RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 96, 24 April 1928, Page 15

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

DEATH OP A. L. WOOD.

AUCKLAND KEP. PLAYER.

A. L. Wood, who died at Pukekohe yesterday at the age of 21 years, after a. brief illness, was one of the most promising young Rugby players of the province. A South Auckland representative in 1926, he made a good impression when the Pukekohe players visited the city, and towards the end of that season he was included in an Auckland team which visited Taranaki, and the following year hs took part in

the regular club play of the city as wing three-quarter for Ponsonby. He quickly improved with regular participation in the Ponsonby Club's good company, and quickly became one of the scoring men of the Auckland champion club team. Of nuggety build, and combining speed with dash, he was a hard lfliiii to stop once in full stride with the ball, and experience of the characteristic inter-play of the Ponsonby side made the exPukekohe player one of the most promising three-quarters in the side. Towards the close of last season lie gained a place in the local All Black trial game, and also played for Auckland against Otago and Wairarapa.

A.R.U. AFFAIRS.

MATCHES FOR SATURDAY. At the weekly meeting last night of the Auckland Rugby "Union Executive. Mr. H. Frost presiding, a transfer of R. H. Martin (third grade) from Grafton to Tramways was granted on the recommendation of Mr. A. Tilly, while the application by K. Page, for transfer from Ncrth Shore to College Rifles was referred to the Emergency Committee pending production of a clearance'. On the motion of Mr. J. O'Brien a donation of two guineas was made to the Rugby League Stack Benefit Fund.

The following arrangements were made for Saturday's matches in the opening round of the senior A and B grade competitions :—

Senior A Grade.—Ponsonby v. Grammar Old Boys, Eden Park, No. 1, 3 p.m., Mr. F, E. Sutherland ; University v. Grafton. Eden Park, No. 'Z, 3 p.m., Mr. G. Peace; College Rifles v. Marlst, Eden Park. No. 3, 3 p.m., Mr. M. Kronfeld ; Training College v. City, Eden Park, No. 3, 1.45 p.m., Mr. D. V. Moore; North Shore v. Manukau Rovers, North Shore, 3 p.m., Mr. J. Shepherd. Senior B Grade.—Marathon v. Suburbs, Avond-ale No. 2, 3 p.m., Mr. E. Dudson ; Tramways v. Technical Old Boys, Victoria Park, 3 p.m., Mr. E. Pemberton ; Otahuhu v. University, Otahuhu, 3 p.m., Mr. P. Stubbing.

A.R.U. REFEREES.

The weekly meeting of the Auckland Rugby Union Referees' Association last night was attended by 44 members, Mr. M. Kronfeld presiding. Mr. J. A. Wakefield was appointed honorary lecturer to the Eden District Football Club.

It was decided to nominate the King Country Rugby Referees' Association for membership to the New Zealand Rugby Referees' Association.

Captain Wales and Messrs. W. Waddell, T. E. White, K. Liddle, W. Ripley, C. F. Stratford, and C. J. Haydn were appointed members, subject to their passing the usual oral examination.

Mr. E. Rule was appointed to the position or outside member on the Referees' Appointment Board, subject to confirmation by the Auckland Rugby Union.

OLD BOYS AT HAMILTON.

VISIT OF GRAMMAR

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

HAMILTON, this day. For a first game of the season, this was an exceptionally interesting one, and some good form was shown. As the teams lined out on the paddock, it was seen at a glance that the visitors were an average stone heavier than the local boys, and from that point Should have gained nn easy win, but the local fellows dominated the game for three parts of it, and it took the visitors all their time to penetrate the defence, which was good, Dick Kemp the well-known Waikato rep. being especially prominent, taking his men in great style. Shepherding was rather a fault with Grammar, and an inclination to wait off-side.

The visiting half. Corner, was a treat to watch, always on the spot and got his ball away very cleanly and smartly. A. Singleton at full was a useful member, making few mistakes, and his goals were of the best. Batty played a splendid hard, clean game, which is more than can be said of Knight. Ces. Badeley is getting too much condition to be as nippy as a live-eighths should be, still he used his football brains to good advantage several times on Satufclay. Of the local crowd, Geo. Brough, the wellknown tennis player, was outstanding he gave a good display roving, and his try was the result of a good sustained effort. Kemp has already been mentioned. Fitzgerald, the wing three-quarter, was right on his game; his run with Kemp nearly down the length of the field was reminiscent of Lucas, the reverse work bringing the big crowd to their feet with excitement. Tuck soon showed that he had not lost much of his cunning and made a good half. Boneham and Greville, the hookerß, beat their Auckland opposites most of the time, and while not seen much were always in the thick of the fight. Hamilton Old Boys, if they keep up their Saturday's form, will be somewhere close up at the end of the local cup competitions.