RUGBY FOOTBALL

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 376, 6 March 1937, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SUCCESSFUL SEASON I 1 Stratford Club’s Forty- ' Seventh Annual Report. • The forty-seventh annual report of I the Stratford RugLiy Footb-Tl Club- to ; be presented to the annual meeting ! at the gymnasium on Monday night | shows that although the financial ! position was not improved, .good foot- | ball tUs play d, and from that asI pect the se; son was a siiccess. The report of the management stated: j On the field the Club experi need a ■ very successful season, but from a I financial standpoint the results have ■ proved otherwise. This is due to th.? : amount raised socially. East year ! the amount raised from this source ! amounted to £ U compared with this I year approximately £B. After allowj nig for the sum of £lB 18s 4d for I depreciation, the income and exipenI diture account shows a loss of £32 I is 10.1. Receipts from gates and sub- | scriptions are satisfactory. The | working expenses of the Club, due I to close supervision, show a slight reduction. It is with feelings of deepest regret that the Ciub records the death since the last annual meeting of Mr. Wm. Power, who tor many years acted as hon. auditor. i The memb 'sbip of the Club rei mains on a par with last year. A | special canvass will be made this j year to increase the honorary meraj barship roll, which should be an add- ' ed increase to the Club’s income. i The senior team, of which M -ssrs ) J. D. A. Mackay, R. Wood and J.

i Young were selectors, were successi ful in winning the Alt West M mori; 1 j Shield for tile first time of playing. I Throughout the season, the members : of the team trained assiduously and I played good open football. To the ' Takupu t am the Club offers its conl gratulationa on the good win In the i championship competition. The Club j I '.shes to place on record its a.ppreI elation of the servic s rendered by the captain, Mr. G. C. Grace, who held this office for the first time. The Club also congratulates the following players who represented the proI vmce during the season:—-Messrs, i R. Young, B. Smith, C. Sangster, J. ! Hayman, R. Clarge and J. Ross. The first Juniors, who were selected and coach d by Mr G. C. Grace, Were a credit to the Club, playing outstanding football, and being successful in winning the Ta.ramik champioship.

The undergrade team was again ! selected and coach d by Mr. P. T. j Speechlay. This team played excep ! tioually good footbnll, and although i defeated in the piny-off for provin- | cial honours was successful in win- '. ning the third championship of th ' Central Division. The Alf Petrie cup i tor the most improved third grade '■ player during the season -was arwardi ed to S. Hancock, and to him the Club I extends its congratulations. I The fourth grade team, selected and i coached by Mr. R. Wattou, was suc-

cessful in winning provincial honours, and also the A. R. Masters Challenge Cup for the winners of the Central Division. The members of the teem probably trained the hardest of all. and their consistency was well rewarded.

The Club wishes to place on record its appreciation of the valua~ ■ services rendered by the selectors and coaches of the various teams. The facilities offered In the gymnasium were used to advantage by all playing members of the Club, which is ably reflected, in their success on the field. During the season permission was obtained to organise a raffle to obtain funds for the purpose of effecting repairs, and of the amount raised (£10)'. £5 has already been expended in painting the gym nasium. The balance will be us\d advantageously by the incoming comlmftt?e. The annual ball was held during the season as well as a social and dance, but unfortunately the results were not very encouraging. The club, however, desires to place on record the valuable efforts of the ladies Who ably assisted in the organisation of these functions. The club wishes to thank the honorary surgeons, Drs Steven, Gordon and Brown, and members of the St. John’s Ambulance for services rendered to injured players, during the year. The club thanks the referees who officiated throughout the season. The thanks of the club are also extended to Mr and Mrs R. Wood for the complimentary dinner given to members of the senior and first junior teams l and members of the management committee at the conclusion of the season.