JUNIOR RUGBY.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 406, 13 April 1937, Page 6

JUNIOR RUGBY.

CENTRAL DIVISION. Decisions of Delegates’ Meeting. A proposal to institute a country Thursday competition was not supported at the annual meeting, of the Central Division Executive Committee controlling junior football, held last night, and it was decided that junior matches in all grades be flayed on Saturday The chairman, Mr F. J. Nolan, presided. Seven teams were entered in the first junior grade and competition was keen, stated the annual report. Interest was ovell maintained throughout the season, and the standard of football was good. The Stratford club was congratulated on winning the Central Division championship and then going on to win the Taranaki championship. Four teams «competed in the third and fourth grade competitions. The annual Town v. Country JuiiiOr representative match for the Empire Challenge Cup was won by the country team. Thanks were extended’ to Mr W. Pellett for fils donation of a miniature cup to each member of the winning team.

Appreciation was also expressed of the services of the Referees and the St. John Ambulance Brigade.

j Taking the competition right I through, it war a very successful one, ! although there- were not so many third griade teams, said Mr Nolan, in moving the adoption of the annual report. He expressed appreciation of the action of the High Sc\?ol in fielding two fourth grade teams' in the competition. It was anticipated that the coming season would be a good one as far as football was concerned, but with the Saturday holiday travelling and grounds mrightt occation some difficulties. Encouragement of Boys. Mr A. H. R. Amess, in seconding the motion, expressed the opinion that- the fourth and third grades ihould be mad*', somewhat uniform. Not only in Taianaki, but elsewhere, ; a large number of boys were being lost, due to the unevenness of the teams. After aT, the winning of matches was not ao important as giving the boys a good game of football. Stating that there were 40 boys at the High School under 14 years of age, Mr A. W. White suggested that a competition under the Rugby Union be instituted in either a fifth or a lower grade. Mr Sherson said there was an excellent opportunity for ithe school to put in two fifth grade teams. It ha'as not fair for young boys of 14 or under playing against boys of 18. Now boys were coming ito the tchool at a younger age and he thought that they should be given an opportunity to play. Mr Nolan said he was entirely in favour of the proposal. A fifth grade ' competition had been successfully carried on in North Taranaki. He could not see any objection to playing boys over the age suggested as long as they were not too heavy. It was decided that delegates bring the matter before their respective clubs. Teams were nominated as followsFirtt junior: Midhirst, Toko, United Old Boys, Eltham, Ingle-v’ood, Stratford. Third grade: Toko, Mid'hirst, Ell ham, Inglewood, School, Cardiff. F'ourth grade: Stratford, Inglewood, Eltham, School. Executi /e Committee. The executive committee was appointed as follows:-—Messrs. 1 W. Rae (Stratford), G. Lamplough (United Old Boys), A. H. R. Amess (Technical High School), P. Jonet (Toko), D. Latham (Eltham). N. Maclntyre (Inglewood), P. Anderson (Midhirst), and P. Horn (Cardiff). Mr AG. Petrie was elected l secretary. It was resolved that all junior grade matchen be played on Saturday. No support was forthcoming for a proposal by Mr P. Horn (Cardiff) for a Thursday country competition. The first junior competitions ’Will start on April 24 and the third and fourth grades on May 1. i It was decided that two rounds be | played in the first. junior and' third ’ grades. The number of rounds to be j played in the fourth grade was left I to a later meeting. | The question of fixing a date for ithe Town and Co hi try match was ; left to ihe executive. Messrs Anderj son (Midhirst) and Sahgster (Toko) I were appointed country selectors, j and Messrs' Rae (Stratford) and I Worthington (Eltham) town selectj or 8. Request to Union. Replying to a suggestion by Mr White, Mr Nolan said that a t the present time the Rugby Union was looking for funds and he did not think -there was any likelihood of getting a grant towards travelling expenses. The school was in the worst posi- j

tion in that they had no souTce of revenue, said Mr Bowler. Mr W. J- Aitken considered' that an application to the union should be made. Mr White said he would like to see the Rugby Union make some recognition. The union looked after the senior grade and he thought it should go further and aSsist ithe lower grades. On the motion of Mr White, it was resolved to ask the union to consider making a igirant for triavelliAig' Expenses to juniors and lower grades in the division.