RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 26 April 1928, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

HOROWHENUA DISTRICT COUNCIL. The management committee of the Horowhenua Rugby District Council met in the Wistaria Rooms on Tuesday evening, there being present: Messrs W. Hannan (president), J. W. Procter, (Hui Mai), G. Mitchell, (Shannon), A. Richards, (Shannon), H. Hutchins, (Foxton), S. Hooper, (Wcraroa), E. M. Ryder, (Wanderers), W. Phillips, (Referees), J. W. Rimmer (treasurer), and J. Casey (secretary). Leave of absence Avas granted to Messrs Les. McDonald (Wanderers) and F. Robinson (Hautere). A cheque of £2 2s Avas received as a donation from the Mayor of Levin (Mr T. Hobson),— The thanks of the Council Avere accorded the donor.

Mr J. Linklater, M.P., Avrote thanking the Council for having elected him a patron, and extending his best Avishes to the Council for another successful year. He enclosed a cheque for £2 2s. — The donation Avas acknoAvledgcd with thanks. PLAYER CAUTIONED.

Mr H. Taylor, referee in the Fox-ton-Wanderers thirds match at Poxton last Saturday, Avrote stating that he had had to order off G. McDonald, a member of the Wanderers, for obstruction, after ho had been warned.

McDonald was called before tire meeting, Avhen ho stated that ho had not heard the referee’s warning. Mr Ryder stated that he remembered the referee awarding a free kick against McDonald, but did not see him Avarn that player. Mr Richards said the case did not appear to be a A*ery serious one. He moved that McDonald be cautioned. The motion Avas seconded by Mr Joyce, and carried. TOKOMARU THIRDS ACCEPTED. The Tokomaru chib forwarded 10s as affiliation fee for a third grade team. —On tjie motion of Mr Procter it Avas decided that the nomination of the team be accepted. OAving to the late entry of the above team, the third grade fixtures "Tor Saturday next were amended, and are uoav as follows: —Foxton v. Tokomaru, at Foxton; Wanderers v. Weraroa, at Levin; Shannon a bvc. MAUNGATUKU JUNIORS.

The Maungaituku cjlub wrote that they proposed to enter a junior team and wished to affiliate. Twenty names of players were submitted. —Received. OTAKI THIRDS. Otaki club nominated a third grade team and suggested that they wear sky-blue jerseys. Insurance fee was also forwarded, and the secretary (Mr B.M.A. Ryder) wrote that the club was putting in a new goal post and marking out the field, so all would be in order for the game against Hautere on April 28th. QUESTION OF PLAYERS’ STATUS. Paraparaumu club forwarded £1 Is for insurance and lbs as junior team entrance fee. They applied for the regarding to junior status of W. Leake, E. Hitching and S. Corner, who had not played in senior football since the season before last.

It was agreed that Hitching and Leake, also two other players, Coyle and Waite, were in order in playing junior; but that Corner was not entitled to do so because he had played for Athletic B in Wellington last year. USE OF GROUDNS.

Mr B. IT. Slack, of Manakau, wrote granting the use of a football ground on his property. —it was resolved that Mr Slack be thanked for the permission given. Mr F. Picard, secretary of the Miranui club, wrote that Mr Woods had again given the Miranui club permission to use his ground. Insurance tee was enclosed. —It was chadded that the club be instructed to mark out the grounds. DOMAIN CRICK FT PITCH.

A letter was received from the Town Clerk stating that instructions had been issued to the Levin Cricket Club to immediately cover with turf the cricket pitch on the Park Domain. The Chairman stated that this work had not been done up to last Monday, so the Wanderers had attended to the matter and would endeavour to recover the cost from the Cricket Association . REFEREES ’ EXPENSES. An account was received for transport. of referees, the total for four being £1 4s. As los of this amount was in respect of one referee’s trip to Manakau, the account was referred to Mr Phillips to place before the Referees’ Association for review. Mr Rimmer suggested that a maximum travelling allowance be established for referees. TICKETS AND PASSES. From the Combined Union 100 season tickets were received. Mr Joyce advocated the issue of passes to members of a team having a bve.

The Chairman said he was rather against the idea of players’ passes, as they were liable to get into the wrong hands. He would prefer the old system under which players were admitted to the field when in playing costume. This would also save secretarial work. The meeting resolved that the issuing of players’ passes be discontinued for the time being. A medical certificate was received that W. Gray was suffereing from an injury to the right ankle as the result of playing football and would not be fit for work for at least a week. WANDER ERS-FOXTON MATCH.

