ON THE BALL1926 KICKS OFF

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3291, 10 March 1926, Page 11

ON THE BALL—--1926 KICKS OFF

Rugby Union’s Wash-up Meeting FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF DISTRICT COUNCIL The ilnal meeting of the Manawatu Rugby District Council was held last evening when the President, Mr. A. Hannay, occupied the chair. Other members present were Messrs. W. Carru'thers, C. W. White, A. S. I'alre, K. W. Eglinton, J. R. Hardio, E. Clevely, T. Pagan, T. Collins, R. Hatch, Vv. S. Dustin and J. B. Proud (hon. sec.). Fostering School Football. The secretary of the New Zealand Union wrote in regard to the cirp presented by Mr. O. L. Taylor, of Vancouver, - and advised that his Union had allocated the trophy for competition amongst the primary’schools with the following conditions to be observed: (1) Cup to be open to primary schools of grade five or over; (2) that it be open to all schools playing in primary schools competitions, cither directly under the control of the N.Z.R.F.U., or any of its affiliated bodies; (3) the winner to be found by the school which gained th e most points for the year, a win to count two points and a draw a single point, and the cup to be held for twelve months; (5) the N.Z.R.F.U. to determine any disputes that might arise. The writer further pointed out that his body proposed to give another cup for schools playing in grade under five.

The secretary reported that he had received from Mr. N. Martin a list of the schools eligible to compete for the trophy: Palmerston North: Central, College street and West End; Feilding: Manchester stredt and Lytton street; District high schools: Foxton, Levin and Woodviile. was decided that the matter be handed over to the Primary Schools’ Sports Association. General.

The secretary of the Thames Union wrote stating that his union proposed to erect a small tablet over the grave ol the late Mr. Richard W. McGregor a well-known Thames, Auckland and All Black player, and also to assist the widow and children, and for fthts purpose he asked the Union to make a small donation. —Decided to allot three guineas (to maintenance fund). A sample copy of a book entitled “Hints to Rugby Players’’ was received from Mr. E. W. Low, of Palmerston North, who stated In an accompanying letter that 460 copies could be purchased for £lO ss. , Mr. White slated he thought the work was an excellent one and would be of advantage to the players.—The matter of purchasing copies was left to the Incoming committee, A clipping on "place-kicking” was received from Mr. H, N. Watson, and a vote of thanks was passed to him for his interest in the welfare of the game. MANAWATU RUGBY DISTRICT COUNCIL. FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. To be submitted to Club delegates, at the annual general meeting to be held, at ithe Kosy Hall, Palmerston North, on March 16, 1926: In submitting the annual report for the 1925 season, the committee consider the year just concluded to have been the most successful on record. After many years work, it had successfully completed the great amalgamation scheme between the Manawatu and Horowhenua Rugby Unions, and it was considered in the near future that Rugby football in the whole of (he amalgamated area would benefit so as to hold its own with the larger unions of ithe Dominion. The old Manawatu Rugby Union was now re-named the Manawatu Rugby District Council, owing to the main union dividing the area into two districts. There was no alteration as far as the sub-unions are concerned: they remained affiliated to the Manawatu Rugby District Council. Both Rugby Councils and subunions managed its own affairs, except in the case of representative matches, where the whole area was represented. Thei committee during the season installed hot and cold showers and erected a score board, also fencing at Woodville, at a cost of £lls, Clubs. Thirteen clubs were affiliated to the Council, and placed 37 teams, containing 684 players, Into the various competitions. This again shows the rapid advancement of Rugby in the Manawa|t u district. The standard of play in all grades showed marked improvement and the promise for the ensuing season is certainly bright. In the last three seasons, a record number of young players had taken part in the lower grades, and the

