RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20273, 6 April 1934, Page 11

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Linwood Club’s Easter Picnic. The annual picnic of the Limvood Football Club was held at Stewart’s Gully in conjunction with the visit <of the Zingari team from Timaru to play the Easter fixture. An enjoyable day was spent in various sports. The cricket match resulted in a victory to the Zingari team by 84 runs to 78. The Hooper Cup, for most points in 100yds, 880yds and relay events, was also contested, and was won by Zingari by 12 points to 10. During the afternoon Mr C. J. M’Lauchlan presented the M’Lachlan Challenge Shield to the captains of the Linwood and Zingari football teams, as the match played on Easter Saturday resulted in a draw, 11 points all. The events held during the day resulted as follows:—100yds invitation scratch race —E. Spivey 1, N. Dunshea 2, M. Gundersen 3. 880yds invitation scratch race— C. Williams 1, E. Spivey 2, A. King 3. Relay race—Zingari 1, Linwood 2. Visitors* handicap, 100yds—E. Spivey 1, Ward 2, A. Hurst 3. Linwood handicap. 100yds—J. Jones 1, M. Gundersen 2, C. Williams 3. Wheelbarrow race—White and Mason 1. Cox and Hurst 2. Old members’ handicap—Campbell 1, M’Dougall 2, Smith 3. Inter-club handicap— H. Hurst 1, J. Turpin 2, A. Hurst 3. Three-legged race—Thompson and King I. Bracefie’d and Spivey and Gundersen and Entwistle (equal) 2. Blindfold stick event—W. Cowles 1, E. Howie 2. Special handicap race—W. Cowles 1, H. Davis 2, O. Turpin 3. ASHBURTON UNION. Standard of Play During Season. (Special to the "Star.”) ASHBURTON, April 5. The annual meeting of the Ashburton Rugby Union was held to-night. The president, Mr J. C. C. M’Lachlan, was in the chair. The statement of recepits and expenditure showed that the recepts for the year amounted to £192 6s 6d and the expenditure to £267 18s lOd. The balance of assets over liabilities was £232 Is 7d, of which there was £2OO on fixed deposit. The annual report stated: “AS instanced by the many defeats of our representatives, it must be conceded that the standard of play last season has not improved. The union can still field a vigorous pack of forwards, but they seemed to lack that finish to their play to enable them to avail themselves of scoring opportunities. Our backs were very weak, the want of a good half-back and strong penetrating five-eighths and a fast attacking three-quarter line being very apparent. From the material available in the lower grades, the union by judicious coaching of the players and regularity in attending practices, should again be able to field strong teams eventually.” The union recorded with regret the I deaths of, Mr Robert Galbraith, a former 1 president of the New Zealand Rugby Union, and two highly respected players, Messrs Keith Cowan and M. Murdoch. The following officers were elected:— President. Mr J. C. C. M'Lachlan; vicepresidents. Messrs W. H. Sarney and H. Porter: Management Committee, Messrs J. W. Smith, A. Thomson. James Smith, A. Doig, D. F. Macdonald and R. E. M’Dougall. The opening date was fixed for May It was agreed that only one selector be appointed for the senior grade representative team. It was decided to alter the eligibility of third grade players from a weight limit of lost to an age limit of under twenty on May 1 of each year. The question of the eligibility of fourth grad* players was referred to Messrs J. M. Willoughby, E. J. Wood and D. F. Macdonald as a sub-commit-tee to consider and report to the union In a fortnight’s time.. It was decided to abolish the Classification Committee and the matter of regrading was left to the Management Committee, the clubs to give a definite assurance that they will endeavour to fill the higher grades first. Reversion to Sub-Union. The question of reverting to a subpnion was brought up by Mr E. J. Wood, who stated that more interest was taken in the game when the clubs competed for the Delargey Shield. He gave notice to move accordingly at the next annual meeting of the union. It was agreed to revert to the former method of playing the junior competition, which was divided into, two sections last year. It was decided that it be a recommendation to the Management Committee that three rounds be played in the competition this season. At a meeting of the Management Committee held later the following appointments were made:—Treasurer, Mr W. H. Sarney; auditor, Mr W. H. Woods; Grounds Committee, members of Management Committee, with Mr J. W. Smith as convener; Finance Committee. Messrs VV. H. Sarney (convener), J. W. Smith and D. F. Macdonald; Draw Committee, Messrs D. F. Macdonald and A. Thomson. It was decided that entries for the competitions close on April 27.