FOOTBALL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16114, 1 May 1923, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

CLUB SCHEME RETAINED

HOUGH PLAY TO BE PUT DOWN

A decision to proceed with the dub scheme of football for the ensuing season was one of the principal matters decided on at, last evening's meeting of tho Management. Committee! of the Poverty Bay Rugby Union. Mr. A. Bilcliffc' presided, audi tho following delegates were present : Messrs W. Langlands, W. Ingram, IT. Ellery, P. Edmondson, .1. Primrose, and. J. Curran (hon. secretary). Tho following nominations were received' for all grades :—Seniors —Manutukpj, Civil Service, Old Boys, Muriwai, and Kaiti City; juniors—High School, Old; Boys, Rovers, Manutuke, and! Kaiti City; thirds —Rovers, Kaiti City, Old' Boys, and High School; fourths — High School and ICaiti City. It was in view of this satisfactory result, that the decision to adhere to the club scheme was arrived; at.

The draw for the Saturday'Jnatches resulted as follows : —Seniors : Old. Boys v. Manutuke, No. 1 ground', at 2.45 p.m.; Kaiti City v. Civil Servants, No»2 ground, at 2.45 p.m.; Muriwai, a bye. Juniors: Rovers v. Kaiti Oify/No. 1, at 1.30 p.m.; High School v. Manutttke, No. 2,ground, at 3.30 p.m. ;\old Boys, a bye. Thirds: High School v. Kaiti City, School ground, at 3 p.m.; Old: Boys v. Rovers, on High School ground, at 1.30 p.m.. Fourth grade: High School v. Kaiti City, on Rut one Road Reserve..

It was' decided! to leave nominations for the fourth grade competition open.,

In connection with the Ranfurly Shield, the chairman suggested that while the team was on tour, it ehouldl be: sent oir to Wellington, .is he considered! that the trip could he made, for AJ2EO. Tlio team could' play -at Napier on Saturday, Dannevirko on Monday, Masterton on * Wednesday/and Wellington on Saturday. Leaving Wellington oni Monday, they could 1 play Manawatu on Tuesday, and Hastings on Wednesday, leaving Napier for Gisborno on Thursday night. The chairman's suggestion met with favor, and then secretary was instructed to write to the various unions on route, asking tliem to arrange suitable d'atee. The satisfactory response by players in all grades for this season's competitions was commented! upon by the chairman, who said that during the week 500 players would be taking part in the various matches. This number included primary, secondary, and school grades, and! ho staled that the number 01 players this year was greater tharii had taken part ip football for many years past. Rough play was also remarked!. upon by the chairman, who proposed that an example ho made of the first player who wa« found indulging in such behavior, ilombers of the Referees' Association had assured him that if they could rely upon twing backed up by tho Union, they would deal firmly with any breaches which might occur.

Mr. liilcliffe pointed out that tho rights of players would have to lie guarded, but they had' f.o remember that the referee was in charge of tho game. Mr. 11. Ellery stated that, ho had noticed press comments on rough play laet Saturday, but he had not seem much of it. lie had not, however, been there all the time. -., .. .

Mr. J. O'Neill said that there was a difference between hard piny and rough play. Tlin chairman pointed* out that tho referee had l put in no report, so that officially the Union knew nothing of any rough play. It should be known, however, that if tho referees brought instances iK-foro the. Union 1 they could rely upon support in putting down rough piny. 11. was reported; that the* plans for.a grandstand! to seat 600 people were now being prepared! for the Stanley Road ground. Dressing rooms, etc., were also' to lie provided, and the money for tho erectiom of the stand' war, assured'.

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON", last- night. Mr. Millard' has fclccted! tho following team to represent New Zealand 'Varsities in their matches against, Sydney 'Varsities: Full-back, Robertson (Canterbury); three-quarters, Diack, Murray, MacDonald (Otago), Biggs, Mnlfroy (Wellington); five-eighths, Townsend (Otago); Arkle, Hardy (Auckland); halfbacks, Brody (Canterbury), Hopkins (Auckland); forwards, McOulloiugb, Millar, Brookcr (Auckland), C. B. Thomas, Mcß.no, Martin, Smith (Wellington), Jackson, Watson (Canterbury). Hart. Stevenson (Otago).