FOOTBALL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20671, 9 March 1937, Page 9

FOOTBALL

SOUTH CANTERBURY UNION IMPROVED FINANCIAL POSITION The annual report and balance-sheet of the South Canterbury Rugby Union reveals that the past season from the Union’s point of view was, perhaps, tiw brightest for several years, despite the fact that the response to club fixtures was somewhat apathetic. A strenuous representative programme was carried out and included a match with the New Zealand team prior to the Second Test, and also a Ranfurly Shield Challenge Match with Otago. . Competitions The season was opened on May 2 with the usual five grades, and once again particularly keen competition was evinced in the lower grades. The senior competition, despite good football, did not arouse particularly keen interest. It is, however, gratifying to report that some of the senior teams that have been well down in later years consolidated their positions. The congratulations of the Union have been extended to the winners of the various competitions as follows: —Senior, Star; Harris Cup, Temuka; Bert Cup, Temuka; Junior, Zingari; Third Grade, Old Boys; Fourth Grade. Temuka; Fifth Grade, Star. Touring Fund At the beginning of the season, a meeting of supporters was called with the idea of putting into operation a scheme which would ensure the Union having sufficient funds to undertake its touring commitments in future years. A Queen Carnival promoted by the various clubs was held and the utmost appreciation is due to the small but enthusiastic bands of workers, bj' whose efforts the sum of £571/1/- was raised. The money has been handed over to the trustees and will be available for touring purposes only. It is gratifying to note that the Union can now meet Its obligations under this heading for several years ahead. Intimations to the effect that the Union intends to visit the North Island this year have been conveyed to the interested North Island Unions. Representative Fixtures G. Gaffaney, T. Morrison and J. Strang were selected to play in the inter-island match, the . first-named only taking the field, Morrison being unable to play on account of injuries and Strang being an emergency. W. Robertson and M. O’Connor played for the New Zealand Maori team against the Australian touring team in a game at Palmerston North. Following are the results of the interprovincial fixtures played during the season:—V. Waimate, at Waimate, won 18-3; v. Mackenzie, at Fairtie, won 7010; v. North Otago, at Oamaru, won | 12-0; v. North Otago, at Timaru, won 35-3;v. Canterbury, at Timaru, won 168 v. Otago, at Dunedin (Ranfurly Shield), lost 26-3 v. Southland, at Invercargill, won 10-8; v. Ashburton, at Ashburton, lost 10-6; ,v. New Zealand, at Timaru, lost 16-13.

The following junior representative matches were played:—V. North Otago, at Oamaru, 0-0; v. North Otago, at Timaru, won 13-8. The match v. Ashburton was abandoned this season, while the Union’s efforts to arrange a match with Otagp Juniors were unsuccessful. The third grade representatives played two matches with the Waimate junior team, on the first occasion losing by 14 to 6, and the latter winning by 16 to 6. Ranfurly Shield Match Following the representative team’s splendid record during the season, South Canterbury’s challenge for the Shield attracted much interest and thousands visited the Southern City confidently expecting that the team would lift the coveted trophy. Or. the day, however, the team showed an entire reversal of form, and although by no ■ means disgraced, were soundly trounced by 26 to 3. The congratulations of the Union were extended to Otago on its splendid performance in holding the Shield against many strong challengers. Beri and Harris Cups Matches for these two cups were held at the end of the season and both provoked keen contests, Temuka winning in each case. The advisability of persisting with the Harris Cup rounds which, while they keep representative players Irt training are poorly received, must receive the consideration of the committee during the coming year. Insurance Fund Th? transactions under this heading are now kept In a separate trust account, and the claims made were in excess of the Income to the extent of £25/18/6, which amount has been contributed by the Union. The same position has applied for many years and a revision of the amounts contributed by cl-.t- is perhaps indicated. Seven-a-Side Tournament The tournament was conducted on June 23, the King’s Birthday holiday, and was favoured with splendid weather and a good attendance. The entries were the best for some years, 63 teams taking part, including two from outside Unions. The winners were as follows, members of each winning team receiving an engraved cup:—Senior, Star A; junior, High School; third grade, Old Boys A; fourth grade, Old Boys A; fifth grade, Star A. Old Boys figured in four of the finals, winning two. Thanks are extended to the large body of enthusiasts who assisted in the control of the tournament or who leaned material. Secondary School Football The secondary schools again played an Important part in the competitions, there being seven teams from the Boys’ High School and one from the Technical College, and for the first time in many years School teams did not figure as winners of any grades. The services of teachers in devoting their own time in coaching and their attendance at competition fixtures is appreciated. Sub-Unions The usual games against the SubUnions were played on the Sub-Unions’ grounds, good games resulting in both cases. It is gratifying to report that a number of players in the representative team were chosen from the SubUnions. The usual match was played between the premier teams of the two Sub-Unions, resulting in a win for

