RUGBY LEAGUE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 72, 26 March 1943, Page 5

RUGBY LEAGUE

PAST SEASON REVIEW

CARLAW PARK GETS £3055

Successful operations, confined almost solely to club football in a wartime period, and a high standard of play, are the features stressed in the annual report of the Auckland Rugby League to be submitted on Wednesday next. Two matches were piaved between .Maori and pakeha teams, and one of the "gates" constitutes a record for local games at Carlaw Park. To carry on the code at a satisfactory standard there were three amalgamations between club teams, and the report stated the experiment proved a success. Easily the best outcome of the season was the skill shown by some of the younger-players, and their form augers well for the code in the years to come. The report states that the numerical strength of juniors was not up to former years, although 35 teams competed in a full-time programme. The code appeared to be hit harder by the loss of younger players serving with the fighting forces. Tribute to Maoris The success of the Manukau Club in the senior championship was the result of clever team work, and the fact that the Maori players were able to field the same side every Saturday. In the special representative games the results were:—Auckland 49, beat South Auckland 16; Maoris 10. beat Pakehas 8; Maoris 23, drew with Pakehas 23. The J. P. W. Dickson medal for the most sportsmanlike player was worr by Owen Hughes, of the City-Otahuhu Club. Mention is made in the report of the excellent work of the Ladies' Social Committee. Visits were paid to injured players at home and in hospital. The ladies contributed just over £20 towards the comforts of injured players. School football played a prominent part in the season's operations, and the number of teams (32) constituted a record. The representative games between Auckland and South Auckland boys were highly successful. The treasurer's report shows a satisfactory position considering the times of stress. The gate receipts, naturally, showed a falling off, but the sum of £3055 was taken at club games, and showed the Auckland public still appreciates Carlaw Park as a winter sports attraction. The sum of £ 323 was paid as grants to clubs on a percentage basis; the injured players' fund cost £191 6/; £55 was spent in entertainment during the season. Additional investments in War and Liberty bonds are shown at £200. Total assets stand at the striking figure of £10,743, Carlaw Park being valued at £7314, and the grandstand £2585.