ONLY EIGHT TEAMS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 205, 31 August 1933, Page 16

ONLY EIGHT TEAMS.

AUCKLAND SENIOR RUGBY. TWO SIDES TO BE CUT OUT. VITAL DECISION BY UNION. One of the most important decisions of recent years- was made by the Auckland Rugby Football Union last night, when—after a lengthy discussion —a resolution was carried that the number of teams in the senior A grade competition be reduced from ten to eight next season. Mr. I Harry Frost presided, and there was a full attendance of members of the execu- | tive, as notice of motion of this intention had been given by Mr. 11. B. Hardy the previous week. In speaking to the formal resolution, Mr. Hardy considered that the time was ripo for a reduction in the number of fifteens competing for the senior championship. Although the elimination of certain old-established clubs would cause some heart-burning, he thought that the improvement in the standard, and from other points of view, would fully warrant the change. He considered that the lesser number of teams would leave some playing Saturdays, vacant which could be used in furthering the representative programme and the Jubilee Cup competition. Mr. St. C. Belcher, in moving an amendment that the number of teams be reduced to seven, said that, although sentiment had made him antagonistic to a reduction in the past, he now realised that such was in the interests of the game. Mr. A. J. Billington favoured a reduction, but was against forcing any clubs out of the competition in an arbitrary manner. Better, he thought, for the clubs to play themselves out. In pursuance ot this, ho suggested that the present full complement of teams should take part m the first round next season, such teams having been warned previously that the last two or three at the end of that round would be eliminated. However, the motion was finally passed (unanimously) without qualification, and the method of arriving at which two teams are to bo eliminated will probably be discussed at next "Wednesday's meeting. Mr. Hardy was appointed manager of the representative fifteen to visit Hamilton on September 6. A letter was received from the captain of the Japanese training ship, the Shintoku Maru, thanking the union for the courtesy and hospitality extended ofnceis and cadets at Eden Park last Saturday. Senior fixtures arranged for Saturday week: —Ponsonby v. Manukau, jiiden JrarK No. 1 1.45 p.m.; Grammar Old Boys v. University. Eden Park No. 1, 3.15 p.m., College Rifles v. Grafton, Showgrounds .No. 1 3 p.m.; Otahuhu v. Marist, Sturgess Park 3 p.m.: Technical Old Boys v. Training College, St. Helier's Bay, 3 p.m. Ground officials appointed for Saturday. Onehunga, Mr. Williams; Western Springs, Mr. Galbraith; Showgrounds, Mess™. Hoare and Conyngliam; Domain, Mr. K. Nelson; Gribble-Hirst Park, Mr. Addison; North Shore, Mr. W. Wallace; Stadium, Mr. G. Nicholson.

SATURDAY'S ENGAGEMENTS.

