RUGBY CONTROL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 148, 25 May 1932, Page 9

RUGBY CONTROL

MANAWATU DISTRICT COUNCIL. FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY. Tho weekly meeting of the Management Committee of the Manawatu District Council was held last night when Mr J. A. Colquhoun presided. Others present were: Mossrs Mackie, Pagan, Crawford, McHerron, Bowler, Hands, Hardio, Berry, Penney, Yates, Clovely and Thompson. Tho Feilding Agricultural High School wrote enquiring whether the council intended taking any action in respect to assisting clubs in tho matter of travelling expenses, and also asking for tho customary grant or £s.—The chairman mentioned the school would bo prepared to transfer to the fifth grade conditionally on the team being assisted in respect to travelling expenses. It was decided to advise the school authorities that tho council was not in a position to assist this season. Tho grant of £5 for tho use of tho ground at the Feilding High School was agreed to. The United Club applied for the transfer of N. Priest from the St. Patrick’s Club, and also for tho regrading of W. McPhce from senior to junior grade.—The transfer of Priest was referred to the St. Patrick’s Club for the necessary clearance. The nppliation in respect to McPliee was agreed to. The Railway Club mnde application for the uso of tho Park Road ground at week-ends, stating that it was only then that the club members were able to play.—Some discussion surrounded the advisability of permitting Sunday play and a motion forbidding it was carried, only two members voting against it. Tho Horowhenua District Council, in reply to a request from the council, advised that the southern body was not aware of any of its players being engaged in competition games under the control of tho Manawatu District Council.—Received.

The Feilding Association Football Club made application for tho use of Johnston Park one night a week. — Referred to the Feilding executive. Tho Palmerston North Free Ambulance advised that the ambulance would be available for the transport of injured players to the Hospital, doctor or elsewhere as desired free of charge, and that its members would be prepared to assist in ambulance work.— The Free Ambulance was thanked for its offer.

The closing date for entries for the seven-aside tourney was extended to to-morrow night. In the meantime, the following entries have been received: Senior grade, seven teams; juniors, 17; thirds, 12.

PLAYER REGRADED. Mr Mackie (Woodville) reintroduced the question of the regrading of Gillespie, a former Hawke’s Bay representative to junior in order to play for Woodville on account of the fact that Gillespie could not participate in senior football. He moved that the application be granted. The chairman stated that, in view of the circumstances he was prepared to support the application. Messrs Clev'ely and Crawford also supported the contention that it was advisable to keep a player in tho game, and when the motion was put to the meeting was carried by eight votes to five. I EARLY SENIOR GAMES. The Kia Toa Club lodged a protest against its senior team being required to take the field at 1.30 p.m. as several of the members were unable, by reasons of their occupations, to make an appearance at that hour. It was maintained that', while a mutual ariangement might be possible between employer and employee, the latter would be very diffident of approaching their employers for concessions in view of the present unstability of employment.

Mr Crawford mentioned that the secretary of the Kia Toa Club had ascertained that Pratt would not he available at the early hour, while Gordon and others would bo awkwardly placed. The chairman considered that, as tho matter had been decided, the decision would have to stand, although it might be advisable to give the club members greater consideration on future occasions. Tho speaker moved accordingly, being seconded by Mr Berry, and the motion was carried without further discussion. GYMNASIUM PRACTICE. The secretary reported that the Manawatu A. and P. Association had requested that the gymnasium be vacated from the 21st inst. Ho had interviewed the officials of the association and the caretaker, but it had been impossible to make other arrangements, althoufjh tho Icaretaker had assured him that the dismantling of No. 6 shed would bo undertaken first after the show.

The chairman pointed out that the players would be prevented from engaging in gymnasium practice for a period of four to five weeks and it appeared as though something would have to be done as the interruption was occurring at the height or the season.

It was decided to proceed with the lighting of the training shed at Park Road. The secretary was also authorised to arrange for installing electric light, 42ft. poles to be used. Messrs Bowler and Hands were set up as a committee to supervise the installation. It was further decided to request the A. and P. Association authorities to permit of clubs using the large room under the grandstand during the time the gymnasium is out of service.

