THAMES RUGBY UNION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22058, 14 March 1935, Page 9

THAMES RUGBY UNION

CHANGE OF AFFILIATION TRANSFER TO THAMES VALLEY [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] THAMES, Wednesday The annual meeting of delegates to thei Thamea Rugby Union was held last evening. H; was decided to cancel tho affiliation to the Auckland Rugby Union and to affiliate to the Thames Valley Rugby Union. The College Old Boys Club had given notice of motion that the rules be amended to permit affiliation to the Thames Valley Union, or that Thames affiliate to such major union as might from time to time be decided upon at the annual meeting. The president, Mr. J. W. Arbury, in opening the discussion, said that baseless rumours had been current that the Auckland Union wished to fce rid of Thames. Ho had talked the matter over with Auckland officials who said that if Thames felt it had anything to gain by cancelling the affiliation a move should be made in that direction. "Whatever decision'was made the Auckland Union would still maintain its friendship with Thames. Mr. D. Macky said it did not pay Auckland to have Thames play there, nor was tho return match a profitable proposition. If the change was not made Thames football would be in a bad way. Mr. Delamore s;aid he considered affiliation with the Thames Valley Union would mean a direct benefit to that body. "When Thames travelled thfcre was always a strong following, but euch was not the case when tho Thames Valley teams played away from home. In tho past Auckland had given Thames financial assistance and he felt sure they would get the same this season. It was decided on the motion of Messrs." G. Mortimer and S. McDonald that the union affiliate to such major union as might from time to time bo decided upon at the annual meeting. The annual report stated that the standard of club football suffered last season owing to failure of clubs on several occasions to field full teams, and toward the end of the season there was a marked falling-off in the attendances. It wae plainly evident club football needed some stimulating interest to improve the standard. The K.K.K. Shield, donated by Mr. J. B. Porath, had been won first by Hui Mai. Exceptionally wet weather was experienced for the majority of the representative fixtures, which militated greatly against good football. The Peace Cup challenge was unsuccessful, continued the report, and it waa a matter for eerious consideration whether interest in football was not adversely affected by an early loss in the Peace Cup match. The Birch Cup was regained from Mercury Bay, and held against three challengers. The juniors held the Johnston Cup against three ohallengers, but their standard of play failed to reach that of the previous year. The sub-unions, Coromandel and Mercury Bay, reported having had good seasons, and ejipressed their thanks to the union for sending strong A teams .to visit them. Referring to finances, the report stated that the position might be called hard, but there was no cause for despair. The drop in gate receipt* by £IOO, due to wet weather, was mainly responsible for the somewhat depressing position. Expenses were considerably reduced, and more economies must be effected, while little money wouW be required for the ground, as the buildings and ground were in first-class condition. The report fitated that,_ feeling that soma new interest was needed in Thamea football, the committee discussed several proposals, and advised the clubs accordingly. Officers were elected as follows:—Patron, Mr. A. M. Samuel. M.P.; president. Mr. J. W. Arbury; vice-presidents, all re-elected; treasurer, Mr. W. A. Kelly; auditor, Mr. W. H. Hammond; sole selectors, senior, Mr. A. Fleming, junior, Mr. W. 0. Lomas; third grade, Mr. R. Fowler; players' representative on the referees' appointment board. Mr, G. E. Mortimer; management committee, Messrs. S. G. Baker, J. H. Corbett. M. Hoskins, W. B. McDonald, E. McLoughlin, G. Pollock, G. Porteous, J. B. Pratt, O. W. Price, P. Trebilcock and ,W. White.