PROSPECTS FOR ROY

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 70, 27 March 1929, Page 5

PROSPECTS FOR ROY

REVIEW BY UNION pRfcS! DENT*

PAST YEAR’S OPERATIONS. COMING SEASON’S WORK. In moving the adoption of the report and Imlance-sheet at last night s annual delegate meeting of the Taranaki Rugby Union, the- president, Mr A. F. gave a review of the past Rugby year. Mr TTielson said the prospects for football for the coming season were particularly bright, judging by the enthusiasm shown at meetings of clubs. If the spirit already evinced continued the 1929 season should he as successful as any in the past. The standaid of play in the past year had not been ail that could he desired as regards the clubs. Some clubs ishowed an improvement, hut generally there was room for improvement. Individually, there were players who more than upheld the traditions of Taranaki football, as bad been "proved by the rep matches played. The record of the rep team during the season was as good as it had been for some years, and if the team chad been available for the two matches which were lost he believed they would have come through with an unbeaten record. The year’s rep record was a distinct credit to the selector. The selector’s job was not a pleasant one and he was subjected to a great deal of criticism; but the proof of the pudding was the eating, and Mr Guy’s selections had proved very successful. A leading feature of the past Rugby year was the South African tour, ami he desired to express appreciation of the part played by the Taranaki representative, Pat "Ward, wjro, he was pleased to say, would he playing again thig season. The experience he had gained on the tour should he oF great value to Taranaki football.

THE FORWARD GAME,

If the New Zealand selectors gave more attention to Taranaki’s speciality, the forward game, perhaps more Taranaki men would get into the New Zealand teams. The Junior competition was growing in importance. but late withdrawals had unset the competition in the south. Congratulations were due to the Primary Schools XTilion for the manner in which, they had carried, out) their duties. This Urnon had relieved the B-ugbv Union or a. great deal of work, and their efficiency was amazing, considering the great number of players they had to control. The Schools Union had taken over the running of the Bavly Scholarship sports, and had carried them out very efficiently. The Scholarship had hoen won hy a primary school hov, and it was pleasing to know that the primary schools could now produce hovs canahe of winning the Scholarship. The secondary schools had done a good deal for football, and they played the football which Taranaki people liked. Thanks were also due to the Referees’ Association for their work. Like" ftm'Wleetor, they got a good deal of criticism, some of which, of course, was useful in keeping them up to the mark. The match against Wellington during Hawera Winter Show had been reinstated as an annual fixture. Ther e was a prospect that arrangements would be mad© to play the Wan-ganui-Taranaki match on June 3rd, alternatively in Wanganui and New Plymouth. The Dewar Shield competition was not supported as the Union would like. This was perhaps because of the period of the year at which, it was held. Consideration should ho given to the question of making the competition more attractive.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE.

Ju the coming season a New Zealand team \ius going to Australia amt it uenoved xaraiiajii players keep j.u training. He hoped. Taranaki wouui oc neif represented in me team. JLTobamy. m llMi an Bnghsit team would conic to New Zealand, ami it was proposed ' to iioid, a conference with sister Uulonis for the discussion of iuternaticul questions. Ike commitments of the tniou made it imperative that it should be incorporated. There was a small balance from the amount collected last season for the accident fund.. \

Mr Nielson concluded by extending thanks to the clubs and their oincers, to the management committee and to the secretary. Jju Mr INi cLcod they had a splendid chairman, who was second to none in the Dominion. His own term of cilice had been a ve.ry, pleasant time tor, him.

In seconding the motion, Mr J. McLeod said the matter of playing grounds was next in importance to that of incorporation.. A ground had been secured at New Plymouth ■\vliicli was considered ideal for tho purpose, and as being suitable for New Plymouth’s needs for all time. I here was some difficulty about the formation of streets, and if this might have to he dropped. If Wanganui would not agree to play game in Now Plymouth in alternate years the Union must look for some