LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 119, 21 May 1936, Page 21

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

AUCKLAND CONTROL BOARD. REPLACEMENTS AS USUAL. I'OXSOXBY TO MEET MT. ALBERT. Ae the result of strong protests from junior clubs, the Auckland Rugby League last evening decided not to apply the nonreplacement of players rule to club games and to immediately urge upon the New Zealand Council the need for granting dispensation. This means that the edict lrom the authorities respecting hnv I. of the game will not be enforced on Saturday on trial as previously anticipated. Mr. G. Grey Campbell presided, and Mr. Ivan Stonex deputised for Mr. D. Wilkie as the junior management committee representative at the control board discussion. Letters of protest at the proposal to cnforce uon-replacement were received from the Newton, Ponsonby, Devonport and Marist Clubs, the schools' management and, through Mr. Stonex, from the junior control board. It was generally conceded that the rule as observed in England and Australia, could be applied satisfactorily in New Zealand to representative and international games, but not to club competitions.

Mr. J. W. Probert said that clubs other than'.those: mentioned also objected to the non-replacement rule, and it appeared that the precipitate application ot the -rule might do more harm than good. ill". J. Rukutai, in supporting the previous speaker, said that non-replacement had been iorced on to Australia, where it was originally strongly resisted. He' felt that the board should-consider the wishes of the clubs and not press the matter. It was to be remembered that the conditions under which the rule was observed were far different abroad. Not in Interests of Ganie. The. chairman said lie opposed the proposal for non-replacements at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby League and he had grave doubts about the application of the rule being possible in Auckland or New Zealand. "We are not going to sacrifice the game for the sake of a fetish," said Mr. Campbell, "and I think that in view of the position that has arisen we should rescind the resolution we previously adopted and continue to allow replacements as formerly." He added that the rule was all right where players were able to'give most of theii' time to training and fitness, but the position was different in New Zealand generally to what obtained overseas.: It did not appear that the strict enforcement of non-replacement would be in the interests ot the game. The replacement concession up to half-time which obtained in Auck-' land was working satisfactorily and lie thought it should not be interfered with.

Mr. I\. Doble said tbe strict requirements of the rule were imposed on the New Zealand Council as an affiliated body with the English Rugby League. The council was only doing its duty in asking that the rule be observed, but the council had the right to grant dispensation.. Therefore, he suggested that non-replacement be given a tiial on' Saturday to avoid defying the council. Then the application for dispensation could be made.

The chairman said that the risk of upsetting the games and the public was too great. It was preferable iii the circumstances to offend' the council than for games to be spoilt' for • the public through becoming one-sided as the result of any injury to players. The risk of so suddenly applying the rule in Auckland now,: when the games were evidently being enjoyed by patrons, was too great and the League had to. regard first the interests of the code- in Auckland, where play had reached a- high standard under-a studied form of replacement. " 1 It was resolved, in view of representatiops to the board to rescind the resolution that the nbn-replacement rule be applied, to apply to the New Zealand Counfcil at once for dispensation- and to continue to allow replacements as in the past—up to half-time in all games. The Referees' Association and clubs are to be notified that replacements will continue as usual.

Ground 1 improvements. 1 • A report by the grounds executive stated that a start had been made to form tearooms near the grandstand at Carlaw Park as part of the programme of improvements in preparation for the visit of the British team. The Marist Old Boys wrote thanking the management for its support and assistance through the benefit to their injured international player, J. Laird,. It was stated that the amount raised was very creditable to the game. It was decided to stage a special senior reserve grade match at North Shore on May 30. . \ Club delegates are to confer with the board nest week. Transfers; B. W. Lyons, Ponsonby reserves to Richmond reserves; E-. Trickle, Mount Albert to Devonport United; E- Elavell, Waiuku senior B to Newton Rangers. The transfer of Wm. Tittleton from Tau>piri to Richmond, and of J. P. Wilton, Newton Rangers to Huritly as forwarded by the South Auckland League, were referred to the New Zealand Council; also clearance of C. W, Haydon, St. GeOrge (Wellington) to Ponsonby. The recent transfer of E. T. Ginders from Green Lane to Newton was referred to the junior board for report, and . DevonpOrt was advised that it was now liable for transfer feu in regard to the transfer of Kerr from Green Lane. _ _ . - Registrations: W. Kewene, D. Davie, iv. W. Smith (Onehunga), M. Proctor (Bombay), J. Hemara arid'J. Daniels (Mangere) to Manukau; R. L. Best. J. M. Brown (Parnell), F. R. Smith, S. N. Kidd (Mount Eden), K. H. Kidd, D. Tuck (Newton) to City Rovers; F. Tryson (Mount Albert) to Newton Rangers.-',. .; ■ .'