committctc again impressed upon club officials the necessity of encouraging their low-cr grade teams, from which their seniors were derived. Six grades wore conducted and all proved most successful. Keen club interest was experienced, and the competitions well fought, teams changing their championship positions from week to week. Championship Wlnnew. The committee congratulates*"f;ho following clubs on their success in winning the various trophies and competitions:— Senior championship, Kla Toa; junior grade championship, Old Boys; third grade championship, Kia Toa: fourth grad 6 championship, Juckeytown; filth grade championship. Technical "A”; sixth grade championship, Albion: Club championship, Kia Toa. Sudden-death competitions: Senior Old Boys; junior, Old Boys; third, Western United. Seven-a-sido tournament: Senior: Old Boys; junior, High School; third, Feilding Old Boys; primary schools, Lytton street. The committee also congratulated the schoolmasters for the great interest taken in fostering the game in various schools, and the excellent standard of play maintained in the school competitions, in which the past year constituted a record. Primary Schools Tournament. The tourney last year was held at Wanganui, in which the Manawatu representatives were most successful, winning the tournament without a loss. The committee congratulated the boys on their fine performance and wished them every success in the 1 y 26 tourney, to be held at Palmerston North. Rugby In the Sub-Unions. The committee again desired to thank the officials of the Oroua and the T e Kawau sub-unions for the splendid manner in which they controlled ithe Rugby game in their respective districts. Although the clubs were very scattered, and had to travel long distances to play their matches, thereby incuring big expenses, their keen interest for (the game showed ihc popularity of Rugby in their districts. District Representative Matches. All the matches, except one, were played away. Oroua sub-union was visited twice and To Kawau once, while home and home matches were played against the Horowhenua District Council, while the Danneylrke siib-nuion was played at Woodviile. The Oroua Sub-Union was successful in winning the Wallace cup. Matches played by Manawatu, 6; won 3- lost 3. No fewer than 44. players were selected and played in the district matches, only on e player was selected five times, 4 four times, 11 three times, 8 twice and 2 once. It was most singular that not one single player took part in all six games. The Oroua Sub-Union had four players selected and Te Kawau one during the season. Seventy-three points were scored, against 83, id lh e six matches of which 14 players were responsible for the 73 points. The committee de-j sires (to congratulate all the players' who represented the District Council during the season. Following was the record of matches played: June 20 at

Kimbolton v. Oroua, won 14 to 6;, June 20 at Sanson v. Te Kawau, lost 11 to 14; July 22 at Woodville v. Dannevirke, won 9 to 3; August 8 at Palmerston North v. Horowhenua, lost 6 to 16; August 3 9 at Kimbolton v. Oroua, lost 23 to 39; September 5 at Poxton v. Horowhenua, won 10 to 5. Junior Representative Matches. July 8, Thirds v. Te Kawau juniors, won 11 —3; August 8, Thirds v. To Kawau juniors, won 14—6; August 12, Juniors v. Bush, won 23 —16; August 22, Juniors v. Horowhenua, won 20 — 14’: August 29, Juniors v. Te Kawau seniors, won 17—9; September 19, Juniors v. Wanganui, won 11 —g; October 3, Thirds v. Wanganui, lo'st 9 —ll. The junior and third representatives were most successful, both at home and away, and the committee congratulates them on their success. It was hoped tha|t when opportunities arose the town i clubs would send into the sub-union 10 play matches. It was extremely unfortunate that the Palmerston North Boys’ High School was unable to challenge for the Moascar Cup last season, as it -was felt that their team's chance to secure the trophy was promising. General. Accident insurance.—The committee again carried on the insurance scheme lor players (under revised rules). The claims were very heavy, but the scheme for the first time for the past si:: years managed to show a small credit.

Finance. —The Council’s finance was in a sound condition after most careful handling during the season.

The Council had a credit balance of £216 7s lOd with which fo start the season, and afte* many improvements were carried out, besides representative expenses as shown on the balance sheet, the Council’s financial position was most satisfactory, especially as all the main representatlv 0 receipts were now held by the Manawa,tu-Horo-whenua Rugby Union. Thanks.—The committee desired to thank the Manawatu Rugby Referees’ Association for providing referees for the many matches played each week, and would again Impress on clubs the necessity of inducing old players to join the Association. For the success of the game the firstt essential was to have good referees, and old players, with knowledge of the code, should be most qualified to properly control games. The committee also desired to express Its thanks to the school commit|tces, police and Railway Departments, for the assistance rendered in many ways.

Special thanks were due to Drs. Hunter Will, J. M. Twhigg, F. Cameron, P. Mules and D. Mackay for attendance given to Injured players, and to Mr. R. Andrews for splendid attention given in first aid. Thanks were also due ito Mr. C. W. White for

his services as auditor to the Council; and to the press.

