Rugby

On Our Job, Issue 14, 1 March 1945, Page 1

Rugby

AN annual general meeting for the first time since 1940 took place recently at Kilbirnie Sheds. There was quite a good attendance and it was the wish of ■one and all to see what arrangements could be made to resume the Kohn Shield games this year. Dunedin cricketers who had visited us recently seemed to think that they could possibly muster up a team, and Christchurch has hopes. So far we have had no intimation from Auckland, but we hope they, as holders of the Kohn Shield, could see their way clear to put a team in. The secretary of the Wellington Tramways Rugby Club reported on our finances and we are in a fairly healthy position with £lll/11/7 in the bank. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: Patron, Inspector H. Andersen; president, the Mayor, Mr. W. Appleton; chairman, Mr. James Maher; auditor, Mr. Thurston; club captain and selector, Mr. W. Malin; secretary and treasurer, Mr. J. C. Kelly; coach, Mr. T. Russell; manager, Mr. S. A. Vine; committee, Messrs. Russell, O’Sullivan, Guise, Mitchell and Malin. The club has started practices each Tuesday and Thursday at Lyall Bay Beach. I would like to mention the services given to the club by Darby Kelly and Bill Malin, who have held their positions since 1930 —15 years.

Both shifts have been turning out fairly regular on the beach and by all accounts we should be able to put a good side in the field. Our forwards seem a good solid fast type, with Ewart, Mitchell, Clif Wilson, Don Beaton, Mawson, Mclvor, Williamson and Ward to mention a few, and we have hopes the sheds may come to light as we have our old friend Lon Ladbrook back with us. Lon played with us in the last Kohn Shield games played at Dunedin and we will say he was one, if not our best, young forward, but unfortunately while on Army duty in Australia he severely injured his foot, but he intends giving it a try out. Also new to the team is Vic Calcanei, who needs no mention. Vic, who was captain of the Wellington Rugby representative side, will be a wonderful help to our pack. Also from this same source is a player by the name of Tonks, who is another good senior club forward, so I am sure what with Vic Calcanei and Tom Russell putting the polish on the pack it should be a very good one. Vic is a wonderful leader and is always getting the best out of his team and knows how to get that “now or never” effort which clinches the game in the last few minutes. Now for the backs. We have no actually new players, but with Don McLellan, Stewie Anderson and Vin Maher to clap the pace on, we should be able to give a good account of ourselves. In Jamieson and Evans we should have two good five-eights. Our main problem will be a half-back, but we hope with the new lads starting on the trams that we will unearth some new talent. So far we do not know what Les Elliott and Jim Maher intend to do. Les is evergreen as ever and can always be relied upon. Jim played in our only game last year and went very well. Bas Beauchamp has been out jogging along the beach, but we do not know if he has any serious ideas. Tom Russell is out training, but does not intend to play and has put his gear away for keeps, but is coaching the boys. Although we have only done about four or five practices, I am sure we will have more players turning out, as quite a few cannot attend for a while on account of doing training for their motorman’s ticket, and this takes all their spare time up. One or two new faces have been seen out, Donaldson, Adamson, Aitken and a few others, and once we start really seriously on the Hataitai ground the selection will present Bill Malin with a few headaches, but Bill knows his job. We heard that Jack Young will be home any day and we hope Jack will not be long getting back in harness with us. He was one of our fast hustling forwards and had plenty of speed and will be a good help to us if he decides to turn out once again.