FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, 19 March 1921, Page 3

FOOTBALL

THE RUGBY GAME. OLD BOYS’ CLUB. The annual meeting of the Old Boys’ Club was held, at the Soldiers’ Club, New Plymouth, ' last night. Mr. C. H. Wynyard presided. ANNUAL REPORT. The second annual report reviewed the play of the 1920 season, and stated inter alia that Ihree members of the senior team were chosen to play in representative teams. D. Sykes and C. T. Smith, both showing consistent form and brilliancy throughout the whole season, were picked to play in the A representatives, and L. Sole represented the club in the B representative team. The team played in all twelve games, four of which were won, six were lost, one was gained by default, and one was drawn. The pmior team was weakened materially in all games owing to the withdrawal of players to fill vacancies in the senior team. Notwithstanding this handicap, however, the members of the team showed good promise and should prove a valuable asset to the senior teams in future years. The fifteen played altogether thirteen matches, winning one game, losing eleven" and drawing one. The season has unfortunately been a poor one from a financial aspect. This is due, as the balance-sheet will show, largely to the poorness of gate receipts caused by inclement weather, and also to lack cf outside support. It is hoped that the coming season will enable the club to enjoy a good working* balance. On the motion of the chairman, the report was adopted without discussion. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The electioi/ of officers resulted: President, Dr. E. F. Fookes; vice-presidents, Messrs. E. P. Webster (re-elected), W. H. Moyes, A. R. Ryder, P. J. H. White, F. N. Whitcombe, A. Bewley, A. M. Mac Diarmid, A. R. Standish (re-elected), Drs. Home, Wade, and Brewster, Messrs. R. Quiiliam, D. Hutchen, Geo. Grey, F. Willis, T. P. Anderson ;■ joint hon. treasurers and secretaries, Messrs. R. G. Howell and R Fuller; hon. auditor, Mr. B. Wilson (re-elected) , delegates to the union, Messrs. C. H. Wynyard (re-elected) and R. Fullei; club captain, Mr. F. Eggleton; executive, D. Sykes, f R. J. Brokensliire, D. Dolle, C. H. Wynyard, J. Knapman, and Dowland. GRACING OF SENIOR TEAMS. A circular, which has already appeared In the Dally News, was received from the president of the Taranaki Rugby Union (Mr, Jas. McLeod) regarding the grading of senior teams into two divisions, A and B, so that teams of more or less equal strength would oppose each other, and thus add more interest to the games and Improve the standard of play. Considerable discussion took place on the question of travelling expenses. Mr. Brokenshire contended that the union should pay a certain fixed percentage of the travelling expenses of club members. This was subsequently made a recommendation for the club’s delegates to bring before the union, as it was felt that some definite scheme for th# repayment of a proportion of travelling expenses should be approved. Mr. McLeod's proposal in the matter of grading of the senior teams was approved. GENERAL. It was decided that it be a recommendation to the executive that the* club enter one team for the senior competition, a team m the third-grade juniors, and one in the fourth-grade juniors, and if possible endeavours be made to form an additional junior team if sufficient players offer. It was decided to hold the first practice on the racecourse on the first Saturday . inApril. Arra\gcinents will be made for the annual matches agalnsfrAhe High School to be 'played cn the succeeding- Saturday. Messrs. F. Newell and McHardy were appointed to canvass younger old boys with a view to forming the fourth-grade team, whilst Messrs. E. Whittle, R. Blundell, C. Kjngdon, J. Willis and H. Boon were constituted a committee to canvass for players for the other teams.

Mr. R. Fuller was elected manager and coach to the senior team. The matter *£. a similar appointment for the junior teams was left in the hands of the executive.

It was reported that Mr. A. Boon had offered a gold medal for the best senior forward, and Mr. E. Whittle a gold medal for c?e best senior back.—lt was decided to thanx tluse gentlemen for their generous offer. The dub’s delegates were instructed tc urge the union to control all grounds and to allocate the best grounds to clubs in rota-i tion. The subscription was fixed at the same rate as for last year, viz., playing members ss, non-playing members 7s 6d, members who have left school within tie year 2s Gd. THE STRATFORD CLUB. The annual meeting of the Stratford Football Club was held on Wednesday evening, forty-two being present. Mr. R. F. Harkness was voted to the chair. Owing to changes in the position of secretary, no report or balance-sheet was presented, but the secretary (Mr. D. Sullivan) stated that there was a credit balance of about £2, and he understood that only one member was financial. The following officers were elected: President, Mt. R. Masters, M.P.; vice-presidents, Messrs. T. C. Fookes, F. Tyrer and W. Thurston ; management committee, Messrs. H. Masters, R. Wood, G. E. Jago, C. Gray, A. J. Davey, J. Hampson, and R. F. Harkness; secretary and treasurer, Mr. D. Sullivan. On tfye motion of Messrs. T. Wilson and C. Jackson it was decided that at least three teams be entered for the competitions. Ti e subscription for honorary members was fixed at ss, and for players 2s 6d. Mr. R. F. Harkness was appointed senior delegate to the Taranaki Rugby Union, and Mr. C. Jackson junior delegate. Mr. Hugh Campbell was appointed club captain. Messrs. W. Thurston, R. Harkness and H. . Masters, together with the captains of the two junior teams, were appointed selectors. It was decided to open the season with a practice match .on April 2. A discussion took place regarding the prospects for the coming season, and the general opinion was that if Saturday was retained as the half-holiday the club would be exceptionally strong, but if Thursday was decided on tte same position would prevail as during last season. The chairman and Mr. Jackson congratulated the Midhirst Club on winning the cup, the chairman intimating that there was a prospect that Mifthirst might have to join in with Stratford. Mr. P. B. Harkness on behalf of Midhirst, returned thanks. He thought it would be a mistake to draw players from Midlirst for Stratford, as Midhirst was very enthusiastic. Messrs. D. J. Malone and R. Tyrer explained Mr. J. McLeod’s scheme for the reorganisation of senior football, as outlined in the circular letter to the clubs. They pointed out that the union would have to decide which of the teams would have to be graded B. Also that it was essential that the union should take all gates, as Taranaki was the only place where the clubs took their own gates. The union would contract with motor ’bus proprietors for the fares of players travelling to matches at a distance, and In this way travelling could be done more economically. Players would have to pay their own expenses, and a certain proportion could be refunded to the clubs. The main object of the scheme warn to get the public. more interested in football, and this would tend to improve the sport. It was resolved, after hearing the delegates, to instruct ti e club’s delegate to the union tc support the scheme.

The chairman presented Mr. Fryday with the medal presented by Mr. R. Masters, M.P., and also the club cup for the best trained forward, and expressed regret that Mr. Fryday would not he available for the season, (is he was on the eve of leaving for Aus-

Votes of thanks were carried by acclamation to the chair, and to Mr. Smith for the use his rooms for the meetlcjt