RUGBY.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17131, 18 June 1927, Page 19 (Supplement)

RUGBY.

ACCIDENT INSURANCE. SCHEME FOR HAMILTON. The details of the players’ accident insurance fund have now been finally settled upon by the management committee of the Hamilton Union and are communicated for general information. The special attention of players is drawn to the provisions of clauses 3,4, 5,7, 10, 16 and 19. 1. A fund shall be established called the “Hamilton Rugby Union's Players Accident Fund” (hereafter termed “the fund”.) 2. Such fund shall consist of all moneys paid to the treasurer of tho Hamilton Rugby Union (hereafter termed “the Union”) by the several clubs affiliated to the said Union (hereafter termed “the clubs") for the purpose of Players Accident Insurance which moneys shall be derived from the said clubs in the manner and on the conditions hereinafter provided. 3. The clubs by their secretaries, Club Captains, or other officer specially appointed for the purpose shall pay to the Treasurer or other officer ■of the Union specially appointed for the purpose prior to the commencement of each match, the sum of fifteen shillings (15s) for each senior and first junior team of his club, and the payment of such sum will insure every player of the side whose name appears on the team card and for whom payment is made for the match taking place on the day for which payment is made.

4. Players of the senior and first junior grades may exercise the option of making payment in a lump sum of fifteen shillings (15s) which sum shall te deemed to have insured any such player against accident during all matches cither club or representative under the judisdiction of the Hamilton Rugby Union for that season.

5. Players of the third, fourth and fifth grades of the Union’s competition may insure themselves individually in like manner and on the same terms and conditions as those provided for members of the senior and first junior teams (is per game or 15s for the season.)

G. Emergency players called upon during the progress of any club or representative football match under the control of the Union shall also come under the compulsory provisions of this scheme and the clubs, or in the case of representative matches, the Union, shall accept responsibility for tile payment of the insurance premium (Is) for each such emergency. 7. For the purpose of fixing responsibility for payment, the various clubs under the control of the Union shall forthwith submit to the secretary of the Union the names and addresses of their secretaries, team captains, or otper specially appointed representatives in each grade. 8. The money derived from the payments into the above scheme shall be kept in a separate account at Ihe Union’s Bank and any surplus remaining in the account at the end of each and any football season may be transferred to the Post Office Savings Bank or otherwise invested at the discretion of the management committee.

0. The payment of compulsory conIribulions under clause 3 shall lie made before the teams take the field. 10. Upon the production of a saiisfaclory medical certificate from the Union’s surgeon or other approved medical man, any player who is incapacitated from following his usual employment by reason of injuries sustained while playing rugby football in any club or representative fixture under the jurisdiction of the Union shall ]>e. awarded flic sum of (£3) per week dating from the day following the accident, provided that: (1) No such payment shall be made in respect of incapacity lasting less than seven full days counting from the day following the accident. (2) No such payment shall be macia for a period exceeding eight weeks unless such payrhcnl is specially approved by ibe. management committee and recorded in the minutes of tlie Union.

11. The payment for periods of less than one week (atfer (he lapse of seven days) shall be at the rate of ten shillings (10s) per diem. 12. The Union shall have the power to require any injured player to submit himself for medical examination as directed by the management committee.

13. Payments In the case of partial disablement snail be at the discretion of the management committee of the Union. 14. Cost of medical certificate shall be borne by the player claiming the

