PROFESSIONAL RUGBY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 278, 17 August 1908, Page 9

PROFESSIONAL RUGBY.

TEAM FOR THE NORTHERN TOUR

A STRONG COMBINATION.

For some time after the professional " All Blacks" returned from England, the professional movement hung fire, and in some quarters it "was prophesied that nothing more would be Heard of the "pro." game as far as New Zealand was concerned. Tho men who had made the English tour were tired of football when they returned" homo, and were glad of a rest, but after a spell of idlenoss they began to .cast about for more football, and somo pf them took to "soccer." Of late professionalism has been in the air, and a good deal of progress has been made with this branch of the game. A short timo ago it was announced that a team was being got up in Wellington to make a trip to Auckland, and wo are now informed that tho following strong combination will make the Northern trip:— FULL-BACK: j Georgo Spencer. ! THREE-QUARTERS: | Tyne, Instone, D. Toohill. j FIVE-EIGHTHS. House and Barber. HALF: Kelly. FORAVARDS:' Pearce, Lile, Gilchrist, Byrne, J. Spencer, 8.. King. Tho whole of the players are well-known exponents of Rugby. George Spencer is an old New Zealand representative player, and has been one of tho leading lights in provincial representative football'for many years |iast. Of the three-quarters, Tyne was a member of the "All Black" professional team which toured England, and was previously a Canterbury and Petone player. Instone plaved senior for Poneke for some timo, and latterly has battled for Petone. D. Toohill was hon. secretary of the Poneke Club up to a few days ago, and has played in the senior fifteen of his-club for several yehrs. The two five-eighths 'are both Petone Club men. Barber played for tho Wellington representatives for a number of years, and also took part in somo of tho games played by the "All Black" professionals in Australia. House is a young player of great promise, and has doile excellent service for the Petone seniors this season. Kelly, who fills the half-back position, made the English tour with Baskivillo's toam, and prior to that venture was <i senior Potono player. ; Of tho forwards, Pearce, of Canterbury, made tho English tour with tho professional team, likewise Lile, Gilchrist, and Byrne, all of whom were well-known representative Wellington amatours before the professional movement. Jack Spencer is an ex-New Zealand representative player, aiul captain of the Melroso team which won tho senior championship this season. On his present form he is ono of the best forwards in New Zealand; but for some reason best known to themselves tho Wellington selectors did not givo him a place in the Wellington representative team. B. King is another Melrose senior player, and ono of the cleverest men- with his feet in the city.

Tho team is to leave Wellington for Auckland 011 Thursday, and will bo under the charge of Mr. D. Fraser, of Petone, Who was another of the "All Black" professional team which visited the Old Country. Tho terms on which the players are making tho trip aro said to be very satisfactory. The match will probably be played on Victoria Park. It is probable that a Southern tour will follow tho Northern venture.

(FROM OCR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) Otaki, August 15. ; News arrived hore last night that A. Cook had been included as first emergency in the Wellington district professional football team. Cook has signified his intention of travelling. Other players hore -show a decided inclination towards professionalism. ASSOCIATION. SATURDAY'S MATCHES. Another ideal day for sport enabled the Association League to get off all its Saturday fixtures under perfect conditions. Tho most important ovent of the afternoon's play was the unexpected defoat, by the Rovers, of tlio Diamonds, who had a favourable lead for ohampionship honours.' The following a|re tho results of the various divisional contests ; — ; SENIOR FIRST DIVIBION. ROVERS v. DIAMONDS, 1 A fast and interesting match botweon Rovers and Diamonds was witnessed by several hundred spectators on tho Basin Reserve last Saturday. Rovers won the toss, and for some unknown reason elected to play \Wth tho sun against thorn. Shortly sftor play started Rovors pressed and had n corner kick, which was taken by Bethell. ,Tho hall was Jjßautifully placcd, and Martin drew first blood with n fine head shot. Through a mistake by Ovcrend, Rovors secured another cornoiv - Bethell again lobbed the ball into tho goal mouth, but Fitzgerald fisted it

