decided to challenge for the Dittman Shield on September 3, and that the two leading teams then play for the McLean Cup on October 1. Managers appointed for the North Otago team were Messrs Baillie and Agnew, with Mr J. Webster as local manager for the West Coast feam, which is to assemble at the Park Hotel at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, August Mr H. Clifford was appointed manager of the seven-a-side teams to visit kUn jUNIOR ADVISORY BOARD Reporting for the Junior Advisory Board, Mr J. Jackson said that fiftysix boys and two adults would be travelling to Christchurch this week end for representative fixtures. The Board’s recommendation that the Buller third grade v Greymouth fourth grade representative game be played once every two years was adopted. Mr Jackson mentioned that ten more billets were required ioi the Canterbury fourth grade team arriving tomorrow.

Westland Sub-Union Criticises The Union

At its weekly meeting, Westland Sub-Union made fixtures tor Saturday as follows:—Senior: Kokatahi v. St. Mary’s, at Kokatahi, at 2.30 p.m. (R. Roberts); Kiwis v. Excelsiors, at 2.45 n.m. (P. Hurren). Junior: Kiwis v. Ross, at Hokitika, 2.30 (J. Bei l" nett); St. Mary’s v. Pirates, 1.30 (M. Davidson); Excelsiors a bye. It was decided to advise Kaiapoi Club a match at Hokitika could be arranged for them on September 17. It was decided to select a junior town team to play a College team on Sunday at 2.30 p.m., and to take up a collection for the Injured Players’ Fund. It was decided to advise Ross Club that September 3 was the only available date for the Graham Wise Cup match at Kumara. The Union came under criticism over having decided that it could not agree to have as a Shield curtainraiser a match between fourth grade representatives of Hokitika and Greymouth. The chairman (Mr Algar) said he felt strongly on the attitude of the Union. The match arranged as a curtain-raiser was postponed on two occasions, but not through any action of the Sub-Union. The first postponement was due to weather conditions, and the second when the Junior Advisory Board at Greymouth required notice of postponement on the Thursday prior to the match. The Sub-Union, after inspection of the grounds, notified postponement,_ _ although by the Saturday conditions had improved. Mr A. V. O’Brien said the fourth grade team had played on the same days as other grades, and the competition was in the fourth round, although the other grades were only in the second. It whs found necessary to postpone games in order to play trial matches. The fourth grade match at Hokitika was to be a trial to enable the selectors to pick the representative team. There seemed no reason for permission for the match at Hokitika to be withheld by the Union. „ , TT . The chairman said the Sub-Union had had a raw deal, the Union’s action being open to question. The Junior Advisory Board would have been consistent to have allowed the match to serve as a trial. Mr Havill said a central authority should be set up to control rugby on the West Coast. At the moment

control was vested in delegates of Greymouth clubs, with th e Sub-Union representatives, .but the balance of power was heavily with Greymouth clubs. A central authority should be in control. It was decided to send as a deputation to the Union meeting last evening, Messrs H. V. Algar, H. Pierson, J. Henderson and C. Schroder, on the matter. Mr Havill asked the deputation to take up the question of the lower grades. In certain cases dispensations were granted players over weight, to play in lower grades, to make up a team. Mr O’Brien said dispensations were nothing new. They had been going on for a long while. If a club could not field a team, dispensations were granted. It was decided this matter should be also taken up by the deputation.