WHANGAREI RUGBY UNION

Northern Advocate, 20 April 1933, Page 3

WHANGAREI RUGBY UNION

ANNUAL REPORT, Following is tlio annual report to be presented to the annual meeting of the Whangarei Rugby Union this evening: Again it is our pleasing duty to report very favourably on the 3932 season. Players and clubs were enthusiastic throughout and remained loyal to the code, while the number of competing teams was a record. The chief weakness was in the third-grade section and it behoves clubs to do thenutmost to put that grade in a stronger position for otherwise the higher teams must eventually suffer. The various competitions resulted as follows: —

Seniors, Championship.—Hikurangi. ' Seven-a-side.—City. Knock-out. —Hikurangi. Mitchell Cup.—Hikurangi. Juniors. Championship.—flora Hora. -Seven-a-side. —School. Knock-out.—Whakapara. Third Grade. Championship.—School. Seven-a-side.—School. Knock-out. —Hora Hora. Fourth Grade. Championship.—School. Soven-a-sidc. —Hikurangi. Games for the Harding Shield were played against Bay of Islands (draw), Mangouni (won) and IVokianga (lost). In this game Whangarei travelled with the Shield and their notion met with the approval of all footballers. Wo | hope that the possession of the trophy ' by a more distant Union will have the desired effect of stimulating activity among the Northern clubs. A team was sent to compete for the Brake Shield, but was narrowly beaten by Mangonui. Other games played were against North Auckland and against Auckland B (the latter of which we won), against Northern Wairoa, Mangonui (return) and against Rodney (2)! On one Saturday we had five representative teams in the field. Pep games in lower grades were played against Northern AVairoa third grade (won) and against Auckland Grammar Intermediate, won narrowly by our juniors.. Congratulations arc extended to Messrs Kerr, Campbell, M. Morresey, B. Linnell, Peacock and MacDonald, who represented North Auckland, to M. Pika, the local rep in the touring Maori team, and to A. Flnlayson, who played for the North Island in the inter-island game. Financially, the Union has had a busy year, but although a credit balance is shown a few outstanding accounts will absorb more than this amount. The art union rim during the season 'was, in view of the times, quite successful, and the money from that and the surplus from the loan from the New Zealand Union has gone into improvements at Rugby Park, whore another ground has been put down and dressing sheds provided under the stand, which will accommodate players for many years to come. Conveniences are only partly completed but will, we hope, bo in readiness for the opening of the soa- | son. It is pleasing to be able to state that the money raised has all boon spent locally. During the season substantial help has been received from many support- ! crs. The many car owners, Mr C, P. Powell (who kindly donated the trophies for the tournament), the referees, I the members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, the Press, are deserving of our-best thanks, with the wish that they tvill all continue to be as helpful during the coming year. Prospects for the coming season seem particularly bright for at least four new teams have informed the Union of their intention to affiliate. Care will need to be exercised in the management of finance but with that precaution, 1933 should be just as successful as 1932.

Two games were played between the Maori and Pakcha junior representative teams, in both of which the Maori boys proved superior and now hold the challenge cup provided for this event, Rugby football received a severe blow when that enthusiastic sportsman, R. Dickson, passed away. Our sympathy was extended to Airs Dickson and the family, and his name will be kept fresh in the minds of footballers in the district through the thoughtful action of the Hikurangi club in naming their fine new ground ‘ ‘ .Dickson Park. ’ ’