Huimai, the premier team of the Waimate Sub-Union, while in the annual matches between the Sub-Unions’ representative teams, Waimate was successful in both fixtures. Referees’ Association The Union’s acknowledgment of the invaluable assistance again rendered bv the South Canterbury Referees’ Association is more worthy than mere mention of the fact in this report. The solid but unobtrusive support accorded by this body was, in no small measure, responsible for the harmonious operations of the Union. It is regretted that more old players have not seen fit to assist the code by becoming active members of the Referees’ Association, as it was obvious during the seaso'n that a few more members would have made it easier for the carrying on of the Association’s activities. Fraser Park Consequent upon the park having been used by “The Herald” Cricket Club during the summer months, the two grounds were opened up for Rugby in wonderful condition and a debt of gratitude is duo to the club for taking this responsibility off the Union during the summer months. No. 1 Ground only has been used during the season just concluded and will be in good condition, while No. 2 has been regularly cut. South African Team The intimation that the Union is to be entrusted with a match against the Springbok team on Saturday, August 28, was received during the season and the match will be eagerly awaited by enthusiasts throughout the whole of the province. Your committee has devoted much time to the question of where the game should be played, and while no finality has yet been arrived at, has considered the advisability of increasing the facilities at present available at Fraser Park. Financial An excess of income of £127/0/5 is 'disclosed in the income and expenditure account, after provision has been made for depreciation to the extent of £97/9/1. An increase of almost £5O was recorded in gate takings. The cash position shows an increase of £B6/9/11 over that recorded last year, while debtors are approximately £3O more, £BO/ 11/- was repaid to the New Zealand Union, whose temporary loan now appears at £lOO/15/6. The Union has, therefore, paid almost £3OO since the beginning of the 1933 season towards the extinction of the temporary loan of £4OO. Appreciation We tender our sincere thanks to the public of South Canterbury who rendered support to the Union’s fixtures during the season, and especially to those members of the medical profession who, on numerous occasions, came forward voluntarily to the assistance of injured players. Tp the members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, we are very deeply indebted for their willing co-operation. Their regular attendance at both town and country matches was of inestimable benefit. We wish to express our appreciation of the generous assistance given by the local newspapers in the interests of the game, apd also to the host of club secretaries, delegates and' coaches of clubs, who gave their time so willingly in furthering the interests of the Union. An acknowledgment of appreciation has been made to several enthusiasts, who assisted in the conveying of representative teams during the season. To our selectors bur special thanks are due for their untiring e. i’’: in selecting and training our representative teams. We are indebted to Messrs Tripp and Eolleston, our hon. solicitors, and Mr A. C. Martin, hon. auditor, for their services so willingly offered, to Mr H. H. Fraser for the use of his room for the annual meeting, and also to all those enthusiasts who have assisted in many other ways during the season.

OLD BOYS’ CLUB ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the Old Boys Football Club was held last night, Mr S. D. Mason presiding over a large attendance of members. “My job is a sinecure so long as there is an excellent committee such as we had last year,” said the president in moving the adoption of the annual report (previously published) and balance-sheet. The thanks of every member was due, he said, to the few on the committee who had kept things running smoothly. During the year the Club had suffered a severe loss through the removal from the district of Mr J. Marriott, who had always given his undivided attention to club affairs. Some recognition was due to Mr Marriott. In congratulating the teams on their successes during the year Mr Mason said that every member had enjoyed his football. They were not actually out to win the competition but to enjoy their game, and if the coining season was enjoyed as much as the last all would be well. The motion was carried. Election of Officers Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follow: Patron, Mr W. Thomas; president, Mr S. D. Mason; vice-presidents, Messrs C. S. Fraser, H. L. Graham, A. G. Tait, G. P. Lawson, C. E. Hall, M. F. Leclingham, J. F. K. Jamieson, F. J. Dunn. J. Waddell. C. A. S. Hind, T. D. Burnett, M.P., C. E. Thomson. H. Marriott, J. J. Heasley, P. C. Vlnnell, Dr. W. R. Fea; club captain, Mr A. C. Rippen; delegates to S.C. Rugby Union, Messrs A. C. Rippen and A. Aitken; secretary and treasurer, Mr J. Clemens; trainer, Mr J. Davey; auditor, Mr A. L. Lawson; committee, Messrs A. W. Ellis, I. Cameron, W. Pateman, J. W. Strang, F. S. Thomson; coaches, senior, Mr A. Lawson; junior, Mr A. W. Ellis; third grade, Mr R. Sutherland; fourth grade, Mr J. Garr. Mr J. W. Marriott was elected a life member, members eulogising hts services to the club. Tributes were paid to the work of Mr I. Cameron, who has acted as secretary for several years. It was decided to forward a letter of thanks to Mr J. Tizzard who coached the fourth grade team last year. It was decided to open the season with a practice on March 20. It was further decided to send a team to Christchurch at Easter to p}ay the annual match with Christchurch Old Boys. The committee was instructed to consider sending a third grade team to Christchurch to play a team from the Sunnyside Club. Mr A. L. Lawson introduced the question of changes in costume. He said that the club had always been noted for the manner in which the

teams took the field, and suggested that if the colours of the Old Boys’ Association were incorporated in the football uniform the teams would be even more conspicuous on the field. If the rampant lion from the Old Boys’ crest could be used on the jersey and the players could wear blue and white hooped socks the club's teams would be distinctive. After discussion it was decided to adopt the hooped socks only for this year, the committee to inquire into the possibility of procuring badges. Sole Selector Recommended The members unanimously decided to recommend that one selector only be appointed by the South Canterbury Rugby Union. Mr Ryan suggested that the selector should also be coach. Difficulty had been experienced in previous years by the selector changing the formation of teams just before Important games when the coach had trained players for other positions. Mr Rippen recommended that the clubs send in nominations for the office of sole selector, from which the officer could be elected at the annual 'rtifeeting of the Union. It was decided to forward a remit embodying the recommendations. A notice of motion to be presented at the annual meeting of the Rugby Union, aimed at reconstructing the constitution of the Management Committee, was discussed, and the delegaes were instructed to support the motion. On the motion of Mr A. L. Lawson, it was decided to recommend that the draw for the first round senior games be drawn up and published and strictly adhered to. It was also decided to recommend that the hours of attendance of the caretaker 'at Fraser Park be increased