out, and Diamonds transferred play, to Hovers' territory, where Martin saved with a timely kick. Fitzgerald was again called ■upon to stop a hard shot, which was sent in after a fine passing rush. Rovers up to this stage of the game were having much the best of it, and, although Diamonds occasionally got away, erratic shooting spoilt their chances. A fine passing rush -byllovers was stopped, when a scored seemed certain, liv Martin getting off-side. Duffy secured from the kick, and took the ball, down the line, hut liis dash ended in a weak shot at goal. Duignan and Martin y'ere playing great games, and frustrated the . Diamonds' rushes repeatedly. On one occasion they .let the . opposition >issemWe ip k thc, vicinity of the goal, where A. Lowe sent in a hot shot which grazed the cross-bar and tnent over. Thorlev effected a fine save for Diamonds, and Duiguan with a welljudged kick passed to C. "O'Shca, whose shot wont wide. Penlingto'n, in stopping a hot shot from Taylor) conceded a corner, which proved fruitless, i Martin shortly after're-.' ceived possession of the ball in front fif the' Diamonds'• goal, and sent' in-'a welljudged shot, in saying which-Fitzgerald, was forced to give a corner. There was no score from the kick,. and ..the, first.'spell ■ended: Rovers, Diamonds, 0. " j Oil resuming, ijiamonds pressed for a time, but Rovers penetrated jtlieir defence,, and ■C. O'Shea scored the second goal, which gave Fitzgerald no. chance. JFast play 'was the ■order for several, nvinutos, the, hall' travelling from ono end of the field to" the-other with great pace.) Penlingto'n distinguished., himself with two fine saves, -shots,;., fr.om, fluffy. and Hathaway. The. hopes of .Diamonds were raised when for hancls they' : wcre , awarded a 1; penalty. Hathaway was-entrusted'-with the <lcick, wihich hoi sent, against Ptjnliiigton, and the ball rebounded weli'into the field of play. Cashman had an -easy shot for Rovers,, but missed by yards. In clearing,' Penlington gave, a corner... The kick, though good, was without result, and play was transferred to midfield. Duffy liad'orily Penlington to pasp'oft One. occasion';,'Aut thatplayer was not called upon 3jie game ended: — ' , • . .j . ; Rovers ... ... : ••• '2 . Diamonds f! .r ... 0 Although Diamonds were jeajding for -championship hbnours, it was Rovers would put up a g&od fight, "but few 1 .soccer" expected ,- to seevthe -. blacks < de 4 fruited by- two to- nil. . 'For Diamonds-.. "Mick" Fitzgerald, in £oal,' ,gave.j a gqod display, and but I for his; excellent", play the" defeat would have been- worse. '-''"Peter"' Roberts, was in his glory a#-full-back, ;andi was a" tower of 'strength jt'o his side!. "Ov<jrtwd was conspicuous at the opi'nion was that Harnett's .inclusion in the teaW would have been beneficial.'... "Joe." Taylor: was easily the best of the. fel'vcsi'jhis olyb-' fault consisting in trying ttf'do. thrMnien's; work.- Thorley and Roberts ''were l decidedly' safe, and did a lot of work. 1 Hnthhway, tS the forwards, played well,. particularly in ±3ic second snell, and- the Lowes : •were in the thick -of it, and nlayed 'ijood '"sofc'«or." Duffy spoilt a lot of ittjSMS'Wfrk'Dj erratic shooting. Rovers to a man played well: • VP-eriliiig-ton's custodianship w.as a ' fine r exhibit'iofi.'. Ho 'was ably hv -ana Martin, two youns; full-'bao'ks. "with-fotiires 1 .J)pfoT-e them. B°thell, "Bamett,'and wero .thrre equally good halves, 'who'shiflied ; their forwards, and were verv-safe. ;\'To rnl- - in the forward division is ■•practically impossible. Hie t«ani- KTnyoi'' li«sr. iiest name this season, and a-'-fitting .reward; for would he to wure honours,? for: thev dowerre it.. Mr. Waters gave every satisfaction as referee. '' - -