RUGBY UNION GAME IN TASMANIA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 139, 13 June 1936, Page 4

RUGBY UNION GAME IN TASMANIA

DEVELOPING ON VERY SOUND LINES

The Rugby Union game is developing i un very sound lines in Tasmania. This 1 season five teams are taking part in I the Southern Tasmanian ■ Rugby Union competitions, and there are prospects of three reserve teams entering a com petition later. A new team has be'':i ; formed in Launceston, making three m ; that centre. Those who have fought so hard Io ; establish the game in the island nu.-t be very gratified with the progress, especially when it is remembered that just three years ago enthusiasts m Hobart and Launceston first started the game. The following year (1934) Rugby .n»torv was made when Melbourne University side toured Tasmania, and again in 1935. It was intended that a Melbourne University side aifairi tour the Island this year, but, unfortunately, owing to an alteration in their vacation, the tour has fallen through. A little while back the Gordon Ditrict Club, in response to a request made to one of their members, asking what the possibilities were of a Sydney Club team touring Tasmania, decided to do their utmost to send a team, and there has been such a good response that a first-rate side should be obtained. Some of those who have intimated their willingness to go are E. J. Bard<ley, Gordon, captain, and ex-State player; Phil McManis, one of Sydney’s best forwards: R. Swift, A. C. Weldon, L, Wedlock, E. Cameron, C. Lord, S.

I Lacey, G. Ferguson, S. Baker, and .1. Donnolly, all well-known Gordon firstI graders, and several members of the ■ brilliant Gordon Reserve team. Mr. W. C. Milne, president of *tha (Jordon Club, will manage the team, J which will leave Sydney during SepItember. The players are paying their own fares, but will be billeted by the I Tasmanian Union. I This season, the Southern Tasmanian I Union has been successful in obtaining |the use of the Queensborough Ground, [despite very strong opposition by the I Australian Rules; so high did the feelpng run tht, when the council decided to allot the ground to (he Rugby Union, la public meeting was called to protest (against the council’s action. For Australian Team. In 1932, when the Australian selectors were picking the team to visit South Africa. Max Carpenter was brought from Perth to play in the trials. It may be w-isc for the selectors to bring a Tasmanian to Sydney to ,'try-out for the New Zealand tour; the cost would be considerably less than was the case with Carpenter. It would give a wonderful boost to the game in Tasmania if the locnl union was asked tn nominate a player for a try-out in Sydney. If Carpenter could be brought from Perth with- ‘ out the selectors having any previous knowledge as to his ability, surely the , same enuld be done with a prominent Tasmanian player.