Rugby in the Manawatu

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 144, 21 June 1939, Page 6

Rugby in the Manawatu

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETS The management committee of the Manawatu Rugby Union met last night, there being present: Messrs. A. M. Ongley (in the chair), H. R. Crawford, J. A. Colquhoun, K. W. Eglinton, J. R. Hardie, H. Hands, B. Palmer, W. Gleeson, E. L. Park, E. Clevely, P. O. Skoglund, A. J. Galpin and J. G. Elliott. “It has-been noticed that in a few cases the 2-3-2 scrummage has been adopted this season,” stated the New Zealand Rugby Union in a circular letter to all unions. “Your attention is to the fact that, in the trials, the North v. South Island match and the tour of South Africa, the three-in-the-front row scrummage will be used. Therefore, it will be to the advantage of players if unions will adopt the three-fronted scrummage in their games this year. ’ ’ Mr. Colquhoun reported that Manawatu’s coaches, although tl favoured the 2-3-2 scrummage, were prepared to fall into line with the New Zealand Union's wishes.

The meeting decided that Manawatu should revert to the three-four-one scrummage for representative engagements.

A Kia Toa player who had been ordered off by the referee in the junior game between United and Ivia Toa on June 10, attended the meeting and denied that he had struck an opposing player. He claimed that it was a case of mistaken identity. As the player concerned had been stood down since the incident, it was decided t-o take no further action.

Owing to there being no Rugby competition in the Te Kawau district, permission was given six juniors to play for Bulls.

The Feilding Club forwarded a complaint lodged by the coach of its third grade team “with respect to the knowledge and capabilities of as a referee” and stating that, for the rest of the season, if the referee concerned was appointed to act in a game in which the Feilding thirds were engaged, the coach would default to the opposing side.

‘* My club do not wish to cause any ill-feeling,” the writers added, but from inquiries made, we feel that the coach has good cause for complaint.”

It was decided to forward the letter to the referees’ appointment board. A circular request from the New Zealand Union for a report on country football, especially what was being done for sub-unions and what difficulties were met with in the district., was referred to Messrs. Eglinton, Hands, Eliott and Park to attend to. It was reported that the union’s share of the gate takings in tho Winter Show match between Manawatu and Wanganui would amount to about £IBO. As manager of the Manawatu team, Mr. Gleeson reported that, on tho day, Wanganui were the better team. He thought Manawatu’s defeat had done & lot of good for Rugby in tho district, in that it had awakened interest in many people. He was confident that Manawatu would give a good account of itself in future matches this season.

An invitation is to be extended the Oroua Sub-Union to play the Manawatu B team as a curtain-raiser to the game between Ashburton and Manawatu on July 29. Fixtures for Saturday

Fixtures, grounds and referees for Saturday are as follow: Seniors: Feilding v. Kia Toa, oval, Showgrounds, 1.30 p.m. (Mr. C. Eglinton); Feilding Old Boys v. St. Pat’s, No. 3 Johnston Park, Feilding, 2.45 p.m. (Mr. A. Topee); Old Boys v. University, oval, Showgrounds, 2.50 p.m. (Mr. A. Weston); United a bye. Juniors: Kia Toa v. Woodville, No. 1 Rugby Park, 2.45 p.m. (Mr. B. Trow); Bunnythorpe v. St. Pat’s, No. 1 Rugby Park, 1.15 p.m. (Mr C. Taylor); Feilding Old Boys v. Old Boys, No. 2 Rugby Park, 2.45 p.m. (Mr. M. Bailey); University v. United, No. 2 Rugby Park, 1.15 p.m. (Mr. C. Waugh). Thirds: Feilding High School v. St. Pat’s, Feilding High School grounds, 2.45 p.m. (Mr. A. Gendall); Feilding v. United, No. 3 Rugby Park, 2.45 p.m. (Mr. B. Holdsworth); Feilding Old Boys v. Kia Toa, No. 2 Johnston Park, Feilding, 2.45 p.m. (Mr. A. Jewett); High School v. University, No. 3 Rugby Park, 1.15 p.m. (Mr. J. Burgess); Old Boys a bye.

Fourths: Kia Toa v. United, No. 4 Rugby Park, 1.15 p.m. (Mr. A. Neville); High School a bye. Fifths: Feilding High School v. High School A, High School grounds, 2.15 p.m. (Mr. G. Gray); High School B v. Kia Toa, High School grounds, 1.15 p.m. (Mr. E. Monk); Technical v. United, No. 5 Rugby Park, 1.15 p.m. (Mr. 1. Claridge). Midgets: Convent v. College Street, Showgrounds, 1.10 p.m.