HUNTLY WANTS TO PLAY IN AUCKLAND LEAGUE COMPETITION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 90, 17 April 1941, Page 18

HUNTLY WANTS TO PLAY IN AUCKLAND LEAGUE COMPETITION.

A le(|iiist tlnit a Iliinfy team be •'bowed to play m the Auckland senior I. o.liiinpioilslup was made bv a depulalion to tlic boaid of control evening. Ml . \\ . ( . Davits, eh.inmin of the •Ninth Auckland Rugby Lc.igit-. said the lour clubs iu limit I v «ei e keen 1.. join ill competition wir.i the t>cs: Auckland cl ,: ")S ami also to ii.ti odiice new blood to C.nlau lark. Ihe pcojdc ol limit Iv weie striving to give th. ii play. ;s home-and-iiouie matches.

Subject to afliliat ion be^n_ r g:. nteil it was Hunt Iv's dtsire to play n.utcluv ot I arl.-nv 1 aik and at Jluntlv on alternate .- a 1111 da \>. Mr. Davies said his ciubs U'ere not coucci ii.il with the gate i.veipts which weie enjoyed by the Auckland clubs, and it was intend dto shaie nt:. < piolir.. Hon, the matches played at llimtly onlv. Ut.ier dell-gates suppo: ted Mr. Davies" i i marks.

The deputy-chairman the Auckland League. Ml . 1-.. .(. I'll. lan. said tile tpn>t ion had alie.idy been by the senior e!ub-. Many new iin.-stions had uoeu raitsfil ainl tin.' pi'nposal j>rosoiuVtl many dilliciilt ies. Should ihe Auckland League decide lo admit Huntlv. the posilioii ol several old-established clubs would have to be considered. There ii.nl been a s. i-i-istiou that some eluljs might be anialgamatcd in order to provide for the losses of players through enlistments. He made it clear that he was opposed to Stindnv play.

Mr. J. A. Redwood, president o! the New Zealand Rugby l.eague. associated himself u Ith the deputalion, not as an advocate tor the appeal but to assist the i-iterests or the code "I «m certain that the inclusion of Huntly v ould ereatly benefit the game and would be in the best interests of the Auckland club competition." said Mr. Redwood. "The position of -.he South Auckland League and the part it pla.vs in the control of New Zealand football is another matter which will have to be considered. Difficulties would arts* in regard »o representation, but there Is no doubt these could be overcome. " Mr. Redwood added that he did not favour Sunday competitions. Mir. F. T. McAneny. chairman r.f the venlor clubs' officers association, satd the grneral impression of his executive was that the scheme was a wartime measure. Dut, Judcing irom the remarks of members of the deputation their idea was a permanent one. Auckland clubs, said Mr. McAneny. had strong objections to plavtng what appeared to be a fully representative South Auckland team. The question of transport also was a matter to consider.

Mr. Davies, in reply, said suitable train arrangements were available for matches to be played on a Sunday, and ne saw no serious objection to Sunday competitions.

Mr. Phelan said '.he matter was one of vital importance, and. in the absence of the chairman Mr. G Grey Campbell, no finality could be reached that evening. A replv to Huntlv was promised after next weeks meeting.

| Games Next Saturday. I When discussing the prospects for the season I » R <rP°}! le sa , id should be borne in mind that affiliation of clubs should be given to those t most likely to carry on throughout the season Mr. J. Clarke said he saw no prospect of clubs agreeing to amalgamation. » ■"'»? decided to defer the opening date of the senior competition until after a scries ol preliminary matches are played on Saturday next A letter was received from Mr. H. W Brlsbane. one of the Auckland selectore. advising that his services, owing to private reasons would not be available this season. Mr. Phelan said Mr Brisbane had given excellent service, and the letter was received with regret. Messrs. W. E. Cloke. S. Prentice and A J McGregor were appointed Auckland representative selectors. Applications from the Ellerslie Club for lifemembership for Messrs. G. Chapman and J McInnarney were deferred until a luture meeting The junior control hoard supported both applications. The following preliminary found matches have been arranged for Saturday next:— Senior Grade.—Richmond v. Manukau. Carlaw Park. No. 1. 3 p.m.. Mr. G. Kelly: Marist v Ponsonby. Carlaw Park, No. 1, 1.4S p.m.. Mr' J. O'Shannessv; City v. Papakura. Carlaw Park No. 2. 3 p.m., Mr. H. Tate: Newton v North Shore. Carlaw Park. No. 2. 1.45 pm Mr J Jones: Mount Albert, a bye. Linesmen —Carlaw Park. No. 1. Messrs C Dav S. Dixon: No. 2. Messrs. S. fisher, j. short' Reserve referees: Messrs. E. Pope. R Otto