UP-RIVER AFFAIRS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 167, 18 July 1933, Page 7

UP-RIVER AFFAIRS

WAINUI-A RUA UNION. REVIEW OF BRIEF SEASON. The Wainua-a-rua Rugby Union’s 1933 season having officially ended a brief review of the season’s activities should prove of interest, writes the special up-river correspondent of the ‘ ‘ Chronicle. ’ ’ The season has been an extremely short one; in fact, it is the first time in the history of the Union that the season has been completed in July. This was due to the economic conditions, the Union considering that the expenses incurred by the players during a lengthy season were too heavy to be borne during the present times. Although the Union had to withstand severe criticism for playing only one round for each shield, their decision was justified by results. There was considerable difficulty experienced by two clubs in fielding teams, and two games had to be forfeited. Ohotu was the most successful club, winning tho club championship, which carries with it the Saville fihield, ana also the seven-a-side tournament, the Baniber Cup being the trophy. Ohotu were also the runners-up in the Makirkiri Shield competition. The Morikau Club won tho Makirikiri Shield and were the runners-up in the club championship, and the seven-a-side tourney. Pipiriki were disappointing to their supporters and did not come up to expectations. They had the necessary material to field a very strong team but with one exception they fielded Weak teams. This robbed the competitions of a good deal of their interest. United, the club which made its debut this season, also did not experience much success. There is, however, some excuse for this. The club was very 1 hastily organised a very short time before the season opened. Combined with the fact that the club had no local ground for practising this meaning that the season was practically over before the team was properly organised. Taking the two Shield competitions together the records of the clubs arc:—

In addition to ihe games actually played Morikau and Pipiriki each won one game by default from United. The standard of football in the Union this season was not up to that of previous seasons. This was quite expected and is in a large measure due to the “colts” who were pressed into service to fill up the gaps in the teams. It is only a passing phase and there is every reason to believe that consider able improvement may be soon next season. Thu standard of refereeing has been higher this year although there is still some lack if uniformity in tho interpretation of some of the rules. It >s extremely pleasing to see the improvement in the refereeing. This will have a very beneficial effort on the game. It should be recorded that the management committee of tho Union has carried out its duties in an efficient manner. Owing to the short season, not very many Union meetings have been held. However, the attendance of members at each meeting has been comparatively good. It is perhaps worth noting that the Union has not had to deal with any players for any, offences, and that no protests have been entered by any dub. Up to the present time it has not been possible to record that any Wainui-a-rua players have gained representative honours in the Wanganui Union. As it is yet early as far as the Wanganui representative programme is concerned, this honour may yet be won. Although the local official season is completed most players will be kept fit by the friendly games which aro to bo played. It has been a disappointment to many that the Wainui-a-rua representatives were not able to play in Wanganui this year. These games are looked upon as annual events and serve to sustain a keen interst in football upriver when the club football is nearing an end. There is no doubt that such a game this year would have provided a welcome fillip to football upriver. However. it was quite impossible for the Union to finance Birch a trip this season. An endeavour was made to bring a Metropolitan team upriver but this failed for the same reason. ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT To “A Rugby Enthusiast,” —The Kaicrau score against Ratana, of 44 to nil, was put up on tho Racecourse on Juno 24. The scorers were as follow: Nine tries (27 points)—Lockett 2, Osman 2, McGregor 1, Smith 1, Mu timer 1, Stowers 1 and Byres 1; seven conversions (all by J. Morgan), 14 points; one penalty (by J. Morgan), three points—total 44. Kaicrau’s score against the Maoris at Ratana was 26 to nil and was put up in tho first match of tho first round (on April 8). The scorers were: Dawson, 2 tries (G), Osman, Byres, Tasker and Simpson a try each (12), Byres, two conversions (4), J. Morgan a field goal (4) —Total 26.—“ Cross-bar.” A WAIROA TEAM CORRESPONDENT’S SUGGESTION A team as follows would bo a good representative side for Wairoa against Wanganui B team, at Waitotara, on July 29: Walker, Murphy, Carey, McClenagen, Torn, Zimmerman (Ist.) Broughton. Wad man, Hooper, Fl intoff, Stewart, Hammond, Neilson, Rawson, Smith. I am, etc.., “WAITOTARA.”

P W D L Points F A Ohotu .641 1 60 14 Alorikau .... ..54—1 37 .17 Uni tod ...» ... 4 1—3 6 38 Pipiriki ..... ..5—14 6 40