RUGBY CODE

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 126, 1 May 1925, Page 2

RUGBY CODE

SEASON OPENING TO-MORROW. Tomorrow will mark the opening of the 1925 Rugby season, when the local attraction will be the senior game between Western United and Old Boys’ Clubs, with a curtain-raiser between the junior representatives of Kia Toa and Old Boys. The competing teams have for some weeks past been engaged in strenuous training operations and it is confidently expected that the displays forthcoming ‘in the opening games will be far superior to those usually witnessed. All the playing areas are in excellent condition and the prospects for the opening can be considered very promising. A fund of new playing material has been introduced into local and district playing circles, and while some of the familiar faces will be missing, it is considered that the standard of play will witness a distinct improvement. At Feuding the home team will oppose Kia Toa, last season’s premiers, and supporters of the yellow and blacks nave strong faith in the ability of their representatives to lower the colours of the double blues. The fifth and remaining team in the senior division, Woodville, has drawn a bye and will thus have a further week' in which to marshal their forces.

It will be pleasing news to local patrons to learn that this season the games in tbe oval will be played parallel to the stand, while the oldtime invitation to ladies and children to attend the club games free of charge is again extended by the Manawatu Union* THE TEAMS. '

Kia Toa seniors v. Feilding (bus leaves Clarendon Hotel at 1.30 p.m.) : McSweeny, McDonald, Strange, Mullins, Leeder, Wasley, Taylor, Eyre, Boldt, Mardon, Jackson, Bryce, Doherty, Pragnell, Stuart. Emergencies: Piper, Chadwick. Juniors y. Old Boys: Anderson, Rhodes, Tait, Godfrey, Freeman, Bambery, Heatly, Bruce, Morgan, Weston, Taylor, Doherty, Murray, Skeilton. Thirds v. Old Boys A: Weston, Read, Holden, Mitchell, Wasly, Loveday, Hancock, Bambery, Cooksley, Rush, Boyd, Mitchell, Boniface, Killian, Baxter, Davis, Burr, MoDowall, Robinson. Fourths: Brown, Comber. _ Topic, Casey, Strange, Morgan, Blair, Seymour, Brown, Wild, Miles, Singh, Denman, Richards, Collyer, Mutch. "Bunnythorpe juniors at Bunnythorpe at 2.30 p'.m.: Andrew, Harrison, Jensen, Young, Parker, Hughes, Swainson, Robson, Montgomerie, Woods, Godfrey (2). Sutherland, Rundill, Burgess, Higgle, Johnson, Larkin. Old Boys’ seniors v. Western United, all players to be at ground at 2.30 sharp : —Barling, McArthur, Brophy, Palmer, Evans, Akuira, Nicholson, Glendinning, Stewart, Snell, Anderson, Seeker, Guy, Smith, Tremewan. Juniors v. Kia Toa, Showgrounds, at 1.30 sharp :—McKenzie, Turner, Cresswell, Dawiek, Dalgety, Littleiohn, Williamson, Barnes, Moffit, White, Zinzett, Linklater, Twist, Bowie, Gardiner, Anderson, Lovelock. Western United seniors v. Old Bovs: Algar, Butler, McDonald, Crawford, Ebbett, McArley, Fitt, Ellis, McKay, Huntington, Ormond, Vautier, Cockroft, Birstall, Waller, Hughie. Juniors v. Bunnythorpe, at Bunnythorpe (bus leaves Clarendon Hotel at 1.301 : . Hogg, Broughton, Rogers, Bourke, Hemy, Lysaught, Pegler, Stone, Algar, Robinson, McKenzie, Mackie, Hanley, Prouse, Wells, Lewis, Kells, Pycroft. Thirds v. Old Boys B, at Showgrounds, 1.30: Shearman, Fearnley, Jackson (2), Nesbit (2), Peglar, Hounslow, Miles, Findlay, Cox, Hannah, Mitchell, Ormond, Robb, Kerrigan, Grav, Frew. Fourths v. Jackevtown, at Showgrounds, 2.30 p.m.: Findlay, Riley (2), Burns, Hinks, Stephens, Saphom, Stevens, Castleton, Bruce, Fahey, Palenski, Lewis, Stone, Morgan, Sheerin, Ford, Abraham. The following will represent the Foxton juniors against Awahou on the Racecourse: —McDonald (2), Hull (2), Hirini (2), Hartley, Perreau, Ross, Anderson, Moses, Shaw, Fry, Caughley, Robinson. Fourths against Shannon at Racecourse, 1.30 P-m.: —Stevenson, Hirini, Rankin, Aldridge, Delaney, Chrystall, Coley, Anderson (2), Board, Robinson, Williams (2), Martin, Smith, Wakrau, Ball (2), Barrett, Head. TE KAWAU SUB-UNION. A meeting of the management committee of the Te Kawau Sub-Union was held on Tuesday evening. Mr J. M. Crouchcr presided over a good attendance of members, all clubs being represented. It was resolved as follows : That the secretary be directed to write thanking the Manawatu Union for a grant of £5 towards fostering school football. That the secretary be ..authorised to procure badges for officials. That the secretary be directed, to write to Dr. Watson thanking him for his interest in football in the subunion area. That the transfer of E. Boyce from senior to junior be granted. That the Central Club be allowed to play matches on Kaimatarau ground, by giving reasonable notice to visiting teams and referees. That the Manawatu Union be asked to recognise passes held by officials of the sub-union.

