RUGBY FOOTBALL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 83, 6 March 1935, Page 8

RUGBY FOOTBALL

MANAWATU UNION’S REPORT. PAST SEASON REVIEWED. “Forty-five teams, representing 18 affiliated clubs, took part in the various competitions conducted during" the season, which represented a minimum total of 675 players,” states the annual report of the Manwatu Rugby Union. “The number of teams and the championship winners in each grade were as under: —Seniors (8 teams), winners, Old Boys; juniors (9 teams), Bunnvthorpe; thirds, A grade (6 teams). United; thirds, B grade (5 teams), Feilding Old Boys: fifths, (4 teams), Kia Toa: sixths (8 teams), Gordon (High School) ; Wednesday, (5 teams), United. This year saw the fourth grade section lapse owing to only two entries being received. It behoves clubs to make an effort to revive this grade and continue fostering the lower grades during the coming season. The standard throughout was very high and some interesting football was produced. Again tho Kia Toa Club won the club championship with Old Bovs filling the role qf runners-up. In addition to the championship, subsidiary competitions were conducted with the following re suits;—Senior, won by St. Patrick’s: junior, won by Kin Toa; thirds, won by Woodville. Rowlands Cup: The junior champions of Manawatu (Bunuythorpe) met the junior champions of Horowhenua (Otaki) for the champion of champions match at Palmerston North, the result being in favour of Bunnvthorpe, 18 to 6. The midget competition was again conducted, and for tlie third season in succession the winners proved to be Terrace End School. The Union again held the annual sevenaside tournament on the Showgrounds, and the football proved to be of a most interesting and spectacular nature. The finances were very satisfactory, showing a marked increase on the previous two years. “Wednesday competition.—This season saw tlie Wednesday competition inaugurated, which was indeed a step in rlie right direction, and for this thanks are due to Messrs Alex Ward and F. Helleur. This competition now provides football for the many players who have the half-holiday in the midweek, and for the initial year there were’five teams in the field which augurs well for the future of the midweek football. The competition was for a handsome cup donated by Offers, Ltd., Palmerston North, and the United Club were triumphant. “Representative fixtures. Eleven matches were played by the seniors, two by the juniors, three by the thirds and two by the Wednesday representatives. Tlie seniors played five matches at home and six away, winning three and losing eight; the juniors emerged triumphantly in both their matches, while the thirds lost two and drew one; The Wednesday representatives won one and lost one. THE COMING SEASON. “In viewing last season’s play” (continues the report) “which is the only line on which one may gauge the prosspoets for the coining season at present, one is disappointed that th-e high standard of club football was not produced in the representative fixtures. However, if clubs will only maintain their high standard hv thoughtful and strenuous training, the coming season may be looked to with confidence. This union is due to visit Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa, Wellington, Horow henna, Taranaki, Otago, Southland and Canterbury, whilst visits are due from Dannevirke, Bush, Horowhenua, Wairarapa, W’anganui, and South Canterbury. “The accident insurance fund this year, while still showing a loss for the year of £4l 2s Id, lias, we are pleased to state, shown a decrease from last year’s figures. However, the scheme "should be gone into and revised thoroughly before continuing with it for the coming season. “All the grounds were in excellent order and stood the wear and tear of the season very well. That part of Park Road not used for football was again let to the Hockey Association. The coming season will see Park Road used to a greater extent than in past seasons, as there will be available only two grounds at the Showgrounds. “The Referees’ Association again carried out work of the highest class with the members always at their posts. To the association the executive desire to express their appreciation of the valuable assistance rendered and trust that the harmonious relations of past seasons will continue. “The union’s finances are in a most satisfactory state, and by careful administration the year’s work has finished with a credit balance of £ll7 11s 4d; the loan account being in credit £371 9s lid. Manawatu was this season able to produce an All Black, R. M. McKenzie, of the Kia Toa Club, and it is with pleasure that we extend to him oui‘ heartiest congratulations on gaining the coveted ‘Fern Leaf.’ We also desire to record the able manner in which he upheld Manawatu football both on and off the field during his sojourn with the All Blacks in Australia. ‘‘The executive desire to place on record tlvair appreciation of the valuable services rendered by the medical profession, Mr V. Morphy, of Feilding. and the Palmerston North Railway Ambulance Club, Messrs Thompson, J. Ryan, 0. Galpm, E. Olevely, R. E. Hatch, and A. Ward, the Press the secretaries and our honorary auditor, Mr C. C. Yates ”