EFFORTS PRAISED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26608, 3 November 1947, Page 6

EFFORTS PRAISED

'OTAGO RUGBY TEAM

PRESTIGE RESTORED TO PROVINCE

No footballers had played so wholeheartedly for their province as the Otago representatives had, said Mr V. G. Cavanagh, sen., at a complimentary social tendered by the Otago Rugby Football Union to the Otago team on Saturday night. •Mr Cavanagh, who proposed the toast of • the team, remarked that there was a tendency for persons to compare unfavourably a team with the standard of former combinations. It could be safely said that the 1947 representatives had' upheld the tradition of how Rugby Football should always be played—they had played together for their team and province. Everybody had been pleased with their performances, and prestige had returned to Otago football. Pleasure in Team-work Young players, Mr Cavanagh said, should be taught that the game ought to be played in as t’radesmanlike a manner as possible. There should be nothing slovenly about a team’s methods on the field. The pleasure of Rugby football, concluded Mr Cavanagh, was that the game was played for Ihe honour of the team and not of the individual. Interspersing his remarks with pointed witticisms, Mr Cavanagh was at the top of his form. He presented the trophies to the team and R. R. Elvidge, the captain, replied to the toast. The Mayor, Mr Cameron, in proposing the toast of the O.R.F.U. spoke of the successful management of the game in Dunedin and complimented the union on the possesion of the finest ground in New Zealand. Replying, the president, Mr R. W. S. Botting, praised the vision shown by early committeemen who had obtained a lease of their main ground instead of allowing it to be placed under a Board of Control as had happened in other centres. This action had contributed much to the prosperity of the union. Mr Botting praised the 40 years of service given by the secretary, Mr- E. S. Wilson, to the union. Country Players’ Influence

Mr B. Collie, convener of the Selection Committee, referred to the influx ence sub-union players had had on' Otago football. During the four seasons since 1944, 11 players from the country had been selected and four had gained All Black honours. Otago’s two representatives in the 1947 All Blacks were both country players. Other toasts honoured were as follows:—“ Otago Selectors and Coach ” (Mr A. H. Cameron—Messrs B. Collie and V. G. Cavanagh, jun.); “Otago sub-unions” (Mr D. C. Jolly—representatives of sub-unions); “Referee's Association ” (Dr A. Perry—Mr G. Simon); “Performers” (Mr H. G. Munro—Mr J. Hitnburg.

A presentation to Mr W. Pear Son, a former Otago and New Zealand selector, who has recently retired from the Management Committee and has given long service in connection with the Ground Committee was made during the evening by the president, Mr Botting.