CITY CLUBS SORT OUT THEIR TALENT

League

There Are Gaps In Last Year's Rep. League Team

(Prom "NJ3. Truth's" Special Auckland Representative.) All clubs were busy on Saturday. Ponsonby and City folded full sides at Carlaw Park for a friendly inter-club clash. Prominent among the City van was Mita Watene > a cousin of Steve "Watene. A fine big forward, he played for Hawkes Bay B team last year. • »

NEWTON was also busy sorting out its , men. The old club was hard hit by • the loss of five Enzed reps, last year. But it is building up again. Frances, Rhodes and Middleton will be a tower of strength m front. In the pack this year will probably be Pollock, a big chap, who represented South Auckland at Rugby a year or two ago. Richmond has lost- Jenklnson, Its great leader, who Is m the country this season. \ The Westerners

had a wonderful muster at practice on Saturday. Over 150 players In all grades turned out. Richmond has roped m some likely senior talent this year. Arnold Berridge, the ex-Auckland Rugby rep., who played some rattling games for Richmond last year, has gone back to the City Rugby Club^'-.this season.

Cal. Dufty will give Ellerslie the benefit of his tremendous kicking again this year. It is rumored that "Wally" Somers also intends to stage a come-back with Ellerslie. With these two ex-League All Blacks to general the side, Ellerslie ought to keep clear of the "wooden spoon" this year. Husky forwards of the calibre of Hobba, Dance, Chapman and Co. will make It willing for the opposition. Klngsland' Athletic -is also bringing out frosh talent this year. The side with the double-barrelled name is lucky to have Bert Avery, the old Enzed captain, to keep an eye on things. But when they start to open out about mid-way through the season, they generally arrive m time to clip the wings of the Roope Roos.ter.

all absentees this year, and perhaps Alf. Scott as well. The season opens the Saturday, after Easter. With the Australian trip m the offing, the pace Will, be on from the word "go!" . . A nice, fat profit of £1742/10/- on last year's working was dlsclosod at the annual meeting of the Auckland Rugby League. . There- were pats on the back all round. Hon. J. B. Donald graciously accepted the office of patron again, and promised to be a live "head" of the code this year. The Leigue certainly "treats' the 'clubs and Us injured players Xvellr and it signs" big ■ cheques for ■ charity. "A lot 'of this charity' might begin at home; It -£ught to - start with the dressing sheds at Carlaw Park. These dark, dingy old dumps ought to be pulled down. Players are entitled to i something better.

Ponsonby are expecting big things of young Pat Skelton this year. The colt has filled out Into a great, strapping youngster — one of the heaviest In the code. Bill Skelton is also keen to annex rep. honors again. List and Lucas *will lead a.,- strong rearguard, while the Carter Bros, can be depended upon to supply the openings with their shattering weight

and pace. In front "Snowy" Simms and Yorke will keep 'em busy. There will be plenty of chances for the colts In the rep. team this . season. Len Scott, Jenkinson. Molsley and Payne are