RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22859, 14 October 1937, Page 22

RUGBY FOOTBALL

FORMATION OF SCRUM SUGGESTED ALTERATIONS PREFERENCE FOR 2-3-2 STYLE A brisk discussion on the unanimous motion of the junior management board that, " owing to the general dissatisfaction caused by the scrum laws in junior football this year, the board thought it imperative that tho attention of the New Zealand Rugby Union be drawn to the necessity of reverting to the 2—3—2 scrum formation with the wing-forward, or the adoption of the international law in its entirety with the playing of four threequai'ters," took place at a meeting of the management committee of the Auckland llugby Union last evening.

In reply to the chairman. Mr. A. A. Baker, Mr. J. Sweeney, representing the Referees Association, stated that the referees had expressed no dissatisfaction with the laws this season. . , ~ . t . Mr. A. J. Tilly, chairman of the junior management board, was adamant in considering that New Zealand should revert to the •j—a—2 scrum. " Perhaps the greatest test as to the merits of this scrum was afforded during the All Blacks' tour of South Africa in 1028," stated Mr. Tilly. " What better proof could be afforded than that the team secured a convincing victory in the fourth and vital test match as a result of the forwards dominating the game with the 2223 —2 scrum and loose-hoad." The chairman asked if the junior management board had considered this important matter from every aspect, and Mr. Tilly said it was considered both from tho flayers and spectators' points of view. There was no doubt that both thoroughly disliked the present scrum. . ,

Mr. Baker: Has the junior management board given the scrummaging question the verv serious consideration it deserves? Mr. Tilly: I think it has. There has been a general consensus of opinion throughout New Zealand this year that the 2223 —2 is the best scrum. Mr. G. Nicholson, the Auckland member of the New Zealand selection committee, said that, after witnessing the Springboks in action, he and his co-selectors were convinced that the Dominion scrum formation was entirely wronp. , , " The Springboks concentrate on the hooker," suggested Mr. Baker. " They do not," Mr. Nicholson replied. " We do". The Springboks scrum is packed in the form of two diamonds. It is a perfect hooking machine. It is my intention to explain the Springbok methods on the blackboard at the annual general meeting of delegates." . „ Mr. Tilly: The Springboks were mortally afraid when they left South Africa that we would play the 2—3—2 scrum and the wingforward. There is no doubt that the general opinion is that the 2—3—2 f formation is the superior " pushing machine." Considerable discussion then followed on the effect of recent rulings by the English Rugby Union on the New Zealand scrummaging laws. "I'll still plump for the 2—3—2 scrum, said Mr. Tilly in conclusion. " It also proved bv far the best formation in the tests against the 1930 British side." On Mr. O. S. Harvey's motion, it was unanimously decided to refer the junior management board's recommendations to the annual meeting of delegates. A grant of £2O was made to a player who sustained a broken leg during the season.

ASSOCIATION GAME PRESENTATION OF TROPHIES SPORTS AT BLANDFORD PARK The secretary of the boys' division of the Y.M.C.A., Mr. G. Adair, reported at last evening's meeting of the control of the Auckland Football Association that arrangements were well in hand for the sports day to be held at Blandford Park next Saturday. Ke stated that the first event would start at 10 a.m. It. was agreed to present the medals and trophies won by teams under the control of the junior management committee at Blandford Park on Saturday. Mr. W. MacPherson, a life member of the association, forwarded a medal for the winner of.-the clubs' 100 yds championship. It was decided to stage this race at 2.30 p.m. The improvement in the state of the playing area at Blandford Park was referred to by several members, Appreciation was expressed of the work done by the groundsman, Mr. C. O'Toole. Members stood in silence as a mark of respect to the memory of Mr. \V. Corrin. a former Auckland representative, who died recently.

