RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17979, 26 March 1930, Page 15

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

HAMILTON UNION.

THE ANNUAL REPORT. A SUCCESSFUL SEASON. IMPROVEMENTS TO RUGBY PARK. 'The annual report of the Hamilton Rugby Union, to he presented at the annual general meeting on Thursday eA r ening, in Toorak Chambers, disclosed a most successful season. ' Keen interest was evinced until the close of the season, due largely to the fact that in three of the club finals the teams in each competition were level and in two of them extra time had to be played to decide the issue. The union's representatvie team wrested the Peace Cup from Morrinsville on August 10, and withstood all challenges for the balance of the season.

At the close of the season numerous improvements to Rugby Park had been carried out. The grounds had been re-surveyed and pegged and large ■ quantities of soil carted On to numbers one, two and three grounds to improve the playing surface and also ! for draining purposes. The bulk of ; the work was done on number two ground, some 400 to 500 cubic yards of filling being carted on to this area. ; The whole of this filling on number two and the smaller filling on numbers one and three were sown in grass and a magnificent “ take ” ■ had resulted. The union is confident that players will find the fields vastly improved as a result. To enable the large and increasing crowd that assemble at Rugby Park each Saturday to be assured of an uninterrupted view it was decided to increase the banking - accommodation around number' one. To this end sloping banks . had been made and grassed on the Maeroa side of number one, between the dressing-rooms and the stand and between the stand and the Whiliora end of the ground. Further extensions of this class of accommodation were under way and would be completed shortly. A small bank has been erected at the Seddon Road end of the ground. It is the hope of the union that these facilities will have a marked effect on attendances at the park. Proposed New Stand. The erection of a new grand-stand at Rugby Park has not been gone on with this season. Negotiations, w’hich Rave not been as'yet completed, are in progress with the Hamilton Domain Board for a 21 years’ lease of the ground, and when the details of the new' tenure are completed, and not until then, will the union's management committee be able to proceed with the work of erecting this much-needed adjunct to the equipment of Rugby Park. Training Area. As a further step in its policy of improving training facilities for the

players, the union had levelled the triangular piece of ground between No. 3 ground and the Mill Street fence. This was done by day labour, a very satisfactory piece of work resulting. It is proposed to light this area with high-power electric lights to enable night training to be indulged in. The union proposes (in connection with the training ground) to erect on Rugby Park at the corner of Mill and I-linemoa Streets training rooms for the clubs. It is hoped by these means to materially reduce the excessive training costs to clubs.

Junfor Advisory Board

This board met on twenty-four occasions during the season, and had under its control 37 teams. The first junior competition (notwithstanding the number of teams entered at the beginning) was weak both in playing numbers and quality, several of the clubs falling out before the end of the competition. The third grade competition was a good one, the rivalry between the leading teams being very marked. The expected elevation of several of the teams of the thirds to first junior, should be encouraging to the clubs, and a cause of marked improvement of plav in the junior grade next season. 'The fourth, fifth and sixth grades are composed of either school teams oi of those who have recently left school. Tile sixth grade was instituted during the year to cater for those boys (principally pupils of secondary schools) who were too light in weight for the fifth grade, and who were not eligible for entry into the primary schools’ competition. Four entries were received for the sixth grade, and a successful, though small competition resulted. Obituary. During the .season the Junior Board suffered a severe loss through the death of Mr L. W. W. Brown- The deceased had .been an officer of the board for a great many years, and was an enthusiastic supporter, of Rugby, especially of all the lower grades. His loss was, and will be, severely felt. Referees’ Association. The Referees’ Association had a very strenuous season, having had ter carry on with a small active membership of IS. Nevertheless every game was controlled in a manner that gave the utmost satisfaction to the players and public.. It is to be hoped that additional referees will, be forthcoming for tlie 1930 season to help carry out the arduous duties of the association’s members.

