FOOTBALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17349, 14 May 1924, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

THE RUGBY GAME. j CANTERBURY UNION. The management committee of the Canterbury Rugby Union met last niglit; present—Messrs S. F. Wilson (chairman), 1U W. Britton, W. Duggan. R. If. North, G. P. Payne, A. Dey, A. E. M Pliail, C. S. M'Cuily, W. Maxwell, E. V. Phillips, J. K. Maloney, W. Britten and Dv W- S. Seed. | TEAMS WITHDRAW. j A letter was received from the 'Varsity Club in reply to a letter from the union, concerning the defaulting of teams in the lower grades. The olub wished to apologise to the union, the referee and the club concerned for the defaulting of their under twenty grade B team. Owing to insufficient keenness among their junior members to play in a B team, and with no others to draw from, the committee had decided to withdraw this team from the competition. The Sumner Club wrote asking for permission to withdraw its third grade B (uuder twenty) team from the competitions. Owing to numerous accidents in the club's first team, and the expected support not being forthcoming, they were unable to get a full team for this grade. Tho Albion Club wrote withdrawing ' their third grade A team (open grade) owing to a number of resignations having been received since the entry of teams. | On the recommendation of the competitions committee, it was decided to permit / these teams to withdraw. j On behalf of the competitions commit- J tee, Mr Britton reported that on account of the number of withdrawal from iho third grade open competition (B section) and tho under twenty third grade, a fresh draw had been made in these grades. It had been decided to allow the present points gained by teams to stand, as under the arrangements made things would right themselves before the end of the season. The action of the committee was approved. DEFAULTING TEAMS. The question* of teams defaulting without notice was again discussed. Mr Wilson said that unless the union punished teams defaulting without notice the referees would not act for teams that made a habit of doing this. The referees were getting very sore about the maty ter. The union would have to do something. Mr Dey said that at the last meeting of the committee it had been decided not to fine the two teams in question, because of the wet day, and the confusion that had arisen over the flag on the ,City Hotel. A letter was received from the Spreydon Club regarding the allegation that its fourth gra.de team defaulted against North Canterbury a week last Saturday. Tlie Snrevdon team was one of the defaulting teams against which a referee made a complaint at the last meeting of the union. The explanation of tho club was that their fourth gra-de team went to the Nation to go to Rangiora, and several of them had secured tickets when they were informed that all matchos were pff. The team had no intention of defaulting. and the clnb failed to see how North Canterbury could elaim the game by de. fault. The Spreydon team was quite willing to play the match later in the seaIt was agreed to forward a copy of the letter to the Referees' Association. DRESSING SHEDS WANTED. The St Martins Residents* Association wrote applying to the union for assistance to erect dressing sheds for players using the Waltham-St Martins Park on Saturday afternoons. Already complaints had reached the association of players dressing and undressing opposite dwellings. The association was also writing to the City Council regarding the matter of conveniences. It was decided to reply that the union ! would heln in a. campaign to raise money : to erect dressing sheds by putting on a senior match, at Waltham Park on a Saturday to be arranged. A PROTEST. A letter was reoeived from the Linwood Club protesting on behalf of their third grade A (B- section) team against the referee's decision in the match against 'Varsity on May 10. According to the letter the referee admitted that he was not certain as to his ruling being correct. It was decided to obtain a statement from the referee. The result of the match was'Varsity B 6, Linwood 3. THE MABIST TROUBLE. New Zealand Union wrote asking the Canterbury Union to report on their finding in regard to tlie suspension of the Manats’ Club. The requirements of the New Zealand Union regarding the reporting of Rugby players who had gone over to League would be covered in a circular letter which would come to hand in a day or two. Mr Wilson said the New Zealand Union wanted a final cldan-up of the whole business. He thought they should forward to the New Zealand Union a report of a meeting of the committee at which it was decided to give Marists a chance o appeal to a general meeting of delegate*, a copy of a letter sent to the Marists Club on the matter, a copy of the reply of the Marists Club and a report of tha general meeting of delegates. Mr Maloney: From the newspaper reports it would seem that tho New Zealand Union don’t know much about the matter. Apparently they don’t know that the die is cast. Mr Wilson: The New Zealand Unioi have not been informed officially vet. A member: But they know about it. all right-. It was decided to supply tho informa tion as suggested by Mr Wilsou. With regard to players who had gone over to League Mr Wilson said that this was not specially aimed at the Marists Club. Tlie New Zealand Union wanted the names of. all playejs who had gone MATCHES ARRANGED The Ashburton County Sub-union wrote stating that thev had accepted the Malvern Sub-union's challenge for a matc/j for the Southhridg© Shield, the match to be plaved at Ashburton on June 3. Permission to play tho match was granted. The Southland Rugby Union wrote confirmin'- Vug at 13 as the date of the Southland v. Canterbury Vnatch to be plaved at Invercargill. The South Canterbury Union wrote confirming August 16 a 3 the *date for the Canterbury v. Souta Canterbury match at Timaru. It was decided to hold a seven-a-sido tournament at Lancaster Park on Juno 3 for all grades down to the sixth. CHARITY SATURDAY. On behalf of the Fiuancc Committee Mr Wilson moved that the matches on Charity Saturday should be played in ail of the erection of a school for the ch'ldren in the Children's Fresh Air Home Cashmere Hills. Mr Wilson said that they could not devote Charity Saturday to a more worthy object. There were, at present thirty children in the Homo, and i' was expected that before long there would be sixty. The North Canterbury Hospital Board had to make arrangements for the education of the children. It was ex pec ted that the school would cost £-100*). A £ for £ subsidy would be obtained from the Government,. The motion was carried unanimously.

