ROSS SHIELD

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20025, 25 August 1939, Page 14

ROSS SHIELD

TROPHY REGAINED WIN FOR HASTINGS * PRIMARY SCHOOLS RUGBY (Special to the Herald.) WAIROA, this day. With only one point to spare, Hastings ran out the winners of the schools’ Rugby tournament for the Ross Shield, which was concluded in Wairoa yesterday. The final, points were:—Hastings, 7: Wairoa, ti; Dannevirke, 4; Central Hawke’s Bay, 2; and Napier, 1. The football generally was of a high standard, the most outstanding game being that between Wairoa and Hastings, which after an exciting struggle, resulted in a draw, 3-all. There is no doubt that Hastings was the most outstanding team in the competition, although there was not a great deal to pick and choose among any of them. Wairoa put in a very strong bid for the shield and although they failed to take the trophy from Hastings they emerged from the contest with an excellent record, their line never having been crossed in the whole series of matches. Keen Interest Shown

The schoolboys were favoured with excellent weather throughout the tournament, the organisation of which left nothing to be desired. Keen interest was shown .in all the games and there is no doubt that the holding of the tournament in Wairoa will do a great deal 'in fostering Rugby among the schoolboys in this district. Wairoa is looking forward to another Ross Shield tournament.

In presenting the shield to the caplain of the Hastings team, Parker, the president of the Wairoa County Rugby Sub-Union, the Rev. C. E. Hyde, referred to the good reports he had received in connection with the behaviour of the teams. Wairoa appreciated very much having Been given the opportunity of holding the tournament, and having the outside teams visiting the district. Very good football had been witnessed, stated Mr. Hyde, who added that arrangements were being made to hold a schools’ Rugby tournament in Auckland during the centennial, and the teams would be selected from the various Rugby union districts.

Medals Presented

Mr. C. R. Sainsbury, a member of the Hawke’s Bay Education Board, presented two medals donated by him for the best back in the competition and the best forward. These went to R. Joe, of the Wairoa team, and M. Hay, of the Hastings team respectively.

In presenting the medals, Mr. Sainsbury said that he wished, on behalf of the Education Board, to congratulate those responsible for the organisation of this very successful tournament. If what, they had seen was 1 a fair indication of the standard of .‘Rugby throughout the Dominion, then there was no need to worry about the future of Rugby in this country. A trophy presented by Mr. R. W. Good’ley, .chairman of the Wairoa School' Committee, for the best tackier in the Wairoa team, was won by B. Stewart.

The members of the Hastings party which was successful in winning the trophy were: Fulford, Hutton, Lewis, Barrett, Lomas, Parker, Pepper, Persen, Lane, Wall, McCombe, Stone, Gillies, Walsh, Grant, Collins, Hay, Gledhill, and Corby. Complete Results

The following is a. complete list of the resulits of the tournament: —

Tuesday.—Wairoa 10, Napier 6; Hastings 20, Central (H. 8.) 3; Wairoa 0, drew with Dannevirke 0; Hastings 13, Napier 0. Wednesday. Central (H. 8.) 6, Napier 0; Bastings 6, Dannevirke 3; Wairoa 3, drew with Hastings 3; Dannevirike 8, Central 3.

Thursday.—Wairoa 19, Central 0; Dannevirke 0, drew with Napier 0.