RUGBY UNION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 74, 15 May 1946, Page 4

RUGBY UNION

BAY OF PLENTY MEETING DRAW FOR SHIELD GAMES The annual general meeting of the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union was held iu the Borough Chambers, Whakatane, on Saturday. All the subunions in the Bay were represented, namely: Rotorua, Tauranga, Te Puke, Rangitaiki, Whakatane, Galatea, Opotiki and Apanui. The attendance represented the largest since the 1939 meeting. Inter-Union matches confirmed were July 3 (v Poverty Bay at Opotiki); August 17 (v Waikato at Hamilton; August 31 (v Auckland at Auckland).

The election of officers resulted:— Patron: Mr F. Burt (Rangitaiki); vice-patron: Mr Les. Clarke (Rotorua) ; president: Mr A. E. Spratt (Te Puke); vice-presidents: the presidents of all affiliated sub-unions; secretary-treasurer: Mr W. S. Henderson (Whakatane); hon. auditor: Mr J. A. Ruddy (Rotorua); hon. solicitor: Mr Otley (Whakatane); executive: one representative from each sub-union, namely: Messrs. Darvill (Whakatane); M. Burrett (Opotiki); J; Guinness (Tauranga); C. Andrews (Rotorua); Butler (Apanui); McLennan (Galatea); F. Burrett (Te Puke); F. Burt (Rangitaiki); Maori representative: Mr T. Anderson (Rangitaiki); emergency committee: Messrs. W. Burrett, Guinness, Burt and Andrews; selectors: Messrs. T. Anderson (Rangitaiki), Fisher (Tauranga), and Drury (Rotorua). Disappointment was expressed by members that the Bay Union was not included in the itinerary of the forthcoming New South Wales touring team. Mr C. Andrews, Rotorua, offered strong criticism of the N.Z. Rugby Union regarding the decision to play the Maoris v New South Wales at Hamilton in preference to either Rotorua or East Coast. “Rugby in the Bay of Plenty and East Coast is predominately Maori and the match should have been played in one of these areas,” said Mr Andrews.

Following is the draw for the Te Hurunui-Apanui Shield: — Opotiki (holders) to play Apanui on June 29 and thereafter every fortnight the following in order:— Tauranga, Rangitaiki, Whakatane, Te Puke, Rotorua, Galatea. Draw for- Shalfoon Shield: Te Puke (holders) to play Tauranga on June 29, Opotiki, July 20, and thereafter every fortnight and following in order: Whakatane, Rangitaiki, Apanui, Rotorua. The following age and weight limits for Shalfoon matches were decided on: Players up to 18 years no weight limit; players 18 years to 21 years weight limit of 12 stone; no player over age of 21 may take part in Shalfoon Shield games. With regard to boundaries, the meeting decided to strictly enforce those originally established. During the war years, there had been a certain amount of transgression, but this would no longer be permitted. The Parata Cup, subject to the consent of the donor, Mr W. L. Parata, will be competed for by third grade teams, as a challenge trophy. A select committee, consisting of the secretary Mr Henderson, Mr Darvill and Mr Clarke, was set up to revise the whole of the rules of the union. The annual school football grants by the N.Z.R.U. under this heading is to be subsidised 50. per cent, by the Bay. A grant of £lO 10s was made to the Bay of Plenty Association. Delegates reported an acute shortage in every district of jerseys, football linings and footballs. Concern was expressed that the manufacturers were not takiftg steps to meet the requirements of the season.