UNION CLUB.

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 11 March 1908, Page 62

UNION CLUB.

The following are some of the clauses of the report to be submitted at the annual meeting of the Union Football Club, to be held on March 13: — In presenting the thirty-sixth annual report, your committee is pleased to commend merabers- on the manner in which they carried out last season's engagements under adverse circumstances. In other directions, however, the club is in a prosperous condition, the membership roll still totalling over 100. The committee would impress upon members the necessity of taking a keener interest in the welfare of the club and of doing their utmost to raise the club to a position consonant -with its traditions end past records. Matches.—Teams were entered for the First. Second, and Third Grade competitions, end although not very successful they fulfilled their engagements throughout. Early in the season the O.R.F.U. instituted a Fifth Grade contest for lads under 17. The team entered by our club had the honour of being the first winners of this banner, with the fine record of p!«yed 11, won 10, drawn 1; points for 94, against 0. Our annual match with the Linwood Club was again played in Christchurch last season, the Linwood team kindly foregoing their trip -to Dunedin to give our members an opportunity of seeing the Exhibition. The ga-me resulted in a win for Linwood. Your committee has to thank the Linwood Club for the courtesy shown the team while in Christchurch. Owing to th» holiday in Oamaru not falling on a suitable date, the annual fixture with the Oamaru Club was not played last year. Presentation.—The caps donated by our worthy president (Mr J. Hope) for the two most deserving players in the First Fifteen were awarded to A. M. Don (back) and R. Dry (forward). General.—The Union Street School Hall was engaged for trainitog purposes last season, and was fairly well attended. At Easter we look forward to our annual match with the Linwood Club, which will be played in Dunedin. It is to be hoped that we will «lso be able to meet the Oamaru team this season. SOUTH OTAGO RUGBY UNION. The committee of the South Otago Rugby Union, in presenting the fourth annual report rjid balance sheet, states: — The interest in flag matches was, as usual, well sustained, and the standard of play, taken all round was ac high as in other years. The Owaka Club won the First Grade Banner for the third time in succession, and Waitahuna the Second Grade one. Towards the end of the season your .committee arranged a match between a representative team from Eastern Districts and a representative team from South Otago, played at Gore. The home team proved victorious, alter a good game, by 8 points to 3. When the Soutfi Otago representative- teami were in Dunedin for Country Week they beat North Otago by 8 points to 6, but suffered, defeat from Vincent by 36 points to nil. The outgoing committee recommends that the rule re First Grade players playing Second Grade be altered. At present First Grade players are able to play Second Grade if they stand down one Saturday, and this was diacouraging to junior players. Much trouble was caused last year through players dropping out of the team chosen to represent us at Gore, and not giving the selectors time to procure other players. The union has to form a Referees' Association this year. The committee would advise the new committeie to approach the railway authorities re persons standing on the railway line watching foofball matches at Balclutha. It would be to some advantage if the match with E«ste*n Districts was played e-arlier in the season than last. The Borough Council has granted us permission to form another ground at Balclutha. and we have approached the O.R.F.U. with regard to getting a grant to lay one out.