RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22046, 28 February 1935, Page 9

RUGBY FOOTBALL

PAST SEASON REVIEWED SUCCESS OF JUBILEE YEAR ♦ IMPROVEMENT IN STANDARD In 1933 the union 'celebrated its jubilee, and appropriately strong evidence wag forthcoming during 1934 that a new era of Rugby prosperity had commenced, states the report to be presented at the annual meeting of the Auckland Rugby TJnion at the Agricultural and Pastoral Society's rooms on March 25. This result had been attained by the renewed enthusiasm and untiring efforts of union and club officials, players and supporters, and to all these the committee extends its sincere thanks. The North versus South trial match was the outstanding event of the season, an epic in wet-day football. The many flashes of brilliance will live long in the memories of all fortunate enough to be present. The frequent magnificent dribbling rushes during the game were in keeping with the highest traditions of Rugby. Auckland was represented in the North team by M. Corner, T. H. C. Caughey, W. Hadley, H. J. McLean and A. Knight, and all five found a place in the All Black touring team which visited Australia later in the season.

Seven representative matches were played by the A team, three at home and four away. In "Wellington, the touring team made some amends for the heavy defeat at Eden Park in 1933, being narrowly defeated only in,,the last few minutes of the game. Auckland crowned this effort on the following Saturday when s,t Napier it wrested the Ranfurly Shield from TELawke's Bay in a well-fought game. Thus the Ranfurly Shield returned to Auckland after an absence of 21 years. The following table summarises the results of the games played by the A team:—v. "Waikato, at Hamilton, won, 15 to 10; v.. North Auckland, at Eden Park, lost 17 to 6; v. "Wairarapa-, at Eden Park, drew, 19 to 19; v. Wellington, at Wellington, lost, 16 to 13; v. Poverty Bay, at Gisborne, lost, 14 to 13; v. Hawke's Bay, at Napier, won, 18 to 14; v. Taranaki, at Eden Park, lost, 28 to 15. New Representatives During the season eight new players, H. J. McLean, L. Currey, H. S. ; Smith, J. D. Hammon, T. Pearce, J. McGrory, E. Hedge and C. Murdoch, secured A representative honours, and R. G. Bush and C. Pepper were members of the North Island team for the annual fixture against the South. A New Zealand team visited Australia in August, playing eight matches, including two tests against Australia in Sydney. The first test was lost by 25 points to 11, and the second resulted in a draw, three points all. The much-coveted Bledisloo Cup was won by Australia. The standard of Rpgby in Australia had considerably improved in recent years, and it was most pleasing to learn that the game had made such a decided advance in New South "Wales and Queensland. Several important Rugby tours have been arranged for the next few years, of which probably the most interesting will bo the visit of the All Blacks to England in 1935-36. The committee nominated Mr. V. K. Meredith, the Auckland and New Zealand selector, to the important position of manager of the team, and he has been appointed by the New Zealand Rugby Football Union. The team will leave New Zealand late in July or early in August this year, and will play 28 matches, including four tests. The year 1936 will see the visit of an Australian team, while in 1937 the Springboks will tour New South Wales and New Zealand. Olub Football No doubt the knowledge that the number of teams in each section was to be reduced was largely responsible for excellent play in the seniqr A club championship competition. Increased incentive to train and consequent greater combination and fitness produced exhibitions of sparkling football. Interest was maintained to thiv - very last. Owing to the amended conditions, it was possible for the first time in many seasons to play the second round ton straight-out conclusion, which resulted in Grafton and ilanukau scoring an equal number of championship points. Two play-offs were needed between these two teams before Grafton finally won the Gallaher Shield. _ , . The winners of the various competitions were:—Senior A grade, Grafton; senior _B. Eden; second, Grafton; third, Technical Old Boys; third intermediate.. Ponsonby; fourth, Grammar Old Boys; fifth. Eden: sixth, Manukau. The silver football trophy, presented to the club whose teams obtain the highest aggregate of championship points for the season, was won by Suburbs. The Jubitei trophy was presented to the union by the "Old Timers" during the jubilee year. After lengthy consideration, the committee decided that it should be awarded to tho winners of a special knockout competition among the senior teams of all clubs. Grammar Old Boys was the winner of the competition. In the secondary, and primary schools' competitions a fine standard of football was revealed. Loss of Stalwarts

Regret is impressed at the loss suffered by the game in the deaths of Messrp. W. Harrison. M. Buckland. B Caradus. A. Freeman, A. Hintz. C. F. Stratford. G. H. Mason and D. Fulton. All these men -were Rugby stalwarts in every sense. A very satisfactory financial position is disclosed .by the accounts, and full credit for this result must be given to th? attractive displays of the senior club teams. Owing to the absence from the fixture list of important inter-provincial matches at home income suffered somewhat in the latter half of the season. The total revenue from all sources amounted to £3422, while the total expenditure was £2979, leaving a net balance of £4,13, reduced to £9l by the customary grants to schools, chanties, etc., of £352. ~ The balance-sheet reveals a strong nnancial position. The accumulated funds now stand at £s797—they have increased by over 100 per cent during the last eight years. A notable deletion from the liabilities side of the bal a nee-sheet is the loan iteni of £3500 from the Auckland Rugby Union trustees, made in 1919. This amount has now been redeemed, provision for its repayment having been made annually since 1919. There still remains a liability of £I6OO ip {ho INew Zealand Rugby Union, the. balance of ft loan of £2OOO raised when acquiring a nail interest in Eden Park.