Meetings. —The Council held 31 meetings during the year and the largo amount of business conducted at each meeting meant that the officer’s had to pu|t in an Immense amount of their time to succesc"ull7 control Rugby in the district. In addition to which three special amalgamation meetings were held. In retiring from office ithe committee acknowledged the assistance and support given by clubs during the season, and trusted the same support would be accorded its successors. KIA TOA CLUB. The annual meeting of the Kia Toa Club was held last evening in the Kosy hall. Mr H. Crawford presided over a membership of 45 players and supporters. The annual report as previously published in these columns was adopted. It was decided to apply for Thursday night at the gymnasium. The old ciub colours will be worn again this teason. A motion of condolence was passed to the Bowden family in their recent bereavement, members standing in silence.

It was decided to set aside a small sum to enable a suitable gift to be presented to the retiring secretary, Mr Eyre, in recognition ot valuable services to the club.

Opening practice for all grades to be held Saturday week at North street park.

The club has a credit balance of £l4 13s.

A silver mounted tiki was presented by an od member to be given to member of third grade showing most consistent form during the coming season.

Twenty-one new members were elected.

The following officers were appointed for the coming year:—Patron, Mr H. Bodley; president, Mr A. M. Ongley;. vice-presidents. Messrs C. McGrath, J, R. Hardie, J. Govan. H. Crawford, E. Stevens, F. Cousins, P. Cunningham, H. Chapman, A. Smith, i IT. Divehall, A. E. Allen, H. Thorburn, G. Bundle, G. G. Wasley, V. Goldiinch, W. Stevens, A. Bowden, \V. Pustin, L. Giorgi and Miss K. Mullins. The secretaryship was left open in meantime. Mr W. Eyre was appointed treasurer, and the following the management committee: L. Mullins, J. McDonald. T. Doherty, D. Bott, A. Boyd, N. Strange, W. Mitchell, and G. S. Boeder. Coaches: Senior, Mr Bodley; junior,, J. Govan; thirds, H. Weston; fourths, left to management committee; club captain, J. Govan; delegates to Rugby Union, H. Crawford and W. Crystal!. The meeting c’osed with a hearty vote of thanks to the chair. FEIBDING FOOTBABB CBXJB, ANNUAL REPORT, 1925. The following report will be presented at the annual general meeting of the Feilding Football Club, to be he’d at 7.45 to-night, at the Feilding library:— i The season was in some ways disappointing. For the first time in many years the club was unable to raise a third grade team, while the fourth grade team withdrew from the competition after playing only a few matches.

Tile senior and junior grade teams had a fairly successful season. The senior team was third in the main competition and was beaten in the final of the sudden death. The team was weakened towards the end of the season owing to the removal of prominent members of the team.

The juniors team were always well in the running in the junior competition, and it was only in the last two matches that their chances of victory were taken away. To finish third in the competition was a good performance.

It is to be hoped that the club will this year field a team in each of the four competitions. Honours Board.

Messrs D. Spence, M. Bailey and G. Darragh were the only members of the team to find a place in the Manawatu representative team, while both Messrs Bailey and Darragh found places in the Horowhenua-Manawatu team. In the Manawatu B representative team, Messrs Benge. Morris, Hight, Boddy and BramweU were the selected members from the club. In the junior representative team, Messrs Stevens, Sauer and Coyle were the Feilding green-and-whites. General, The balance sheet shows a credit balance of £8 Vs 4d. compared with ! £5 ISs 4d at the beginning of the season. This must be considered a satisfactory financial position. Early in the season the Hui Mai (Club paid a visit to Feilding. An enjoyable game resulted in a win for Feilding. The committee was glad to have the opportunity of again repaying the many kindnesses shown to Feilding cl»b by the Manakau footballers, The visitors were entertained at dinner and afterwards at a dance. As the balance sheet shows, the dance paid its way and the visitors seemed to enioy their visit to Feilding. The thanks of the club are due to Mr Garlick, for the use of his paddock for training purposes; to Mr Jas. Ryan, for his services as coach, and to the press, for fully publishing the doings of the club during the past season.