SCHEME OF RUGBY PLAY

Taranaki Daily News, 27 March 1934, Page 9

SCHEME OF RUGBY PLAY

UNION COMMITTEE DEBATE NEW IDEA FROM MR. J. HICKEY. MEMBERS SEE SOME ADVANTAGE.' Was it proposed that a lead should be given the annual meeting in the decision upon a scheme of play for the senior competition? asked a delegate at last night’s Taranaki Rugby Union management committee meeting at Stratford. The question provoked a discussion but nothing definite was arrived at to place before the annual meeting as a recommendation.

A novel scheme was propounded by Mr. J. Hickey for consideration. Briefly, it meant the adoption of the McLeod scheme for 13 clubs—all the senior teams except Clifton and Patea—which would play 12 games each. In the meantime Patda would play the old south division teams twice, Clifton would play the old north teams, thus bringing all the teams’ matches up to 14, except Clifton, which would play only 12 matches, Committee members saw great possibilities in the scheme.

He did not think the committee should give the annual meeting a lead, said Mr. J. McLeod (chairman) in opening the discussion. The clubs had discussed the matter in an intelligent manner and probably would be better left to decide the matter themselves, said Mr. McLeod. Mr. Hickey suggested a scheme whereby north and south divisions be dovetailed to avoid Clifton playing southern ■teams and Patea playing northern teams, particularly each other. That could be managed, for instance, by transferringOpunake and Stratford to the other division from that they played in now. Mr. McLeod suggested a- knock-out competition at the end of the season if the McLeod scheme were instituted.

Mr. Hickey pointed out that his scheme, if worked in one division, with Patea and Clifton excused the longest trips, would approximate the McLeod scheme. The only - drawback would be if either of those teams had a “run on the rails” with weak teams. It would mean a bye each Saturday. Mr. Hickey said his scheme would be explained more fully at the annual meeting, but he thought it well worth while to eliminate travelling for New Plymouth clubs farther south than Hawera or Manaia. There would be only one match, but Clifton and Patea would play home and home matches to even the effect of the smaller amount •of travelling by other teams.

Could not the McLeod scheme be run with the four top teams placed into a knock-out competition to decide the champion? asked Mr. E. H. Young.

His idea was to play under the' McLeod scheme and decide the winner bn points, then divide into north and south for a knock-out competition with an inter-division final at the end, said Mr. McLeod. . ' ■ i

In his scheme, said Mr. Hickey, the. leader should not be allowed to win Without playing the runner-up. Clubs will be advised of the suggestion made and asked to consider matters.