FOOTBALL DISPUTE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21880, 16 August 1934, Page 13

FOOTBALL DISPUTE

HAMILTON RUGBY UNION RESIGNATION OF CHAIRMAN [from our own correspondent] i HAMILTON, Wednesday The decision of the Old Boys' Rugby Club to play two junior players in the senior team after they had been selected for a junior representative fixture, was the subject of a keen debate at a meeting last evening' of the management committee of the Hamilton Rugby Union. Following the adoption of a resolution censuring the club for its action, the chairman, Mr. S. E. Senior, resigned from office. Prior to last evening's meeting a ruling on the point involved was sought by the junior selectors, and the junior board passed the following resolution: "That the junior selectors be informed that it has always been a principle of Rugby football in New Zealand that the selectors of representative teams have priority in matters of selection over club claims on players." Mr. A. E. Gibbons explained that Old Boys were in the position of having been unable to field their best team for what was virtually the final of the senior competition, and he did not think they should be treated too harshly under the circumstances. Application had been made for a bye, but the draw did not favour the club. Subsequently a letter was sent to the management committee of the union asking for the postponement of the match, and in the event of this not being possible, a request was made for a decision on the club's intention to field the junior players. No ruling was given and the club had to act on its own initiative.

In opposing the motion that the club should be censured, the chairman expressed the view that a senior club selector had prior claim over a junior representative selector. The junior representatives were the best players from the junior teams, and on the day in question the two players were needed for the senior team.

When the motion was adopted Mr. Senior vacated the chair. Mr. A. S. Cliffo was voted to the chair, and presided over the remainder of the meetin S- . , . . Consideration was given to the junior board's resolution regarding the priority of representative selectors over club claims on players. A motion that this recommendation should be confirmed was defeated.