RUGBY FOOTBALL WEST COAST UNION MEETING

Grey River Argus, 27 September 1949, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL WEST COAST UNION MEETING

Members present at last night's meeting of the management committee were: Messrs F. W. Baillie (chair), O. Scott (secretary), J. Smith, E. W. Shannon, A. King, J. Webster, S. McDonnell, E. M. Todd, M. R. Bunt, and H. Clifford. INQUIRY ABOUT BULLER-COAST v. WALLABIES GAME The secretary read a letter from Mr L. C. Linick, a New Zealander from the Nelson province, now residing in Woolwich, N.S.W., who enclosed Mr E. W. Kahn’s report of “atrocious” refereeing of Mr R. Pratt. The report was headed “Rules Fiasco”. Mr Linick said that he was concerned as a New Zealander to see such a report, and wished the Union would clarify the matter for him by giving a New Zealander’s version of the controversy. It was decided that replies to the criticism by Messrs R. R. King and A. Adams be forwarded to Mr Linick, along with other reports of the game from local papers. Mr McDonnell remarked: “I wonder if Mr Linick asked himself whose side the reporter was on?” WEST COAST v. CANTERBURY In his report as manager of the West Coast team which played Canterbury at Christchurch last Saturday, Mr Scott said that the team left late and owing to a bridge being burnt out did not arrive in Christchurch till 1.15 a.m. However, the team was not unduly affected by the arduous travel, and put on a grand display. He said that the opinion of most Canterbury supporters was that the West Coast should have won. Mr Scott also mentioned that 20 seats for the North v. South Island game on Saturday, October 1, at Christchurch, had been offered to the Union for sale. WILKINSON CUP It was decided that Celtic Club be declared the winners of the Wilkinson Cup for the most points scored in all grades of ths competitions, with sixty-one points, Cobden being run-ners-up with fifty-five points, and Blaketown third. Mr Todd remarked that' the sixth-and eighth grad e teams did most towards winning the cup for Celtic. REPORT ON GROUND Mr Bunt reported that Mr R. Cooper visited Greymouth last Saturday to report on the possibilities of improving Rugby Park. Mr Cooper had been most helpful, and had made suggestions for th e use of a spiker roller to aeriate the ground, also the types of grass seed and top-dressing most suitable. Mr Cooper also suggested that some extra short drains be cut. Mr Bunt said in conclusion that Mr Cooper was going to prepare a written report, which he would forward to the grounds committee. FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY McLean Shield: Star v. Excelsior, Park No. 1, 2.45 p.m. League v. Rugby referees (soccer), Park 1, 1.30 p.m. Railwaymen’s Trial At Christchurch Probab.es beat possibles, 16-o when South Island Railways played in a trial match at the Show Grounds, Christchurch, on Sunday to select the team to play N. Island on October 8. The players for possibles were from Canterbury, West Coast, Buller, and Nelson, and probables were represented by Otago, Southland, and districts. The game was fast but ragged. The first score came half-way through the first spell, when Healey second fiveeighths for probal les, cut Ihiough an passed inside to Lawrence, who scored. Forrington converted. A good break from the base of the scrum by Collins, the possibles half-back, ended in Taylor touching down wide out. The kick missed. Rayfield, wing scored for possibles scon after the beginning of the second spell. Probables attacked and Lawrence, captain and first five-eighths’ touched down ui dvr rheposts ofte- a goo 1 buck movement. Forrington /converted. The next try was scored by Michel a probables forward, from a centre kick. Mercer cut through for Prob-; ables and passed to Forrington, who scored but failed to convert his try.