Fixtures for Saturday under the control of the Auckland Rugby Football Union.— Seniors.—Grafton v. University, Eden Park No. 1. 3 p.m., Mr. I<. 1 null; Collie Kif.es v Marist. Showgrounds No. 1. i p.m., Mr. S. Hollander: Otahuhu v. Manukau. Onoluinga No. 1. 3 p.m., Mr G. I pace , Ponsonhy v. Training College, Stadium, 3 nm Mr. J. Malcolm; Technical Old Bo>s v! Grammar Old Boys, Stadium, 1.30 p.m.. M Senior I F.'—Ytniversi ty By. Kden Fden Park No 1. 1.30 p.m., Mr. J. Ilebden , Manukau B v. Grammar Colts. Outer Domain, 3 p.m.. Mr. C. F. Stratford ; Eastern Suburbs v. North Shore, North Shore No. 1 3 p in., Mr. C. Stitchbury; Technical Old Boys v. Parncll, Western Springs, 3 p.m., M Secon(l !l3 Grado A.—Grammar A v. Bapatoetoe, Papatoetoe, 3 p.m., Mr. H. D,.Craig, Manukau v. Technical Old Boys, Domain No 6, 1.45- p.m., Mr. E. Earlly; Y.M.C.A. v North Shore, Point Chevalier No. J, 3 p.m., Mr. C. J. Howard; Nortlicote A v University, Victoria Park No. 3, 3 p.m., Mr. D. V. Moore; Otaliuhu v. Manurewa, Manurewa. 3 p.m., M,r. N. Lipscombe; Grafton wins by default. Second Grade B.—Suburbs v. Grammar B, Avondale No. 1, 3 p.m., Mr. H. O. White: College Rifles v. Grafton Colts, Point Chevalier No. 1, 3 p.m., Mr C. W. ll en " derson ; Technical Colts v. Training College, Domain No. 2, 1.45 p.m., Mr. F. E. Gargen ; Tnniaki v. Marist, Domain No. 2, 3 p.m., Mr. ,T. Finlavson ; Waitemata v. Nortlicote B, Gribblc-llirst Park, 3 p.m., Mr. K. Leatliart; Ponsonby v. University B, Western Springs, 1.45 p.m., Mr. A. M. MacKay. Third Grade Open.—Eden wins by default: Ilowick v. Oratia, Showgrounds No. 2, 3 p:m., Mr. R. K. Hayhow; North_Shore v. University. North Shore No. 1, 1.45 p.m., Mr. C. Stitchbury; Newton, a bye. Third Grade Intermediate A.—College lMfies v. Manukau A, Oneliunga No. 2, 3 p.m.. Mr. R. .T. Lye; Eastern Suburbs v. Marist, Domain No. G, 3 p.m., Mr. W. Gaspa rich : R.N.V.R. v. Y.M.C.A.. Oneliunga So. 1. 1.45 p.m.. Mr. H. T. Robinson; Eden A, a bye; Otaliuhu wins by default. Third Grade Intermediate 1?. —Parnell v. University, Gribble-Hirst Park, 1.45 p.m., Mr. A. V. Styles; Grammar A v. North Shore, Victoria Park No. 3, 1.45 p.m., Mr. G. Ilandcock ; Technical Old Boys v. Suburbs, Eden I'ark No. 2, 3 p.m., Mr. C. Murdoch ; Northcote v. Manukau B, Showgrounds No. 3. 3 p.m., Mr. C. S. Reader; Waitemata wins by default; Eden B wins by default. Fourth Grade. —Grammar A v. Otahuhu, Showgrounds No. 2, 1.45 p.m.. Mr. J. Colvin ; Technical Old Boys v. Northcote, Eden Park No. 2, 1.45 p.m., Mr. J. G. C. Wales: Ponsonby v. Grammar B, Outer Domain, 1.45 p.m., Mr. N. S. Conquer; Grafton v. Oratia, Point Chevalier No. 1, 1.45 p.m., Mr. B. Ellworth. Fifth Grade. —Grammar v. Marist, Point C'lievalier No. 2, 1.45 p.m., Mr. 11. W. Bean; Suburbs v. Manukau, Oneliunga No. 2, 1.45 p.m., Mr. 15. Simmons: Ponsonby v. Technical Old Boys, Showgrounds No. 1, 1.45 p.m.. Mr. J. Lineen ; Eden, a bye. Sixth Grade.—Marist v. Manukau, Showgrounds No. 3, 1.45 p.m., Mr. E. Horning; Eden v. Suburbs, Grey Lynn No. 1, 3 p.m., Mr. A. E. Macintosh; Northcote v. Technical Old Boys, High School, Nortlicote,' 3 p.m., Mr. F. Fry; Grafton v. Ponsonby, Grey Lynn No. 1, 1.45 p.m., Mr. A. G. Lendrum. Junior Boys.—lntermediate grade, semifinal : Parnell v. Suburbs, Potter's Park, 3 p.m., Mr. E. B. Gladding. Junior grade A : Otahuhu v. Eastern Suburbs A, Oneliunga No. 3, 2 p.m., Mr. P. Malcolm: Manukau A v. Eden, Onehunga No. 3, 3 p.m., Mr. P. Malcolm: Good Shepherd v. Manukau I!, Potter's Park, 2 p.m., Mr. E. B. Gladding. House Matches.—Hydra Bacon v. Auckland Meat Company, Showgrounds No. 4, 3 p.m., Mr. F. 11. C. Jenks. Line Umpires.—Eden Park No. 1, 1.30 p.m., Messrs. J. Sweeney, C. P. Beecroft; 3 p.m., Messrs. J. Sweeney. C. I*. Beecroft. Reserves.—Messrs. M. Adams, J. R. Miller, M. Paris, E. G. Pepper, C. VV. Schnauer, V. Cardin, A. A. Lucas, E. W. Adams.

COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVES.

WAIKATO V. AUCKLAND. Team to represent Waikato against the Auckland representative Rugby team at Hamilton next Wednesday: Full-back, M. Davies; three-quarters, J. Wilson, A. J. Aitken. D. .T. Oliver; five-eighths, W. Cameron, W. Carroll; half-back, L. Denz: back row, D. Lower: middle row, A. Storey, J. Medley, T. Thompson. A. Cameron ; front row. D. Bourke, 11. Elisor. ,T. Lecson. FRANKLIN. V. WAIUKU. Team to represent Franklin in the Rugby match against Wniuku at Waiuku on Saturday for the Massey Cup : Full-back, J. Hira; three-quarters, .T. Moore, H. Passan, K. Tonga: five-eighths, W. Barnaby, G. L. Weir: half. ,T. Tonga; forwards, H. Perfect. R. Smith, D. Revell. M. Taua, E. Lee, A. Thomas, G. Chitty, Te Wheti. SOUTH AUCKLAND "TOURISTS." The South Auckland team to plav Northern King Country at Te Kuiti oh Sej)tember 6, and Taranaki B at New Plymouth on September 9. is :—Backs : J. Hira (Franklin). R. Dow (Manukau), J. Wood (Pukekohe), W. Blacklaws (Waiuku), R. Jackson (Waiuku). W. Barnaby (Franklin). E. Moyle (Waiuku), T. Hogan (Manukau), G. Ij. Weir (Franklin). Forwards: J. Bregman (Waiuku), R. Fulton (Pukekohe). A. Atchison (Manukau). J. R. Massey (Pukekohe). M. Taua (Franklin), K. Wnlfsbauer (Pukekohe), D. Nathan (Pukekohe), A. Moflltt (I'ukekohe), G. L. Chitty (Franklin), and G. Waterhcuse (Manukau). The team leaves Pukekohe next Wednesday morning for Te Kuiti.

. GAMES IN THE SOUTH.

MASTERTON. Wairarapa 10, beat Otago 17. WAIPUKURAU. Wellington Colts 27, beat Central Ilawke's Bay 14.