FINANCIAL LOSS ON RUGBY

Chronicle (Levin), 21 October 1948, Page 9

FINANCIAL LOSS ON RUGBY

But Play Much Improved Satlsfaction with this year's football season and the performance of teams was expressed by the president of the .Horowheneua Rugby Union, Mr. A. Gillespie, at the wind-up meeting of the season on Tuesday night. He felt that rugby was going ahead faster in the Horowhenua than any where else in New Zealand, and much of this was due to the way football was conducted Ihere, said Mr. A. Gillespie. The committee had done very well consi'dering that it nad. 13 clubs to control over a 50-milt- radius. There were suggestions concerning the altering of some rules and he thought that would be all to the good. The gate takings had Uhown a loss, but this woul'd be lamply repaid iri the future. It had jbeen' the policy to play as nrkny • representative fixtures as possible and the players had thus gained experience and would hol'd their own anywhere. These trips had indurred expense, but had been iworth it. He did not think there fwas a union in New Zealand which ihad done so much with so little. |He thanked the members of the j committee for their work during the year, and stated that it had been a pleasure ' working with them. Thanks were also 'due to the referees for their assistance. The senior representative teams were to be congratulated on their jplay. They had won three out of ithe five games played, securing the iBebbington Shieid. The players ;and their coaches were deserving |of praise. The junior representatives now held two cups, whiie lAthletic juniors had secured the ;Rowland Cup by defeating Mana!watu junior leaders. The third igrade team, too, had acquitted itself well and had won as many games as it had lost. The fourth grade had not had the same success, but had "battled along manfully." The school representative teams and the college and primary school teams were also to be congratulated on their play. In conclusion, Mr. Gillespie thanked the Press for its attendance at meetings. The committee members were later entertained at supper by Mr. Gillespie