LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 176, 27 July 1928, Page 12

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

INTER-ISLAND, MATCH.

BIG GAME OF THE SEASON

NOTES ON THE PLAYERS.

League enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the match between the North and South Islands at Carlaw Park to-morrow. The game is one or the biggest attractions of the tieague season, and play is expected to be fast and open. Unusual interest is being taken in the fixture in view of the Test match against the Englishmen on Saturday week. The teams are:— NORTH ISLAND. I'ull-back.—C. l)ufty. Three-quarters.—Hardgrave, Brisbane, S. Raynor (South Auckland). Five-eighths.—Wetherill, Prentice. Half-back.—Delgrosso. Forwards.—A. Scott, Timms (South Auckland), »Hutt, Trevattor (South Auckland), Somers, J. O'Brien. Emergencies.—Forwards: Hall, Stephenson (Huntly), Payne. Backs: Seagar, L. Scott, List, Peckham. SOUTH ISLAND. Full-back.—Blazey (Otago). vThree-quarters.—Clydesdale ( Otago), Eckhoff (Otago), Davidson (Canterbury). Five-eighths.—Robins (West Coast, captain), Spillane (Canterbury). Half-back.—Woods (Canterbury, vicecaptain). Forwards. —Woodgate (Canterbury), Townsend (Otago), Collie (Canterbury), T. O'Connor (Otago), O'Brien and Goodall (West Coast).

Einergencies.—W. Stuart (Canterbury), Quinn (Otago).

Mr. L. Bull has been appointed referee. The teams will assemble at the Tepid Baths at two o'clock.

The team finally chosen to uphold the colours of the North Island is a dashing formidable combination upon which the selectors are to be congratulated. The forwards are heavy and fast, and if- they pack well and adhere to spearhedd formation, should gain control of "the ball. They are also a set thbt should hold their own in the loosfc. However, it is by no means certain that this is the best vanguard Auckland province can place in the field. Scott and Hutt have proved their claims, and, on Wednesday's play, Timms, Stephenson, and Trevatta earned recognition, though Stephenson is a reserve. On most recent form Somers and O'Brien are lucky. The rear division is a gratifying arrangement, with Dufty as the only logical custodian. In the three-quarters, with and Raynor as wings and Brisbane as the pivot in centre, Auckland has a strong flexible and racy line which should be reliable on defence and very penetrative on attack. Wetherill and Prentice can be depended upon for initiative and crisp work as five-eighths, and Dclgrosso has thoroughly demonstrated his versatility as the finest halfback in sight. The inside backs are impressive, though both List and Seagar are in close running for inclusion. TTie -Devonport player, L. Scott, played a splendid game against South Auckland, and it is just a toss-up as to the wisdom of TTardgrave's inclusion before him. Both have speed, but probably the selectors gave the Newton man the advantage by reason of his greater adaptability, though his defensive work against South Auckland was doubtful. Raynor thoroughly demonstrated his quality as a three-quarter. Scott, who seems to show improvement in every game, has the ideal football temperameirt, and, like several other backs who h:ive not blossomed into the initial representative fruit, will not doubt, have other chances. Peckham is the reserve half, btrt his eccentricity has hardly justified the favour. Davis (Richmond), or even Abbott, the little South Aucklander who sparkled up his rearguard so brightly on Wednesday, are players who should be seen to advantage before long.

The South Island team has some great talent, and to-morrow's contest should be interesting, in addition to affording opportunity to gauge, the strength of the Test side to be picked to oppose the English team. The latter will meet South Auckland next Wednesday at Taupiri, and good wishes will go out to the provincial men who showed their merits bv convincingly defeating Auckland this week.

It is understood also that South Auckland is in a position to eveu improve upon that thirteen. Tf so, the redoubtable visitors will find themselves ajjainst a very worthy team in the opening match .of their Dominion tour.

DOMINION COUNCIL.

ENGLISH ITINERARY APPROVED,

The tour of the English Rugby League team, which arrives at Auckland 011 Monday, was considered at the meeting of the New Zealand Rugby League Council last evening, Mr. C. A. Snedden presiding. ' Advice was received from the manager of the team stating that the itinerary had been approved of, also the arrangements made for accommodation arid travelling while in the Dominion. The fixing of a charge of two shillings for admission to the principal matches of the tour was also approved. Mr. L. Bull was appointed referee for the first Test match, to b<? played at Carlaw Park, and Messrs. W. Mincham and P. Rogers linesmen, while it was <fecided to submit Mr. A. Harlock's name for approval as r,eferee in the match against Taupiri on Wednesday next.

TEAMS FOR TO-MORROW,

JUNIOR GAMES. MOUNT ALBERT, Third Grade. —Bagnall, Jamieson (2) Wilson (2), Munro, Wattam, McDonald! Costello, Kertvan, Norria, Akehurst, Day, Irvine, Snow, Whaley,'Hirst. DEVONPORT UNITED. Third Grade Open A.—-Mieklejohn, McMasters, Blick, .Saxon (2), ' Scott (2), Archer. Clayton. Double, Leatherbarrow, Strude Jones. Chester, McNiel, Smith. Third Grade Open B.—Chalinor, Vowles, McCalluni. Williams, Wrigley, Muthesoo, Kora, Barber, Stead, Gardener Dayies, Jiorris, Cotes r Gyde, Svonwn*,

CARLAW PARE CHARGES.

Workingman writes:—With many other keen supporters of the code, I strongly protest against the charge of 2/ for ground admission to-morow in the match North Island v. South Island. It is not playing the game to the majority of the workers who are the chief asset to the upkeep *of the game. To'push up the price for the international matches is reasonable, but for so in New Zealand matches. Better have 40,000 at 1/ than 20,000 at 2/. It is fairer to all, and the proper way to popularise matters. Let this be done to-morrow and always.

PRIMARY SCHOOL'S TEAMS.

The following primary schoolboys have been selected to play in the A and B match at Carlaw Park to-morrow:— A Team. —Fullback, J. Smith (Newmarket) ; three-quarters. Glover (Onehunga Convent), Kennalrd (Richmond), Phillips (Mangere) ; five-eighths, Mldgley (Ellerslie), McLaughlin (Onehunga Convent) ; half, Edmonds (Richmond) ; forwards, Hick (Newmarket), Syllck (Ellerslie), McGuire (Mangere), Fountain (Otahuhu), Webster (Richmond), Green (Newmarket). B Team.—Full-back,. Owens (Richmond); three-quarters, Donovan (Onehunga Convent), Sorenson (Papatoetoe), M. Harris (Otahuhu) ; five-eighths, Matson (Otaiiuhu), Nlccol (Richmond) ; half, Anderson (Newmarket) ; forwards, Forder (Otahuhu), Finnemore (Mangere), Pinches (Ellerslie), Carey (CNewmarket), Culpan (Papatoetoe), Harlick (Onehunga Convent).