LEAGUE & LEAGUERS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2162, 30 May 1914, Page 12

LEAGUE & LEAGUERS

fßr "Fieetfoot."!

NOTES ON THE ENGLISH TEAM. The Newtown-Suburban Argument. ' _ Last Saturday's exhibition of football 1)1 -the Newtown-Suburbs ' encounter would need to be improved upon. The display was almost an eyesore. Football as sorved up by theso teams last week cannot tend to increase the popularity of the League game. An ugly feature of the combat was the incessant chatter and part of this was directed to the referee. However,- it is to bo hoped that the good senso of League players will see that this sort of thing hardly tends,'to elevate the new codo in public esteem. It occurs iu other/games, of course, but these happen to . bo oldestablished sports, and therefore aro not likely to suffer like a new game which is just on tho rise. Athletic's 111-fortune. The Petone-Athletic gamo did not provide much in tho nature of good football. The suburbanites had 110 difficulty iu piling on twenty-one points. This was in the main duo to the Athletic pack being handicapped in the number of men. This team has been singularly unfortunate of late ii\ gathering its Saturday teams, but probably 110 difficulty will be experienced in future—at least it is to be hoped so.

The English Team. It would seem that the English touring team has embarked 011 a recordsmashing career. Their score of 101 points scored against South Australia will no doubt causc followers of the game here to pause to think—and think hard. If the tourists are to play here, well, tho least we can do is to set to work' in earnest and - avoid such a beating- as that administered to the South Australian warriors. -In connection with the English team, tho "Referee" lias tho following:— Walter Roman, the Rochdale captain, who, from the point of football experience is more able to - criticise than any other member of the team, is surprisingly optimistic. "Wo have," he said, "iino big forwards, possessing paco and resource. Behind wo have backs who know what to do with tho ball, and if they have any better in Australia, I have never seen them yet. lam looking forward to a very ■ successful tour, for when once wo settle down ,to tho Sydney conditions lvo hope to demonstrate to colonial spectators how the Northern Union game should bo played. I have 110 fear as to the playing results of tlio tour, and you may take it from mo that every player selected is thoroughly reliable and sound, and means to do his duty. There maybe somo criticism as to. the whole constitution of the team, but I am satisfied, and havo every confidence in my colleagues." _ Mr. J. H. Smith, a prominent English enthusiast, and one whose opinion on' League matters is valued, also has tbe following to say regarding tho team's tour:—"After the great International at St. Helens I mado tho remark that with two or three changes the teams wore good enough for anything. Wo have selected the majority of • this season's International players', and havo given the other places to men wo thought best qualified for tho position. I think the firm grounds in Sydney, the superior climatic conditions, will tend to improve the home standard of our -men, and that reputations will improve, and not deteriorate. .1 havo 110 hesitation in predicting a huge, success for the players, who will do their best to maintain the required standard of ability both on and off the playing fields of Australasia," English Team's Personnel. The following comprise the English team: —A. E. Wood (Oldham), fullback; J. E. Robinson (Rochdale), F. Williams (Halifax), wing-three-quarters; W. A. Davies (Leeds), W. Ilall (Oldham), ccntrc-tliroequarters: F. Smith (Ifiinslet), scrummage half-back; W. S. Grosser (Halifax). J. O'Gara (Widiu-sV, outside half-back; J. L. Clafnpett (Broughton Rangers), D. Holland (Oldham), W. Roman (Bochdalo Hornets), J. Smales and J. W. Gueren (Hunslet), W. Jarman (Leeds), and A. Johnson (Widnes), forwards. Mr. J. M. Houghton is in cbarao of ths party.