RUGBY LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 287, 31 August 1935, Page 15

RUGBY LEAGUE

This Afternoon’s Attraction One of the strongest Rugby League teams that has represented Wellington since pre-war days will meet Hawke’s Bay on the Show Ground Stadium this afternoon, and iu view of the rapid strides made in both centres in recent weeks, a splendid game is assured. Since meeting the "Auckland chamipon club team, Wellington have been transformed, there being nine new players in the 13 selected. Tlie backs are expected to provide a feat of football thrills, as Atkins, Elliott, Gladding, O'Connor, and others have been responsible for many delightful exhibitions ju club games in recent weeks. Tlie forwards, who include R. Berry (South Island Rugiby Union representative), J. Gunn (Hawke’s Bay union representative), and J. Coutts, are expected to more than hold their own. The Hawke’s Bay League now owns its own ground in Napier, where big crowds have been entertained with delightful football each Saturday, The standard is such that on 'Wednesday a Hawke’s Bay Maori team was only just beaten against a strong Auckland side, which included stars of the calibre of Turci, Watene and Lou Brown, and as half the Bay side is made tip of the same players, it can be expected that they will prove formidable opponents. Both teams can be expected to provide some real Rugby League thrills. The local side has been coached by the ex-international. Mr. George Bradley. The game will commence nt 3 p.m.. and will be preceded by a curtain-raiser.

The teams are as follow;— Hawke’s Bay: Full-back, Mapuhi: three-quarters, J. Plested, N. Staples. R. E. Smith : five-eighths, N. Kihi, T. Gemmell; half. O. Anderson; forwards, 11. Cushing, R. Gordine, M. Purcell, D. Rota, G. Murray, W. Large. Emergencies: Backs, B. Bliss. S. Exeter; forwards. J. Pongo, N. Wane. Wellington : Full-back. Kearns; threequarters, A. Brown. Seorringe, Gladding: five-eighths. Elliott and Atkins; half, O'Connor; forwards. Pilcher, Wright, Coutts, Gunn, Yule. Berry. Emergencies: Baeks. Todd. Merson ; forwards, Moislcy, Kreyl.