RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Shannon News, 27 May 1927, Page 4

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

HOROWHENUA DISTRICT COUNCIL ' MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. The weekly meeting of. the Management committee of the Horowhenua Rugby District Council was held in Williams’s, tea rooms last evening, there being present: Messrs J. J. O’Connor (president) j W. Robson (Miranui), T. Wrigley (Kuku), M. Ryder (Wanderers), W. Joyce (Weraroa), M. Wir.i- , ata (senior selector), A. Richards (Shannon), J. W. Procter (Hui Mai), W. N. Anderson (County), J. Casey (secretary), and J. W. Rimmer (treas . -orer). -An apology for absence was received from Mr W. Neville (Foxton) Attention was called to the fact, that no representative-was present from tli - Referees’, Association; and the chairman pointed out that if the representative was absent on two consecutive occasions,, a 3 had now hanpened, his ..position became vacant. RIGHTS OF TRANSFER. Wanderers Club applied for information as to whether permission would be granted ;to players, from a team that had withdrawn from the competition to ioin another club. The chairman stated that the resolution was. still in force which forebade transfers- after the first round. Mr Wipiata. said it would be'a shame to see these .young players standing down for? the' remainder of the season Mr Rimmer thought that where a club found that, it could not carry on. it did not seem reasonable that the players should be penalised, the fault Pot being their own. i Mr Ryder said that if the Council took this stand it would be only a year, or two when they would find that the smaller clubs would not make any effort to form teams. \ The secretary stated that the first round an the third grade had just been ’completed., Kuku had played one game, ano then defaulted to Otaki. No action was; taken. CLUBS MUST BE SELF-SUPFORT- . ING. I Application was made by Hui Mai Club for a percentage of the gate money for;last season. The .secretary (Mr *C. Nees), in writing, stated that his club had made arrangements for the erection of two 500 c.p. lights (at a cost of about £l4) on the football ground to enable members to practise at night. The secretary stated that the gates last year at Manakau amounted to £l3 odd. The chairman remarked that the application opened up a big question, and if the Council granted it; then other clubs would want financial assistance from the Council. He moved, That the Council cannot see its way clear to pay anything towards r .he installation pf lights. • , _ The motion; was seconded by Mr Robson, and carried. > Paekakariki schoolboys sent a letter conveying thanks to the Union for the donation of a football for the 1927 season. —Received. TE KAWAU BOUNDARY.

Mr A. Anderson, secretary of Te Kawau Sub-Union, wrote stating that a Foxton club was playing members who were residents of that sub-union’s area,,and no* application had been made for permission to do so. The chairman stated that this matter was dealt with by the Combined Union last week. Te Kawau claimed that the Horowhenua boundary only extended as far as the Foxton borough; but the \ Manawatu delegates pointed out that in Te Kawau the constitution and boundaries were specified and that district could not come any further. The question of the boundary was one between the Horowhenua and Manawata districts, and it would be settled in due course. The Te Kawau boundary > came to Sorenson’s porner, and that sub-union was over-stepping its boundary at present. ’ It was resolved to forward Te Kawau ’s letter to the Combined Union.

KUKU (THIRDS) WITHDRAW. Mr Y. G. Hunter, secretary of the Kuku Club, wrote stating that it had been decided to withdraw from the competitions, as the club could not get sufficient players. It was asked that the Council cancel all matches set dowr for the Kuka third grade team as from Saturday last. The question was discussed as to whether 1 , Ktiku withdrew before the completion of the first round, in which case the possibilityvof transferring the players could be considered The Club did not May last Saturday, when the round finished.

Mr Ryder gave notice to move at the next meeting that the earlier resolution refusing transfers after the first round be rescinded, in order to give the Council power to consider transfers of the Kuku players. REP. MATCHES.

The Dannevirke Sub-Union wrote accepting June 29th as the date for the Bebbington Shield match at Foxton. The secretary stated that the 'Wellington Referees’ Association would b; asked to appoint the referee for this match, which had to be controlled by an outside referee. In reply to a request by this Council, the Manawatu District Council wrote agreeing to lend jerseys for the match on Wednesday next, June Ist (Maori v. Pakeha, at Otaja), and confirming the dates of June 18th and July 23rd for the^i.Horowhenua v. Manawatu be played at Shannon and Palmest6n respectively. Notification was received from the Referees’-Association that Messrs H. Kidson, T. Parata and K. Davis had been anpointhd to select the referee for the M&n&watu-Horowhenua match at Shannon.

At Mr Richard’s ’ request the secretary was asked to write to the Kailway Department to : ascertain whether excursion arrangements could be made for the match at Shannon on June ISOTHER CORRESPONDENCE. The Park Domain Board notified the Council that at the next meeting of the Board, estimates would be received for fencing round the grandstand. Mrs Moynihan ana relatives cf the late Mr Rewi Moynihan forwarded an acknowledgment of the Council’s resolution of sympathy in their bereavement. INJURED PLAYERS. It was mentioned by the-secretary that certain injured playerahadnnt

interviewed doctors until a week or tell days, after .being hurt, and by this delay they ran-the risk of losing their right to claim compensation. A WEDNESDAY CLUB.

Mr Joyce \stated that there was a prospect of a Wednesday Club being formed, which would probably request rhe use of the Domain.

The chairman stated that it would be ueeessary for the club, if it was going to play Rugby football, to affiliate with the District Council. On the chairman’s motion it was decided that permission be granted to a Wednesday team", to play; the Council not to accept any responsibility for insurance, or for damage to the grounds or goal posts in that connection. ‘ ; I should like to see them affiliated,” the chairman added. Mr Wrigley sstid he did not think that the new club would want to go to that trouble, their object being main ly to play friendly games as between shop employees. DELAYS IN STARTING.