CRICKET UMPIRES* ASSOCIATION APPEAL FOR MEMBERS MADE . The following officers were elected at the annual meeting of the Auckland Cricket Umpires' Association for the coming season.- — President, Mr. O. R. Montgomery; vicepresident, Mr. N. B. Levien; hon. secretary, Mr. G. C. Riddell; executive committee, officers and Messrs. R. R. Mitchell, R. H. Simmons, G. Sansbury; delegate to Auckland Cricket Association management committee, Mr. 11. Blennerhassett. Concern was expressed at the smallness of the membership of the association, and it was decided to ask all clubs to urge former players to continue their interest in the game by taking up umpiring.

NEW ASSOCIATION NORTHERN WAIROA DISTRICT [by telegraph—OWN* correspondent] DARGAVILLE, Wednesday The coristitution of the new Northern Wairoa Cricket Association to control the game throughout the district was approved at a meeting held night. Following tho adjourned annual general meeting which took place in September, a set of rules suitable to the needs of the district were adopted. The meeting decided to send a deputation to ftait on the Dargaville Borough Council with a request that two concrete pitches be laid at Selwyn Park. It was agreed that in view of the position of the present pitch, two new pitches would be necessary if improvement in playing conditions were to be made. The following officers were elected:— Patron, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates; president, Mr. P. W. Hill; vice-presidents. Messrs. R. W. Hunt, T. Mason. J. Deinpsey, W. Corkill, O. T. Newlove, J. Webster. J. C. Arnbury, R. Harvey, J. E. Elliott, H. W. Gaukrodger; honorary secretary and treasurer, Mr. R. K. Gunn; honorary auditor. Mr. J. Hogg. The first meeting of the management committee was fixed for November 16.

KING'S OLD BOYS' CLUB The first grade team of the King's College Old Bovs" Cricket Club will play Papatoetoe and the Senior B side will meet the college eleven next Saturday, both matches to be played at the college grounds, starting at 1.30 p.m. The following teams will represent the Old Boys:— Senior Grade. —F. M. Andrews, IT. BnrrBrown, T. H. C. Caughey, W. S. Douglas, L. G. Fisher. H. T. Pearson, D. L. Martin, G. Simmonds, S. G. Smith, L. M. Smith, H. Smith. Senior B Grade.—G. Coles, F. Abbott, G. Burrett, K. Erskine-Wilson, K. Haywood, P. Mowbray, J. Mowbray, T. MoArthur, W. Seton, J. Tovey, M. Walton. THE PAPAKURA CLUB It was stated at the annual meeting of the Papakura Cricket Club that playing conditions would be much better this season, as the Town Board had improved the ground and replaced the concrete wicket with a turf one. The Teport showed the club to be in a strong position numerically and financially. Officers were elected as follows:—Patron, Mr. J. A. S. Slack; president, Mr. Victor Goddard; vice-presidents, Messrs. O. H. Grut, E. J. Busing, E. C. Foote, F. Verner, sen., V. Hardwick and H. A. Pollick; secretary, Mr. Norman Kemp; treasurer, Mr. C. Chamberlain; club captain, Mr. W. K. Francis; selectors, Mr. W. K. Francis and the team captain: committee. Messrs. P. Hammond, H. Waite, E. Searle, G. Wilson, I. Wilson and A. Verner; auditor, Mr. W. L. Elliott. PROBLEMS IN HAMILTON [from our own corkkspondknt] HAMILTON, Wednesday The present unsatisfactory dual control of the Seddon Park cricket ground by the Hamilton Domain Board and the South Auckland Cricket Association is likely to bo abolished as a result of a suggestion put forward at a conference between the two bodies last night. At present (he Domain Board attends to the general state of the ground and the Cricket Association to the wickets only. It is now proposed that the Domain Board should take over the charge of the wickets also, at a probable saving of ,650 a year. It was emphasised on behalf of the Cricket Association that such a step would materially help Rolve its financial difficulties and that i-s players were already contributing more for their cricket than in other centres, they could hardly be asked to pay more. It is understood that an offer was made to the Domain Board regarding arrears owed it by the association.