LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 116, 18 May 1934, Page 13

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

TO-MORROW'S GAMES. RICHMOND MEET CITY. PONSONBY TO TEST NEWTON. To-morrow's programme at Carlatv Park will put to the test two championship contenders who have already failed once this season, and then staged a come-back. City, a fortnight ago, failed badly against Newton, but last week looked a different team against Marists. On Saturday they will be tip against the unbeaten Richmond team, and will need to be at the top of their form to pull off the game. Yet, to hold a chance for the season's honours, City must hold Richmond to at least a draw, and there are some who think the team has the talent to pull off the win. Newton, in the curtain-raiser 011 the main ground, will be the cynosure of all eyes, for the team has steadily improved since the opening day, and in Ponsonby it meets a combination that has proved itself capable of extending the best in the competition. Devonport and Marists have both been oveitfliadowed this season by their younger rivals, and they meet 011 No. 2 area, with the chances rather in favour of Devonport.

Teams:— CITY ROVERS. Seniors.-—Watene. White. Wa.vnc. Axeman, X'than, Clarke, Herring, Maher, It. T'iirdy, Turei, Wiberg, McLaughlin, Jones, ISngg, Butler. Reserve Grade.—Brown (2), Bareliard. Munco, Miller, Pierce, l'eaehe.v. Thompson. Clarke, Untie'-. Hushes, Maher, McLean, J. I'urdy, Paul, Craneli. RICHMOND ROVERS. Seniors. —Cooke. McNeil. Mincham, Tetle.v. Mitchell. Prentice. J. Satherley, Powell, Jenkinson, Metcalfe, Lawless, C. Satlierley, Telford. Milicich. Broadliead. Reserve Grade.—Marshall, .T. Younsr, Wilkie, Itickerton. Camobell, Simmons. P. Young. Verrall. Crookali, Smith. Douelas, Swanlierft. Ilogan, Lennie, Uoblnson, Ramsey, Wilson. NEWTON. Seniors. —Dempse.v, Stephens, Bright. Pope, Crook. Brimble. Porteous, Middleton, Glover, QuirUe. Browne, Kelsall, Hull, Merrick, Ilickey. Reserve Grade. — Donaldson, Dawson, Lymburne, Massey, Hill, Burt, Kahu. Ladbrook, Hammond, Poland. Clemm, Ilickey, Davenport, Wilton, Johnson, Crates, Dickson, Buchanan. DEVONPORT UNITED. Seniors.—Seagar, Tlall, Fitzgerald, Smith, Knock. Radonich, Rhodes, Simpson. Stevens, »Donald, Sowter, Hutt, Scott, Leatherbarrow. Reserve Grade. — McWilliams, Newton (2), Hamill, O'Donnell, Small, Hunter, Adams, Douglas, Webb, Hurley, Johns, Neighbour, Wilson, Powell, Musscy. MARIST OLD BOYS. Seniors.—Campbell, Schultz, List, Lodge, Smith, Dunn, Schultz, Hassan, Laird, Campbell, Herring, Flanagan, White, Keanc, Clark. Reserve Grade.—Glover, Loader, Furlonger, Fern, Barry, Grothe, Chalmers, Ford, Bakalich, Benson, List, Strahau, O'Kane, Gunn, Stevens. PONSONBY. Seniors.—Jones, Sliera, Kay, Llttlewood, Riley, Stockley,' Halloran, Hutt, Blood, Why, McLeay, Brown, Stockley, Grieve, Davis, Keesiug, Midgley, Smith. Reserve Grade. —Midgley, Miller, Lane, Skelton, Verrall, Maher, Rush, French, Berryinan, Higgins, Sman, Lyons, Cook, McGarvey, Craig.

HARDGRAVE AND ST. HELENS.

HINTED EMBARGO CLAIM UNTENABLE. Since the intimation that Roy Hardgrave, the New Zealand Rugby League international footballer, had concluded his contract with the St. Helens Club, and had left England by the Hobson Bay en route to Auckland, where he will play again for his old club, Newton Rangers, the surprising news comes that the St. Helens Club considers that it will have a claim for £200 from the Rangers, in accordance with the embargo agreement in respect of players as between England and this Dominion.

The St. Helens "Advertiser," in a recent issue, stated that the Saints' committee and supporters ivere acquainted with the fact that Hardgrave's playing terms would come up for revision at the end of this season, and had taken it for granted that the rumours of the player's return to New Zealand had no particular significance, and the Saints' committee would duly negotiate the matter. However, Hardgrave relinquished his position as licensee of his hotel, and that left 110 doubt as to his intentions. It was understood that Hardgrave would play for Newton Rangers Club at Auckland on his return. "In that case," runs the comment, "the Newton Club will owe the St. Helens Club £200. . Hardgrave signed on in the usual way when he arrived at Southampton along with liutt and Hall. Once a man signs that form he is on the •register of the club for which he signs, until they agree to transfer him or strike him oif. The question of agreements with regard to playing terms for fixed periods, has no bearing at ail on a player's ordinary registration. "Of course, St. Helens Club would rather have Hardgrave than the £200. He has been one of the most popular players and has many admirers. When he camo with Hutt and Hall he was the last to strike good form, and then rapidly showed his ability. His two colleagues would have returned to St. Helens, which spoke Well of the treatment given them. The departure of the last of the trio will close an important chapter in the club's history, leaving it without the services of three players that gladly would have been retained."

It should be repeated that St. Helens Club has 110 right to £200 in respect of Hardgrave, either from the Newton Club or from the New Zealand Council, which is the body which has the agreement with England. Apart from the fact that Hardgrave is still on the Newton register, and when he went to England had neither a clearance nor a transfer, the council lias ruled that, the embargo, since made, did not apply to New Zealanders "who were in England at the time the agreement was arranged. So far, the Newton Club has received 110 official demand from the St. Helens Club.