SCHEME OF PLAY.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 378, 9 March 1937, Page 4

SCHEME OF PLAY.

TARANAKI RUGBY

Suggestions For A and B Senior Grades.

"Watching the play last year it was noticeable that when two leading teams met there were bumper gates, but otherwise there was lack of interest;” said Mr J. D. Mackay at the annual meeting of the Stratford Rusby Football Club last night in referring to the system of play In vogue. He knew that some old established clubs did not wish to drop out of senior football, but It was quite obvious last year that some of the teams were not up to standard. He suggested (that there should ba A and B grajde divisions.

There v.'as no doubt that there were too many senior teams in Taranaki, said Mr F. J. Nolan, but It wa* difficult to draw the line. As tar as the players were’ concerned the Instftuton of two grades would not matter, but it might cripple some of the clubs to ibe regraded to a lower division. For some years the scheme ot play had been a bugbear in Taranaki on account of the long distances to be travelled. The northern division was fortunate in having good teams, he said.

There 'vtis only one alternative, and that was to form tub-unions, said Mr R. F. Harkness. Hon. R. Masters (president) said that no scheme would be complete unless there was a pooling of finances.

"W!e are peculiarly situateict In Taranaki. I think our province is too big to handle,” said Mr Furrle.

Mr Mackay said he did not want to see any team go out ot action through being classified as a B team. There were good junior team,', coining on and some might enter in the B grade. Mr C. Massey pointed out that the gates last season had been materially affected by the weather. Und r the conditions people would not go out to see any match.

As the matter v’ill probably be

raised alt the annual me ting of fho Taranaki Rugby Union in a remit from the Okato Club, no action wat taken.