Earlier Date For Arthur Grace Cup Match?

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 43, 3 June 1965, Page 1

Earlier Date For Arthur Grace Cup Match?

The chairman of the Taupo Rugby Sub-Union, Mr O. Delany, told the management committee on Monday night that, in future, it was hoped to arrange the Hawke's Bay — Bay of Plenty Maori Rugby representative annual match early in the season prior to any players being required for provincial trai 11 i n g squads. He also said that a move was being made to have the match as a; permanent fixture at Taupo. This followed comment by Mr P. McCabe that he had heard that a number of Hawke's Bay Maori players had been unablq to play in the Maori team in the recent, match because of training requirements. He said that Taupo did not get many big games and there was a lot of interest in this annual fixture for the Arthur Grace Cup. He added that the local Sub-Union deserved bet ter support from the Hawke's Bay Rugby Union. Mr J. J. Keehan explained that the chairman of the H.B.R.U., Mr W. S. Bramwell, had given plenty of warning that the training squad players would not be available ' for the fixture. Mr P. Ellery asked if the matter could be taken up with the H.B.R.U.

After Mr Delany had told the meeting of the proposals for future fixtures, there was no futher discussion. The cvommittee received confirmation that Maraetai would be unable to | continue fielding a team in the sub-union's competitions. This, Mr Delany explain- ! ed, was due to players being unable to attend training and matches because of employment obligations. A decision was later made tty extend the Garrett Shield competition to four rounds. , The Maori Aclvisory Board wras. granted permission to arrange the TaupoTe Puna Maori match for j. the Ted Murray Cup for i June 20. ■ The committee also approved a request that the Central Hawke's Bay Rugby sub-Union be offered July 18 or 25 for the Maori repre{sentative match between Taupo and Central Hawke's Bay for the George Nepia Cup. Some discussion took place as to whether the Taupo - Tihoi match, in wrhich Taupo defaulted, should be pla^^ed at a later date. It wTas , explained that a number of Taupp players had failed to reach Tihoi in time for the match due to lack of proper signs on roading detours. It was explained that only seven players had arrived by 2.30 p.m. and | another three by about 3 p.m., Taupo asking for the match to be called off at 3.15 p,.m. Mr Delany explained that Tihoi were within their rights in claiming a win by default, and this was ac-j cepted.