RUGBY FOOTBALL

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 85, 16 September 1938, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SGHOOL GA!V!ES AT ROTOHUA MANAGER ’ S REPORT 31r Slieeran, manager of the Opctiki Primary School football team which recently visited Rotorua reported as follows on the visit : Travelling Arrangements. The boys were. assembled punctually at il .30 p.m. at the Opotiki High School on Alonday, Aug. 22ud. under the able supervision of Air Ormandv, The team departed at 12.15 p.m. and arrived in Rotorua at 3-45 p.m. On the homeward journey the boys were assembled at the Rotorua railway station at 11 a.m. ‘ under my supervision, the bus arriving from "Whakatane punctually. Assured that all hoys were aboard, I handed my charge oyer to the driver.

Organisation by the Reception Committee. Billeting. Entertainments, etc.—One cannot give in too glowing terms an account of this for the careful and painstaking attention of an energetic committee under the able and indefatigable leadership of the secretary. 3lr Birkby. wa s all that could possibly be desired, as instance the fact- that our hoys arrived at the Rotorua station at 3.45 p.m. and within .ten minutes all hoys were on their way by various cars to their several billets, armed with a programme neatly and ably compiled for their guidance during the whole stay. -—L was handed an envelope containing 57 free passes to the Blue Baths, 20 passes to a really good picture entertainment and 2.0 passes to a Maori concert and instructions for the conduct of thi' party to the Fairy Springs and Waiotapu Thermal Park. —Arrangements for the games were thorough—good dressing sheds, a supply of very competent referees, a supply of good footballs and the competitions were well advertised. By 0.-15 a.in. on Tuesday, the day of commencement, all weighing-in was completed and the stage set for what proved to be an exciting weekPlay.—The standard of play throughout the competition was very good indeed and the spirit in which the various games were played was admirable. This perhaps, was the most pleasing feature of the experience for it is when one recognises that boys can take hard knocks and a boating without a single grouch, he realises that their teaching lias been such that boys are taught to be real he-men. I mention tiiat the play was cl a high older and I have much pleasure in reporting that that of our team was certainly no exception, ior indeed all played good. determined football against big odds in greater average weight, and it was not because of lack of team work and the spirit to succeed that more wins did not come its way, but simply that the wins by other teams were, in a number of cases, the result of individual efforts by boys too heavy and strong for our lighter vis-a-vis to stop but try they did. Although fourth in the competition we have the satislaetion of being the only team to score points (a try) against the winners (Rotorua). But mere important than the winning of games, our boys were a •credit to their schools, their parents and their district bv reason of their exemplary behaviour both on and off the field. It was a real pleasure to be their manager. The boys took the field always .spick and span, boots polished, jerseys and shorts nice and clean with the right spirit permeating all to do battle for their school. In no match was ‘the team outclassed and -although in the last match against Rotorua the score was 1.4—3. I received congratulations on all sides for the high standard of play of our team. Our forwards were definitely superior and territorially had, for -0 per cent, of the game, the advantage, only the individual scoring efforts of a strong running heavy wing gave Rotorua the advantage. 3\ ould-bo concerted movements of the Rotorua backs repeatedly broke down through tlie bustling tactics of both our backs and forwards. Re this as it may, tee Rotorua team won the shield and no one. least of all our team, begrudged the win. Staving off a strong challenge by Whakatane, a nicely balanced team, was indeed meritoriousProceedings as regards -play and entertainment for the hoys concluded at 5 p.m. on Thursday "after a pleasant and educational 2-hour run to Waiotapu Thermal Burk. A wonderful week was brought to a happy ending by a donglilim dinner party tendered' by the-Rotorua executive to visiting managers, referees, the May-

or and the press representative. At the conclusion of the dinner, all interested in the promotion of primary football adjourned to a delighttul sitting room where, alter the comnletion of the toast list an informal discussion of the procedure •of the week was held. Visiting managers took the opportunity of expressing a hearty vote of thanks on behalf of the various unions and district to the Rotorua executive and public for their kind hospitality and attention to visiting hoys and managers during their stav.

The tournament was discussed fro nr various angles, including the advisability of holding the. Bay of Plenty competition in the first week oi the second term holidays and then selecting a representative team to compete during the second week in the Roller 3Lills Competition in Auckland. The venue of the next competition in 1939 was also considered. The constitution laid it down that the winners are- entitled to hold same at their centre, but- may invite another centre to bold the tournament. Rotorua unselfishly and immediately did this, hut all were of opinion that provided. Rotorua were willing to stage tlie tournament next year all should be thankful because of the iaet that the Thermal regions lend themselves most admirably to entertainment etc. This was agreed to subject to till' Unions’ approval.