FOOTBALL.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13052, 11 March 1911, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

OLD BOYS' CLUB.

The annual meeting of the Nelson College Old Boys' Football Club was held at the Chamber of Commerce • rooms last Wednesday night, when Mr J. Houlkor occupied the chair, and there was a large attendance. The animal report was .read as follows: Though not very successful in the championship fixtures, we Succeeded in winning the Devenish. Shield, tl\e Littlejohh Shield for the seven-a-side tournament, and also the trophy presented for a special seven-a-side During the season we were, severely handicapped by the departure of ! Messrs Edmondson, Waters and Vercoe whose places it was found difficult to fill. The junior team again suffered defeat in most of its matches, this being due mainly to the shortage of players. However, all the engagements wore fulfilled in both town and country matches. For the first time since the inauguration of the Devenish Shield competition, the Old Boys' tournament ivas held in Nelson, during Easter, and we succeeded in scoring a decisive victory. As in the previous years, the only teams competing were Wellington College, Christchurch Boys' High School and Ntlson College. It was expected that Wangflnui would participate this year, but at the last minute it was found impossible for them to be present. On the Saturday night Wellington College worn entertained at i dinner at the Commercial Hotel. Unfortunately Christchurch did not arrive until early Sunday morning, and they were thus unable to be present at tho dinner. On Sunday the throe teams drove out to Cable Bay, where a very enjoyable day was spent. On Monday night all the teams were the guests of Mr and Mrs. Fowler, who in honour of tlw? occasion gave a ball at the College, and needless to say, it was much enjoyed by nil. On Tuesday most of the 'visitors returned to their respective towns all declaring to have spent a most lenjoyable holiday. Both | matches were held at Trafalgar Park, and on Saturday Nelson met Wellington nnd proved victorious by 23 points to nil. On the Monday, Christchurch we.ro also defeated, by 11 to 0. Both matches were contested in true sportsmanlike spirit as. Old Boys' matches should be. Your committee wish to olace on record their apperciation of the services of Messrs Sandel, Tosswif.l, Ross, Akers, Bettit and Bensemann, all of whom journeyed considerable distances to serve the Old Boys' 31ub ; also Mr. Broad, who kindly undertook the duties of referee. The balance shoot shows a credit balance if cash in hand £15 16s 3d. In the various matches the club was once more well represented, having 5 ■nembers chosen, viz., Messrs Mackay, Batchelor, Vercoe, Harfcy and Raharuhi. In the annual match, Nelson v. Maryborough, the team Nelson reps, •vero captained by Mr. Vercoe. In the junior representative match Mr G. Chapman was the only member selected from the club. Mr G. Richmond's trophy for the best senior forward has been presented to Mr, Mackay, while Mr Akers' trophy has yet to be competed for. The Club's annual ball was hold in July, at the School of Music, and proved a decided success, although not financially so, there being a deficiency of nearly £5. Your committee wish to record their appreciation of the la flics' rommittro in connection witli the ball, the arrangements made by them being highly satisfactory. In conclusion, your Committee wish to impress upon the members the absolute necessity of consistent training during the coming season. It is impossible for a team to perform at all creditably unless this is (sufficiently indulged in. The Club is lucky in having lost very few of the members, while the number that have recently left Co'.tegv will prove a decided acquisition to our ranks, thus making the present year's outlook decidedly encouraging. It should be the desire of each individual member to see the Old Boys' Club at the top of tin? tree, and always in a flourishing condition, and to see that the teams never go on the field without its full complement. Let each member work energetically for tho Club, and wluen. on the field remember to play tho game in a true sportsman-like.manner, and thus uphold tho traditions connected with the Nelson College. The election of oflioors resulted as follows: President, Mr. J. H. Fowler; Vice-presidents, Messrs. H. L. Fowler. J. Houlker, C. H. Broad, Noel Adams, and Dr. Gibbs; Honorary Secretary, Mr. C. Topliss; Treasurer: Mr. C. Rout; Auditor, Mr G. Richmond; Club Captain, Mr. G. Richmond ; Committee, Messrs Baigont, Emerson, McKay, Batclielor and Harley; Rugby Union delegates, Messrs. Emerson and Bis ley.

About 20 now members were elected and the meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.