RUGBY EEAGUE

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25272, 26 August 1947, Page 8

RUGBY EEAGUE

ANNUAL SCHOOLBOYS’ TOURNAMENT

The second annual Rugby League tournament for schoolboys, arranged ' by the New Zealand Schoolboys’ League Council, was commenced yesterday at Athletic Park. The tournament was officially opened by the Minister- of Health, Miss M. B. Howard. In congratulating those responsible for its organisation, Miss Howard said that if more tournaments of a similar nature were organised throughout the world for youth, there woufd not be the need to send them away to wars. She was very much in favour of the tournament, and would attend herself as often as possible. Commencing at noon yesterday, three games were played.. Last year’s winners of the Amalgamated Theatres’ Shield, Auckland, had a comfortable victory over Taranaki by 19 points to 8. Canterbury beat WeHington, 25-2, and South Auckland beat West Coast (South Island) 17-3. Games will be continued to-day, and the tournament will conclude to-morrow.

In the first game Auckland was definitely superior to Taranaki, and mainly through better combination led by 11 points to 0 at half-time. Taranaki improved greatly in the second spell and scored the same number of points as Auckland in this half. Mitchem was outstanding for Auckland at centre threequarters. Tries were scored for Auckland by Gordon, Moncur, Wilson, Mitchem and Johnston, the latter converting two of them. For Taranaki, Preston and Chapman scored tries, Ngaiti converting one. Mr Avery (South Auckland) was the referee.

Canterbury scored a runaway victory over Wellington by 25 points to 2. Wellington scored first with a penalty, but after that never looked like seriously challenging tLe home side. Canterbury was particularly strong in its back play. Bailey at half-back beihg a tower of strength on attack. Cairns, Marsh, and Lisle were the best in the forwards. Tries were scored for Canterbury by Lisle, Bailey (2), Ellis, Albertson. Burney, and .Cairns, the latter converting two of them Pahi kicked the penalty goal for Wellington. Mr Marshall (Auckland) was the referee.

In its victory over West Coast, South Auckland demonstrated that it was likely to be one of the hardest teams to beat in the competition. The team played sound football throughout, McDonald ber ing outstanding in the backs. Tries wer£ scored for South Auckland by Dempsey (2), McDonald, Anderson, and Copper, one being converted by Turner. Kelly scored a try for the West Coast. Mr A. Hamburger (Canterbury) was the referee.

FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY -Seniors.—Sydenham v. Rakaia. at Athletic Park. 2.45 p.m. (referee. T. Wellsmore); Addington v. Linwood, at Linwood Park, 2.30 p.m. (referee, H. Hamburger); Christchurch v. Prebbleton, at Sydenham Park, 2.30 p.m. (referee, F. Stevens); Hornby v. Papanui, at Hornby, 2.30 p.m. (referee,„E. Barbarel); Riccarton a bye. Juniors.—Linwood v. Woolston, at Linwood Park. 1 p.m. (referee, G. Allen); Christchurch v. Dallington, at Avon Park. 2.30 p.m. (referee, V Warr); Papanui v Riccarton, at Papanui No. 1, 2.30 p.m. (referee, C. McGuire); Rakaia v. Sydenham, at Woolston Park. 2.30 p.m. (referee, J O’Loughlin): St. Joseph’s a bye. Third Grade.—Hornby v. Linwood, at Hornby, 1 p.m. (referee, E. Smith); Dallington v. Riccarton, at Avon Park, 1 p.m, (referee. S. Smith); Sydenham v Ponsonby (Auckland), at Sydenham Park. 1 p.m. (referee, V. Henry); Woolston v. Ellerslie (Auckland), at Athletic Park, 12 noon (referee to be appointed); Papanui a bye. Fourth Grade.—Christchurch A v. Dallington, at Jerrold street, 2.30 p.m. (referee, J. Mulqueen); Prebbleton v. Riccarton, at Prebbleton, 2.30 p.m. (referee. P. Hogan); Papanui v. Sydenham, at Bradford Park, 2.30 p.m. (referee, L Budd); Christchurch B v. St. Jcseph's at Spreydon Domain, 2.30 p.m. (referee, A Allen). Under 9 st.—Representative schoolboys’ jnatch* North Island v. South Island, at

Athletic Park, 1.30 p.m. (referee to be appointed). Under 7st 71b.—Representative trial match at Woolston Park, 10.30 a.m. (referee, E. Ozane). Under sst.—Rakaia v. Christchurch A, at Athletic Park, 3 p.m. (referee, A. Hamburger); Sydenham v. Dallington A, at Avon Park, 3 p.m. (referee, S. Smith); Linwood v. Dallington B, at Linwood Park. 3 p.m. (referee, G. Allen); Christchurch B v. Prebbleton, at Sydenham Park, 3 p.m. (referee, V. Henry); Papanui a bye. Advt.

DATE OF REPRESENTATIVE MATCH CHANGED A decision to alter the date of the representative match between Canterbury and Auckland to September 20 from September 13, was reached at a meeting last evening of the management committee of the Canterbury Rugby League. - It had beep found necessary to make this decision so that Wellington players could play the Canterbury representative team at Christchurch on September 13, said the secretary (Mr G. E. Falgar). He added that, if necessary, arrangements could be made to enable the Canterbury team to be in Auckland by September 20. A match against South Auckland at Huntly had been arranged for September 21. The following players have been selected to train at Jerrold street for the representative games:—K. Henry (Hornby), G. Moore (Hornby), C. Clarke (Riccarton), L. Beri (Rakaia), H. Walker (Christchurch), E. Lewis (Hornby), L. E. Brown (Linwood), L. Brown (Sydenham). S. Allen (Prebbleton), J. Clarke (Papanui), L. O'Brien (Christchurch), J. Dukes (Sydenham). K. Andrews (Sydenham), D. Warren (Prebbleton), L. Gardner (Rakaia), J. Dunn (Riccarton). P. Callanap was not available.