Primary Schools’ Union. The primary schools had a very successful season, 19 teams taking part in the competitions, totalling approximately 350 players. In the senior grade, the honours went to Hamilton East, who took the Ilbwden Cup. The same school was successful in winning the .Gwynno Shield, the emblem of supremacy among the of the Waikato. The B grade was won by Forest Lake, who received the Jackson Shield. The Hare Cup, competed l'or by boys under six stone, was won by Whltiora) this team scoring 157 'points to nil. A new grade to-cater for boys under sst 71b was Inaugurated, the trophy donated by Messrs Choat Bros, being won also by Whitl-

ora. During the season the Pukekohe representatives visited Hamilton, the home team being successful after a good exhibition, by 18 points to nil. The Pukekohe school also sent up a team of boys under ‘ six stone, but the local standard in this grade was much too high for the visitors, and the game was won fairly easily. The Primary Schools’ Union owe a visit to the Taranaki Union, and it is hoped that in the coming season it will be possible to raise enough money to finance the trip.

Players' Insurance Fund

The result of the season’s operations shows a loss of £l2l 9s Gd. The amounts received were: Hamilton Union players, £144; Taupiri Union players, £133 8s; total, £277 Bs. The claims paid were : Hamilton, £2OG 15s 4d; Taupiri, £l9l 7s 2d; bank charges, 15s; total, £398 2s Gd. This fund has now been in operation three years, the total deficiency to date being £194 Gs 4d, which has been paid out of the Union’s general fund. REPRESENTATIVE RESULTS. Senior. (Selector, Mr N. Hamilton.) Hamilton 27 v. Taupiri 0. Peace Cup. Hamilton 12 v. Morrinsville 0. Hamilton 18 v. Matamata It. Hamilton 38 v. Franklin 3. Hamilton 21 v. Cambridge 3. Hamilton 8 v. Piako 3. Hamilton 24 v. Taupiri 14. Juniors. (Selectors. Messrs H. D. Tait and R. Johnston.) Hamilton 11 v. Matamata 12. Hamilton 19 v. Taupiri 9. Hamilton 15 v. Waipa 3. Hamilton 9v. Matamata 20. Thirds. Hamilton 6 v. Marist Intermediate (Auckland) 6. COMPETITION RESULTS. Senior. —Championship (Sage Cup), Marist Old Boys; Clarke Cup, Frankton; Binnie Cup, Marist Old Boys. j un 101l 01 - Championship (Elliott Shield), Old Boys A; A Section (Brown Cup), Old Boys A; B Section (Bellvo Cup), High School; Gilling Cup, Old Boys A.

Thirds Championship (Powell Cup), Technical Old Boys A; Scylla Cup, Technical Old Boys A. Fourths - Championship (Pascoe Cup), Frankton; Smallwood Cup, Frankton. .Fifths —Championship Cup, High School A; Watson Cup, High School A. Sixths —Waikato Times Cup, Technical School East. House Matches—Morris Cup, New Zealand Dairy Company. Points Cup—Old Boys Club, 94 points; Technical Old Boys, 87; High School, 65; Marist Old Boys, 64; Frankton, 60; City, 25; Technical School, 23; Te Kowhai, 18; Iluia, 8; Ruakura, 6; United, 4. Appreciation. The thanks of the union are due to the general public for the very generous support accorded the games at Rugby Park, the players and all club officials for their co-operation, Ihc St. John Ambulance Brigade

(Hamilton Division) for their unfailing attendance at all matches, the honorary .medical officer (Dr. T. A. Milroy), to Mr A. W. Green for his assistance and advice at all times in matters' relative to Rugby Park, the Hamilton Domain Board, and finally the Press for . the very generous amount of publicity given to all matters pertaining to Rugby football. THE TAUWHARE CLUB. PREPARING FOR THE NEW SEASON

At the annual meeting of the Tauwhare Football Club there was a good attendance. The balance-sheet showed a credit of £2 13s 9d.

