FOOTBALL.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20491, 9 March 1932, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

THE 3-2-3 SCRUM. ALBION CLUB SUPPORTS TRIAL CHANGES. The suggested adoption of the 32 —3 formation rule, and the abolishing of the wing-forward—the question which is causing much controversy in football circles at present—was discussed at the annual meeting of the Albion Football Club last night. Although some arguments were advanced against the changes, the club finally decided to support the proposals. - The president, Mr R. W. Britton, said that he thought it was advisable for the club to express an opinion on the matter. To assist them in understanding the purport of the proposed changes Mr S. F. Wilson, of the Rugby Union, would give an outline of the case for revision. Actually, said Mr Wilson, the principal change affecting the play would be that dealing with the hooking of the ball in the scrum. The New Zealand Rugby Union had moved the adoption of the 3 —2—3 rule, and the abolishing of the wing-forward. It was Mr Wilson's opinion that the wing-forward was not a destructive force. All that the clubs, however, were being asked to do was to try the new formation out for two Saturdays. Thero were very few players in New Zealand who knew the 3—2—3 formation—except from the grandstand. And the only way to find out about new methods was to try them and experience them. After the Tests. In answer to a question—what would happen at the end, of the two weeks' tests?—Mr Wilson said the question of adopting the different rules or not would be settled in Wellington. No one could force any club to play in the formation; but eventually it was believed the clubs would come to an honourable agreement to conform with the custom. It would first appear in inter-provincial football probably, then percolate downwards. Mr R. R. Masters said that when the elemerits of Rugby were boiled down it might be found that the destructive force of the wing-forward was not detrimental to the game, because in Rugby destructive force was about as important as constructive force.

Hope of Better Football. The president, Mr Britton, gave it as his opinion that if the change was going to make for better football it would be useful. He said, however, that personally he had always been against it. The wing-forward, he said, had sharpened up the game considerably. In the interests of international football, nevertheless, the new rules should get over many difficulties. At this point Mr Wilson explained that there would not be any changes in the rules. In fact, the relative position of the feet would be exactly the same under the new formation as before. Finally it was resolved that the club fall in with the suggestion of the Canterbury Rugby Union that the new ideas be given a trial for the first two Saturdays of competition football in the season. .ALBION B. ANNUAL MEETING. The forty-seventh annual general meeting of the Albion Football Club was held last evening, Mr 'R. W. Britton presiding. The annual report stated that the club could look back <yi a very successful season. Four teams were entered in the C.R.F.U. competitions, and all performed creditably, the expectations for 1932 being of the brightest. The senior A team was disorganised at the commencement of the season owing to injuries. In spite of this the team trained exceptionally well, and finished third (equal) on the championship table, being semi-finalists for the C.R.U. Challenge Shield. The Senior B team were to be commended on the splendid way in which they kept' together, although receiving little encouragement, duo to their coach being transferred. The junior team had an excellent record, being the most consistent team in the club. The Fifth Grade A team performed very creditably, thanks to a splendid team and club Bpirit, and excellent coaching from Mr J. Middlcton. The thanks of the club were due to Mr C. Buckett for the use of his gymnasium, and his untiring efforts on behalf of the club. As regards field training, the greater number of players trained consistently well. Representative honours were gained by the following:—Senior—Canterbury A: A. W. Roberts, W. Sweeney, T. Hooker (touring team Ranfurly Shield); T. Hodgkinson, T. Preston, and R. Feeney also played in the trial games Canterbury B: W. Thompson, T. Hooker, and A. Saunders. S'enior B: H. G. Roberts. South Island Maori team: R. Huria. The annual report and balance-sheet, which showed a credit balance of £ll 14s lid, were adopted. Election of Officers. The election of officers resulted as follows; Patron, Mr S. F. Wilson; president, Mr It. W. Britton; vice-presidentß, Messrs T. Johnston, J Steel, J. Wallace, J. Bryce, H. Caulfleld, W. Whitham, R. R. Masters, F. 0. Schmidt, and 0. H. Oakley; club captain, Mr W. Ohapman; committee, Messrs A. D. Saunders, W. Thompson, T. Preston, C. White, R. Thomson, R. W. Miller, J. Middleton, R. Calder, and C. Collins; secretary, Mr D. Fixinegata; treasurer, Mr W. Sweeney; custodian, Mr J. Beattie; auditors, Messrs W. Whitham and A. Lilburne; delegates to Canterbury Rugby Union, Messrs R. R. Masters, W. Whitham, and R. W. Britton, appointment of selectors and coaches to be left in the hands of the incoming committee. Opening day was fixed for March _l9th. R. Clarke was awarded a medal, which had been presented by a supporter of the club, who wished to remain anonymous, for the most promising player of the year. Several new members were enrolled. SUNNYSIDE CLUB. | ANNUAL MEETING HELD. The Sunnyside Rugby Football Club held its annual meeting last evening, the president (Dr. A. C. McKillop) occupying tho chair. ► The annual report Btated that the season opened with the club in a very good position financially. The Canterbury Rugby Union accepted the club'B entry in the senior B competition, and the team had Btruck form at once, going through the first round undefeated. The team had had its first and only loss when it met Merivale at Lancaster Park. Two weeks later the team had drawn with North Canterbury, this putting it half a point behind Merivale, where it re mained until the end of the season. Four friendly games also had been won. Messrs T. Simpson, J. Freear, C. Cocks, and W. Oliver had gained places in the senior B representative team, and had acquitted themselves well. In conclusion, the report extended the club's thanks to all officials and others who had assisted in various ways during the season, and particularly to the Canterbury Rugby Union for providing free passes for the patients for the more important fixtures at Lancaster Park. The balance-sheet" showed a credit of £8 8s 6d. Dr. McKillop Paid that the report and balance-sheet were quite satisfactory, but with a little extra training the team could have been the leader of the competition instead of runner-up. - Officers Elected. Officers elected for the ensuing year were: —President, Dr. A. C. McKillop; vice-presi-dents, Drs. M. Brown, R. Bellringer, and R. G. T. Lewis, and Messrs E. Barnes, A. McDonald, E. Hall, F. Coute, F. Crowder, T. Quirke, R. Hilder. M. Kelly, P. Kelly, F. A. Cocks, J. Sincock, and M. Moir; club caplain, Dr. Bellringer; secretary, Mr A. JMarshall; hon. treasurer, Mr Guy; hon. auditor, Mr Wickes; coaches, Messrs T. Sincock and J. McGuinness; selector, Mr T.

