Marlborough Rugby Union

Hokitika Guardian, 9 August 1921, Page 3

Marlborough Rugby Union

west coast eoreeit. At a meeting .of the above Union, held al Blenheim on Moudiiv, August Ist, the following discussion took place on I lie West ( oast s decision to forfeit : I’iie telegram communicating the West Coast Union’s inability to fulfil the engagement to plav for the Seddon .Shield on the 6th, owing to the incapacitation of players through injuries and illness, was received. ••What do you think of that P” asked rlie chairman. A member: "Not much !” Tile chairman considered that tin* Coast should have come up even with injured players. He instanced Marlborough's case last year, when, in quest of the Shield, numbers of the local men were "woodened” prior to the mutch an I only a shadow of the original "rep.” team took the field against the holders, yet were victorious. The secretary informed the meeting that Boiler bad challenged for August 27th. Alter a discussion of an inl’orina.l nature Mr Dixon moved that the West Const forfeit be accepted for this year. Mr Priddle seconded the motion. During the ensiling discussion considerable dissatisfaction was expressed with tho way the Union had been put to expense and inconvenience by the Coast, who bad then desired to postpone the match indefinitely. Mr Dixon pointed out that if Marlborough were to allow the Shield to go to the Coast it would not he much loss. It laid always been the subject of controversy and ill feeling, and did not work to any great extent for the good of football It would be better, the speaker considered, if the province cut itself adrift altogether from its connection with the Shield and linked up with a'few North Island unions, and played home" and home matches. Such a movement, lie was sure, would he to tin* advantage and progress of football. The chairman agreed with the previous speaker, but lie felt that the Union should continue, as it had done in the past, to do its best for the game in the Seddon Shield district. He was thoroughly dissatisfied with the West Coast attitude. "Play them!” be cried. "I’d play them with the juniors!’’ Mr Fuller remarked that the match vn. set down and everything arranged. The (late was the Coast suggestion, and or Ccv had forfeited. In fairness to ll.e Union they should have come and played the game. The motion was carried unanimously. It was also agreed to accept the Bullet challenge for the 27th.