• Tlie following officers were elected: —Patron, Mr A. Curie; president Mr >R. Nicholls (re-elected) ; vice presidents, Messrs F. Windsor, A. Cross, P. Te Kata, D. Laird, W. Gooclam, D. Moon, 11. Fullerton J. Pope, James Shaw, R- Werner, sen., W. llastie, P. Dingle, T. Neil, R. Rankin; secretary and treasurer, Mr D. Fell (re-elect-ed) ; selectors, Messrs D.. Moon, R. Nicholls, P. Te Kata; club delegates, Messrs R. Nicholls and P. Te Kata. _ It was resolved to write thanking Mr F. W. Massey for the use of his paddock and to make Mr Massey an honorary vice-president of Ihc club, which decision was reached unanimously. It was decided that - a practice he Jield on Wednesday next at 1 p.m.. All players and intending players are invited. GORDONTON CLUB. THE ANNUAL MEETING. At the annual meeting of the Gordonton Football Club Mr Geo. Peach presided over a record attendance. He expressed delight a.t tlie fine attendance and trusted that they would continue to maintain their keeness and thus keep tlie club up to its usual high standard.

The annual report disclosed a successful season, die senior team being well up in its competitions, while the junior team had improved so much as to win the Junior Knock-out Gup. Six players were selected in the Taupiri Representative team, while several juniors found places in the junior representatives. The report made special reference to the good work of the ladies in supplying .afternoon teas, and the donation of over £lO to the Club’s funds. It was unanimously decided to approach the Domain Board to hasten the supply of water on the grounds. The financial position was satisfactory although there were several unpaid subscriptions, a matter. to which the Club tins already given special attention for the coming season. Ifiie election of officers resulted:— Patrons, Messrs J. J. Riddell and J. Carswell (re-elected) ; president, Mr J. Humphrey; vice-presidents, Messrs \ G Parfltt, F. Peach, F. Wood, W. Carswell and J. Riddell; secretary, Mr L. Vincent; club-captain, -Mr r fi. E. Saxton; committee, Messrs A. H. Thomson, D. S. Riddell, r lul Henry,

T. Carswell, A. Smith; delegates to TP, 11., G. Thrupp and T. E. Saxton; selectors, Messrs A- H. Thomson (Seniors) and L. Vincent (Juniors); ■auditor, Mr A. G. Parfitt; gate keeper, Mr T. Riddell; line umpire, Mr G. Tlrrupp. A hearty vote of thanks was carried b*y acclamation to the retiring President, Mr Geo. Peach, who had held office for many years, and did not seek re-election. Two gold medals were donated for competition in the Junior team. MATAMATA. REFEREES’ ASSOCIATION. There was a good attendance at the Matamata referees’ meeting on Monday evening, when Mr W. L. Hollis presided. Mr Hollis thanked the members for their co-operation and the union for its loyally to the association. Tlie balance-sheet showed a credit of £1 17s. Officers elected were: —President, Mr W. L. Hollis; vice-presidents, Messrs J. H. Hawes and W. Egan; secretary, Mr J. Green; delegate to Iho Matamata Rugby Union, Mr W. Clover; delegates to tlie Waikato Association, Messrs W! Hollis and WClover; .appointment committee, Messrs IT. 'Hawes, J. P. White, and R. McCready; new member, Mr W. McDonald.

Discussing ihc movement to return to the old rules, the meeting expressed itself in favour of the retention of those in use at present, and was also in favour of Ihe broadcasting of the matches with Hie British team. It was decided that these matters should be brought under the notice of the Matamata Rugby Union and the Waikato Referees’ Association. QTOROHANGA CLUB. At the annual meeting of the Otorohanga Club there was a good attendance of players and enthusiasts. The president (Mr A. J. McCready) occupied the chair, Tlie balance sheet showed that the club had a credit balance of £5 12s Id. The election of officers resulted — Patron, Mr S. J. Fortcscue; life member, Mr W. 11. Clarke; president, Mr A. J. McCready; vice-presidents, Messrs J. Quinlan, E. Williams, Kinnear Smith, W. Anderson, S. Blomfield, A. R. Morley, R. llarty, Landman n, G. Osborne, J. Cully, R. Symes; secretary, Mr J. M. Quin; honorary surgeon, Dr. Gilbcrd; vice-president lo the Sub-Union, Mr 11. C. Park; committee —Messrs J. Quinlan, E. F. Fair’brother, T. McCready, M. Harris, G. Bremncr, R. Sweetman, and J. Roberts; delegates to the Sub-Union, Messrs E. F. Fairbrother, George Bremncr and T. McCready. The club will enter one senior and one junior team in the competitions.