RUGBY FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21132, 15 March 1932, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

PAST SEASON IN AUCKLAND. POPULARITY AMONG SCHOOLS. SUBSTANTIAL PROFIT SHOWN. A successful season was experienced by tbo Auckland Rugby Union, according to the report and balance-sheet to be presented at the annual meeting of delegates next Monday. The report states that there was an increase in the number of players taking part in competitions. The standard of play was, on tho whole, satisfactory, the club and school competitions producing some first-class matches, while reports from subunions indicated much enthusiasm and many splendid contests in club and school games. The outstanding feature of the past season in the Dominion was the very welcome visit of an Australian team, tho first for 1H years. The union was not fortunate enough to have a match with the visitors, although the only test of the tour was allotted to Auckland. Included in the New Zealand side were W. Batty, M. Corner and F. Solomon, of Auckland. Tho representative A team had a fairly successful year, but gave some in and out exhibitions. Ten representative matches were played, six being won and four lost. The B team Lad an unbeaten record in tho five matches played. During the season no fewer than ten players gained representative honours for the first' time.

Tho popularity of tho codo in secondary schopls waa strikingly evidenced in tho number of teams which took part in the official competitions. In 1931 5-4 teams were entered by the six Auckland secondary schools, over 800 boys playing Rugby regularly every Saturday throughout the season. The schools themselves, of course, were not able to cope with these numbers as regards grounds, and tho union provided playing areas for tho greater majority of tho matches, while members of the Auckland Rugby Referees' Association controlled the games. Thero were 51 primary schools affiliated with tho Auckland Primary Schools' Rugby Union, and SO senior, 38 intermediate and 51 junior teams were entered for tho various competitions. The Northern Roller Mill 3 Shield was won by an Auckland team.

As customary a Saturday gross gate at Etlen Park was donated to various charitable institutions. Unfortunately the afternoon proved wet. and the amount allocated, £l4O, fell considerably short of previous years' figures.

Recently the International Board had promulgated various amendments to the rules of the game which would be in force during the coining season in this Dominion. Thero were various changes in tho wording of the rules and definitions which were not important from tho players' standpoint, but there wero several matters which must receive careful consideration by referees, officials, coaches and players. Iho total receipts for tho season were satisfactory in spito of tho falling of! in receipts from club matches. This was offset, however, by a substantial profit from the representative matches, amounting to £1143 3s 4d. The income and expenditure account showed a total revenue from all sources of £3152 4s lid, while expenses amounted to £'1945 10s Id. From the balance of £I2OO 14s 10d, the sum of £'47o 12s was donated to various charities and to schools football. This left £750 2s 10d to be transferred to the accumulated funds account. It was satisfactory to note that provision had been made for the bulk of the cost of the southern tour this season out of last year's revenue, so the receipts for the coining season would not have to bear this burden.

TECHNICAL OLD BOYS' CLUB. There were about 140 members at the annual meeting of the Technical Old Boys' Rugby Football Club last evening, the president, Mr. R. H. Cooper, presiding. The annual report, a summary of which appeared in the Herald on March 8, was adopted. The -balance-sheet showed a satisfactory financial position. Tho following officers were elected ron, Mr. G. J. Parks, principal of Seddon Memorial Technical College; president, Mr. R. 11. Cooper; delegates to Auckland Union, Messrs. R. Cooper, R. Galbraith. A. Olsen; delegate to Junior Management Board. Mr. E. Galbrnilh; lion, secretary, Air. A. Olsen; assistant-lion, secretary, Mr. A. Blow; hon, treasurer, Mr. J. McKain; assistant-lion, treasurer. Mr. D. McMiken; hon. auditor, Mr. W. Barclay; club captain, Mr. A. Olsen; management committee. Messrs. J. Hogg, R. Ilaslam, C. Murdoch. T. Studd, R. Harris. T. Hankers.

It was stated the club would probably enter 10 teams in tho Auckland Union's competitions this season, an increase of two teams. Forty new members were elected. It was decided to hold the first practice to-morrow evening at tho Grafton training sheds. WW ITEM ATA CLUB. A small credit balance was shown by the balance-sheet presented at the annual meeting of the Waitemata Rugby Football Club. Tho president, Mr. 11. A. Robertson, presided over a good attendance of players and supporters. The report stated that the season had been a successful one. The third grade open competition was won by the flub in conjunction with Penrose. This was the first time that the outer suburbs had secured tho Maurice O'Conner CujS. The coming season promised to be a good one and a larKo number of new players intended to join up. The club was entering senior grade B and third grado open teams in tho Auckland Union's competitions this season. Tho following officers wero elected:— Patron, Dr. .E. B. Simson; president, Mr. II A. Roberts; hon. secretary, Mr. A. E. Metfan; assistant-secretary, Mr. M. Constable; committee, Messrs. W. Knox, T. Grey, R. Buchanan. D. Robertson and F.Ross.

COLLEGE RIFLES CLUB. The annual meeting of the College Rifles, Rugby Football Club last evening was ono ! of the most enthusiastic ever held by the club, there being an attendance of over 100 members. Tho following officers were elected.—Patron, Colonel C. T. Major; president. Colonel T. ft.. Dawson: lion, secretary, Mr. W. S. Kirk; assistant -hrtn. secretary, .Mr. T. Dickey: committee, Messrs. L. E. Brown, S. A. Souter, V. Wilson. N. Erson, H. Noble, D. Lawford, S. Hibberd, R. imith, J. Steer, F. Mander; club captain, Air. C. Webb? coach, Mr. R. Fogarty: delegates to the Auckland Rugby Union Messrs. 11. Frost, T. 11. Dawson, and F. E. Sutherland; delegate to Junior Management, Board, Mr. A. Tilly. A medal presented by Mr. 11. Frost for the most improved junior player was awarded to It. N. Clayton.

A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. R, Fogarty for his services as coach and selector during tho past season. Twenty new members were elected.