MATCHES FOR SATURDAY.

The following is the draw of matches, grounds and referees for Saturday: Seniors—'Varsity, a bye; North Canterbury v. Merivale, Rangiora No 1. (Mr E. Rudkin); Old Boys v. Christchurch, Lancaster Park Oval, (Mr J. F. Peake); Albion v. Linwood, Show- Grounds No 1, (Mr E. G. Steans). Second grade—Technical v. Merivale, Lancaster Park South, (Mr E. Eaipson); Linwood v. Rapaki, Opawa Park No. i (Mr K. Curson); Christchurch (v. Old Boys, Christchurch. North Park. 1.30, (Mr F. O. Schmidt); Kaiapoi v. Riccarton. Kaiapoi No 1, (Dr Ramsay); Prebbleton v. ’Varsity B Preobloton (Mr E. H. Cross); Albion v. Sydenham. Sydenham Park, (Mr L. Third grade A (A section) —Old Boys v. West Old Boys, West Old Boys’, South Park, 1.30 (Mr E. E. Luttrell); Merivale v. Wesley A. Merivale Ground, North Park. (Mr V\\ Cowles); Prebbleton v. 'Varsity A. Polo No 1, (Mr A. C. Fuller); Christchurch A v. Y.M.C.A.. Lancaster Park Oval. 1.80, (Mr A. H. Guiney): Riccarton v. Kaiapoi A. Polo No 2, (Mr E. G. Watkins); North Canterbury v St Andrew's, St Andrew’s ground, (Mr J M'Guffog). Third grade A (B section)—Christchurch B v. New Brighton, Polo No 6, (Mr J. Gray) ; Sumner v„ Wbarenui, Heathoote, (Mr C. J. Tonkin); Wesley B v. Linwood. Wesley Ground, North Park. (Mr M. O. Sinclair): Kaiapoi v. •'Varsity B. Kaiapoi No 2 (Mr W. C. Templeton;; Sydenham, a bye. Third grade B (under twenty years)— ■•old Boys B v. Technical A, Lancaster Park

West, (Mr ,T. Steele); Old Boys A v. T-ch-nical B. Polo No 8. (Mr J. Bradshaw); Albion v. Merivale, Albion. South Park. (Mr H, Barnett); Rapaki v. Linwood. Linwood Park (Mr A. D. Moore); ’Varsity, a bye. Fourth grade—Y.M.C.A. v. Linwood, Y.M.C.A., North Park. (Mr W. B. Fuller); Svdenham v. Riccarton. Riccarton No 1, (Mr L. Guiney); Spreydon v. Merivale B, Polo No 8. (Ml- J. M’Cormack); North Canterbury v. Merivale A. Polo No 4. (Mr R. C. Murray); Technical v. Old Boys, Polo No 5. (Mr G. S. BillclifD. Fifth grade—Y.M.C.A. v. Merivale A. Polo No 7. (Mr H. M. Taylor); West Old Boys v. Kaianoi, Kaiapoi No 3, (Rev W. B. Scott); Old Bov3 v. Linwood. C.R.U. No 33. North Park, (Mr A. Hooper,; Technical v. Svdenhn-n. Opawa Park, (Mr K. H. Perrin); Belfast v. Albion. Belfast. (Mr J. R Murphy); North Oanterburv v. Merivale B. ( Rangiora No 2. (Mr H- Rollinson); Aranni girth erode—New Brighton v. Technical A, New Br ; <rhton. (Mr O. D- Fraser): ham A v. Merivale. Lancnster Park West, I. (Mr A. R. Henderson); T.inwo-rt v. Christchurch, ’Varritv ground, North Park. TT Mo^re): Technical B v. Y.M.C.A.. Lancaster Park South. 1.30, (Mr P- C. .Jones) ; Sydenham a bye. Ma+ches commence at 2.45 p.m. from Saturday. TRIAL MATCH. CA XTERB ITItY-SOUTI * C A NTERB CRY TEAM. The following players have been selected by (Messrs 11. E. Davis (Christchurch) and B. Manning (Timaru) lo form the combined Oa n terbu h Canterbury team in the trial match against Otago-Bouth-land at Invercargill on May 24. Full-back: D. Fairbrother (South Canterbury). Three-quarters: A. Robilliard (Canterbury), W. Elvy (Canterbury), P. Storey (South Canterbury). Five-e : ghths; N. P. M’ Gregor (Canterbury), O. Lawsou (South Canterbury). Half-back: W. Dailey (Canterbury). Forwards: Wing—ll. Parker (South Canterbury - ). Back-rankers—.l. H. Parker (Canterbury), W. M'Brjde (Sotith Canterbury). Bides—R. Stewart (South Canterbury), T. Milliken (Canterbury). Lock—R. R. Masters (Canterbury). Front rankers—B. Kf‘Cleary (Canterbury), E. Faiibvothsr (South Canterbury). Reserves—Forward: O. Turpin (Canterbury), R.. Logan (South Canterbury). It- was. decided to instruct the Ca-nter* bury, players to travel to Invercargill cm Thursday. May 22. It was also decided to wire to the Now Zealand Union regarding the appointment of a manager f<?r the team. PIS PItKSS ASSOCTATrON. DUNEDIN, May 13. Morgan has notified his inability to go to England with the All Blacks, and will be replaced by M’Donald, Otago Universitv wing, in the trial match, OTago and Southland v. Canterbury and South Canterbury.

