FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 12 August 1931, Page 6

FOOTBALL

WEST COAST RUGBY UNION'. The weekly meeting of the Viest. Coast Rugby Union was held last even, lag at Greymouth. Referee’s reports were read and received. Air Williams asked if any explanation had been received from the Blake town Club as to why they -did not fulfil their fixture with Rivals last Saturday. Air Liawry (Blaketown delegate) said that five players left Greymouth in the train t and as only two players were waiting at the Karoro station, they did not go any furher, but immediately notified the Rival Club- of their inability to field a team. The explanation was accepted as satisfactory. Stewart Dawson and Coy. wrote stat. • ing that as the Union had this year reached' a new epoch in its history, by the opening of the new Rugby Park, they were forwarding two prize cups jto he presented under the following ! conditions: (1) One cup to be preI sented to the player kicking the first goal—either potted, penalty, or conversion from a try—on the new Rugby Park; (2) one cup to he presented to i the- player scoring the first try on the | new Rugby Park; (3) the competition to he for the year’s Rugby season, dating from April 1, 1931; (4) the cups to he presented irrespective of grade. The letter stated further that the Company were under the impression that the West Coast Rugby Union’s annua] hall would take place shortly, and suggested that as the cups would in all probability have been, alI ready won, they be presented on the night of the hall. / I It was decided on the motion of Messrs O’Donnell and Eggleton that the letter be received and that Stevvi m t Dawson and Company he sincerely •thanked for their generous donation; 1 further, that the presentation of the i cups take place on the occasion of the j ball, the Secretary to obtain particui lars as to who kicked the first goal and who scored, the first try. The Secretary was instructed to arrange accommodation for eighteen players and a manager of the Maori representative team.

It was resolved to play the final of the senior competition on Saturday next between Cobden and Excelsiors, at Victoria Park. A letter was received from the Excelsior Club asking that tlie final match be played! at Hokitika. The Chairman stated that it was a rule of the Union that all semi-finals and finals must he played at Greymouth, and that therefore the request could not lie granted. Air Bicheno asked how many times had Excelsiors travelled this season. All- AVhite: This will be their sixth time. Air AlcTntosh said 1 it was certainly a hardship on the Excelsior Club, and the Union must try to even things up during the Knock-out competition. Air Eggleton considered that the Excelsior Club should receive a little assistance from the Union.

Mr AVhite: Wliat about paying half their expenses? Tlie Chairman said that by giving assistance they must be careful and not create a precedent! Members pf the Excelsior team usually paid in about 2s each for petrol each time they travelled, and he suggested that if the Union paid €2 towards their expenses, it would he quite a good thing. Air Eggleton said they should undoubtedly he given assistance, as they .were an asset to the Union, and always played good football. It was decided to grant £2 to the Excelsior Club towards their expenses.

Air White moved that as both Excelsior and Cobden have the ofie club colours, viz., red and black, that the Excelsior team play in their own jerseys and that Cobden use the representative jerseys. The motion was seconded by Mr Mclntosh.

Air Eggleton moved an amendment that Cobden play in their own colours, and that Excelsiors use the representative jerseys. The amendment was seconded by Mr Hayden. On a vote of hands being taken the amendment was lost and the motion was carried almost unanimously. FIXTURES. The following fixtures were arranged for Saturday next: Senior: Final of the senior competition—C'ohden v. Excelsiors at Victoria Park, A Ground, 3 p.m. (Air W. McLaughlin). First round K.O. competi-tion-—Stars v. Rivals at Hokitika; United v. Blaketown at Victoria Park, B. Ground, 3 p.m. (Mr A. Jamieson). SEDDON SHIELD. AIR EAIPSON APPOINTED REFEREE. Air E. A. Empsoii, of Christchurch, has been appointed as referee of the Seddon Shield match between Buffer and Nelson. The game is to he played at Westport next Saturday.