AUCKLAND RUGBY LEAGUE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 101, 28 April 1917, Page 6

AUCKLAND RUGBY LEAGUE.

SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. HEAVILY DEPLETED BANKS. SPORTSMANSHIP AND -WAR. A PROUD RECORD. The following are interesting extracts from the seventh annual report of the Auckland Rugby League for the year ended March 31, 1917, to be presented at next week's meeting:—The executive in keeping with the opinion of the military leaders of the Allied Army carried on the sport, thereby making a great number fitter and physically stronger to play the nobler game of war. Needless to say, the ranks of the clubs were seriously depleted through enlistments. The League, however, catered for those waiting to go and for a great number of young juniors ineligible for service. The feature of the competitions was the many changes in the personnel of the teams. In the higher grades the same players did not play more than two Saturdays together, and in consequence the combination of the team suffered. However, this loss was compensated for by the* keenness of the other players, resulting in close contests In many of the grades At the commencement of the season 42 teams were enttered in the six grades as follows: —Senior grade, 7; second grade, 5; third grade, 9; fourth grade, 7; fifth grade, 8; sixth grade, 6. The League in accordance with the rules could only accept six nominations in the senior grade. The seventh, that of the Garrison Artillery Football team, was declined, and the various members were drafted into other clubs. The sporting public fully patronised the matches in all grades. Victoria Park was largely attended every Saturday, the weekly average at tbls ground j being over 4000. At the suburban grounds the matches were well attended, more especially at Devonport and at Otahuhu. The six senior teams played right through championship competitions without default, and, considering the times and the players available, the standard of play was of high merit. Affiliated clnbs playing under the jnrlsdic--42 teams In the six competitive grades, and | registering over 800 players. Owing to call of the Empire. Mangere, Remnera, and Northcote Clubs withdrew from the competitions and the remaining players were transferred to other clubs. THE GAME IMPROVING. During the year the executive definitely secured the option of the Chinamen's gardens in Stanley Street, and the attention of the League is at present centred in the improvement of the property. Already! Ihe co-operation of the owners and City j Council has been secured with the object of suitably laying out the grounds. The games contested In the various grades showed that Northern Union football j is improving, that the rules were being better mastered, and the principal features of the game better understood. Each grade .was keenly contested, and free from that epoiler of all sport, "foul play." The I executive desire to comment with pleasure on the fact that very few complaints were received from the Referees' Association against unsportsmanlike conduct of the players of teams. The City Club established a record for Auckland, if not New Zealand, in grade competitions, -winning four grades oiit of six, besides - the "Roope Rooster. The executive decided to'suspend championship honours attached , to. each grade, because of the war, and out of respect to the many players who had fallen ,-in battle. SATISFACTORY FINANCES. The finances of the League are considered satisfactory. There was a falling off of the receipts as compared with the previous year. This is largely attributed to the action of the City Council in removing the fences from Victoria Park, thereby depriving the League of the right to charge on the usual days. The policy of the League in the helping of charitable institutions was men- , tloned, and in this connection £212 5/11 was I subscribed to deserving objects, bringing the total up tb date £579 19/, within, the two years. THE FIELD OF HONOUR. Since the beginning of the season the League players rallied around the Flag in great numbers. In some eases complete teams have gone, whilst in.others the ranks have been so depleted that the remnants of the teams had to be transferred to other clubs. It Is indeed difficult to give a correct number or list of those who have donned khaki, but your executive estimates that well over 600 have joined the colours. It is with pleasure that your Executive records the fine achievements of some of its members on the fields of glory. Military Crosses have been earned by N. Bright (City) and Alf. Powley (North Shore), whilst the Serbian Gold Medal was won by Alf. Gault (Pousonby). Sympathy is expressed with the relatives of some twenty-five players who have laid down their lives in the past year in the service of the Empire. The Executive expresses its cordial tha-nks to the many donors of trophies and services and to supporters of the game. GOOD JUNIOR WORK. The Junior Advisory Board reports that good work has been done in the junior grades, the standard of play improving, and the conduct of -.be players being very creditable. A few cases of unsportsmanlike conduct, came berore the Board, and in each case the offenders were seriously dealt with. The weights for the lower grades have been altered, and new conditions framed. In future all fourth, fifth, and sixth grade players must register their weights before playing. In conclusion, the Executive states that It intends to hold open competitions again this year as In previous seasons. encouraging from a football point of view, j but with a little enthusiasm on behalf of I the few players left, there is no reason why good competitions should not result. It adds: "We again appreciate the clubs' efforts to place In the field teams properly uniformed, and we also trust in the future ' that strictness to time and uniform will again make a feature of our games."