SYDENHAM SENIOR TEAM.

WITHDRAWS FROM COMPETITION. At last niirht s meeting of the Management Committee of the Canterbury Rugny Union permission was granted to the Sydenham senior team to withdraw from the competition. There are now' therefore seven teams in the senior competition, so that there will be a bye each Saturday. Last season there were nine senior teams. I Mr W. Britten said that the club had experienced great difficulty in carrying on with their senior team. Some of tho players could pi a'* one Saturday but had ito work the next. Last Saturday the . Sydenham seniors had been defeated by a “ cricket ” score. On the same day the Sydenham junior team was defeated bj--27 points to 3. It would therefore be see.i that Sydenham had no juniors fit to take places in the senior team. It was not i fa-ir to fcotb.all or to the club that the i senior team should continue in the competition. and therefore he asked the union that the club shoal! be given permissioi. to withdraw its senior team. Permission was also sought for Jeffries. Greatbaoh and Giles, all. "ood senior players, to play for other clubs. Mr Britten added that Sydenham was a stronghold of League football, and. this had affected the club’s senior team. Tlie club had plenty of young players, but it could not. find a senior team though every effort had been made to get one together. The cmestion was raised as to whether the players mentioned could, under the • rules of the uniou. play for other clubs | this season. The chairman (Mr B. f. Wilson) Said J that he did not think that there was a j rule to debar them. There was no doubt J that every endeavour should be made to j provide football for the players meuij tioned. i Mr Britten said it was no good to anvj one for a team te have a “ cricket ” score ! made against it each Saturday. It was not football, I Mr A. Dey moved that Sydenham shouli j be allowed to withdraw it 3 senior team, j Mr A. E. M’Phail asked what effect th} withdrawal of the senior team would have j on the club’s other teams. [ Mr Wilson said that under the rules ot : the union, if a club’s senior team default- - ed all of the club's other teams auto { maticallv lost their matches b— default. But withdrawal was not the same thing j as. defaulting. When a team withdrew it I no longer existed- There was no suggesI tion that Sydenham was withdrawing it« senior team in order to give its other I teams a better chance of winning. I Mr motion was carried, j With regard to the transfer of some of j the Sydenham "layers to other clubs. Mr Wilson said that personally he was I of opinion that the union should transfer them to a weak club. Mr Maxwell said that as a result of the withdrawal of teams Players were bein'* - I lost to the game-. When a team was withdrawn there was always a certain I number of players willing to play who 1 i could not cet a game. To prevent these j players being lost provision should bo . marie to transfer them to other clubs. I Mr Wilson: We have here a specific I of that. Three men are debarred from playing football through no fault of their ! own. Thov should be allowed to play for , other clubs but it would not be rigut ■ ! to allow them to go to a strong club. ; It. was suggested that as both Albio.i I and North Canterbury senior teams were ’ ■ weak the throe Svdenham placers should : • be transferred to one of these clubs. How--1 ever, it was pointed out that it would be I hardW fair to expect the. men to play for the North Canterbury Club, which has • j its headquarters in Rangiora. i It was finallv decided that the throe i ; players mentioned and any other senior . j plavers of the B'-denham Club who could j not he reinstated as juniors should b? j allowed to transfer to Albion and in tho . j event of Albion not accepting them that thev should be allowed to join anv other i club. [ ' Mr Britten said that tbev did not want I j nlavers who could pin" for Rvdenha a | juniors to transfer to other clubs. ; Mr C. S. M’Cuily asked if the players 1 who transferred would be allowed to play [ 1 next Saturday;. j Mr Wilson: We can’t stretch our~rules j too far. The rules provide that a. man I inu-t V > a member of a club seven day* I before he enn plav for that club. Play va [ who transfer will not be able to play next Saturday.