League under lights

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33563, 18 June 1974, Page 18

League under lights

One of the later rounds of the Canterbury Rugby League premiership will probably be played under floodlights at the Show Grounds, with the four matches spread over two mid-week evenings.

It was pointed out by Mr D. J. Alsop at last night's provincial board of control meeting that the present programme would involve a clash between the championship semi-finals and Canterbury’s Rothmans tournament fixture with West Coast in Greymouth.

The semi-finals had been scheduled for August 31, with the preliminary final on September 7 or 8 and the dub grand final on Sunday, September 13. But Canterbury is committed to meet West Coast on September 1. and the league has a rule that prevents players appearing for their clubs 24 hours before a representstive game.

Mr-D. G. Gaynor, secretarymanager of the board, said that there would be no ehanee of obtaining permission from the New Zealand Rugby League to change the date of the fixture in Greymouth. Earlier this month West Coast and Wellington met stem opposition at national level before delaying their Rothmans play-off for two weeks. Only the faet that hotel accommodation was not available on the original 'date swayed the New Zealand

council frem its pulley of adhering strictly ta ths schedule drawn up at the start of the board's chairman (Mr' M. R. Clinton) than suggested that one series of premiership matches be held under floodlights. Although no firm decision was made, it is probable that two Wednesday evening 1 ! will be set aside for the four games (the number of premier teams will have been reduced to eight by then). Such a move would bring the semi-finals forward to August 24, with no club draw on the day before the Rothmans contest at Greymouth. To prolong the championship to late September would upset plans for the Canterbury IS years trip to New

South Wales and bo contrary to advice already given to clubs as to when they ean negotiate friendly end-ef-aeasen fixtures. 17 YCAfit TRAM The Canterbury 17 years side ■ to meet West Coast ta the first i round of the Rothmans junior i tournament at the Show Grounds on Saurday is:— G. Capstick irapanui); J. Luscomb (Linwood), K. Murphy (Christchurch-Eastern Suburbs). P, Bailey (Linwood, vieo-captain), S. Rouse (Linwood); D. Ambrose (Papanul), G. Roberts (Fapanul); S. Mornin (Papanul, captain), P. Baughan (HalsweU), T. Raihana (Papanul); D. McLaughlan (Eastern), B. Goodall (Linwood); G. Briden (Linwood). Reserves: K. Henry (Linwood), D. Krauth (Linwood), W. Te Amo (Papanul), D. Baxter (HalsweU). Manager: Mr I. A. Jenkins Coach: Mr J. RObIMKHI. Team registrations.— A deadline for the receipt of registration forms from clubs was set and a system of fines introduced. The registrar (Mr D. Kerr) reported that few dubs had forwarded their team sheets. Test tickets^--Holders of club season tickets will be given preferential bookings for the second tact between Great Britain end New Zealand on Sunday, August 4. These will be available at the Show Grounds on June 32, tt. and 38, after which public i *Al* rounl —The eighth pie- , mlorship round will be split for I the week-end of June 28-38. Ry consent of the clubs involved, ' Hornby nd Msrist-Westem Suburbs will meet on the Saturday, ' and the Other games will be ' played the following day, attar - the Canterbury teem returns from its Rothmans match with , Waikato at Huntly. Msrirt will . be without its two represents. i tlveS. M. P. Brereton and S. N. Hatipov.