CHANGE OF LUCK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21912, 22 September 1934, Page 8

CHANGE OF LUCK

FOOTBALL CLUB'S INSURANCE £2OO AND A BIG GATE A semi-fiAal game iir» the Newcastle District Rugby League's first-grade competition at Newca- tie, New South Wales, which was play »d recently, was insured for £2OO agains rain. The Newcastle district was swept from end to end by rain storms and bitterly cold gales. There was only one short period of • the day in which the elements abated. But the period was that in which rain had to fall if the league was to collect on its policy. Not a single point was recorded and the £9 premium paid by the league went for nought. The following Saturday dawned full of bright sunlight. The league's competition final to be played in the afternoon had also been insured against rain. Not a person in the district would have given a farthing for the footballers chance of collecting the £2OO, which was to be paid if 10 points of rain fell at Nobby's signal station between 12.30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Then clouds massed in the sky and jus* before 13.30 p.m. the rain started to drizzle. Four points was recorded m the half-hour before 1 p.m. An additional six points descended between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Then there was a heavy rush of rain which brought the total fall for the insured period to 43 points, and lefi no doubt that the insurance company would lose its £2OO. The heavier period of the fall occur* red after most intending spectators had left their homes for the sports ground, so that the whim of the weather also favoured the league bj ensuring a large audience.