“TARANAKI SCHEME”

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3270, 23 February 1937, Page 5

“TARANAKI SCHEME”

COMING RUGBY SEASON PROPOSAL FOR CAMBRIDGE An informative discussion on the “Taranaki” system which will in all probability be adopted by the Cambridge Rugby Union in. the coming season, developed at a gathering of club delegates last, evening to farewell the union president, Mr W. Drake. The scheme is- being generally favoured and there js little doubt that it will be adopted at the annual meeting next month, and weekly matches will be provided with various Waikato senior teams.

. .‘Football has been played ip Cambridge for many years, as revealed at the reunion last August,” said Mr J. Middlemiss, of the Northern Club. “It has always .'been a very successful sport in the district, with good public support and sound administration.” . -v He said that last year the /‘Taranaki” scheme was introduced by Hamilton and adopted ;by several clubs, although Cambridge did not then join up. However,, after a season it was hoped to take .part in the competition this year. If it did not prove successful the union Could revert to the old order.- felt that the standard of play would be improved. Cambridge . would* l field ityyo, senior teams and the remaining players would be. graded into juniors.

Mr W. Drake stated that afteEfthe scheme had been in operation for a year, the Cambridge-Union decided to consider the pros;the position, and a meetings of delegates of all Waikato Clubs was organised. As. a result Cambridge, decided in favour of the, scheme this season A

He pointed out that. Cambridge had only 70 senior .players, and two teams would provide a niuph higher standard of, the code. While the union could revert to the original system of competition if it .so desired, he did not. think: thati-such would be the case. .Tie hoped that one nnd all would give ihe a fair trial. - Mr V. G. Boulton :,.sti;e^sed; :l two points in the ! scheme that had Jo be considered.

The : continuityAi .b&£psl?§tf6s4o/>6f players, was essential atid 4hfe hoped that a fourth grade' :; wotitd Sliced. If had been- said that the new" Scheme did mot provide for, the playing population of the district. However, the introduction of another grade overcame this difficulty. At present there was a f gap between the time boys left schboi and reached the third grade standard. Mr Boulton said that the difficulty of travelling by players on farms might be overcome if the season were commenced earlier. The travelling expenses would be paid from, a pool and there would be no undue hardship on any one club. Mr A. A. Moore pointed out that w ith the shorter working week players in business would be able to make an earlier start and thus allow players to return earlier. Points in favour of the “ Faranalti scheme were instanced" byMr T. !'• ! Kerr. It was impossible to get lour senior teams at present, anti . Mr Kerr added that on ipany occasions the teams went on to the field with men short. Better combination would / result from players always being together, and the meetUig ot fresh teams would also improve the standard and. increase the interest. In the past Cambridge had • never had many players in the-Waikato representatives, which was due somewhat to worthy candidates not being known to the selectors. Delegates from. the four clubs, | Messrs J. Neilson (Northern), T. 1 Turnbull (Hautapu), M. McDonnell I (Leamington), and A. A. Moore i (United) felt that the scheme was [well worthy of a trial.. .. I Mr Edgar James, the deputy Mayor stated that it was hoped to ih)prove Victoria Square, and with the mtioduction of the “Taranaki” scheme, the union would be better placed to handle the larger attendances.