RUGBY FOOTBALL

Southland Times, Issue 21652, 14 March 1932, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL

INVERCARGILL CLUB. ANNUAL REPORT FOR SEASON 1931. The following is the annual report of the Invercargill Football Club to be presented at the annual meeting to-morrow evening. In presenting this, the 58th annual report and balance-sheet, your committee wishes to congratulate the club on the successful season which has just passed. We entered five teams in the Union’s Saturday competitions and when the Saturday half-holiday was carried two more teams were entered. Each of the abovementioned teams fulfilled their engagements with honour. The Senior XV was successful in winning the Galbraith Shield for the second time in succession. The Shield was handed over to the captain of the team by Mr A. J. Geddes after the final inter-club game of the season. The Seconds and Fourths were also successful in winning their respective competition. The club also retained the R. M. Isaacs Aggregate Cup. Our Juniors were successful in winning the second grade seven-a-side at Riversdalo and at Invercargill. We would like to congratulate the High School on winning the Third and Fifth grade competitions respectively. The Blanch Shield was not played for on account of Nightcaps being unable to send a team to Invercargill. Coaches: We are greatly indebted to our coaches, Messrs R. 11. Wesney, L. W. Foster, E. Matheson, P. Rice, J. and A. Robertson, G. Frampton and W. Martin, for the big part they played in the teams’ successes on the field. Honours: To the following players we extend our hearty congratulations on gaining representative honours—Messrs A. McKay, H. W. Southern, Charles Johnson, C. George, L. Niven and J. Malcolm. Mr McKay had the honour of captaining the Southland team on its northern tour. Financial: The club is in a very healthy financial position, the balance-sheet showing a substantial credit balance. Insurance: The club once again insured under the Southland Rugby Union’s scheme but we are pleased to report that there were no injuries of a serious nature. Valedictory: During the season the club was unfortunate in losing the services of its popular club captain, Mr A. Blanch, who transferred to Dunedin. Mr Blanch was a valued member of the club, and we were very sorry to lose him. At the annual dinner the opportunity was taken in presenting Mr Blanch with a cigarette casket suitably inscribed. We wish him every success in the future. Presentations of framed photographs were made during the season to Mr and Mrs R. H. Weshey and Mr and Mrs James Robertson. Early in the football season the club lost the services of two of its senior members in the person of Messrs J. Dennis and M. Cook. Mr Dennis obtained a position in Oamaru and Mr Cook entered the ranks of the Benedicts. Both of these members carried with them the best wishes of all members of the club. In recognition of the services rendered to it by these gentlemen, the club made presentations of a pipe and case to Mr Dennis, and a crystal jug and tumblers to Mr Cook. Two medals were also presented to the Southland Technical College, one for the best back, and the other for the best forward. The medals were duly presented to the winners at the College break-up. Thanks: The club wishes to place on record its sincere thanks for the wonderful support given it by the ladies, old members and supporters during the past season. We are also indebted to St. John Ambulance Association for their work on the field. Conclusion: In conclusion your committee wishes the club every success for the future and hopes the 1932 season will be as successful as the previous one.