Sincock; delegate to the Canterbury Eugby Onion, Mr Marshall. It was decided that the team be entered in the senior B grade. The delegate was instructed to vote in favour of the 3-2-3 scrum formation. It was decided to send letters of congratulation to the Sydenham and Merivale Football Clubs on the occasion of their jubilees. RUGBY LEAGUE. LINWOOD CLUB'S MEETING. . Mr J. Underwood presided over the annual meeting of the Linwood League Football Club last evening. The election of officers resulted ae follows Patron, Mr E. Doyle; honorary vicepresidents, Mesdames J. Chick, W. Desmond, B. Sogers, H. Rogers, J. Underwood, Z. Bow ley, K. Coomber, C. Wilson, R. Hoskins, H. Geiry, W. Fletcher, Messrs E. Healey, J. Underwood, W. E. Desmond, W. L. Desmond, and W. Desmond, Ben.; ordinary vice-piesidents, Messrs W. Worseold, B. Rogere, W. S. Moyle, W. Bates, E. Marriott, H. Lee, T. Harrall, and O. Wat' son; secretary, Mr R. Jorgensen; treasurer, Mr H. Rogers; club captain, Mr W. Rogers; deputy-captain, Mt D. Fraser; auditors, Messrs H. Worssold, W. Rogers, and J. Underwood; trustees, Messrs E. Healey, W. Desmond, ren., and B. Sogers, sen.; delegate to Centre, Mr W. E. Desmond ; junior advisory board, Mr k". Clark; Krintf, steward, "Mr H. Worssold; committee, j Messrs M. Gillespie, R. Whitley, A. Stuart, I J. Chick, li." Geary, C. Fairman, J. BurSßri, and J. Coomber. Opening day was fixed for March 19th.

NORTHERN UNION. LONDON, March 7. At Northern Union Rugby football HuJdersfield 12 defeated Wakefield 3. ASSOCIATION. (OSITED TUESS ASSOCIATION—BI ELECTRIC TELEORAPH—COPYBIGHT.) LONDON March 7. At' Association football, in the English League competition, Charlton Athletic 3, beat Barnsley 1.