OTAGO RUGBY UNION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25963, 2 October 1945, Page 9

OTAGO RUGBY UNION

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE The fortnightly meeting of the Management Committee of the Otago Rugby Football Union was held last night, the president (Mr A. H. Cameron) being In the chair. _ Mr J. W. Hayes reported on the Otago team's recent, match against Canterbury, played at Christchurch.—On the motion of Mr Hayes, it was decided to send a letter of thanks to the Canterbury Union. Competition Winners

Mr W. S Robertson, reporting for the Flag Committee, said that the following competition winners had been found:— First Grade, University A: Fourth Grade A, Southern: Fourth Grade B, Kings High School and Tateri: Fifth Grade, Otago Boys’ High School. The Intermediate Grade, Mr Robertson saicu had provided a problem with three teams equal. At this stage of the season nothing could be done but declare each as joint, winners. The teams were Otago Boys' High School, King’s High School, and University D. —The report was adopted. Condition of Grounds During a discussion on the need lor new goal posts, in which Mr H. C. Williamson mentioned that some of those at present in use were nearly broken off at the ground, Mr D. C. Jolly warned the committee that it should have extra gcnl posts ready next season, because the City Council was going t.o insist next year that no grounds were to be damagea to the same extent as this year. If next year’s winter proved as severe as the past season, the council would definitely not allow its grounds to be “ chewed up again.—Mr H. Harris said that, with the expected increase in the number of playei s next year, all the grounds would be in use. He also said that much of the damage was not entirely the fault of the Rugbv Union, as most of the grounds—lie instanced the North Ground-were open to the public, and that meant that an.v body could dig what holes they wanted in the ground during the week.—Mr Wjl liamson suggested that in the case of the North Ground the posts should be taken down after each Saturday s match.-Mr Jolly, supporting this suggestion, said that in Christchurch each club took down its ffoal posts after each match. The cussion was closed by the chairman, w io said the matter could be dealt with at a later date. Over-age Players A discussion on over-age Players arose from a letter received from the i oil Chalmers Club. The committee had pieviouslv warned the club that it could n include in its teams boys whose ages exceeded the limits set for the grades concerned The dub's letter stated that the withdrawal of over-age players would have meant the withdrawal of the: team cm corned for the remainder of the season Mr T. L. Baillie, speaking on behalf ol the Junior Advisory Committee, said that members of the Port Chalmers Club had asked permission of representatives of opposing teams to play over-age b°j.., thus placing the opposing players in an unfortunate position.—lt was decidedl t write again to the Port Chalmers Club in the matter and to recommend to next year's committee that it draw up new rU, nie president, Mr Cameron, was elected to represent the committee at. a meeting of the Otago Centennial Association (I The Otago and Southland Secondary Schools' Athletic Association was granted the use of Carisbrook on Saturday, November 3. for its annual sports meeting.

Southern Club’s Protest

The Southern Football Club wrote complaining of the committee's choice of the team to be sent to Balclutha on Saturday, October 6, to play in a curtain-raiser to the Metropolitan v. South Otago match. The complaint was based on the grounds that the procedure for years past had been to send the local Fourth Grade Competition winners. At the last meeting of tlie committee the Kaikorai team had been chosen to travel, whereas Southern was the Fourth Grade winner. Mr H. Harris moved that the letter be received, and that a reply be sent that the committee had fully discussed the matter at its last meeting and it was now too late to alter its decision.—Mr W. J. Pearson said the Southern Committee had been genuinely perturbed that a practice of such long standing had been abandoned, and Mr S. R. Inglis added that the letter w*as sent mainly as a protest and not so much with the idea of effecting an alteration in the arrangement. —Mr H. C. Williamson intimated that the Kaikorai Club be prepared to withdraw its team if there was likely to be any feeling over the matter—After further discussion, the motion was carried. It was decided to carry out a survey of the stretchers already owned by the union and buy from the E.P.S. a number sufficient to equip each ground with one. and leave six in stock.