Mr Procter stated that at Manakau on Saturday last the game, Hui Mai against Awahou, at Manakau, did not commence until a-quarter past three, although Awahou were on the groun 1 in rime to start at five minutes past three. Mr Procter also stated that an Awahou player was not dressed in the proper colours. Mr Richards stated that similar trouble in regard to time was experienced at Shannon, where the local team played Otaki.

Mr Robson said that at .Miranui there was a delay, owing to some hitch about the referee. The chairman stated that Otaki had found it diffifficult to get a team, and played one man short. When they arrived, however, they lost no time in changing their clothes and getting on to the ground. , Mr Wrigley xemarked that the teams were becoming more lax every year. The Chairman: In the next round the games are to start earlier, according lo us; but, judging by the players, they may start later. Mr Casey: If it continues, we can give the people their money back, as the tickets are numbered.

On the motion of Mr Wrigley, seconded by Mr Joyce, it was resolved that, as from June 11th, the regulation as to the starting time be strictly enforced. Awahou Club was fined 2s 6d in respect of one. of its players taking part in a match when he was dressed in the wrong colours. MAORI-PAKEHA TROPHY.

. Mr Rimmer stated that the MaoriPakeha trophy (Dewar’s imperial, trophy) had arrived in New. Zealand. It was quite a aovel thing, being in the form of a full-sized Rugby football on a pedestal. It had been suggested thar it be presented on June 7th, at Shannon. It would be handed over to this Council officially, and could then be presented to the first winners—the Pakehas. Further, it was suggested that it he handed to one of the m.oynihari3, in view of the fact that the late Revri Moynihan was captain of the first win;- - ners of the trophy. A smoke concert should be held for the ceremony of presenting the trophy, on the evening cf Tuesday, June 7th. It was left to Messrs Rimmer, Richards and Robson to arrange for the presentation of the trophy to the Council on the date named, at a social gathering at Shannon. . SEVEN-A-SIDE. ■ Permission was granted to the Mira i nui, County and Shannon to send teams to the seven-a-side tournament at Palmerston on June 3rd. HUI MAI (30) V. AWAHOU (3). Although the score in this game was greatly in favour of Hui Mai it is no criterion of the play. Awahou, on the whole, showed very good form, their collaring was deadly, their kicking good, while some.of the players showed they were possessed of speed. From the kick-off they attacked, and attacked strongly, but luck was against them, and they failed to score, when scores seemed possible. After forcing play for a time the opposition took up the attack, mainly through a fine run by Meta. Foolish play on the part of Hui Mai gave Awahou a free kick and this relieved the pressure. Manakau, at this stage, were passing wildly, in fact throughout the game their passing rushes were not as good as the previous Saturday, and time and again the b'icks either fumbled the ball or passed wildly. A nice run by Boko Ransfield gained much ground, but Awahou ’s defence was sound, and the attackers were beaten back. They came again, however, but still the defence was sure, and in turn the Awahou backs indulged in some fine passing bouts. Boko, however, was alert for an opening, and seizing an opportunity streaked for the line. At the right time he passed to Gardener, who registered a try. Boko failed to convert. Hui Mai 3, Awahou nil. The attack was maintained but by faulty passing possible scores were lost. Then came a reverse, and Awahou by solid play on the part of the forwards, backed up by reliable backs, shot up the field and endangered Hui Mai’s line. They were awarded a free kick and Moses had an unsuccessful place at goal. Then came a Hui Mai rush and Bryant made a good run. Enoka followed by a strong run, and then came Meta who, after side-stepping three players, nearly reached the line. Loose play followed, and Awahou rushed the ball up field, and Westwood, seizing an opportunity, gasped the ball and shot over the line. Moses failed to convert, 3 —3. At this stage it was anyone’s game, in fact Awahou, if anything, were leading the way. A long kick by Meta saw the ball go out near Awahou’s corner flag, and from a loose scramble after the throw in Tana scored. Meta failed at goal. Hui Mai 6, Awahou 3. After a good Tun by Enoka the spell ended. The second half did not produce the best of football, but, nevertheless, the Manakau forwards, by altering their tactics, had all the best of the-hard play, and time and again headed up the field only to be stopped by good tackling. Wehipeihana, by good play, crossed Awahou’s line just after opening, but Ransfield failed to add the major points, 9 —3. Bevan, Enoka, Tana and Gardener all

took part in the next'rush, and the latter scored under the bar. ’• Meta converted, 14—3. Play continued even for some time. The veteran, Bob George, who was seen at his best, made a strong run and then passed to Toby Gray, who scored. Ransfield failed with the kick, 17 —3. Awahou, at this stage, were well up against the odds, and George Gray added a try, which Meta converted, 22 —3. A passing rush followed and Bevan shot over the line, and Meta goaled, 27—3. Bob George followed with a strong run but . lost the ball near the line, while Robinson, after being obstructed, was himself penalised for obstruction when a try was almost within his grasp. The attack, however, was maintained, and despite the frantic efforts of Awahou to keep back the attackers, Bob George registered a try, which Meta failed to' convert, 30 —3. Give and take play' followed till the end of the game. Mr. McDonald was referee.

The Hui Mai forwards a powerful combination, and secured the ball frequently from the scrum, but the backs were below usual form and failed to make good use of it. Frequently they fumbled and passed badly. The Awahou forwards, although possessing some good men, failed to hold back the opposition, but in the loose more than held their own. Their backs, too, were reliable, kicking and collaring well. Unfortunately, they were playing a man short, which proved a severe handicap. The first spell, saw them play with a deal of dash.