RUGBY

Hawera Star, Volume L, 25 September 1930, Page 9

RUGBY

SUCCESS CELEBRATED

CITY CLUB’S GOOD YEAR,

There is no doubt that the foundation of midweek Rugby football in Hawera and district five years ago filled a much felt want, enabling young players who were unable to take part in the great game on Saturday to enjoy their sport on the day on which they had the weekly halfholiday. The greatest credit is due to the enthusiastic president of tlie City Club, Mr A. Elgar, and those associated with him, in the inception and organisation of the mid-week movement. It began in a small way, but the co-operation of the country clubs was a big lift and it has gone on from one success to another until now it is recognised fully by the union and by enthusiasts all over the province as a real power in the world of Rugby, bringing out players of a calibre able to hold their own with the best in tlie similar grade in the province and serving to foster strongly the cause of the game under the direction of the Taranaki Rugby Union. The City Club, the name given to the institution formed in Hawera, has had a remarkable run of success and has well deserved to lie prominent in the competition. Its members, spurred on by the good example of its officials and coach, have worked well together and established a team which, during the past three years, has been the best in the south and has beaten the best in other districts on two occasions.

At the White Hart Hotel, Hawera, last evening the club entertained its members and. sorge of the leading men in the world of Rugby at dinner. Much enthusiasm was shown and it was a function worthy of the occasion. A great spread was put on by “mine host,” Mr J. W. Anderson, and when justice had been done to this a short toast list was honoured.

Mr A. Elgar, the president, was in the chair, and he first apologised for the unavoidable absence of Messrs J. Henry, S. E. Neilson, E. A. Pacey and J. J. Goodwin.

The toast of “The King” having been honoured, the chairman extended a. cordial welcome to all visitors, expressing keen appreciation that so many had come from various parts to join with the club in celebrating its s.uocess.

This welcome was acknowledged by Mr M. Burke (captain of the Waimate Juniors), Mr R. Ure and Mr W. A. Guy, all paying a great tribute to the remarkable development of the game in the mid-week competition. Mr Ure said the results had made all realise that the play had been right up to the best standard shown of Saturday play.

“The Taranaki Union and the Sole Selector” was given by Mr J. E. Campbell, president of the Hawera Club, who complimented 'Mr W. A. Guy on his onerous work, the results of which, he said, speak for itself. He referred to the arduous duties of the men who gave so much time to the work of the union and said that these men deserved the thanks of all interested in football. He complimented the City Club on the success of the function and suggested that it would be good for all the clubs to get together at a meeting of representatives at the end of the season to discuss the season’s programme. He stressed the need also of more financial assistance to the clubs from the union. Mr Guy thanked the mover for his kindly remarks and referred to the great strides made by football in the province, adding that he was confident the union was endeavouring to give every possible assistance to all clubs. He remarked, however, that the union’s revenue was down by £BOO on gates. Mr S. Thrush proposed “The City Club,” expressing hearty congratulations on its success and on winning all the mid-week trophies. He referred to the hard struggle the movement had had in the early years of the midweek scheme and commended particularly the work of Mr Elgar, to whom was due the credit for the success achieved. He advocated a scheme of cutting up the juniors into' groups under separate management. Mr R. Morrissey, club captain, in replying to the toast, said the success of the team was due largely to Mr A. H. Guy, club coach, who gave up so much of his spare time to the work, lie said that every member of the team was proud of their perfonnaneo and assured the ooach and selector that the team in future years was prepared to play in the same spirit of goodwill as in the past, with every confidence in their good judgment. Mr A. Elgar said lie was naturally proud to be president of such a fine club, whose players always did what was asked of them. He referred to the insurance fund and said that the' City Club was the onlv one in South Taranaki to have such a fund. .He said the team had scored 245 points during the season, with only 78 points against them, the leading scorers being R. Morrissey 91, E. Hart 24, L. Barlow and R. Macbeth 21 each.

“The Club Coach” was proposed by Mr L. Bryant, who congratulated Mr

Guy on his work. The job, he said, demanded much time and effort. Mr Guy said it was a pleasure to him and that, with such a fine building for training purposes-, every player had great opportunities to keep fit and well. He urged on all the need of consistent training because failure at once- reflected on the coach. “The Referees” was given by Mr L. Barlow, who empbasisd the importance of the work of the referees and their great influence on the game. The toast was fittingly acknowledged by Messrs A. E. Spratt and J. Daley. Other toasts honoured were “The Press,” proposed by- Mr P. Coleman (Athletic Club), “Mrs M. Gibson” (donor of the Gibson Banner), “Our Host and Hostess,” and “The Chairman.” During the evening the trophies won by the City Club —two banners, two shields and two cups—were nresented to the captain (Air R. Mor-. rissey). It will be of interest to noto tlie previous winners because of the associations surrounding the trophies: Wilson Banner —Tawhiti, 1928; City, 1924, 1928, 1929, 1930; O'hangai. 1925; Fraser Road, 1926; Whareroa, 1927. Gibson Memorial Banner —Hawera, 1919, 1923; Kaoonga, 1920: Okaiawa, 1921 and 1922; Eltham, 3925; Patea, 1926; AVaimate, 1926; City, 1928, 1929, and 1930. Elgar Cun— City, 1926, 1928, 1929. 1930; Whareroa, 1927. Cann Cup—Pukengahu, 1927 ; Ohangai A, 1.928; Okaiawa, 1929; Citv, 1930 (for seven-a-side teams at Mokoia, wittl a medal for each member of tlie team). Tlie function was of much interest and reflected great credit on t-lie committee and lion, secretary (All* A. Macbeth) who supervised the arrangements.