LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 195, 18 August 1936, Page 16

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

FACED WITH FAILURE. LONDON LEAGUE VENTURE. A London paper, dated July 8, says: One of. the costliest sports ventures ot recent years—the introduction of professional Rugby football to London —is face to face with dismal failure. Streatharr. and Mitcham, London s £16,000 Rugby League team, may not have a ground when the season opens in September. The new £70.000 Mitcham Stadium, where they played last season, is for sale, following thj refusal, of the Surrey County Coijucil to allow it to be used for greyhound rr.cing. And if the stadium is sold the club will probably be disbanded, and the players, including five New Zealanders brought to England at a cost of several thousands of pounds, transferred to northern clubs. "Without dog racing the position is hopeless," said an official. "The Rugby 'gates' would not even pay _ the rates. Mitcham Council gave permission for dog racing after having satisfied themselves that people in the district wanted the sport. The county council's overruling of this decision was an unexpected blow. DEPARTURE OF VISITORS. Mr. Alfred Townend, a member of the English Rugby League Council, who, with Mi's. Townend, has been on tour with the British team, which received a hearty send-off by a large crowd after the Test match on Saturday, left by the Aorangi this morning to return to England, via Canada. Mrs. Townend, who was tendered a dinner by the Auckland Rugby League ladies' committee during her stay, received a special bouquet as a token of farewell. By the Wanganella yesterday morning Mr. Harry Turner, who accompanied the English team from Australia as trainer, returned to Sydney, together with Mr. E. Lunt, a member of the Warrington Club, of Lancashire. AFFAIRS OF REFEREES. Arising from a special meeting held by the Auckland Rugby League Referees' Association on Friday evening, it was reported by the chairman, Mr. L. E. Bull, last evening that the matter of grandstand passes for referees m connection with future overseas tour fixtures had been referred to the Auckland Board of Control to finalise. Satisfaction was expressed that officiating referees at Carlaw Park and outside grounds on Saturday were granted required privileges. Mr. Freeman Thompson reported that he recently found that Taranaki referees were keen for closer co-operation, and it was decided to give every assistance possible. TARANAKI-SOUTH AUCKLAND. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") NEW PLYMOUTH, Monday. Team to represent Taranaki at League football against South Auckland, at Ngaruawahia, next Saturday:— Full-back, C. Bedford; three-quarters, J. Taniatea, C. Hunt, L. Lewis; five-eighths, G. Moorhead, L. Ward; half-back, L. Arnold; forwards, J. McLeod, A. Patterson, J. Eraser, J. Leatherby, C. Leatherby, G. Yeatcs. Reserves: Forward, L. Moorhead; back, j B. Robinson.