RUGBY FOOTBALL

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 22730, 4 October 1945, Page 8

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SEASON IN REVIEW 1 HAMILTON COMPETITIONS The winning of the Stag Trophy by the Old Boys Club for the fifth successive time and Hamilton's loss of the Peace Cup to Morrinsvllle after repelling three eanier challenges were features of the 1945 Rugby season in Hamilton. The Peace Cup matches attracted considerable interest and as a result the finances of the Hamilton sub-union benefited appreciably. However, the presence of the cup had a detrimental effect on club football, the Clarke Cup one-round competition developing into one of the most farcical contests ever known in HamilRobbed of some of their players through the representative team’s " requirements, several clubs appeared to lose interest and a surprisingly large number of games in the competition were won and lost by default. Horotiu, winner of the cup, took the field on only two occasions for a draw and a win, the remaining four matches being won by default. Consequently opposition has been voiced regarding the advisability of entering tor the Peace Cup in future years and the opinion has been expressed that greater concentration should be laid on the development of a high standard of club football In several of their games the Hamilton backs showed brilliant form at times but a number of opportunities were lost through mistakes in handling and passing at critical moments. They usually endeavoured to provide the type of football popular with the spectators. The team was well served in the first five- ' eighths position, first R. J. McGregor and latterly R. H. Booth filling this place with credit. W. D. Watty was the only player to take the field in all seven ! games. Hamilton’s Playing Record Hamilton’s playing record was: v. I Matamata, lost 9-11; v. Waiuku, won 158; v. Waipa, won 13-9; v. Te Aroha, won 20-3; v. Morrinsville, lost 3-9; v. Cambridge, won 14-3; v. Matamata, lost 1516. Played 7, won 4, lost 3, points for i 89, against 59. Watty was the highest points scorer with 21. F. McMillan followed with 18 and McGregor with 12. The importance of planning for next season was the basis of a discussion at a meeting of the management committee of the Hamilton sub-union this week. ; Expressions of opinion in favour of a Waikato Stag Trophy competition were received from the City, Technical Old Boys and Old Boys clubs. The first-named club considered that each sub-union should enter club teams as at present constituted, but the Technical Old Boys Club favoured the entry of one team : from each sub-union, individual club ! competitions continuing in the various j centres. The meeting held the opinion that next ! year would not be an opportune time to invite other sub-unions to participate in the Stag Trophy competition. It was considered that Hamilton and other subunions would desire to concentrate on ; clubs. The meeting carried a resolu- I tion signifying the intention to foster club football as far as possible next seaConsidering Public It was felt that if the Stag competition ! was confined to one team from each ! sub-union the public would be robbed of their interest in club football, which i would become disorganised to some ex- j tent. Members agreed that every encouragement should be given to the advancement through the grades of promising junior footballers. Several other matters of importance were dealt with at the meeting. A special grounds committee was set up to attend to improvements on Nos. 1,2 and 3 grounds at Rugby Park. The grounds will be harrowed, topdressed with soil, rolled, sown and treated with fertiliser. The future policy will be to keep No. 1 ground cut throughout the year. The union will repay a further £25 to debenture-holders by ballot. The meeting decided to write to the Hamilton Domain Board pointing out the j danger of fire created through sawdust being deposited close to the union’s fencing and buildings at Rugby Park. The board will be asked to disallow the practice. Play in Lower Grades The success of the junior representative team in two matches against Auckland, as well as in two games in the Waikato championship, reflected the high standard of play in the competition. There were several players of outstanding promise but the team showed fine ! team work and was ably coached by the selector, Mr P. A. Clarkin. The side played five games, winning four and losing one, and scoring 51 points against 15. The third grade representatives won ; its two games against Cambridge. Following is a table showing the plac- j ings in the junior championship, indi- | eating the games played, won, drawn, ; lost, won by default, lost by default, and

The one-round competition points were: Colts 18, Old Boys 14, Technical Old Boys 13, Marist Old Boys 11, Whatawhata Rovers 9, City 7, Air Force 7, High School 6, Horotiu 4, Technical High School 0. Third Grade.—Championship: City 28. Old Boys 24, Technical Old Boys 13, High School 9, Marist Old Boys 9, Technical High School 3. One round: City 10, Old Boys 8, Marist Old Boys 5, Technical Old Boys 4. High School 1, Technical High School 0. Fourth Grade.—Championship: Technical Old Boys 25, Frankton 24, High School A 19, City 12, Marist Old Boys 10, Technical A 9, Technical B 8, High School B 1. The one-round competition will be completed on Saturday. Fifth Grade.—Championship: Technical A 16, High School A 14, Technical B 4, High School B 2. Sixth Grade.—Championship: High School A 18, Frankton 16, Marist A 13, Technical A 12, Technical B 6, Marist B 4, High School B 3.

championship points:— Technical Colts .. 14 13 0 1 4 0 34 Old Boys .... 14 11 2 1 4 0 32 Marist Old Boys .. 13 7 1 5 4 1 23 High School ..10 9 0 1 1 6 20 Technical O.B. ..15 6 2 7 2 1 18 Air Force .... 12 7 0 5 1 5 16 Whataw’ta Rovers 16 2 3 11 2 0 11 City 16 2 2 12 2 0 10 Technical School 10 4 0 6 0 7 8 Horotiu 14 1 0 13 2 2 6