OTAGO RUGBY UNION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23302, 21 September 1937, Page 7

OTAGO RUGBY UNION

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE The weekly meeting of the Management Committee of the Otago Rugby Union was held last night. The president (Dr Perry) occupied the chair. PAYNE TROPHY MATCH A letter was .received from the Canterbury Union stating that as it had been decided to bracket Old Boys and University as winners of the Christchurch Senior Competition it would not be possible to play, the game this year between the leading teams in Dunedin and Christchurch for the Payne Trophy. The letter was received. OLD OTAGO REPRESENTATIVE PLAYER A letter was received from Mr Charles Diamond, of Perth, stating that he had seen in the press that Southland had won both its games against Otago. He hoped to be present at next year’s game to change the luck on the football ground for his old province. Mr Diamond represented Otago in 1887 -and 1888. THIRD GRADE COMPETITION Mr J. B. Wootton, reporting on behalf of the Flag Committee, stated that the position in the Third Grade Competition was a rather peculiar one as two teams were still level on points. He had understood that, to reach finality they had decided on a Knock-out Competition as between Pirates, University and Southern. The names of the three teams had been placed in a hat, and Southern had secured the bye. Pirates had beaten University, and Southern had defeated Pirates on Saturday by 6 peints to 5 points. He had understood that under the arrangements agreed to the winner was thus to be found. That being so. Southern would be the winner. The secretary (Mr E. S. Wilson) said he understood that that was the arrangement agreed on. Mr T. O’Shea, who is also a member of the Flag Committee, said he thought that the three teams should have met each other. Members expressed the opinion that the games between the three teams were to be on the knock-out system and on the motion of Mr John Mitchell it was decided unanimously to declare Southern winners of the Third Grade Competition. MATCH AT OAMARU Mr J. Muirhead, manager of the Otago team which played at Oamaru on Saturday, said that the game had been of a rather ragged description. Otago had won by 17 points to 3 points. He understood that the gate of £45 was the best the North Otago Union had had for the past two years. The members of the northern union had done everything to make the visit of the Otago team an enjoyable one. OTAGO B TEAM Mr A. H. Cameron said that the Otago B team had met and defeated the Eastern District team after an interesting game. The Otago B team had played seven matches in all and had won on each occasion, scoring 124 points and having 53 points recorded against it. Mr Cameron raised the question of the Otago selectors taking more opportunity of seeing country players in action. He was satisfied that there were players in the country who, with coaching, would be equal to city players. Mr D. C. Jolly supported Mr Cameron’s remarks. He realised, however, that the Otago selectors had asked for nominations from the various subunions, and that none had been received. Still, he thought some system could be evolved to enable country players to receive greater consideration than they did. Southland drew on its country players for its representative teams.

Mr W. Pearson, one of the Otago selectors, said that at the meeting of country delegates following the annual meeting of the union, the delegates had expressed the wish that a Dunedin team should tour the country. It was practically impossible to judge a country player’s ability on his play in matches in the country. A better system than that which prevailed would have to be adopted if they were to obtain a good idea of the ability of country players. Some system might be introduced next year. Mr T. O’Shea pointed out Southland was geographically far better situated than Otago in bringing its players to Invercargill.

Mr Douglas Spedding said that the country delegates had preferred having the Otago B team sent on a tour in the country to putting their players forward for representative honours. The chairman said that the matter could be brought up again at the meeting of country delegates held after the annual meeting next year. On the motion of Mr Cameron it was decided to send a letter of thanks to Mr L. Giles for the time and trouble he had given to coaching the B team. MATAKANUI CLUB’S JUBILEE

Mr D. C. Jolly said that a number of members of the committee of the Otago Union had travelled to Central Otago to take part in the jubilee celebrations of the Matakanui Football Club. They had witnessed the seven-a-side tournament at Omakau, and had seen some fine football. The past, Matakanui players had- met the present players, and had beaten them handsomely. They had attended the smoke concert at Matakanui in the evening. He thought that the jubilee celebrations had proved an outstanding success.

It was decided to write and thank the Matakanui Club for the kindnesses extended to the members of the Otago Union.