LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 172, 22 July 1932, Page 10

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

INTER-ISLAND MATCH. KEEN CONTEST EXPECTED. CURTAIN-RAISER. TRIAL. Following a first half of the season with consistently good club play, much public interest is centred on the Inter-Island match to take place at Carlaw Park tomorrow under the auspices of the New Zealand League. Apart from the usual North-South partisanship aroused by this annual "Derby" clash to decide the fate of two prized trophies, the game will provide most of the national talent to be pitted against the English team in the first Test match on the following Saturday. For that reason keen discrimination has been ehown in the selection of the two sides, which will be under the eyes of selectors and the new coach, Mr. W. M. Kelly, who arrived during the week from Sydney. In 1929 and 1930 the South Island held the Lipscombe Shield, which was. recovered on August 15 last by the Northerners, who won in decisive fashion by 52—23. It is a curious coincidence that only five of the players in each thirteen chosen for tomorrow's contest were in the match last season —in each case, two backs and three forwards. These men are Brisbane, List, Stephenson, Hutt and Timms JNorth), and Amos, Masters, Calder, Griffiths and O'Brien. The North Island had tne honour of having its name inscribed first on the Courtney Silver Football, a trophy presented by Mr. Roy Courtney, of Christchurch, for competition to mark a pleasant association with the "Kiwis" on the tour

of Australia in 1930. The elect of the north are considered to be stronger all round, and a similar claim is made for the southerners, so that a fine exhibition is anticipated. A. E. Cooke, the ex-Rugby Union All Black, who gave a fine fiveeighths display for Auckland against South Auckland, will appear as centre-three-quarter. The curtain-raiser, at 1.30 p.m., will be another trial match between Probables and Possibles, and should also attract patronage. The teams engaged will be as follows:— NORTH ISLAND (Black). Full-back: A. Laing (Auckland). Three-quarters: L. Scott, A. E. Cooke, C. List (Auckland). Five-eighths: C. Prentice, H. Brisbane (Auckland), captain. Half-back: Mclntyre (Auckland). Forwards: Front row, J. Laird, R. Stephenson (South Auckland), L. Hutt (Auckland); second row, C. White (Northland), T. Tirnms (South Auckland); breakaway, T. Hall (Auckland). SOUTH ISLAND (White). Full-back: C. Harrison (West Coast). Three-quarters: J. J. Devonport, P. Hart (West Coast), N. Barbara (Otago). Five-eighths: J. Masters (W.C.), J. Amos (Canterbury). Half-back: C. H. Fairman (Canterbury). Forwards: J. Calder (West Coast), R'. Ward, E. Hamberger (Canterbury), M. O'Brien, J. Glenn, N. Griffiths (West Coast), captain. Reserve: E. O'Brien (West Coast), back. REPRESENTATIVE TRIAL. The teams are:— Probables.—Full-back, Campbell (Marist); three-quarters, Meehan (Marist), Seagar (Devonport), McDonald (Marist); five-eighths, O'Donnell (Devonport), Smith (Devonport); half-back, Hassan (Marist); forwards, Casey (Devonport), Campbell (Marist), Simpson. (Devonport), Clarke (Marist), Leatherbarrow (Devonport), Scott (Devonport). Possibles.—Full-back, Watene (City); three-quarters, Crooks (Newton), Davidson (City), Abbott (South Auckland, at request of :New Zealand selectors); fiveeighths, Brimble (Newton), Johns (Richmond); half-back, Peckham (City); forwards. Telford (Richmond), St. George (Newton). Clark (City), McLeay (Ponsonby), Hobbs (City), Iveson (Marist). Reserves for both teams: Dempsey (Newton), Oliff (Devonport), A. Pope (Newton), Thompson (Ponsonby), Sowter (Devonport). Fagan (Ponsonby). Lawless (Richmond) is on the injured list.

Teams to meet at Carlaw Park at 1.15 p.m.

FIRST TEST CHARGES. ARRANGEMENTS BY COUNCIL. The council of the New Zealand Rugby League met _ last evening, Mr. Cyril Snedden presiding. A welcome -was extended to Mr. A. Aliisy, a Wat Coast official, and to Mr. S. Menzies, of Northland. The report of the grounds committee regarding gate charges and reserve seats for the first Test match, was adopted-. This provides for genera] gate admission 2/6. Grandstand reserves are to be 7/10, plus amusement tax 2/2. making 10/. which includes admission. Numbered tickets for the open seats in front of the grandstand, and in the players' stand are to be sold at 4/ each, and in the auxiliary stand at 3/6, these prices being in addition to admission charge. Mr. R. Doble. a member of the Auckland League and New Zealand Council, was appointed to travel South as official representative with the British team. The New Zealand Referees' Association recommended Messrs. L. Bull, P. Rogers and A. Harlock to control the first Test match. Jt was decided that these names be submitted to the managers of the British team for their selection. In connection with the request of the New Zealand Referees' Association inquiring as to the ruling of a scrum for a forward pass, it was pointed out that the English team had extended its visit on condition that their own rules and interpretations be observed. After discussion it was decided to arrange a special conference of the rules committee, the coach, Mr. Kelly, and Mr. E. Stallworthy, with the visiting managers, in order to arrive at a mutual understanding on interpretations. The chairman announced that Mr. C. Faulkner, of the Astor Hotel, had donated a trophy to he awarded to the best back for New Zealand in the three Test matches. Tllfi gift was acknowledged with thanks. It was stated that a trophy for the best forward also was likely to be presented.

The Northland Rugby League advised that elaborate arrangements had been made for the first match against the British team, and all publicity arrangements, including railway announcements, had been completed. The visitor* will etay at the Settlers' Hotel. The Weet Coast Leasrue gave details of arrangements made for the accommodation for the British team, and of extra seating provision made on the stand at Wingham Park. ~,-,„. , „ The reinstatement of J. Culling and C. Presbon by the West Coast League, was approved. . It was decided to extend an omcial welcome to the South Island team this evendfig. ' ' ________