The Peace Cup.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 294, 27 June 1929, Page 1

The Peace Cup.

ORDER OF CHALLENGES. Thames Secretary’s Views. Mr. E. O. Brownlee, secretary of che Thames Rugby Union, writes as follows to the Morrinsville Star:— I have read with great interest the report of a recent meeting of -he Morrinsville Rugby Union and would like to comment on the statement of Mr. Hogg, president, and the discussion arising therefrom. In the first place the Thames union were not aware that their challenge was the first lodged, and the request made to Mr. Hogg was for information as to the dates and list of challenges received. In reply Mr. Hogg stated that the dates would be drawn up as soon as the draw for the Finlay Cup was known, and that he could not give me a list of challenges received as the secretary had them. After advising Mr. Hogg that this union were set down to play Auckland on August 10 and 31 and not to arrange a Peace Cup match for Thames on these dates Mr. Hogg made the definite statement (not “in his opinion ”) that the Morrinsville union proposed to play the challenges in the order hey liked and not in the order of the challenges received. I made an immediate objection to this proposal. As regards knowing that Thames were the first challengers in, I would like to state that it was generally assumed from a statement made at the dinner to Thames in Morrinsville that Hamilton had lodged a challenge for 1929 as soon as the cup was lost to Morrinsville. (In 1926 Hamilton lodged a challenge with Thames for 1927 and lifted the cup in the first match. Thames were therefore not establishing a precedent in lodging a challenge with Morrinsville in 192 S for the season 1929.)

Mr. Mclntyre, secretary, states that the challenge from Thames was received on September 12, 1928, yes on February 28, 1929, it was necessary to ask for an acknowledgment of the challenge, while a list of challenges received was asked for. No reply to this request was forthcoming till a letter under date April 12, 1929, was received containing the following paragraph:— Re Peace Cup. You will be duly notified regarding same when this receives consideration by our committee. This is the only written communication to date (June 21) from Morrinsville in connection with the Thames challenge, and you will note that no reference is made to the list of challenges received. How can Mr. Hogg reconcile his statement with this fact, that Thames could learn from Morrinsville only the name of the first challenger, and that at the time of the conversation the first challenger was not known in Thames? (Note. —Mr. Hogg did not give this information during the conversation, for he explained the secretary had the list.) Mr. Hogg is incorrect when he states that he was asked if the Thames challenge was to be played first. No such question was asked. I can assure Mr. Hogg that two members of my union were present in my office when the conversation was in progress and can confirm my statement. It seems peculiar that the statement of such a responsible officer as the president of the Morrinsville union should not be official. Surely the voting at the meeting discloses the fact that the proposal against which my union protested has received serious consideration by members, perhaps unofficially. I can assure the Morrinsville union (and Mr. Chapman’s remarks confirm this) that the circular letter to other unions referred to the subject as follows, “ The president of the Morrinsville union made the statement that the Morrinsville union,” etc. Referring to Mr. Campbell’s reading of a rule that challenging unions

must have a challenge in before March 31, I have before me the original copy of the conditions governing the cup, received by this union from Hamilton, and a page extracted from a Hamilton programme, and in both cases challenges may be lodged before July 31. I think also that Mr. Campbell will find that the year commences at various times with the unions throughout New Zealand and not in accordance with the calendar. (Auckland’s financial year closes on November . 30, vide paragraph 10, page 11, Auckland Rugby Union Annual.) The remarks of Mr. Pirrit unfortunately amount practically to a vote of no confidence in the president, Mr. Hogg. Thames as an eligible challenger have a right to protest against anything they consider wrong in principle, but I can assure the Morrinsville union that the Thames union do not question their sportsmanship or reflect on their popularity. My union congratulated Morrinsville on their win and do not begrudge them holding the Peace Cup on their merits.

The main information desired was the date of the Thames challenge (not whether they were first, second or third Thames expected to be second), to assist in finalising the local representative programme. As the information could not be given the programme remains, in abeyance. Morrinsville can rest assured Thames will again bring a big crowd when playing the challenge match, and trusts that the best team will win. If not Thames, then good luck. Morrinsville. Dates of Matches. The following dates have been allotted for the Peace Cup games:— Thames, July 27. Hamilton, August 10. Matamata, August 24. Franklin, August 31. Waipa will play Cambridge on September 7, the winners to play the holders of the cup on 'September 14. Piako will play Paeroa on September 14, the winners to play on September 21. The last match will be with Tau piri on September 28.

PUSHING IN THE SCRUM. A Story of Red Stockings. (By “Touchline.”) Though much has been written on the above subject since the All Blacks’ tour of South Africa it is by no means a new complaint, for at odd times in the past it has been a charge laid against certain players. An interesting story in this connection is told about a famous English forward of the nineties. This player, Tom Broadley, of Bradford, Yorkshire, had been one of the finest forwards in the North for years, but to his disgust could never get past an English trial match. Broadley, through almost as broad as he was long, was an exceptionally fit and fast man, and a tremendous worker. A rare battler in the tight, his condition enabled him to fight it out in the open, and his speed to keep up with the threequarters. It was this latter factor which had proved his undoing, for at last, goaded by despair, he tackled the selectors point blank on the point, and was told by the selectors that though good in open play he did not push in the tight. As if not believing his ears all that Broadley said was in the form of a question: “ Tha says a don’t push in the tight?” The reply being in the affirmative, the ambitious player walked away without another word. Now, in those days northern forwards were recognised as being demons in tight play, and no bigger football insult could be flung at a man than to say he shirked the mauls. Broadley kept his own counsel and when the next trial came round he was asked by a friend if he intended to play. “ Ahm going to play and whether a get in t’ English team or not Ah’l show the blighters that a push in t’ tight.”

j When the teams field out very I conspicuous in the northern side was j Tom Broadley, wearing a striking pair of red stockings of the brightest hue. The game proceeded and wherever play was hottest the red legs could be seen in the centre taut at the correct angle and working most effectively. In open play also those red legs were constantly up with the threequarters. “ Did a push in t’ tight ?” demanded Broadley after the game. The question was not answered till that night when the Yorkshireman’s name appeared in the English team for the first time. Shortly after that the split came, and the north seceded and formed the Northern Union, so that Broadley got no further opportunities to prove his wortn.

There is a moral here for many selectors, for a number of these worthy gentlemen fail to spot the good efforts of those witheut whose efforts a side cannot get very far. A few New Zealanders to-day would, be well advised to wear Vermillion stockings and thus comoel attention to themselves. It is a most peculiar fact but dress, without a doubt, does help to draw that attention to a player which he would not get without it. Take any ordinary game of Rugby and notice the player who has a different coloured jersey on to f he rest of his mates. If he is anything like a player at all he seems to be very outstanding; yet careful comparison with his mates, by an experienced judge, reveals that he is really playing no better, but is more easily picked up by observers because of his dress.