That the United and Central Clubs be written to asking if they are willing to play the games forfeited on 18th April. Mr A. K. Drew was appointed selector for the senior representative team, and Mr T. McGee selector for the junior representative team.

NEW ZEALAND UNION. MATCHES WITH" NEW SOUTH WALES. Far Prei» Anocistion. WELLINGTON, April 30. Rugby visits to New South Wales were discussed at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union today. The subject arose when the adopttion of the proposal to send a team to New South Wales this year came up for discussion, tl -was suggested that the team should not include players who had toured England. Mr J. Prendeville (Wellington) said that such a team would be a third fifteen. If it was successful, it would kill the game in New South Wales; if not successful, our international record would be spoilt. He objeoted _to the management committee entering into an agreement without consultation with the delegates, There ware two ways out—one to send a Native team; the other to send .. a team drawn from the country unions. 4 Mr E. Little, a member of the management committee, that was uis desire to stick to the New South Wales Union, and by sticking to New South Wales they were sticking to themselves. Rugby in Now South Wales was making headway in the schools and the future was bright. They had turned the comer*

Mr J. McLeod (Taranaki) thought that till the end of July they should encourage club football. Ho _ did not think we ought to have a visit from New South Wales this season, but thought we must send a team over if the executive had committed it. Mr S. S. Dean said that it was usual for the executive to arrange tours. A visit from New South Wales was on the point of the agreement, while it was important that we should send a team to New South Wales this season. Mr T. Parata said that the Maori Board would bo willing to send a team.

A proposal that New South Wales be offered a Maori team was lost by 36 votes to 30, and the original arrangements were agreed to. A motion to increase tbe voting strength of the big unions from lour to five votes, by giving those with over 120 teams under them five votes and those with under 120 four votes, was lost. RANFURLY SHIELD RULES. Mr O’Neil (Hawke’s Bay) moved that the union holding the Ranfurly Shield shall have the option of accepting a challenge in connection with matches to be played by that Union’s team while on tour. In speaking on the motion, he remarked that the possession of the Shield in Hawke’s Bay had done a lot of good. Before they had held the shield, the record gate had been £2OO, but last year their gates bad touched £llOO. Mr McLeod said it was in the interests of New Zealand that the Hawke’s Bay team should be seen by various portions of the Dominion and not by Hawke’s Bay alone. On the other hand, it was unfair that if Hawke’s Bay went on tour this year, every match it played should be regarded as a shield match. After further discussion, it was agreed that notice of motion for the next annual meeting should bo given to revert to the old rule, to p'ay the holder for the shield on the holder’s own ground. Mr Grey (Auckland) moved that in future reinstat’d players should be eligible for a New Zealand team. This was carried. ALL BLACKS CONGRATULATED.

The president, in congratulating the All Blacks on their wonderful record and exemplary conduct, said he thought the union should take an opportunity of recognising the services of the manager, Mr S. S. Dean, who had been an ideal man for the position.

Mr G. H. Dixon, manager of the 1905 team, said that the team had exceeded expectations. Tours such as these did a great deal of good; players came back with broader ideas and better'understanding of sportsmen overseas. He moved a motion congratulating the team, manager and selector on their wonderful achievements. After the various unions had voiced congratulations, the motion was carried. On the suggestion of Mr Dean, it was decided to present the cup donated by the residents of Vancouver for an inter-island match, and it was also decided to present a trophy for competition amongst the Vancouver clubs.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Officers elected were as follow : Patron, the Governor-General; president, Mr H. H. Frazer; hon treasurer, Mr E. Wylid: management committee, Messrs E, McKenzie, S. S. Dean, T. Fletcher, W. Hornig, A. C. Kitto, C. Mullany, H. Leith; appeal council, Messrs H. F. Simcock, J. Hutchinson, P. J. Priest; appeal committee, Messrs W. G. Garrard, J. F. Peake, S. F. Wilson, F. T. Evans and G. Denniston. TEAM FROM NEW SOUTH WALES. SYDNEY, April SO. It is announced that the New South Wales Rugby team to tour New Zealand will leave Sydney on August 14. Probably ten matches will be played in the Dominion.—Press Association.