LEAGUE RUGBY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 150, 31 July 1914, Page 2

LEAGUE RUGBY.

A GOOD PROGRAMME. The news of the final failure of the negotiations to bring about a visit of the English footballers to Canterbury very naturally caused some disappointment. That the endeavours of the delegates in that direction would result ixi an arrangment favourable to the Canterbury Lcagu'c.was always a matter of speculation, and the news that the conference had proved abortive was accordingly accepted philosophically.' The loss of this important fixture, though detracting from the attractive nature of the programme proposed, does not rob Christchurch of a very interesting wind-up to the season's football. The ITawke's Bay representatives will try their luck againsj the Canterbury representatives to-morrow afternoon, and the Sydenham and Federal .junior teams will decide what. will probably prove the penultimate match in the junior championship. On August 8, the Port Ahuriri (Napier) Club will dispute the right of the Sydenham Club to retain the Thaeker Shield. Many of the members of the Hawke's Bay team which will play to-morrow will stay for the week in Christchurch to take part, in this match. On August 29 Taranaki will measure its strength against Canterbury, while Palmerston North also wishes to emulate Wellington in ' a tussle with the Ijoeal representatives. No definite arrangements for-the lastmentioried' match have yet been made.' The winners of : the Auckland Club (,'hanipionship (Xo-rth Shore) also consider that they have a right to the Thaeker Shield, and are contemplating a visit south to dispute its custodianship with Sydenham. Endeavours are to be made to obtain a visit from the Eastern Suburbs (Sydney) Club team, and should this visit be brought about the match should make an attractive I raw. With .this programme, determined and speculative, before it, the league should be able to give patrons some good displays, before' the ' curtain rung down,on the football season. : ■ THE SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. At Tuesday night's meeting of the executive of the Canterbury League, it was decided, to close the senior championship. This step was taken in view of tlie. comprehensive programme that, is. to,.be, squeezed into the . remaining l eight playing Saturdays, and because the result of the- competition cannot -be Vaterially: affected by further matches. Sydenham team, which has won all itp ijiatches, avins the competition with, •a comfortable lead of. four points from Lin wood. The table is as : under: — '«• • Matched. Points r— \ r A \ .P./ W; •. L. for. agst. shld. : Sydenham ...7 . 7 ~,0. ,0 174. 28- 14 Linwood- . 7 5 2 0 109 75 10 t\ddington .7. 2., 5- 0 ,68 111 4 •St. Albans 6 2- . 4 0 ,63 100 4 O.ity 5 '6 ; ,5 0 18 118 0 ! i The Canterbury League has decided; that a nidM- irepoisted 1 to- it by the Foot- : ball Association as being an unfinancial, member of'the latter body shall not be permitted to play League Rugby until a full investigation of his ease has been made.! The League and the Soccer people appear to get: on very well • together, :and this action on the part of; the League can have no other than to cement the good relations between the two bodies, and pave the way for much, mutual assistance in the future. If unfinancial players are-per-mitted to Change over at will from as-; soeiat.ion to league, or vk-e versa, a great deal of-trouble will be caused to both bodies, and the way will be opened for the chatter of those people who are always ready to criticise. - JUNIOR REPRESENTATIVES. The Canterbury League juniors are anxious to pay a visit to Wellington to endeavour to reverse the decision which Wellington gained over them last Saturday. Tlie finances of the League do not admit of its Sending a team away, but players liave already offered to pay (heir own expenses, and' if there is a sufficient number as keen as this the] team will probably be sent. In the meantime, enquiries are being made among the players to see if a team can lie got together on the terms stated. From all accounts there are many footballers in and around Temuka who are anxious to play the League game. 'Arrangements are being made for a conference in TCniuka, aud representatives of the' Canterbury League will attend to explain the prospects of the League game.. ■ ENGLISH, TEAM'S TOUR. • The following table shows the record! to date of the .English team which tomorrow meets the, New Zealand representatives in the first Test match in Auckland: — ' Juno <3 —Sydney •"Metropolis, lost-, 10 —38. June B—New8 —New South 'Wales, lost, 3 —ll. Jiinc 13—Queensland, won, 18 —10. .Tune 17—Ipswich, won, 48—8. June 20 —Queensland, won, 22 —8. June 24 —Newcastle, won, 35 —18. •June 27 —Australia, won, 23 —5. June 29 —Australia, lost, 7 —12. June 30 —Batliurst, won, 42—3. July 4 —Australia, won, 14 —6. July 11 —Wellington, won, 14—-7. July 18 —liawke's Bay, won, 30—7. July 23 —Taranaki, won, 32 —11. July 25 —Auckland, won, 34—12. July 30 —Wanu-anui, won, 57 —12.