SATURDAY'S ENGAGEMENTS. The Auckland: ".Rugby League's programme for Saturday is:— Senior. —Ponsonby v. Mount Albert. Carlaw Park No. 1, 3 p.m., Mr. S. Billman; City v. Manukau, Carlaw Park No. 1. 1.30 p.m., Mr. W. Simpson; Richmond v.^Marist, Carlaw Park No. 2, 3 p.m., Mr. M. Wetherill; Devonport v. Newton. Carlaw Park No. 1, 1.30 p.m.. Mr. R. Otto. Reserve Grade. —City v. Manukau, Domain, 3 p.m., Mr. H: Taylor; Ponsonby t. Mount Albert, Domain, 1.45 p.m., Mr. I». Rogers; Devonport v. Newton, Outer Domain, 3 p.m., Mr. 0. Chalmers; Richmond v. Marist, ■ Outer Domain, 1.43 p.m., Mr. F. Thompson. ; Senior B.—Point Chevalier v. Green I„inc, Point Chevalier, 3 p.m., Mr. L. Dixon; Papakura v. Waiuku, Waiuku, 3 p.m., Mr. J. Gedye. , Second Grade. —Mount - Albert .v. Richmond, Morningside, 3 p.rn., Mr. T. Evans", R.V. v. Glen : Ora, Western Springs, 3 p.m., Mr. A. Kirkland. ' ' ! ■ ■■■ Third Grade A.H^ larist v. Newton B, Domain, 3 p.m., Mr. J. Ilawkos; Otalnihu v. Ponsonby,' Otahuhu, 3 p.m., Mr. A. Smith; Point Chevalier B v. Northcote, Northeote, 8 p.m., Mr. D. Taylor ; Glen Ora. v. City, Glen Eden, 3 p.m., Mr. J. Cottinsliam ; Richmond a bye. * Third Grade B-. —Papakura v. Mount Albert, Papakura, 3 p.m., Mr. A. Dermic; Green Lane v. Devonport, Devonport. p.m., Mr. S. Ball; R.V. v. Point Chevalier A, Point Chevalier, 3 p.m., Mr. Tracey; Newton A v. Manukau, Manukau, 3 p.m., Mr. M. Renton ; Ellerslie a bye. Fourth Grade.—Mount A_lbert v. Point Chevalier, Morningside, 1.45 p.m., Mr. T. Evan?; Ponsonby v. Marist, Victoria Park, 1.45 p.m., Mr. G. Kelly; Ellerslie v. Richmond, Grey Lynn, 3 p.m., Mr. A. Simpson ; Devonport v. City, Victoria Park, 3 p.m., Mr. G. Kelly. . Fifth Grade.—Richmond v. Glen Ora, Western Springe, 1.45 p.m., Mr. A. Kinnuird; Papakura v. Otahuhu. Papakura, 1.45 p.m., Mr. A. Lennie; Newton v. Devonport, Devonport, 1.45 p.m., Mr. S. Ball; Northeote a bye. Sixth Grade.—Richmond v. Papakura, Grey Lynn, 1.45 p.m., Mr. A._ Simpson; Green Lancv-. Gity, I>omain, 1.40 p.m., Mr. J. Hawkes; Avondale a bye. " ' . Seventh Grade—Ellerslie v. Point Chevalier, Toint Chevalier, 1.45 p.m., Mr. L. Dixon; Otahuliu v. Richmond, Otahuhu, 1.45 p.m., Mr. A. Smith; Glen Ora v. Marist, Glen Eden, 1.45 p.m., Mr. ,T. Cottingiiam ; Northeote <v. City, Northcote, — p.m.. Mr. D. Taylor. • Line Umpires.—Carlaw Park No. 1, Messrs. J. Macown, P. Brady; Carlaw Park No. 2, Messrs. A. Campney, B. Anderson. Reserve Referees. —Messrs. T. Mcintosh, A. Farrell, C. Boneham, T. Skinner, J. Hammond, C. Sheen.

SCHOOLBOYS. Senior —Ponsonby v. Devonport, Victoria Park, 1 p.m., Mr. J. Ityan; Richmond v. Mount-Albert, Domain No. 1, 12.30 p.m:, Mr. J. Short. Intermediate.—Ellerslie v. Marist, Carlaw I'ar-k No. 1, 12.30 p.m., Mr. G. Bnrublll; Newton v. Nortlicote, Carlaw ParkNo. 2, 12.30 p.m., Mr. A. Pearson; Avondale v. Green Lane. Point Chevalier, 12.30, p.m., Mr. 11. Tate: Otaliuhu v. Mount -Albert, Morningside, 12.30 p.m., Mr. 13. Butt; Richmond v. Manukau. Grcv Lynn Park, 12.30 p.m., Mr. C. Knott. Junior.—Newton 15 v. Richmond A, Carlaw Park No. 1, 2.30 p.m.; Devonport v. Avondale, Carlaw Park No. 1, 3.45 p.m.; Mpunt Albert a bye.