The following fixtures, grounds and referees for next Saturday were approved : Senior.—Feilding v. Palmerston N. Old Boys, No. 1, Johnston Park, Feilding, 3 p.m. (Mr D. Heggio); United v. Feilding Old Boys, oval, Showgrounds, 3 p.m. (Mr E. Seeker) ; Kia Toa v. Massey College, oval, Showgrounds, 1.30 p.m. (Mr L. G. Berry). Junior.-—Palmerston North Old Boys A v. Feilding, No. 2, Johnston Park (Feilding), 3 p.m. (Mr W. Wilson); Y.M.C.A. v. Bunnythorpe, No. 5 Showgrounds, 1.30 p.m. (Mr H. Hands); Palmerston North High School v. Feilding Old Boys, No. 4, Showgrounds, 3 p.m. (Mr A. Gordon); Woodville v. Batteries, Recreation Ground, Woodville, 3 p.m. (Mr H. Dorrington); Kia Toa v. Palmerston North Old Boys B, No. 5 Showgrounds, 3 p.m. (Mr H. Hughes); United v. Massey College, No. 4, Showgrounds, I. p.m. (Mr G. Hancock); St. Patrick’s, a bye. Third grade.—Kia Toa v. Palmerston North Old Boys, No. 3, Park Road, 3 p.m. (Mr L. Cope); Massey College v. United, No. 2, Park Road, 3 p.m. (Mr W. Rowlands); Feilding High School v. Kelvin Springboks, No. 1, Johnston Park (Feilding), 1.30 p.m. (Mr J. Bryce); St. Patrick’s a bye. Fourth grade.—Kia Toa v. Bunnythorpe, Bunnvthorpe, 2.15 p.m. (Mr J. Dalton); United v. Palmerston North High School, No. 4, Park Road, 3 p.m. (Mr G. Dnthie); Woodville v. Feilding High School, High School ground, Feilding, 3 p.m. (Mr J. O’Keefe); St. Patrick’s a bye (withdrawn). Midgets.—Terrace End v. Central, oval, Showgrounds.

ITEMS FROM NEAR AND FAR. By “Cross Bar” There appears to be a general inability on tho part of local wing threequarters to throw the ball in straight at the line-outs. Fletcher, the Old Boys’ centre, apyears to have developed additional speed this season. Some of his sharp bursts are phenomenal. During a scrummage close to the goal line at the Showgrounds on Saturday an attacking forward presumably felt “out of it”, for he endeavoured to reach the very centre of activities by taking a flying leap on to the top of the scrum.

There is still noticeable a tendency on tho part of some of the senior players to play the man after he has got rid of the ball. It is wise for the referee to check the practice immedaately. Although he had never played Rugby prior to this season, having been a follower of tho soccer code, Child, the United junior winger, shows great possibilities, for he sums up a position quickly and has a brilliant turn of speed. He was directly responsible tor his team’s one try on Saturday. R. Ormond, the United skipper, has had a remarkable run in respect to calling correctly at the toss of the coin. However, the luck deserted him on Saturday against Old Boys and defeat came in its train. There were 14 penalties awarded during the course of the Old BoysUnited senior game, the majority tor offside play, although in on instance it was for lying on the ball and in yet another tor putting the ball into the scrum incorrectly . United received nine free kicks, while Old Boys were awarded five. . .

