OTAGO RUGBY UNION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22204, 6 March 1934, Page 5

OTAGO RUGBY UNION

MEETING OF COMMITTEE A meeting of the Management Committee of ,the Otago Rugby Football Union was held last night, the president (Mr J. Mitchell) occupying the chair. PLAYING GROUNDS. Mr D. C. Jolly reported that the deputatiop appointed at- the last meeting had waited on the Reserves Committee of the City Council and put before it the position of the Montecillo Ground. The deputation pointed out that the ground had - hot been touched since last year, and asked what it was proposed to. do.. Would it be right to forego the ground this year if the council would improve the ground, or was play to take place on it? . The council promised t° go into,,the matter. It would;not be fair to play on the ground this year, as it wa's atony and, uneyeh. The ground was a disgrace to the City Council.—lt was decided tp await the reply of the Reserves Committee.. , v ;■ \ u . A, ’•

It was also; mentioned by Mr Jolly that the Qpoho Ground was likely to be had this year.—-A. representative said that .though .there were one bad spots they could be* remedied.—Mr Jolly said, the council ought to inspect all the grounds before the. season opened.—lt was decided to take steps to inspect the grounds. ■ AN INTERMEDIATE GRADE:

The following report, was read from the sub-committee respecting A and B competitions:—The sub-committee recommends that the senior competition remain ns at present, abd that the Second Grade be divided into two sections.. At the conclusion of the first round, a fresh draw should be made for. the senior competition between the top six teams and an intermediate competition consisting of the four bottom teams in the senior competition and the four top teams in the Second ; 6rade A section be ina,ugurated, and a shield, presented for this competition* the four senior teams not being eligible to win the Intermediate’ Shield. The four bottom teams in l Second Grade A competition will revert to the Second Grade B contest. ; ; f -’

Mr H. Harris said the idea was to divide the 16 entries in B Grade into two sections—A and B. When the first round of the senior competition was finished the four bottom teams would go into the junior competition,' and would play-off with the eight top terras, the other teams dropping back into Second Grade.

In reply to questions, Mr Harris said a player who dropped back would be eligible for representative matches. A senior club that went back would not lose its status: it was still a senior .team. > . - ■

Thie view was expressed that senior players might take umbrage at being placed in junior play. Mr Harris, in reply to further questions, said if a senior team went into the Intermediate Grade and was beaten by another intermediate team it would be possible for a member of the beaten team to be chosen as a representative. It was for the delegates at the annual meeting to reject this scheme or accept it. If the delegates thought the scheme would be better than the present scheme they might give it a trial for a year and see how it worked out. He agreed that the scheme should not be brought before the annual meeting as a recommendation from the Management Committee. Any delegate might bring it up to have it discussed. Mr C. Sonntag said the scheme was brought forward by the sub-committee perhaps as the forerunner of a more drastic alteration next year. It would give the clubs'an opportunity of retaining their position in the senior competition, with the idea of making it more even. In answer to questions, Mr Harris said it was possible the eight teams in the senior competition would be very Close, and perhaps only twp teams would be first chosen. It was proposed to call the competition the intermediate conipetition, and not the senior B competition. The proposal of the subcommittee would not make any junior club a senior club.

Mr Porter. (Port Chalmers) said he would prefer the matter to be decided by the Management Committee that night, or that it should go before the annual meeting as a recommendation from the committee.

The hope was expressed that clubs would be consulted before the matter was finally dealt with. Mr Porter, as one of the prime movers in the matter, was called on to state his view, and he said he would consult the Port Chalmers Club about it. It was pointed out that any notice of motion for the annual meeting would require to be put in in a day or two. It was agreed to hand the report to Mr Porter for his consideration. SCHOOLS’ MATCHES.

It was decided that a conference should be held between representatives of the schools entering the grade matches and the Flag Committee, to discuss the question of arranging, next season’* matches.