benefits accruing under this proposal. ID. Cost of administration shall be borne by the fund. 10. Any player who is not a financial member of his club at the time of the accident for which he might otherwise claim under this scheme shall not participate in the benefits accruing from this fund. 17. All matters in connection with this fund shall be under the control and management of the management committee of the Union and its decision shall in all cases be final and binding. 18. No player shall be entitled to any benefits by reason of any injury sustained to teeth. 19. No claim shall be entertained unless the accident in respect of which the claim is made has been reported to the referee in charge of the match or to the secretary of the Union in writing within the 48 hours following the match at which the Injury was received. 20. The benefits accruing under this scheme shall be those provided for in the above clauses and no claims shall be considered and no benefits granted except tlfcose specially mentioned and it is hereby declared that the Union shall not be liable to make any payments to any player or to the relatives of any player whose death occurs while playing Rugby Union football except as herein specifically provided. 21. All the clubs affiliated to the Union have joined the above scheme except the Ruakura and United Clubs which clubs are hereby exempted from the operation of the scheme until such time as cither or both of the clubs shall apply in writing for admission to the scheme. v JUNIOR JOTTINGS. SOME OF THE TEAMS. (By ‘‘Side-Liner.’’) Once more it ' is my privilege and pleasure to chi nnicle some of the performances of Hamilton junior players. These play-.rs are our potential seniors, and are worthy of every encouragement, more especially as there is a wealth of talent available in junior ranks here. It Is to he distinctly understood that all criticism here is of a constructive nature, and not made in any unfriendl'/ spirit, but in the hope that all concerned will profit by such criticism and improve their standard of play. Marists. Pride of place in these notes must be given to tne Marist junior team, who arc the present leaders and probable winners of the second grade competition. They have the unique distinction of not having a point scored against them this season. It cannot he gainsaid that several of their players are of senior standard. Forwards of the calibre of Reynolds, Frost, and Waters would be an acquisition to any senior club. So far the team has won all its matches comfortably, with the exception of the matches against City and Technical Old Boys. In the City match they were fortunate in having possession of an excellent goal-kicker in Pat Clarkin, who pulled the game out of the fire. With his goal-kicking alone this player has scored 21 points out of a total of 89 registered by Marists. Marists had to go all out against Technical Old Boys, who for a light team, put up a wonderful fight against such a heavy pack. The nextx clash should be well worth seeing. Marists’ Third Grade team are shaping well, and were only defeated by Old Boys I. by 6 points to 3. They have a fine set of forwards, anti an excellent back in Grogan. His line kicking was excellent. The Marist Club is to be congratulated upon the attention it gives to training. This is essential to tlie success of any team. Horotlu. Horoliu sprang a surprise on Old Boys juniors last week, and drew with them —6 all. They were unlucky in not winning, as a shot at goal from the side-line with a greasy ball hit the uprights. Ilorotiu played the right game for a wet day, whereas Old Boys were foolish enough to attempt to handle a greasy ball. .This was impossible under the existing conditions, and lost them I he match. Rouse played a fine game in the backs, while Bruce was prominent in the forwards. Tbs player was rejected by Old Boys, and should prove a boon to Ilorotiu, as he is the right type of bustling forward, who always follows up. Moreover, he is an excellent goal-kicker, and won no fewer than three matches for Old Boys last year by his goal-kicking alone. Old Boys. Old Boys juniors are now in the unhappy position of having no goalkicker. They have a very weak team this year, and seem disorganised. The forwards do not follow up as they should. The backs handle the ball well enough on a dry day, but attempted the impossible last Saturday. Gibing appeared to be the headiest, and his short punt was effective against ilorotiu. Madill .will not go down to forward rushes. Technical Old Boys. Technical Old Boys have a team of light-weights, but they are all plucky.. In their match against City it was a treat to sec these light forwards stand up to the heavier City pack. Kelly is prominent in the 'forwards. In the backs A. tit. George and Lntta arc outstanding. Against City St. George scored a brilliant try from half-way in combination with Barlow. This player, lias proved a prolific scorer, and in the City match scored three out of four tries. Barlow plays a good game, but, is inclined lo run too far. Bay Turley docs all that is required. Lai la is a well-built youth, runs straight, and is a dangerous man in possession of the ball near 1 lie line, lie would grace any senior team. Technical Old Boys have Third and Fifth Grade teams also, but of these more anon. Te Kowhal. It is pleasing to record that Te Kowhai arc in Su! field stronger than ever. Their destinies are still being guided by that enthusiast, Harry Bennett, who, not being content with the onerous duties of a secretary, dons the jersey as well. I hope to chronicle news of the team at an early dale. A Wise Move. The Old Boys Club have no fewer than two teams in the Third Grade,, and, strange to relate, the official second team is leading in the competition. The second team won the Fourth Grade championship last year, and as several were overweight for the Fourth

