TAUPO DRAWS WAIHI IN PEACE CUP ELIMINATION

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 38, 18 May 1965, Page 5

TAUPO DRAWS WAIHI IN PEACE

CUP ELIMINATION

Delegates of 15 Rogby sub-unions met as the Peace Cup committee a t the Athletic Hall, Putaruru, oik Tuesday night. The draw for this season's Peace Cup competition was made. As a result, the holder, South Waikato, will have Rotorua as the ftrst challenger on Saturday, July 3. Rotorua could be affected by a Bay of Plenty fixture that day. Waikato has no match on July 3.

Seven dates, all Saturdays, were submitted by South Waikato for direct challenges for the trophy. The draw, with the list of elimination matches is: July 3: South Waikato v Rotorua. July 17 : Holder versus winner of Lower Waikato v Thames. July 31: Holder versus winner of Paeroa v Matamata.

August 21: Holder versus winner of Maniapoto v Morrinsville. September 4: Holder versus winner of Waihi v Taupo. September 11: Holder veri sus winner of Otorohanga v Cambridge. September 26 : Holder will play ultimate winner of double elimination fixtures, Hauraki Plains v Te Awamutu, and Tauranga v Te Aroha.

Mr A. W. Hurst presided I at the meeting, and Mr N. W. Cowley, of Morrinsville, was re-elected secretary of the committee. Two members of the Peace Cup judicial committee — the body which deals with disputes concerning the trophy — were present. They were Messrs A. Moore (Cambridge) and J. Ward (Hamilton). An apology for absence was received from the third member, Mr J. H. Drummond, of Putaruru. The general business of the meeting dealt mainly with two notices of motion, brought by Maniapoto and South Waikato, and pertaining broadly to Wednesday Peace Cup fixtures. Both motions were overwhelmingly defeated. Maniapoto asked that when the provincial teams of either the holder or the challenger had a fixture on the Saturday of a Peace Cup game, the cup game should be played on either the Wednesday preceding or following the Saturday. If the sub-unions failed to agree concerning which of the Wednesdays the game would be played, the point would be referred to the judicial committee for decision. Speaking to the motion Mr P. Peach (Maniapoto) said that under the present system the holder endeavoured to fix dates when its provincial side was not playing. The challengers were drawn by chance and their sides could be depleted on challenge days. A challenger on winning the trophy had to accept the dates fixed by the previous holder, Mr Peach said. Mr E. Walker (Maniapoto) added that the competition, as now conducted, was not a fair test of strength. Maniapoto, a small sub-union, was much affected by the demands of the King Country team. Mr F. A. McLaren (Te Aroha) recalled that when Te Aroha challenged South Waikato last season practically the whole of its backline was away touring with the Thames Valley side. Mr M. Beere (Cambridge) warned the meeting that with the introduction of Wednesday fixtures, the Peace Cup series could end Up as a second-rate midweek competition. "Keep to the present rules and play all games on Saturdays unless it is mutually agreed otherwise," Mr P. Montague (Paeroa) said.

"Otherwise our players will be taking part in all kinds of games. Don't flog the legs off them. "Maniapoto, with a depleted side, took the cup off Paeroa two seasons ago," he added. Maniapoto 's motion was put to the vote and was lost. Only Maniapoto, Otorohanga and Te Aroha voted for it. Climax As a climax to the meeting, the judicial committee member, Mr Ward, said that alterations to the rules could not be effected this season. Sub-unions had lodged their challenges in accordance with the present rules. Five sub-unions could call a special meeting to alter rules, but the meeting must not take place later than October. Alterations made this year would take effect next season, Mr Ward said.