RUGBY SEASON.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 1 May 1926, Page 13

RUGBY SEASON.

COMPETITIONS BEGIN TO-DAY. OPENING OF NEW STAND. Tim official Rugby season in Smith Canterbury will commence to-day, when the competitions will. open.in nil five grades. TJic grounds arc in excellent playing order, and the large number of teams engaged assure that they will be fully occupied. 'The senior fixtures arc I :—Star v. Celtic, Athletic No. 1 ; Zingari v. Temuka, Athletic No. 2; and Wailii v. Old Boys, at 'Winchester. A feature of the proceedings at tire Athletic Grounds will be the opening of the stand recently erected there. The ceremony will bo performed by the Mayor (Mr G. JWallace)' and the president of_ the Union (Mr H. 11. Eraser) at 2.d0. TJie Wailii third grade team has been withdrawn from the competition, and Pareora third grade have forfeited their game to-day with Geraldine. Washdyke have defaulted in flic fourth grade to St. Andrews, and Old Boss to High School A. Fifth grade players who have not yet weighed in may do so this morning at the Sports Depot. For years it has been a. drawback that the Athletic. Grounds has not been equipped with adequate seating accommodation for llugby lovers, but at last the Rugbv Union have erected a stand well worthy, of the fine grounds upon which «t stands. This year loothall enthusiasts wid he able to watch matches in comparative, comfort, despite possible chilly and inclement conditions, as the stand will he suilicient of provide shelter in' the worst-of conditions. Built as it is, facing the north, tlm spectators will have the nrroatest amount of sun possible durum the dav, and there should be a ■break for the cold- southerly. winds which have made themselves ielt at times in the past. , The stand has a frontage of li>o feet and is 2li't Tin deep. 'There are eight tiers of seats, estimated to bold between eight and nine hundred people. The seats are backed, thus affording comfort, and are built so as to allow each spectator an unobstructed view of i.lie field of play. There is ample space at the back ol tire stand for players’ dressing sheds, but at present the old stand is being converted into the necessary quarters for players, and part of the space at tlm back of the new stand is being utilised for a ladies’ "waiting room -arid a secretary's office. The work, which was carried out bv -Messrs Rtoddart and .Mitchell, to the plans of Messrs Turnbull and Rule, at a cost of £I2OO, was practically completed yesterday, and it is said, to be equal to any other stand ol a similar character in the Dominion. The Rugbv Union are to be congratulated' on their .progressive move. The erection of the stand will be an incentive, to peop'e to attend more regularly at weekly games, and will give patrons an opportunity to watch plav in coPifort. Owing to delay, in. forwarding from Christchurch, fittings for the gates, the fencing at the stand is not quite completed. but the building itself will be utilised to-day, and the whole contract should be out of hand in a. lew dav*. The new structure has addyd considerably to the unproved appearance ol the ground, which will soon have everything necessary except. aname more in keeping with its ownership and" nrincipal use.- ■ The erection of the stand has entailed a further heavy liability for tlm Union.'and in nil endeavour to stabilise its finances it has been decided to adopt the system ol season tickets, which has p'roved popular in other centres. Ainu’s tickets at a guinea, and ladies’ tickets at 12s Cd, may be obtained from the secretary. 'I lies:: will admit to all games played on the ground under the control of the U nion.