SCHOOL RUGBY

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20784, 20 April 1939, Page 13

SCHOOL RUGBY

AFFECT OF LEAGUE REVIVAL OF UNION CODE “The fact that schoolboys in Hamilton were playing League last season gave us no little concern but from that there developed what 1 am sure will prove a valuable help to our football—a Saturday Rugby competition fostered by the clubs in Hamilton,” stated Mr R. Anderson, secretary of the Hamilton Primary Schools’ Rugby Union, in his report presented to the annual meeting. “The organisation of this Saturday is well in hand and, in the 1939 season the boys will have an opportunity -of joining one of the town clubs.” During the season, added the report, the union experimented with a seven-a-side at the intervals between the senior games at Ruigby Park each Saturday afternoon and these games proved popular with both the boys and the public. In all three grades in the Wednesday competitions, Southwell School won ihe championship. The Hamilton primary representatives showed promise in the Saturday morning competitions, which, while it had many advantages, tended to develop the defence of the primary boys at the expense of the attack.

The Union had the opportunity of staging the 1939 Northern Boiler Mills Shield competition in Hamilton this season. Billetting would be difficult, but Mr Anderson felt sure the staging of the tournament here would benefit school Rugby in Hamilton. The officers elected for the year were:—

President, Mr R. Anderson; vicepresidents, Messrs F. Hare, H. Sengel, R. Matheson; secretary and treasurer, Mr A. J. Fiatt; delegate to the Hamilton Rugby Union, Mr A. J. Fiatt. The season will open on May 2-4.