LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 145, 21 June 1934, Page 16

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

CONTROL BOARD AFFAIRS.

REP. FIXTURES CONSIDERED

MARIST • CLUB OVERRULED,

At the meeting of the Auckland Rugby League Board of Control last evening, Mr. G. Grey Campbell presiding, it was decided to oifer a date in August for the visit by the Northland team, which will be opening its first North Island tour. The board resolved to suggest a later date to South Auckland, though a date earlier than August may yet be available. The principal match 011 Saturday will be between Ponsonby and Newton, pre--ceded by the Marist versus Devonpoiu fixture. The Marist club reported _ having suspended the players in connection with the recent disagreement, the .players having refused to recognise the committee or to play. The matter was taken in committee, and, when nine of the players (six seniors and three juniors) were called in, j the chairman said the board ruled that the club under the particular circumstances, could not suspend the players. The club executive was asked to reconsider, the matter under Rule 28, under which the players also should act. The board intended to fully respect the rules of the club, while yet acting according to its own laws and by-laws. It was necessary for all management, clubs and players to act according to standing orders and regulations in support of majority rule. The board had an open mind, dealing in a judicial capacity within the law. Mr. Probert, club representative, appealed to the players concerned to take a long view in the interests of ,tlie club and code. , . , Before retiring, G. Campbell (spokesfnan) thanked the board for its consideration and gave an assurance that all the players were loyal. A special grant was made to the Glenora Club towards ground expenses. The club advised that it had signed up over 55 new players this season, and the code was making good progress in the Glen Eden district. . Preliminary arrangements were discussed for the Tarauaki-Auckland match on Saturday week, Mr. L. Binns being appointed local manager for the visitors, Mr Probert for the Auckland team, and Mr. D. Wilkie for the Tuakau team. The registrations were confirmed of H. Iv. Nathan (Northern Wairoa and Northcote in 1027) to Newton; 11. Wilkins (with clearance from Northeote) to l'onsouby, and W. A 7". Catlin. Transfer: W. J. Johnston (approved by South Auckland through the council) to play for Mangere. Regradc: F. R. Newton, Devonpoit reserves to Glenora third open.

SATURDAY'S ARRANGEMENTS. The Auckland Rugby League's engagements for Saturday are:- - Senior. —Newton v. l'oiisonby, Carlaw Park, No. J, 3 p.m., Mr. P. Rogers; Marist v. Devonport, Carlaw l'ark, JNo. 1, 1.30 p.m., Mr. S. Billnian; City v. Richmond, Carlaw Park, No. 2, 3 p.m., Mr. M. Grade. —City v. Richmond, Carlaw l'arlc, No. 2, l.ao p.m., Mr. S. , Marist v. Devonport, Domain, J p.m., Mr. •V Kirkland ; Newton v. l'oiisonby. Domain, 1.30 p.m., Mr. \Y. Simpson. Second Grade.—Point Chevalier v. Mount Albert, Point Chevalier, 3 p.m., Mr. C. Sheen: KUerslie v. l'apakura, LUerslle, 3 p.m., Mr. A. Smith; Otaliuhu v. Mangere, Otnhuhu, 3 p.m., Mr. R. Otto. . Third Grade.- —Richmond v. Marist, Grey Lynn Park, 3 p.m., Mr. .1. Cottingliaiii , Glen thai' v. Akarnna, Glen Eden, 3 p.m., Mr. li. Taylor; l'apakura v. l'oiisonby, l'apakurn, 3 p.m., Mr. J. Ilawkes; Mangere v. Mount Albert, Mangere, 3 p.m., Mr. J. Gedye. ~ , — _ , . Third Grade Intermediate. —Marist i. roint Chevalier, Victoria Park, 3 p.m., Mr. D. Taylor ; Richmond v. l'apakura, Western Springs, 3 p.in,, Mr. T. Evans; Devonport v. Manukau A, Devonport, 3 p.m., Mr. C. Gedye; Otahuliu v. Akarana, Otahuhu, 2 o m Mr. R. Utto ; Norllieote v. City, Northcote, 3 p.m., Mr. T. Skinner; Manukau B v. l'onsonby, Manukau, 3 p.m., Mr. A. Simpson ; Glen Ura, a bye. Fourth Graue. —l'apakura v. Richmond, Western Springs, 2 ji.m., Mr. W. Weston ; Newton v. Glen Ora, Outer Domain, 3 p.m:, Mr. C. lioneliani; Kllerslle v. Is'orthcote, Ellerslie, 2 p.m., Mr. A. Smith ; Manukau v. Point Chevalier, Manukau, 2 p.m., Mr. A. Simpson ; Marist, a bye. Filth Grade. —City v. Ponsonby, Victoria Park, 2 p.m., Mr. D. Taylor; Devonport v. Richmond, Devonport, 2 p.m., Mr. 0. Gedye; l'apakura v. Manukau, l'apakura, 2 p.m., Mr. .1. Hawkes; Mount Albert v. Otaliuhu, Morningside, 3 p.m., Mr. J. Hammond.

Sixth Grade.—Newton v. Devonport, Outer Domain, 2 p.m., Mr. A. Cainpuey; Richmond v. l'olnt Chevalier, Grey Lynn, 2 p.m., Mr. J. Cottingham; Avondale v. lillerslie, Point Chevalier, 2 p.m., Mr. C. Sheen.

Seventh Grade. —Richmond A v. Mount Albert, Moriiingside, 2 p.m., Mr. J. Hammond ; Richmond li v. City, Domain, 2 p.m., Mr. iVi. ltentoii ; Northeote v. Devonpore, Nortlicote, 2 p.m., Mr. X. Skinner. Schoolboys' Grade.—Avondale v. City, Curlaw l'ark, 12.30 p.m., Mr. T. Traeey; Devonport v. Marist A, Carlaw l'ark, No. li, 12.30 p.m., ill 1 . V. Anderson ; Northeole v. Richmond, Victoria L'ark, 1 p.m., Mr. S. Ball; Ellerslio v. Otaliuhu, Bllerslie, 1 ji.in., Mr. J. Short. Seveu-u-side: City v. Avondale.

Linesmen. —Carlaw Pnrlc, No. 1, Messrs. f. Traeey anil W. Caddy ; No. - ground, 11. Carroll and B. Anderson.

FORCE-DOWN RULE. ENGLISH COUNCIL DECISION. The secretary of the New Zealand Rugby League (Mr. W. 0. Carlaw) received yesterday from the English Council by cable intimation that in the case of a force-down the attacking side must stand five yards out from the goal lino when the defending side restarts the game by a dropout at the middle of the goal-line. The Auckland Rugby League was officially advised last evening, when the chairman, Mr. G. Grey Campbell, said the information from the English authorities would set at rest all doubts about interpretation on the point. As stated earlier in notes in the Sports Edition of the "Star," although the official handbook of the English Rugby League states that the attacking side stood on the goal-line at the force-down dropout, the rule was not actually altered, although observed in the late stages of the season just closed in England.* This was done at the suggestion of managers of the Australian team, who proved that giving the right to attackers to stand on the goalline (which, strictly speaking, is in goal) was too severe a handicap on the defence and did not tend to open up the play.

As the five yards observance is in vogue in Australia, the instruction from England ensures international uniformity on the rule.