RUGBY LEAGUE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 260, 2 November 1926, Page 12

RUGBY LEAGUE.

CLOSE OF THE SEASON.

The curtain was finaily rung down on the Auckland Rugby League season on Saturday, when a falling off in the attendance indicated that the majority of the Auckland football public were beginning to think that summer weather provided more attractions for them elsewhere. The day's programme, however, proved to be a very good one, and the games that were staged proved to be full of interest. The League patrons were somewhat sceptical when the veterans' match was announced, and the general impression that anything midway between farce and burlesque was possible. The reverse proved to be the case. The veterans, as long as their conditio lasted gave a clever demonstration of the finer points of the code, and the straight running of the inside backs and clever reverse passing was a striking commentary on the modern play. In tactics .some of the veterans could give a lot of points to the present generation, and were their services available for coaching the present players it would be all the better for the game. Playing without anything on the lines of a grading scheme the veterans included several varieties of the League old-timer. Some were veterans in the truest sense of the word, as bald heads and stiff limbs indicated, but there were others comparatively young in the classification sense and they had a big advantage over their colleagues. The fittest player amongst the veterans was W. Davidson who, but for a leg injury, would probably still be an active participant in the game, and his big turn of speed enabled him to score two tries. The crowd was greatly interested in the farewell appearance of A. Asher, and the genial "Opae," in patches, was a very spectacular figure, particularly in the role of a front row forward. The veterans were a very tired lot towards the end of their contest, .but that was only to be expected.

It was a good idea to stage a Colts v. B grade reps fixture, but it was a pity that the game was not played earlier in the season. The match served to once more exemplify the promising talent that there is in the League ranks, although some of the Colts, since the departure of the national side for England, have been given better opportunities to show themselves than would be the case in a normal season. Combination and pace gave the game to the youngsters, and except for a tendency to make their attacking movements in a lateral direction, their back division work was praiseworthly in the extreme.

In the B backs three players stood out for consistently good work—Thompson. Speight, and Wilson, jun. The latter is a native player of good physique, who plays for the Mangere Club, who may possibly be found in the ranks of one of the metropolitan teams next season. Forward the teams were well matched, there was a lot of dash infused into the loose play, but the scrum work left a good bit to be desired, as there seemed to be a disinclination to put the weight in.

The games marked the close of the most successful season that has so far been experienced, and an interesting statement in regard to the financial aspect is expected to be publicly announced during the present week.

A STATEMENT DISPROVED.

(By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.")

CHRISiCHURCH, this day

At a recent meeting of the Canterbury Rugby .League Referees' Association, Mr. W. Healey (secretary), made the statement that Mr. S. M. Richardson (rtVrrtn rr ' tJio Canterbury Rugby L/.t/j.:-. , ), I'.iul U{\\\ responsible for a resolution on the books of the Addington Club that it in future play under the Rugby Union of Canterbury.

The executive took up the matter and appointed a cub-committee to examine the books. It reported last evening as foUows ; :—-"After scrutinising the books of the Addington Club for the past six yqars for the motion as stated by Mr. Healey, to the effect that the club play Rugby Union football, we must regaiu Mr. Healey's statement as not only false, and a reflection on one of the most loyal of clubs, but also as an unwarranted attack on an officer of the centre." Dr. Thacker (president): The meeting should hand the. letter to the reporters and let them publish it. "Is there anything about an apology from Mr. Healey, so far?" asked Mr. k\ Rouse. The chairman (Mr. W. Cole): JSo, nothing yet!