LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 38, 13 August 1921, Page 12

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

(By "Referee.")

The Auckland touring team, which commences its programme by playing at Napier, is a, very strong combination, and should give- a* good account of itself. The Auckland Rugby League jb to. be congratulated on' arranging the tour, as it is j certain to be of much benefit to the Southern leagues. For the past few years the j Northern ;has" been concentrating upon procuring a playing ground for its own use; consequently, no trips South have been ' made by its representatives. Now that the Carlaw Park is an accomplished fact, home and home games with all. centres are to be arranged Rnnually. This policy, will soon have the effect of .strengthening weaker, leagues, establishing new ones, and generally assisting to raise the standard of play in New. Zealand. Club games in Auckland have suffered 6omewhat of i-ecent years through the too frequent Australian trips of its 'most prominent players, and it is the desire of - controlling bodies that club and inter-provincial games should be fostered. With this 1 end in view, the New Zealand League is presenting a. 'cup for competition between the winners of each provincial championship! The Northern Union Challenge Cup shall in future be more frequently played for, and these two factors will go a long way towards creating healthy rivalry between clubs and provinces. ■' JUNIOR GAMES. When the Auckland touring teim is at Wellington, the Richmond Club (Auckland) will send a junior team down to play the Peljone North lads. The game will be played as a curtain-raiser to thebisf_ fixture. As both teams are well up in their ( respective competitions, the game wil! serve as a- good indication of the ?uality of club football'in the rivaj cities. n order to. provide our junior lads with some incentive to succeed in their games, Mr. Bob Pollock, of Auckland, is having prepared a "large shield of kauri knot, mounted in silver, for competition among the Wellington juniors. The shield will be ready shortly, and will probably bo placed on view. j The City juniots, who, have been running very close' up in the competition, were defeated by Petone South last Saturday, the scores being 9-6. There ,is very little' difference between the four* junior teams. Petone North, at present in the lead, arc liable to be unseated from the premier position any Saturday. The competition has not many Saturdays more to go. after which a trial game will probably be played and tho junior reps, selected. Hawkes Bay are very anxious to regain their lost laurels, and aro asking for a fixture. . ' . * THIRD GRADE. ( Athletic and Central meet to-day in the first game to decido the Brough Cup, Potone^ East having a bye. It is rumoured that Athletio tiavo gained quite a number of recruits from another game, and will put in a good team. Ag Central and Petone are also^ capable of putting in a good team, an interesting competition is certain. Next year the number- of teams in. this class is to bo greatly increased, as new club 3 from adjacent suburbs have' promised definitely to materialise. GENERAL. ' ' During their short, stay in Wellington, tho Auckland reps, and Richmond Club are to be entertained at a dinner, the former by tho local centre and the Utter by the Potone Club. Whilst in Auckland <jur_ boys were splendidly entertained, and their stay was made particularly pleasant, notwithstanding the weather. All players should immediately get into tpuch with their club secretaries and arrange to obtain their passes for tho Auckland ga.me._ Last year many play«ra paid for admission to tho rep. games through neglecting to make an early application. The local centro has no desire to penalise players. .

The Canterbury game is like a will-o'-the-wisp. Firstly, tho gamp was postponed ' owing to'the-local'league losing its P' jinal data on the Basin (9th July), and n Canterbury were unable to play today. This date wag originally set aside for tho Quoenslanders, who are now not coming, and» Canterbury was aeked to fill the gap. However, the Reserves Committee are to be asked-to allow the; game -to ~be played later, on 'the Newtown Park. It lVhopcd that nothing will prevent this being, arranged, as Canterbury v. Wellington is a, very old and popular fixture.