NORTHERN UNION GAME.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 133, 7 June 1910, Page 6

NORTHERN UNION GAME.

.A meeting of the Heferees' Association was held on Friday, 3rd inst. Mr W. Mulholland, chairman, presided. After the usual business was disposed of, the rules governing the association were discussed and approved of by those presenty and now only await the adoption by , the Auckland League to frecome permanent. The following referees were appointed for next Saturday's matches, to be played at tne Victoria Park: —Rotorua v. Auckland, at 3 p.m. (Mr Sharrock); curtain raiser, junior teams, at 2 p.m., Mr J. Stanaway.

ENGLISHMEN 'AGAIN DEFEATED. SYDNEY. Jnne.6. The attendance at the- match between England and New South Wales (Northern Union rules) was in the vicinity of 40,000. Though the visitors had to be content" tritli another beating, they showed decidedly improved form, and only succumoed after a great struggle. Tie game throughout was of a fast and willing character.. •The end of the first spell saw the home team leading by 10 points to seven. Shortly after resuming the visitors equalised matters, but from that out the New South Welshmen forged ahead, securing victory by 27 points to 20. NORTHERN I/EAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS. NEW: ZBAIiANDERS PUOMIN'ENT. (Prom Our Special Correspondent.) LONDON, April 29. Three New Zealand footballers took part In the final for the Northern League championship between oldham and Wigan on Saturday. For Oldhuin the veteran U.; W. Smith, of tie "AH Blacks," : was playing wing three-quarter, and on the opposing Bide were Seeling, another "All Black," in the forwards, and Lancelot Todd at centre thrceq.uarter_ All three were prominent in the game, which was won by Oldham by 13 points to 7. Heavy ruins had thoroughly spoiled, the ground at Broughton, where the final was played, and neither tt-am showed their , best form. Todd scored one of Wigan's trice after a clever bit of work by Seeling, who intercepted a pass from an Oldnain back, and sent the ball on 'to his compatriot, who scored after a tricicy run. Towards the "end of the game George Smith showed that he can still rise to the occasion. He came into prominence with some fine runs, and but. for the fact that he has lost some of his former pace, he would probably have scored three tries. As It was, after several fine efforts, .(he got over once in splendid style. Ten points to seven was the score when George Smith was placed in possession with a good opening. A try seemed certain, when Seeling dashed across and tackled his old colleague. Again, on the left wing, Smith was only a few inches from the line when he was forced to snecumb to numbers. A threepoints' victory appeared to be the result, when the last scrummage of the game was carried by "the Oldham forwards, the ball 'handled by their .half-backs, and finally caught by George Smith, who safely completed the try. It was not counted, but Oldham were well content to take the trophy for the second time with of six points.

The third section of the Northern TJniott, team of footballers for Australia and New Zealand left London on Tuesday, travelling via Calais overland |to Marseilles to. join the Malwa. yesterday. The boat is due in Sydney on June 2, and the first match of the tour will be played on. June 4. Leytham, 'Sharroek, Jenkins, and Thomas, at Wignn, and Avery, of Oldiiam, are the players who travel by the Malwa. They could not leave with the rest of the team, as they were required last Saturday for the League final between Oidham and Wlgan.

The announcement that W. Batten, tire Hunslet threequarter back, would be., included in the team for Australia should his leg stand the test of the trial game on Saturday, requires explanation (says the "Athletic News").

Batten, was to be under the observation of two representatives of the Union, and should they report favourably, then the Hunelet player is to be again examined by the specialist.

This examination will not be made for some few days, and should tie report be satisfactory, Batten's case will be reconsidered by the Union. The matter cannot be fixed up yet, and under no circumstances can Batten travel with the Wigan and Oldham players by the Malwa.

I learn 'that Batten's display on Saturday was thoroughly satisfactory. In addition to scoring: three tries, lie played well throughout, and appeared the most physically fit man on the field. Further, Batten Teported that he had run a two-mile trial on Friday evening; and he expressed his thorough belief In hie fitness and his confidence that he will yet make the journey.