FOOTBALL.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18680, 1 May 1926, Page 20

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY. TO-DAY'S MATCHES. The big s ame Lancaster Park to-day, between Christchurch and Old Boys, should provide a great struggle. Last year the meeting of these teams resulted in fine con tests, and were probably the most important pames in the series. Before last Saturday Old Boys vera looked upon as being almost unbeatable, but the Linwood pack showed that the Whites could be put on their deten «ive Yesterday's rain should make the ground soft, and this should favour the Christchurch forwards. Albion, who pln jei. «o well against Morivale last Saturday should be seen to advantage against Linwood, mid 'Varsity, whose stocks are at present verv low, are /expected to show improved form against Merivale. At the Sho« Grounds two Senior "B" games \ul]I he played. Hapaki meet Old.Boys, and Nar sity pl»r Christchurch. ST. ANDREW'S V. ARANUI. The match set down for to-day between Arnnui and St. Andrew's College will not be played, the latter team having defaulted. KOWAI CLUB. The following team will represent the Kowai Football Club in a match against the Oxford Club at Sefton, to-day (all players to be on the ground at 2.30 p.m.) : T L. Moms, G. Smith, G. Russell, H. Binme, L. Ourry, L. Hu»hes, C. Adams, H. McNally, D. S Quick, W. Dando, D. Boyoe, E. Dando, E Wilson, E. Schmidt Emergencies; lorward, R. McGowan; back, E. Peter.

league. TO-DAY'S MATCHES. Waimairi are said to have fair prospects of defeating Marist A at Monica Park this afternoon, and considerable interest is being taken in the clash. Should Marist B beat Addington on the No 2 ground, supporters of the Magpies will be greatly surprised, but thei former Vim are capable of fully extending tho oldest team playing under the code. N.Z. ENGLISH TOUR. STRANGE MESSAGE FROM AUSTRALIA. (rnou oub own correspondent.) LONDON, March 27. At their last meeting, the Rugby Leaguo Council had under consideration a cabl(?gram from tho Australian Board of Control, signed by its chief officials, "Flowers and Ball." It appears that the Council were not anxious for this messago to bo published, but there was a leakage of information. Here is the messago: "In view of the latest information in our possession, tho Board of Control deplore the invitation extended to New Zealanders visiting England. Even tho most optimistic of us cannot look forward to them winning matches; their inevitable defeats will leave a stigma, and will give tho game in Australasia a setback that will take years to recover from Your suggestion of the inclusion of a few Queeuslanders and Wolshmen (meaning New South Wales players) cannot be entertained. The team would bo styled an Australasian combination; we resent tho use of the word Australasian boing applied to a team the members of which are not selected on their merits, regardless of State. "There is still timo for you; to rectify the error, and invite an Australasian team. Triangular trial matches could be played in Svdnev in early June, giving ample time for the selection and embarkation of the team. Granted that you appear under an obligation to invite New Zealand, which wo consider not warranted in view of the possible disaster to the game in New Zealand and Australia, it is hard to realise why wo havo been overlooked, in view of our necessities. Wo consider it imperative that we either visit the Homeland or you Australasia as soon as possible."

New Zealanderß Only. The Council, it is understood, took the only logical action possible in the circumstances by deciding that-it was much too late to make any alteration as outlined in the cable. Practically all the tour arrangements have been made, and it can now be assumed that it will be a tour of New Zealanders. The passages of the New Zealand players have been booked. They set sail on July 24th, arriving in England ou September 4th. The programme of matches cannot as yet be fixed, but the preliminary arrangements have been made and every club except one has applied for a fixturo with the New Zealanders, or professional "All Blacks," as they will be known. "Forward," of the "Yorkshire Evening News," considers that the Australian message savourß of pique—pique that an invitation should not have been extended to nn Australian team, selected entirely on merit from Queensland, New South Wales, aud New Zealand. "The Australian Board of Control was keenly desirous of sending a team next season; sO also were the New Zealand authorities. In making her choice, therefore, the Homo Council was in something of a dilemma. They recognised that to invite a team of New Zealand players alone was to take a risk, inasmuch as the game has not, so far, hud the same chance of success in Now Zealand as it has had in Australia. "On the other hand, they were encouraged to believe that a purely New Zealand touring party would give a tromendous impetus to the game in that country. Moreover, the success of the New Zealand team which toured New South Wales and Queensland in June. : July, and August last year suggested that Ihe standard of play in their country was sufficiently high to warrant assured success on tour in England. "The position of the Rugby League Council has been that everything possible should be done to encourage the game in Now Zealand. ro that end they decided to invito a • C i a n" Di ere ,' 811(1 undertook to indemnify the AH Blacks' - against any possible financial loss. "It only remains to be said that the JJngby League Council has replied to the Australian cablo to the effect that it is now too late to withdraw their invitation to New Zealand and promising careful consideration of the proposal that on invitation be to Australia as early as possible."

ASSOCIATION. TO-DAY'S MATCHES. A match will be played at English I'ark this afternoon between Kaiapoi and Villa. This code of sport is patronised by thousands in every centre in the Old Country, and is making great strides in Auckland and Wellington, and the Canterbury Football Association are asking those interested to roll up and see the game played to-day. The match last week at the Park was a credit to all concerned. It was clean, fast, and interesting, and. the referee did not have to blow his whistle once for an infringement against the laws of the game. The Association code, when played properly, is delightful to watch. The players have to be tit, quick, and resourceful, and must use their heads. The Villa Club will have to turn out \vithout their goalkeeper, but even handicapped to this extent, it is anticipated they will extend the Kaiapoi Club in every direction. _ Previous to the big match a curtain-raiser will be played, commencing at 1.45, between Western and Slarists. The boys are playing real football, and it is a pleasure to watch them manipulate the ball. The fourth grade match between Y.M.C.A. and Spreydon, which was sat down to be played at the Spreydon Domain, has been transferred to Richmond Park. The garae will commence at 2.45 p.m. VILLA CLUB. Villa A will be represented from the following players against Kaiapoi, at English Park to-day:—Comfort, Streeter, K. Johnston, Mulcahy, Verlander, Anderson, Berry, Deans, G. Johnston, Thomas, Whitehead, Ninrtes. Kick-off 2.45.