Mr E. Bevan, referee of the FoxtonWanderers senior match at Levin last Saturday, wrote reporting that the game was not started till 3.30 p.m., neither of the teams being on the ground until that time. He allowed them to play two 35-minute spells, which they asked for. He wished to know if he had acted rightly, as this was a championship match. He also stated that he had noticed that the fence was not up to keep the spectators back.

The chairman said he thought that the Wanderers Club would deal with the matter of the fence this week. Mr Procter said there was a rule providing for 45-minute spells in matches under the Council’s jurisdiction. Mr Hutchins explained that on Saturday last the Foxton senior team had

seven men on the side list. It* the Wanderers juniors ha.d travelled to Foxton, it would not have been possible to get a full team together to meet the Wanderers’ seniors, as the club drew on the juniors on that occasion; but if the juniors had not. been available, the Foxton seniors were prepared to notify the Council secretary that they would travel with nine men in order to make a game of it. The ehiiinHtUi commented that this was a good spirit on the part of the Foxton Club. The Council decided to pass over the incident, but to stipulate that future matches must be started on time. •’ coach and selectors. Oil the motion of Mr Procter, seconded by Mr Joyce, it was decided to ask Mr H. Jacob to act as coach for i-op. players in the Horowhenua district. . . . Mr Hooper was appointed ,|Uiuor selector for the southern division. It was decided that Mr T. Watson be the northern junior selector, provided that he is willing to act; also that Mr H. Bolton be asked to act as third grade selector at the northern end, and that Mr Leach bo asked to act in the same capacity in the southern division. Mr Casey moved that £1 Us (id lie granted to'each of the above selectors at the end of the season, for their expenses, provided that the selectors act for the full term. ROUNDS ARRANGED.

With regard to the season’s fixtures it was resolved that two rounds in the senior grade be played; in the junior, four rounds in the northern and four in the southern division; in the third grade, three rounds in the northern division and five rounds in the southern. THIRD GRADE REPS. The secretary reported that he had written to tin* Wanganui and Rangitikoi Unions asking them to reseiwe fixtures against the Horowhenua third grade reps, to be played in this district. He thought it would be a good idea also if a match could be arranged for the thirds against the Bush third reps. RIBBONS RETAINED. Quotations were received from Messrs Mayor and Kean for enamel badges in the Council’s colours. —It Avas resolved that ribbons Ire used, as before, hut Avith the dubs colours —red and blue. WERAROA GROUND. The question off making a collection on the Weraroa ground was brought up, and Mr Hooper offer to carry this out for one Saturday as an experiment. —The offer was accepted, arrangements being left in the hands of the secretary and Mr Hooper. ' INSURANCE FUND.

Mr Procter urged that the Council this year pay a sum of money into the insurance fund, and he was supported by the chairman. The Council decided, on the motion of Air Hooper, seconded by Mr Joyce, to pay £lO 10s into the insurance account at the end of the season. TERRITORIAL CAMP.

Mr Hutchins mentioned that a number of junior players would have to go into military camp on Monday next. He believed that seven Foxton juniors would be away for one week. DISTRICT REP. MATCHES.

Mr Procter moved that the Mana-watu-Horowhcnua match be played at Foxton, ami the Maori-Pakeha match at Shannon.

As an amendment, Mr Richards moved that the Manawatu match be played at Shannon, and the Maori match at Foxton. Mr Casey moved that the Maori match be played on a W ednescday, no place or date being fixed. Mr Ryder moved that the match be played on a Saturday. It was decided on a show of hands that the Maori-Pakeha match be played on a Saturday. M.r Rimmer moved that the places of the Manawatu and Maori matches be drawn for between Shannon and Foxton.

Mr Hutchins said he would like to see the Manawatu game played at Foxton. The grounds would be put in perfect order, and he thought that there would be a good gate. He believed that this would be a better draw in Foxton than the Maori-Pakeha match. MAORI MATCH TO SHANNON, MANAWATU TO FOXTON. Mr Riminer’s motion was carried, with Mr Hutchins dissenting. The draw then took place and resulted in the Maori match being allotted to Shannon and the Manawatu match to Foxton.

LAPSING OF FOURTH GRADE. Mr Hutchins said there appeared to be no fourth grade competition this year, and the young players were being lost to the Council. A number of the boys in Foxton would not get a game. * He thought that some competition might be arranged to bring them into the playing field again. Some of the Foxton lads were too small for thirds while they were 'too old for fourths.

The Chairman stated that the eup had been given for the fourth grade competition by Mr Procter, and the ago limit was 16. It seemed a great pity if the competition was going to lapse. Mr Joyce said that, owing to the new motor regulations, the Weraroa club was not able to engage conveyances for a fourth grade team this year. Mr Hutchins remarked that the primary schools competitions were taking a good many of the old fourth grade players, and this had made a difference.