Grade this year the team decided to come up in a body. Their decision is a wise one, aud it is to be hoped that tiiese lads can remain together during their football career. From such small beginnings was founded the presentday strength of the Ponsonby Club. McDell is tiic bright particular star of this team. By his personality ho holds the team together, and on the field is a “dandy” half-back. He “goes down to it” every time, and opens up tiie game at every opportunity. In the forwards the team could be improved. While F. Thomas and G. Pollock arc hustling forwards are good at tackling, their efforts arc neutralised to a great extent by the weak tackling of Reid, Nealie, Hare, Misscn and Farmer. These players arc slow at following up, and need to read up the rule hook. This team has a safe full-back in Speight, who is a powerful line kick. Holmes, on the wing, is fast, but could improve his tackling. Voice is inclined to crowd his outside backs. Ruakura. Most of the faces in the Ruakura team are unfamiliar, but the team Is up to standard. “Coming All Blacks.” I will conclude this week’s remarks with an extract from the Christchurch Sun concerning an ex-Hamilton player, in the person of Busby or “Whacker" Cave, who played for Technical Old Boys Third Grade team. liis progress may prove of encouragement io local juniors, and serve lo indicate that the Hamilton Rugby Union is’ providing tho right training • and competitions for potential “All Blacks.” First the Sun mentions veteran A. (“Son”) White, and who does not know o f “Son” White, the All Black? Then the Christchurch paper continues: —“Next to him ranks a new comer to First Grade Rugby. The police force lias reason to he proud of Constable A. Cave. Tall and well-built, Cave is the most promising forward the Christchurch Club lias produced for several seasons. He is the right type, the sort of tear-away forward who loves ‘to get stuck’ into tilings. There are vivid memories of his bursting through a press of men, with elbows working. As yet lie appears green. He looks like becoming a representative forward, though perhaps it is too soon to prophesy. lie scored a try in the right style, nearl” knocking a hole- in several men in smashing through.” When wc consider that Cave only played for Technical Old Boys Thirds two seasons ago, it must lie admitted that his progress has been meteoric. May his example he an incentive to local juniors!

SCRUM FORMATION. 3-2-3 OR 2-3-2? The merits of the 3,2, 3 scrum formation occupied quite a lot of time at Hie last meeting of Hie Management Committee of the New Zealand Management Committee of Hie New Zealand Rugby Union, and Messrs Dean and Leith, who have,both managed All Black tours overseas in recent years, appear to favour this formation. Mr E. McKenzie, during the discussion, also admitted that the 192 D All Black side was beaten for the ball in Sydney, hut as this gentleman advised the managing authorities in New South Wales that they could never hope for success until the New Zealand formation was adopted, it would appear that lie is still a champion of the 2,3, 2 scrum. Mr Dean, to bolster up his argument, staled that Cliff Porter and Mark Nicholls were seriously considering adopting the 3,2, 3 scrum in their respective clubs. As both the Athletic and Petone senior fifteens are just at present meeting with indifferent success, the time would appear opportune for the two internationals to try out their theory. Certainly Hie experiment will be watched with great interest. A GOOD COACH. ESSENTIAL FOR RUGBY TEAMS. FAMOUS HOOKER’S OPINION. Even the best of football teams can he improved one hundred per cent by listening to a good coach. That is tho considered verdict of Arthur Hcimcssy, of Sydney, well-known throughout Australia and New Zealand as a great Rugby hooker—and a coach second lo none in his day. The value of a coach is overlooked by many teams, ’and il is surprising that more first-grade learns do not engage one (writes Mr ilonnessy). Coaching is by no means a new idea. Anybody who knows football history in New Soulli Wales will remember Ihc influence of Hilly Warbrick, IMo Maori, who, after coining over with a New Zealand team, setlied down in Sydney. He got logo liter a hunch of juniors and, by steady coaching, got them into such shape that they were successful in senior competition. And what a wonderful combination they were, and that with such powerful opposition as Randwiek, Wailaroons and 11 1 e Pirates. Wurbrick was tho first man to start coaching with any system in New Soulli Wales, and the advance of Rugby in til is State was undoubtedly helped by his inlluene.e. Lesson of All Blacks. Unfortunately there is always among us Ihc first-grade player who resents being coached. I should like to point out to him that tin greatest New Zealand team that was ever got together—and possibly the finest Rugby combination the world lias known—was sent to tour Great Britain in 1905. That team was gathered from the (Continued on page 20.)