THE RUGBY SEASON

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14771, 10 October 1921, Page 7

THE RUGBY SEASON

HAMILTON'S SUCCESSFUL TERM. RINGING DOWN THE CURTAIN. The Hamilton Rugby Union's season o f 1921 was officially wound up on Saturday evening at Toorak Chambers, when the chairman of the management cornrniU.ee (Mr F. .1. Rinnie) presided over a smoke concert gathering of 150 players and enthusiasts. It was altogether a very pleasant gathering and a fitting closing ceremony to a very successful playing term. After the Loyal toast had been honoured, the chairman, in dealing with “Rugby Football" remarked upon the very successful season the union and the players had come through, and the game as g whole had enjoyed during the term now closing. Mr R. L. Marks, in responding to the toast, /spoke of the important plane Ihc "king of winter sports” held in the community, and for which New Zealand had a proud record. The standard of play had improved greatly in Hamilton during the past few years, but, there was a. lot more room for improvement. What was essentially required was training facilities where ideas could ho consolidated and the chaotic assemblage of players’ ideas, each good in itself, that, at present obtained, removed.

Dr Pinfold, in dealing with the toast of Ihc Hamilton Union, referred to the good work that body had.carried out in Hie interests of players and Ihc cause of the game. Loyalty was a very essential thing to successful Unionism, and the members of the Union deserved the whole-hearted support of, all teams.

Mr W. Fraser, in replying on behalf of the Union, said that the latter always tried to do its best for Ihc sport and the self-sacrificing endeavours of members were deserving of the heartiest appreciation. The operations uf the Union had grown very extensively during Ihc past few years, and, including schoolboys, it had now close on 70 teams. Public interest had grown greatly, but the responsibilities ban also increased and the expenses of the Union had advanced more than proportionately. The account fund chums were much in advance of the levies paid. With the grounds at Mill strict completed and appointments for training provided ns would ho done under the new scheme, it would be advantageous to the standard of play. 7 li.it undoubtedly was on the improve, and in time the football here would he equal to the standard of the towns. With the advantages he had spoken of towards the preparation of footballers they should be able to hold their own with the best. The loyally of players here to the game was remarkable, and for that the-Union was truly grateful. The speaker referred to the cable intimating the English Union’s sanction of amended rules, as played here and in Auckland, and he was pleased to have such intimation, as there was no doubt as to the big improvement the new rules afforded in the playing of the game and the interest in it to the spectators. Mr Colin Speight referred in highly and deservedly appreciative terms to the efforts of the members when proposing the health of the “Referees’ Association,” to which Mr Killip responded on behalf of the members of the Association. Speaking on the insurance scheme Mr Speight was of the up nion that, this should be controlled by the New Zealand Union instead of tiic individual unions.

The toast of “Kindred Sports” was proposed by Mr R. Johnstone, and that of “Junior Football” by Mr R. L. Marks who referred to the wisdom of giving the very maximum of encouragement to the younger brigade concerned with the game, as the setting up basis to improvement in senior grade and representative fields later on.

Tim toast of “The Ladies" was proposed by Mr E. Prendergast and that of “The Press” by Mr Tooinan, a very pleasant social evening closing with th; singing of “Auld Lang Sync.” An excellent entertainment programme was contributed during the evening by Messrs Barnett, Parlane, Fea, Wilkinson, Blackburn, Johnston, Chilly and Beg. Cooke. The latter carried out the duties of accompanist f> his usual high standard. The thanks of the Union were extended to the performers for their contribution towards the marked success of the closing function. GAME AT HUNTLY. A local fifteen visited Huntly on Saturday afternoon when they gained a victory over the home Loam. Considering that the Huntly team had only come together for the first time, they played well against more experienced opponents. The visitors were most hospitably entertained by the Huntly team. UNAUTHORISED RULES. WE LLINGTON, Satu rd ay. The English Rugby Union has cabled 'ln the New Zealand Union supporting Iho latter’s action in permitting Auckland to play unauthorised Rugby rules with the object of checking I he inroads of the League game. The whole question of rules is to be considered at the conference.