Annual Report 1955

 

Gentlemen,

Although this club still has a long way to go, I feel that we have nevertheless made considerable progress over the last twelve months.

COMPETITIONS  The club again registered a first grade side with the SA Rugby Union, and before the opening of the season was able to register a team for the Reserve Grade competition.  This is the first time that a second team has ben entered in a competition for some years.

RESULTS  The first grade side finished fifth on the premiership list, there being seven teams in that competition.
The Reserve Grade side finished eighth on the table.
In the knock-out competition, held in the middle of the season for the A.F. Neilson Cup, we did not enter the finals but won the Pennant which is played for between the teams knocked out in the first round of the competiton.  This was the second year in succession that we have won this Pennant, the competition seeming to resolve itself into a match between Burnside and ourselves.
The Reserve Grade were runners-up for their Pennant.
The Club offers its congratulations to Woodville for winning the First Grade Premiership.

STATE TEAM  Because the Club had at least its share of representation in the State side last season proves that the Club is functioning at a good level, and a little extra effort could show even better results.
The Club offers its congratulations to P LeMercier who was made Vice-captain, and G Hone who represented the State against both the Fijians and the New South Welsh side.  P LeMercier later went with the state team to Hobart for the Southern State's Carnival.

TROPHIES  G Hone won, for the second time, the E. Yule memorial Trophy for the best player.
D. Fielder was awarded the trophy for the best player in the Reserve Grade side, and R Gill won the cup for the most improved player.  Our congratulations and best wishes to these three players, all of whom have a great future in the game.

COACH   It is regrettable that Mr. Eric Lewis found so littlle co-operation from the active club members, the result of which was his resignation from the coaching of the club halfway through the season.
The position was then filled by a former NSW player, Mr. C. Smith.  Business kept Mr. Smith in the country  quite a lot and he had to resign too.
Towards the end of the season Mr. Duncan Hearne was invited to train the Club, which he did with success. Mr. Hearne has recently returned to Sydney.
We would like to take this opportunity of thanking these three gentlemen for the time and effort they have put into their tasks.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS  The Management Committee of the Club held eight meetings since the last AGM, with a maximum of thirteen and a minimum of four (including the President) members attending.
The following are the members who attended meetings, with the number of attendances in brackets:
Messrs. S Ball (1), A.R. Thomas (2), P.S. Roper (2), B. Stanton (1), D. Rogers (6), B. King (2), L. Perkins (4), G. Hone (7), L.icenko (8), E. Lewis (3), D. Rielder (1), P. Lawton (1), L. Cunane (1), G. Lane (1), S. Feldheim (2), P. LeMercier (1).
Messrs. S. Feldheim and P. LeMercier were co-opted to the committee towards the end of the season.

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES  Although the Club didn't have its usual money raising party during the year, several gatherings were held at various private homes during the se ason, and we would like to thank all people who made it posible for us to conduct such functions - especially Mr. & Mrs. Bowers, whose evening was a great success for the club.
The Annual Dinner was again held at the Family Hotel, with eighteen people attending.
A combined social/general meeting was held at the Hotel Rundle on the 11th August with a total of  27 people attending.  The purpose was to re-enliven the Club.
We are indebted again to Mr. & Mrs. Hirst for inviting us out for another December break-up party, at which the trophies were presented by our  Patron, Mr. Dunning.

INTERSTATE TRIP  Although we had some plans for a trip to Victoria to play the Kiwi Club, it was not possible to arrange a mutually suitable date.
Arrangements were also being prepared to play a match against Woodville in the country, but the Rugby Union Ball was organised for the same date, and the arrangements had to be dropped.
We hope that our plans for this season's trips will meet with more success.

CONCLUSION  In conclusion I would like to congratulate the club on its few past successes, and for sticking to the job when losing.
I would particularly like to congratulate, on behalf of the Club, Geoff Hone, on his personal success as Captain during the season.  His efforts made it possible for us to win the few games we did.
I would also like to thank all the other officers, and members too, for the help they have given me in the past year, and I sincerely trust that the Club will have a successful season in 1955.