RUGBY LEAGUE CUP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 47, 25 February 1936, Page 15

RUGBY LEAGUE CUP.

NEPIA AND HIS MEN.

LONDON CLUB'S SUCCESS

SURPRISE DEFEAT OF LEEDS,

Cabled sport news at the week-end included the fact that the Streatham and Mitcliam Club of London is at present in the running for the English Rugby League Challenge Gup, the final match for which will be played at Wembley Stadium just prior to the departure of the English team to tour New Zealand and Australia. The Streatham and Mitcliam Club is captained by George Nepia. and other ex-Rugby Union players of New Zealand are Charlie Smith (Hawke's Bay), J. Harrison (Taranaki), McDonald (Marlborough) and Eddie Holder (Buller and West Coast), all of whom went to England during the visit of the All Blacks.

The first round of the cup> between thirty-two club teams, was played on February 8, when Streatham surprised by defeating Hull Kingston Rovers, who, though lowly placed on the championship ladder this season, are generally regarded as strong contenders in cup play. Nepia and his men on Saturday demonstrated that their early success was not a chance win by eliminating Leeds, who virtually stand in third place for the season's championship. This Headingly Club, famed as producing "the team of all talents," at present includes Jim Brough (captain), the brilliant Australian winger Eric Harris, and Fred Harris, Brogden, Ralph and Richards, and fine forwards like Satterthwaite, Jubb. Dyer and Isaac. Brough, who was with the 1928 English touring team, is stated to have good claims for another tour, not only because ho is the best attacking full-back in Eng' land, but also because he is a class three-quarter. Brogden is regarded as a certainty for the 1936 side, while the claims of F. Harris (centre), Ralph (halfback), and three of the forwards mentioned have to be considered by the selectors.

The second round was remarkable for the small disparity in the match scores, the largest margin being that in which Wigan beat Oldham by 13—3. Wakefield Trinity conquered Bradford 3—o. Hull defeated their top championship rivals, Liverpool Stanley, 9—o, Castloford headed Leigh B—o>8 —0> and there were two drawn games—Hunslet and Salford and Huddersfield and York, a goal only being kicked by each of these teams. The ties probably -will be replayed to-morrow.

If drawn for the third round against Wakefield, Halifax or Castleford, Streatham and Mitcliam have a golden chance to qualify for the semi-final, in which there will be a bye.

There are New Zealanders also in the York, Wigan and Castleford teams, and the cup competition lias demonstrated the strength of the game in Yorkshire, six clubs of that county being still in the running. Wigan and Salford are in Lancashire, in which section Halifax and Streatham also play. The other London club, Acton and Willesden, for which Cutbush, formerly of Wellington, is centre, drew 3-all with Liverpool Stanley in the first round, but was defeated 29—3 in the replay.

NEWTON BANGERS CLUB. ANNUAL MEETING BUSINESS. Opening the annual meeting of the Newton Rangers Club at the Y.M.C.A. rooms last evening, the patron, Mr. Matt Hooper, referred to the good showing of the senior team last season, and to the public reception it received in upholding the name and traditions of the club. A large attendance of" members and players included Messi*. J. W. Probert and Ivan Culpan, member and secretary respectively of the Auckland Control Board, and representatives of the junior management. The twenty-sixth annual report, disclosing that the club's credit balance had increased by £42 12/0, recorded a considerable 'increase in membership. Lengthy reference was made to the success of the senior, senior reserve, fourth and fifth grade teams. The senior coach and selector, Mr. A. J. McGregor, was thanked for his services, as were Messrs. Hobman and Skinner, the junior coaches. Officers were elected as follows:— Patron, Mr. Matt Hooper; vice-patron, Mr. W. Monteith; president, Mr. J. A. Lee, M.P.; vice-presidents, twenty-two reelected, and Messrs. T. Jenyns, S. Watkins, A. E. Lovell, W. J. McGregor, T. Cohen, J. Cox; hon. secretary, Mr. W. E. Cloke; assistant secretary, Mr. G. Matthews; treasurer, Mr. P. Henry; committee, Messrs R. Baddiley, N. Preston, C. Turner, G. Steven, D. Grantley, G. Matthews and W. Dyer; property steward, Mr. S. Barker; club captain, Mr. J. A. Mason. The question of coach and selector will be submitted by the executive. Mr. Baddiley announced that the exNewton players Trevor Hall, Backlaws and Stephens, -who were doing well for St. Helens Club in England, were presenting a complete set of jerseys and sox, due to arrive for the seniors within the next few weeks. It was decided to thank the donors for their continued keen interest in Newton Rangers. A report that the club would put on the field two teams in the schools' competition and two teams in the seven-a-side tourney, was greeted with applause, and the organiser, Mr. E. F. Hickey, was made an ex-officio member ot the committee. , . . . . Mr. D. Wilkic, chairman of the junior board, commended the club's move to start school teams, and Mr. W. Clark, secretary of the junior committee, urged the formation of more junior teams as a more valuable asset to the club than going outside for new players for senior ranks. , , „ ~ Mr. Culpan apologised for tho unavoidable absence of Mr. G. Grey Campbell, and detailed improvements carried out at Carlaw Park during the ofl-season. New players announced included O. Watson (Northern Wairoa Rugby Union rep.) and .T. Giiwlers (ex-Richmond). R. Merrick (North Auckland rep.), and lv. Robinson (ex-Taranaki rep.).