St. Bat s, playing in the first division of the junior grade, have not yet had a defeat, and are settling down into a good combination. They have a versatile second five-eighths in T. McKewan, who filled this position in tfie Sacred Heart College first fifteen at Auckland two seasons ago. • The rector of the Palmerston North Boys’ High School, Mr J. Murray, stated at the re-opening of the scliool yesterday that Mr . Mortatt, ol Palmerston North, had donated a cup to the scliool for the A grade lootbad competition. The local authorities have decided not to entertain applications for benefits unless the insurance fees have been previously paid. At a recent meeting of a Rugby Union the secretary was endeavouring to decipher tho nature of the injury a player had received as contained on a medical certificate. Bast experience encouraged the chairman to extricate the' reader from his difficulty Ity saying “We will take it as read.” The nock-and-neck race between Sydenham and Merivale for the Rugby championship has worked enthusiasm up to a high pitch in Christchurch. Mr E. McKenzie, secretary of tho Wairarapa Rugby Union, lias a New Zealand record to his credit, having been appointed an All Black selector for nine consecutive years. Mr E. C. Holmes, who died at Hove (England) on April 9, was a founder of tlio English Rugby Union and one of the three who drafted the first code of Rugby football rules. Ho was 90 years of age. Tho New South Wales Rugby team which beat Queensland by nine points to eight at Brisbane recently, packed a 3-4-1 scrum. Queensland got more of the ball from the scrum, but that may have been due to the superior hooking of M. Bonis, who toured New Zealand with the Australian team last After liis return from South Africa with the New Zealand Rugby team, Dave Lindsay, the All Black full-back and centre three-quarter, did not ongage in a great deal of football, but he played a line game at full-back for Otago against the British team. Last season, lie played only occasionally, but he has now left the University and is playing for the Invercargill Club in Southland Rugby. The Wellington Rugby Union strongly opposes the rule that players must not leave the field at half-time. It has been decided to draw the New Zealand Union’s attention to tho statement made at the annual meeting of delegates in 1931, by the chairman of the management committee, to the effect that the laws with regard to leaving tho field at half-time and the replacement of injured players would not matter. A newcomer to Dunedin Rugby is Roberts, a 14st 71b forward, who turned out for the Pirates Club last week. He is a son of Sir Alexander Roberts, who toured South Africa with a British team on one occasion, and on liis showing in his initial appearance he promises to be a big asset to his club team. He is a solid, hard-working forward, with plenty of dash in the loose. It may not be generally known to Rugby followers in the Manawatu that Plank who gave a dashing display as first five-eighths for Feilding on Saturday, and appears to have jumped right into form, has worn the representative jersey in three provinces, first obtaining this distinction when only 18 years of age. He has figured as an inside back for the Poverty Bay, Wanganui and King Country sides and lias been a member of strong combinations. He was selected to play for the combined WaikatoKing Country team against the British team, but was unable to fulfil the engagement. Judging by these merits he should be a strong candidate for representative honours this year. He is 24 years of age, runs fast and straight, and knows how to trick the opposition. IN OTHER CENTRES.

Palmer, an ex-New South Wales Rugby representative, is now playing in Hawke’s Bay. Mr r. E. Sutherland, well known as a referee, is Auckland’s Rugby football selector this season. New South Wales lias adopted a 3-4-1 scrummago formation for its Rugby representative teams. . Ross, who was a New Zealand University Rugby player fully ten years ago, is playing for Old Boys in Nelson this season. . The return of Elvy has materially strengthened the Petone rearguard, largely by clearing the way for Suitable to be shifted in to five-eighths, where some stiffening was needed. Elvy appears to have lost none of his old elusiveness. Cadets on the Japanese warships due in the Dominion shortly are keen on Rugby football. It is said that they play a very attractive game, and that they greatly appreciate opportunities of taking the field of play at ports of call. There should be little difficulty in arranging matches for them (luring their stay. Canterbury, holders of the Ranfurly Shield, will undertake a brief southern tour before they are called on to defend the trophy. They play Southland at Invercargill on July 27, Otago at Dunedin on July 30, and South Canterbury at Timaru on August 6. A week later they play their first match in defence of the shield against South Canterbury. Their succeeding engagements so far arranged on tlieir home ground, which most likely will be shield matches so long as they hold the trophy, are: Auckland on August 20 and Wellington, September 3,

INTER-ISLAND GAME. MANAWHENUA’S NOMINATIONS. Tlie joint selectors of tho Manawhenua Rugby Union, Messrs A. W. Thompson (Manawatu) and M. Winiata (Horowhenua) have nominated the following players for inclusion in tho North Island team to oppose tho South Island at Christchurch on Saturday, Juno 4: M. Johnson (Horowhenua) , full-back; C. E. Fletcher (Manawatu) centre; M. F. Henry and O. Hight (Manawatu), forwards.