The Chairman pointed out that the primary schools competitions were separate from the Council’s fixtures. Mr Hutchins stated that the age limit seemed to be the drawback. He knew of a number of boys who were playing last year who were too old for' the fourth grade now, while they were too small for the third grade. The Chairman; Even if, with Mr Proctor’s consent, we raised the age to 17, we could not advance, because they don’t seem to be able to run a fourth grade competition around here.

Mr Hutchins said that a few years ago he took a boys’ team to Palmerston, where they played a drawn game, and he heard several Manawatu officials comment on the game, saying what a fine lot the visiting boys were. Mr Mitchell: If they got a fourth grade team in Foxton, would they get

out' nay whore else to compote against them?

Mr Hutchins: They had two teams last year, but some of the boys in one team were over age.

The Chairman: None of the clubs here seem to be able to run a fourth grade. Mr Hooper: Weraroa have tried it, and simply c:uuiot run a fourth grade. Mr Mitchell: -Shannon cannot run one. Mr Procter said that if the age was increased to 17 the Council would still be in the same position. Mr Casey; it would improve the boys in the Levin High School.

The Chairman: You would want at least three teams to make a competition of it. If we could get one in Foxton, we would have to make up two here or round about. We would get one from the school without raising the age. We will have a look around and see what we can do. Mr Procter said he did not feel disposed to increase the age. The trophy should be kept for the primary schools. If the age were increased, it would be said that this was done to tiring in the High School at Levin.

ENTERTAINMENT OF REP. TEAMS

Mr Procter urged that the entertaining of visiting rep. teams should be confined to a dinner without the subsequent entertainment, Mr Procter supported the proposal, stating that if the Council was to show’ a profit this year it would be necessary to cut the expenses down to bedrock. The Chairman also supported the proposal. Mr Procter then moved that the entertainment of visiting rep. teams take the form of a meal only. The motion was seconded by Mr Hutchins, and was carried without dissent. THE THIRDS IN ACTION.

To havo .senior football juniors must be encouraged, and it was pleasing on Saturday to see a large number of spectators interested in the OtakiManakau match. Unfortunately, the latter could only muster eleven players, later thirteen, and Otaki from the kick-off had the advantage. Many played well, and with one or two replacements they should/have a smart combination. Several lacked form, but it was surprising how well some kept going. They grafted Trojan-like and showed a good knowledge of the game. Manakau also possess good players and it is hoped that instead of being downhearted they will get together and practice. There is no reason why they should not be seen to better advantage in future matches. In the first-half C. Cheer and B. Ryder scored well-deserv-ed tries for Otaki, one of which was converted from Walker after a sxdcn'did kick from near the side-line. Meriwood, whose uncles —Harry, Alf and Tom —were once the pick of Wairarapa reps,, shaped well and secured two tries in the second half, one being converted. Thacker, also a promising .player, scored a good try, making the total 19—0 in Otaki’s favour. Mr. Pena was referee. PARAPARAUMU JUNIORS V. HUI MAI. Paraparauruu and Hui Mai juniors mot at “Pram” on Saturday and a good game resulted in a win for Pram, by 18 points to 3. Considering Hu;. Alai could only muster 13 players they put up a great defence and their splendid tackling alone saved them from having a greater score recorded against them. The game was very even for the first ton minutes, the Hui Mai forwards showing to advantage, but from then on “Pram” were continually attacking although they could not penetrate the defence. The “Pram” backs were showing splendid combination and only good tackling kept them from scoring on several occasions. They were rewarded, however, when Pou, who was playing a brilliant game at live-eighths, cut in beautifully and with only the full back to beat passed to Kitchen who scored an easy try, which was not converted. Play was even with Hui Mai mostly on the -defence till half time.

On changing round play had been going for a few minutes when Hui Mai were awarded a free kick within scoring range, but the effort 'was fruitless and from then on “Pram” were continually attacking and from a forward rush Patterson scored for Pou to convert. Pram 8, Hui Mai nil. From the kick out Hui Mai worked play over the half-way line where from a scrum “Pram” secured and the ball went through all backs to K. Smith on the wing, who put in a good run and centred to the goal mouth where Gordon secured and scored unopposed, for Hurren to convert. “Pram” 18, Hui Mai nil. Soon after Murphy scored from a forward rush and Hurrcn, with a splendid kick, again converted making the scores ‘Pram” IS, Mui Mai nil. From the kick out Hui Mai worked play into “Pram” territory, the ball going out at the corner. From a scrum near the goal mouth Hui Mai secured and a nico passing rush cydcd in a score. The kick at goal was a “poster” and the game ended “Pram” 18, Hui Mai 3.