When Some People Let Some People Down

Chronicle (Levin), 15 September 1948, Page 4

When Some People Let Some People Down

Recentiy .a Horowhenua fourth grade representative team went to Wellington. It was well received by this important union, but soundly beaten by 53 points to 3. This sco're caused some eyebrow raising by many who knew Horowhenua had a sound representative team. Whac they did not know was that only a handful of the players appointed by the selectors made the trip. This was revealed at a meeting of the management committee of the Horowhenua Rugby Union last night following the receipt of ' a letter from the manager of the team, Mr. L. Smith. Of the match played at Wellington on September 4, Mr. Smith had this to say: "Only six of the selected. team made the journey, so that it was' not a Horowhenua representative side. It was rather disheartening, but having no alternative, the trip was made. I managed through toll calls and other means to leave Otaki with 11 boys. I, with the help of Mr. E. J. Cook, who had a fourth grade Otaki team piaying at Petone in the morning, managed to field a team; thus the heavy defeat of 53 fco 3. The boys who travelled down with me behaved excellently and une manner in which we were received by the Wellington Rugby Union was very gratifying." Concern that such a situation had arisen was expressed by all members of the committee when the letter was discussed. It must be ensured, said the chairman, Mr. A. Gillespie, that there wouid never again be such an occurrence.1 "We might not get another opportunity," said Mr. C. E. Wiseley. It was pointed out by Mr. C. Wilkinson that the match had oeen played on Athletic Park, a fact which made it even more deplorable. It was stated by members that the closing of the Horovvhenua College for the holidays might have affected some of the players. It was also pointed out that the selected team had been published in the newspaper that week, though some might not have seen the announcement. The s'ecretary, Mr. J. E. Fullarton, produced a copy of a circular setting out the teams and arrangements, which he stated had been sent out to all club secretaries in addition to those clubs concerned, and to the Horowhenua tlollege. The match had not definitely been finalised until the Tuesd'ay as a reply from the Wellington Union had been awaited, but the club secretaries should have received : advice in time. Various members of the committee expressed the view that the club secretaries had "^lipped up" over informing those chosen..from fcheir clubs, or the committee, if they were not available. , • .Mr. Fuilarton said he had been a'dvised of only two players who Would not be ayailable. In one instance the mother of one of the boys had telephoned him. Many of the boys had not known of the match said another member, One h.e knew of had heard by chance on the street. It had been a dis app ointm ent to many of them He thought this was a mattei which should be raised at- the an- ■ nual meeting and fully. discussed ■ said Mr. D. Oliver. After further discussion it was • agreed that this action be taken. ' The chairman said that th€ ■ manager of the team should bt • thanked for doing a difficult task