Rugby Season Reviewed

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 54, 6 March 1935, Page 8

Rugby Season Reviewed

ANNUAL REPORT OP MANAWATU UNION The annual meeting of the Manawatu Rugby Union is 'to be held on March 20. The president’s review of the past season records that -15 teams, representing 18 altiliated clubs, took part in the various competitions, which represented a minimum total of 075 players under the union’s control. The number of teams and the championship winners in cacli grade wore as follow:—-Seniors, 8 teams —Old Boys; juniors, •[) teams —Bunnythorpe; thirds, A grade, U teams —United; 1! grade, 5 teams —Fcilding Old Boys; fifths, 4 teams —Kia Toa; sixths, S teams —Gordon (High School); Wednesday, 5 teams —United. The year saw the fourth grade section lapse owing to only two entries being received. It behoved clubs to make an effort to revive this grade and continue fostering the lower grades during the coming seasons. The standard throughout was very high and some very interesting football was produced in the competitions of all grades. Club Championship.—Again the Kia Toa Club won the club championship, with Old Boys filling the role of run-ners-up. In addition to the championship, subsidiary competitions were conducted with the following results: Senior, sudden death won by St. Patrick’s; junior, sudden death won by Kia Toa; thirds, sudden death won by Woodvillc.

Rowlands Cup.—The junior champions of Manawatu (Bunnythorpc) met the junior champions of Ilorowhenua (Otaki) for the champion of champions match on the Showgrounds, Palmerston North, the result being in favour of Bunnythorpc, 18 to C. The midget competition was again conducted and for the third season in succession the winners proved to be Terrace'End School. The union again held the annual soven-a-side tournament on June 3 and the finances were very satisfactory, showing a marked increase on the previous two years. The various grade winners were as follow: Senior, Thompson and Payne cup, Fcilding Old Boys A; junior, Rogers cup, Kia Toa; thirds, Dr. Hunter Will cup, Old Boys; primary schools, Boon cup, Manchester Street (Fcilding). Wednesday Competition.—This season saw the Wednesday competition inaugurated, which was indeed a good step in the right direction, and for this slop thanks are duo to Messrs Alex Ward and F. Hclleur. This competition now provides football for the many players who have the half-holi-day at mid-week, and for the initial year there were five teams in the Held, which augurs well for the future of the mid-week football. Tho competition was for a cup donated by Offers, Ltd.', Palmerston North, and this season saw tho United Club triumphant in winning this coveted trophy. Representative Fixtures. Eleven matches were played by the seniors, two by the juniors, three by the thirds and two by the Wednesday representatives. The seniors played five matches at home and six away, winning three and losing eight. The juni' ors emerged triumphantly in both their matches, while the thirds lost two and drew one; the Wednesday representatives won one and lost one. Tho mutch against Canterbury was a challenge for (he Eanfurly Shield and was played in Christchurch under conditions of tho very worst nature, and it was only through the fact that the Manawatu team had journeyed so far to play' the match, that it was played at all. Prospects for the Coming Season. — "In viewing last season’s play, which is the only line one may gauge the prospects for the coming season on at present, one is rather disappointed that the high standard of club football was not produced in- the representative fixtures,” added Mr Thompson. ‘‘However, if clubs will only maintain their high standard by thoughtful and strenuous training, the coming season may be looked to with confidence. This union is due to visit Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa, Wellington, Horowhcnua, Taranaki, Otago, Southland and Canterbury, whilst visits are due from Daimcvirke, Bush, Horowhcnua, Wairarapa, Wanganui and South Canter-, bu rv.

Accident Insurance l-’und.—The accident insurance fund this year, while still showing a loss for the year of £4l 2s Id, has shown a decrease on last year’s figures. However, the scheme should be gone into and revised before continuing with it for the coming season. Referees’ Association.—During the season the Referees’ Association again carried out work of the highest class with the members always at their posts. To this association the executive desires to express its appreciation of the valuable assistance rendered and trusts that tho harmonious relations of past seasons will continue. Finance. —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 Os lid. General.—“ Manawatu was this season able to produce an All Black in R. M. McKenzie, of the Kia Toa .Club, and it is with pleasure that we extend to him our heartiest congratulations on gaining the coveted,Fern Leaf,’’ added the president. “We aljo desire (o record the able manner in which he upheld the Manawatu football both on the field and during his sojourn with the Ail Blacks in Australia. The executive desires to place on record its appreciation ot the valuable services rendered by the gentlemen of the medical profession, and it likewise conveys its thanks to Mr V. Morpliy, of Feilding, and the Palmerston North Railway Ambulance Club for their excellent services rendered in tho field. Thanks are due to Messrs Thompson, J. Ryan, 0. Galpin, E. Cleveiy, R. E. Hatch and A. Ward for the excellent work done by these gentlemen with the senior, junior and third grade and Wednesday representatives. The work of the club secretaries was again an important factor in tho season’s success. Thanks are also due to the hon. auditor, Mr C. C. Yates.”