RUGBY GAME IN SOUTHLAND

Southland Times, Issue 23443, 25 February 1938, Page 11

RUGBY GAME IN SOUTHLAND

SUCCESSFUL 1937 SEASON ACTIVITIES OF UNION IN REVIEW A successful season in 1937 is reported by the Management Committee or the Southland Rugby Football Union in the annual report which will be P r sented to club delegates on March 24. The visit of the Springbok team to New Zealand was an eventful one in the history of the game and the standard of football played and the enthusiasm shown by the public should have beneficial results for Rugby in New Zealand in the future, states the report The Southland representative team brought honour to the. province in winning the Ranfurly Shield from Otago after an exciting game. t Thirty-nine teams were entered in the competitions by the various '-tubs, and in all 273 games were arranged by the flag committee. Interest throughout the season was well maintained. “The control of Rugby, in the primary and secondary schools is carried out enthusiastically by the teachers of the various schools, and to them and the Rugby football committee of the School Spoils Association we are indebted tor the amount of time they devote to the fostering of the game,” the report adds. SUB-UNION FOOTBALL “Rugby in the six sub-unions affiliated with the union is wider good control and much enthusiasm has . been displayed in the various competitions. Country Day, held at Invercargill on June 9, was as popular as ever, sub-unions sent in teams for the annual fixtures. Eight teams (six subunion and two town) took part, and there was a large attendance from all parts of the province. The results or the games were as follows: Town No. 1 58 v. Northern 9; Town No. 2 27 y. Central 26; Western 20 v. Eastern 15; Southern 31 v. Wakatipu 0. _ The annual sub-union match with Otago had to be abandoned because the Otago Rugby Union was unable to make satisfactory arrangements for the game with their sub-unions.”

REPRESENTATIVE GAMES Last season nine representative matches were played, two at Invercargill and seven on tour. The Southland team put up a good performance in a strenuous season. The following is the result of matches played: At Invercargill.—Southland 14, Otago 11; Southland 17, South Africa 30. On Tour.—Southland 12, Otago 7; Southland 11, South Canterbury 9; Southland 20, Manawatu 22; Southland 5, Hawke’s Bay 19; Southland 29, Wairarapa 11; Southland 5, Wellington 19; Southland 7, Canterbury 19. Southland had first challenge for the Ranfurly Shield against the holders, Otago, and the match was played at Dunedin on July 31 and resulted in a win for Southland, 12-7. The committee congratulates the members of the team on the fine display of Rugby they gave at Carisbrook. The team received an enthusiastic welcome on its return home and congratulations were received from all parts of the Dominion. Southland, being first holders of the Donald Stuart Memorial Shield, was called upon to defend it at Invercargill and after a brilliant game under adverse conditions won by 14-11. This shield is to be played for annually between Otago and Southland on the holder’s ground. The third junior representative match between Otago and Southland was played at Invercargill and resulted in a win for Otago by 5 points to 3. Mr L. S. Brooks, of Invercargill, last season generously gave a cup for competition between the Otago and Southland juniors, and Otago, by winning last season, became the first holders. UNION’S FINANCE The visit of the Springbok team to Southland was a wonderful asset to the Southland Rugby Union and, chiefly because of the interest this team’s visit created, the gate takings were greatly increased. Notwithstanding the heavy expense incurred by a northern tour, the expenditure was only £lO 9/11 in excess of receipts—a very satisfactory result. Through quite an epidemic of minor accidents, the insurance fund made a heavier draw than usual on the funds. More money was expended in the fostering of Rugby football in the primary schools, by the gifts of free footballs, but this money was well expended. The addition of an auxiliary movable stand, with broadcasting accommodation, also the building of a Press room in the roof of the new stand, absorbed £325, but those were valuable additions and would quickly repay the outlay. The general charges account showed an increase of approximately £lOO on the previous year, and that had been brought about mainly by increase in water charges, £l7, purchasing gate tickets, £35, and sand, £37, for topdressing purposes. The Southland Amateur Sports Trust had again been liberal in its dealings with the union and its continued interest is greatly appreciated. The most impressive feature of the Springbok visit was the realization that the game of Rugby as played under .International Rules could be made most attractive and exhilarating to watch.

GOLF WOMEN’S FOURSOMES AT OTATARA The 1938 season of the Invercargill Ladies’ Golf Club was opened in beautiful weather. Foursomes were played and some good cards returned. The members were later the guests of the president, Mrs J. K. Garrett to afternoon tea. Winners of the foursomes were:— Misses C. Smith and G. Macdonald, 92-20—72.

TEAM TOTAL 471 457 451 424 1803 GREAT BRITAIN

H. K. Smith 48 45 48 43 184 F. H. James 45 46 43 45 179 D. Roots 47 47 44 44 182 F. W. Bowes 48 45 46 42 181 W. H. West 46 44 45 44 179 A. Ford 47 49 47 39 182 F. J. Soler 48 45 48 39 180 C. J. Nix 48 47 47 42 184

yds yds yds yds 300 600 800 900 Tl. C. W. Seard 46 48 45 43 182 N. W. McCaw 47 42 45 43 177 C. L. Hall 47 46 47 46 186 R. D. Greig 44 43 47 42 186 R. A. Fulton 43 47 47 46 183 A. 0. Andrews 46 43 46 47 182 C. K. Laban 47 47 44 40 178 D. L. Birney 44 43 44 44 175 P. R. T. Garnett 46 49 47 39 179 R. E, W. Johnson 46 45 45 47 183 TEAM TOTAL 456 453 457 435 1801