Hutt Rugby Club's Prospects

Hutt News, Volume 12, Issue 38, 15 March 1939, Page 2

Hutt Rugby Club's Prospects

PRESIDENT OPTIMISTIC WIN CHAMPIONSHIP THIS YEAR OR NEXT The Hutt Rugby Football Club I expects to have a strong team this j year. At the annual meeting in the j Horticultural Hall last Thursday evening, in the presence of over 100 members,' the president, Sir Alexander Roberts, expressed the opinion that the club would win the championship either this year or next. He invited the team to dine with him in the event of their winning this year. Sir Alexander congratulated the club on its good showing during the past year. Its numerical strength was most encouraging, and the club was __ going from strength to strength. He congratulated also the senior team. The club had a young team last year, and though it did not win the chamiponship, it put up a very good performance indeed. It was a good thing to have a young team in the making, as it spelt promise for the future. "We expect again to win the championship within two years, . said Sir Alexander. He congratulated the junior team of the first division, which carried off championship honours, and the sixth grade team, which met with like success, and paid a tribute to the club coaches. "It is very satisfactory indeed to see the financial position so strong, he continued. "We seem to have started now in an upward direction, and I hope will continue to do so. The young people who play games should help to make the sport in which they take part selt-suppoit-ing. For this reason I am very glad to see many players' subscriptions." The thanks of the club were due to Messrs. M. Coulson, F. S. Ramson, R. Stehiy F. M. Ryah, and Parsonage, who had so abj} r acted as coaches throughout the year. The chairman suggested that as the club's Army team had done so well, an Air Force team should be introduced. The thanks of the club were due to Mr. Chas. Slater, who was not seeking re-election, as club captain. The services of the honorary secretary, Mr. C. W. Duckling, were eulogised by Mr. G. Roberts, and suitably recognised. Regret was expressed at the loss of Mr. E. F. Barry, who had been transferred from the district. Ten new members were elected. After discussion of the Wellington Rugby Union's proposals for the j reorganisation of the senior grading system, the club decided to leave the matter in the hands of the delegates, to do whatever they considered most to the benefit of Kugbv football generally. A proposal from the Eastbourne club to confine certain grades entirely to Hutt Valley teams was also left in the hands of the delegates. The following officers were reelected: President, Sir Alexander Roberts; vice-presidents, Messrs. T. R. Abercrombie, J. W. Andrews, C. J. Ashton, J. August, W. E. Bock, C. G. Collins, E. Cunningham, H. S. Dudding, D. A. Ewen, W. C. Fitzgerald, H. L. Fraser, E. J. Gaffney, L. Grant, W. Gregory, E. J. Guiness, H. G. Harman, W. L. Hooson, J. Hunter, J. Inglis, R. Irvine, W. C. James, F. M. Jervis, C. P. Kileen, T. J. King, J. Leawick, W. H. Lees, H. McGill, G. J. McNaught, A. Marshall, T. J. Mauderson, J. N. Millard. J. Minehan, W. J. Morrison, D. O. Naughton, E. Nicholson, C. C. Odlin, W. Pearce, A. Peck, S. Piatt, W. B.' Rainey, J. J. Reich, M. Roche, F. Sanvig, P. S. Taylor, 11. G. Teagle, A. D. Thompson. A. F. Thompson, A. W. Treseder, L. T. Watkins, D. Williams, 11. Wilson, Hon. W. Nash, M.P., Rev. L. J. Daly, Dr. B. J. Dudley, Mrs. D. Shine, Messrs. R. Milne, R. Munday, B. A. Sargisson, E. H. Wilson, and A. C. Brocklesby; club captain, Mr. R. J. Feeney; assistant captain, Mr. R. Wickham; hon. secretary, Mr. C. W. Dudding; hon. assistant secretary, Mr. H. Julian; hon. treasurer, Mr. H. R. Skilton; management committee, Messrs. T. Denby, A. G. Hansfen, W. Wilson, F. M. Ryan, G. I>. Roberts, G. Markland, H. E. Mcbain, F. Feeney and A. Monigath; delegates to Wellington Rugby Union, Messrs. G. P. Roberts, H. E. Mcßain, and C. H. Slater; lion, auditors, Messrs. L. Grant and R. D. Smith; hon. solicitor, Mr. Ashley T. Duncan. Club members stood in silence in respect to the late Mr. W. Paterson, one of the two life members of the club, who died during the year. Sir Alexander Roberts said that for many years Mr. Paterson had taken a close interest in club activities. He would be badly missed. A resolution of sympathy to his relatives was adopted. NOTES. The gymnasium is now open for training. All players are requested to put in an appearance as early as possible. The fit player will have a decided advantage when practice games take place. For the information of new members, the gymnasium will be open Mondays to Thursdays, inclusive, .from 7 p.m. onwards. They should report to the club or viceclub captain or any member of the

management committee present. The annua] fixture with Masterton'Old Boys will be played in Masterton at Easter. Any players desiring to make the trip is requested to advise the secretary immediately.