FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 November 1922, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

OLD BOYS’ CLUB. ANNUAL SMOKE CONCERT. The annual re-union of the Old Boys’ Club was held last night. In the unavoidable absence of the president (Mr. R. H. George), Dr. E. F. Fookes presided over about 40 members of the club. An energetic committee had preparations well forward, and the function was very successful. A volunteer orchestra composed of Messrs. J. O. Bennett, C. S. Wood, C. S. Fookes,, B. Moverley and G. E. Lomas, provided popular musical selections. Following the loyal toast, the chairman, in proposing the toast of the Taranaki Rugby Union, said the position of a man on the Rugby Union was not a sinecure, even if the union was a welLorganiaed one that made few mistakes. The personnel of the union was an able and competent one, and if they had not actually finished the season financially strong they had very nearly done so. The selectors had an especially difficult task, and sometimes had to play men in positions in which they had had little previous experience. It was easy for onlookers to criticise, but it was by no means such an easy matter to select a satisfactory representative team. Regarding the formation of a Rugby League club, he remarked that competition was always a good thing, and while the formation of the League club might be a good thing for the future prospects of Rugby football, players should not take too lenient a view of the advent of League football into New Plymouth. Touching on the new rules introduced last year, he considered that the rule governing the kicking out of touch led to too much marking and consequent tiring of the forwards in following up, and, moreover, this practice did not save time. He then congratulated the Old Boys upon their successful season and the clean football played by them. Mr. F. C. Ferry led the gathering in a number of community sings, which were taken up with great enthusiasm, after which Mr. R. Marks, in the absence of Mr. Papps and Mr. Jago, replied to the toast*.

Mr. Basil Hartman, in proposing the toast of the Old Boys’ Club, remarked upon the spirit of comradeship which prevailed throughout the various teams. In Messrs. Sykes, Marita, Smith and Wynyard they had four players claiming representative honors, and Mr. L. Sole had also played half-back for the B representatives. This was indeed a splendid record for a B grade team. Responding, the club captain (Mr. C. H. Wynyard) said he was pleased they had won the championship, but he stressed the need for more training. In that respect they must not forget their old friend, Mr. Charlie Brown, for to this gentleman they owed much of their success. He had been indefatigable in coaching and preparing the teams. The referees algo deserved praise, for they had so controlled the game as to make football a pleasure. The Taranaki Referees’ Association was proposed by Mr. A. Bewley and replied to by Mr. G. Hopkins and Mr. P. Page. Mr. Hopkins staled that the Referees’ Association held 21 weekly meetings with an attendance of 312 members, making an average of 14.9. For the northern division 178 appointments had been made, and for the whole district the appointments were in the vicinity of 400. It was pleasing to hear from other referees that the discipline was improving all over the province. This he regarded as an indication that football was also improving. At this stage Mr. Jago, who arrived late, presented the club captain with the Senior B Grade shield. He thought at one time that New Plymouth could only support two Rugby clubs, but he was pleased to know that three clubs successfully operated during the past season. Perhaps they would be the absolute holders of the B grade shield, for it was not a paying proposition to run the competitions as they were run last year. It was a great th ng to see how the Old Boys stuck together and carried the traditions of their school with them. Mr. Wynyard suitably replied. “Kindred Sports” was entrusted to Mr. F. J. Eggleton, coupled with the names of Messrs. F. C. Ferry and A. Bewley. A point in Mr. Ferry’s reply was the deprecation of playing games for money. Sport as it was known in Taranaki could not thrive when the object was for remuneration. Other toasts were “Kindred Clubs,” proposed by Mr. Wynyard. and replied to by Messrs. Atkinson and Brown, representing the Lepperton and High School clubs; “The Ladies.” proposed by Mr. P. Atkinson, and replied to by Mr. R. O. Marks; “The Press;”- “The Chairman,” and “The First Junior Team.” During the evening the chairman presented medals to Mr. W. M. Valentine, the best back, and Mr. D. Doyle, the best forward. These medals were presented in 1921 by Mr. E. Whittle and Mr. A. Boon. An enjoyable programme of songs and recitations followed.