RUGBY

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 79, 3 April 1926, Page 22

RUGBY

By "Dhopkick" MARCH OF PROGRESS

THE GAME IN WELLINGTON

SENIOR CLUBS AND THEIB . MATERIAL.

■'- ",Qn the Ball!" Practices have commenced. ;• Various friendly games are being jrtayed to-day and on. Monday. Matches in aid of the gymnasium funds are to,be played at Athletic Park •n- Saturday next. 'Poneke and Potone are starting off J»y- helping ■ a very deserving cause. They are to meet at Petone next Saturday in a benefit match in aid of Tom Crow, an ex-player of high rank, who is seriously ill. ■ ",;A, seven-a-side tournament has been arranged for Saturday, the 17th, and this should serve as an excellent preliminary to the more serious part of JtHe season's football—a test as to the condition of players for another strenuous lesion, . and. a bright afternoon's football for the large band s of followers who are looking forward to another season of good sport. The. official opening of the season has been fixed for Saturday, the 24th April, ,wh'en, according to present intentions, the senior, junior, fifth, and sixth grade competitions will be commenced. Club officials* should bear in mind that entries for all the grade competitions as well ag for the seven-a-side tournament most be in the hands of the secretary of "the Wellington Rugby Union by Monday week, the 12th instant. Further Advance Likely. "It is confidently anticipated that the improved form shown last season will Be;fully maintained in the forthcoming' one, and with.the experience gained last season some of the younger teams in the senior; grade will fully extend all opponents." This extract from the annual'report ox the Wellington Rugby Union may be accepted as stu excellent line as to prospects so! far •a senior football is concerned. Interest seems to be quite up to that shown 'during the period of preparation for lajst season's football; in fact, the indjcations: are that the march of pro"gieaa is to proceed. Last season was one of the best on record, club football showing a marked improvement, and general enthusiasm-for the game being at. a very high pitch. For last season's experience .the game should be all the better in Wellington this season, and there is every reason to believe that another important step forward will be made. The growth of the game during the past few years had ,l>een remarkable. Since 1918 the numhfir of team* in the various competitions has been more than trebled, and, although last year's mark was very jhigh—ls3 teams—it is more than likely ,that entries this season will show a f rther increase; indeed, the retiring Management Committee went so far as to ■ state tliat it was certain that tlie number of teams would show an increase. The creation of a new grade —■-Senior B—and the division of the lower grades will make for more satisfactory working, and on this account it may be expected that more teams will bY offering. Players, of course, will.be retiring, and others will bo away, but their number is small compared to that of the players joining up with the local erubs. All' followers of tho game aro naturally eager to learn of the material available for the senior competition, but nntil the clubs have tried out the players offering it is somewhat difficult to determine the likely make-up of the senior teams. Jt may not be until the competition has actually commenced that all the fifteen are finally arranged. The result of inquiries among the various clubs, however, provides some idea of what the teams will be like, and it s ems safe to say that competition will be keen right through. Present indications are that a number of the teams will set off on'fairly equal terms, and «s the season progresses tho team* which have monopolised the leading places on the championship ladder.may lave their work cut out to retain the prominent positions. If thoso teams .which have fared none too well in reieent years can make a "come-back" it will make the season all the better. Poneke. Last year's champions, Poneke, expect to turn out a side that -will again be a tough proposition for other teams in the senior competition. They were a; solid combination last year, and if those responsible for getting the team in order can turn out a side equally as strong this year they will be doing exceedingly well. Hickey, the wing-three-quarter, has gone to Dunedin, and his place will bo hard to fill. It is reported that Hickey has changed over to the League code. H. Hall,-the-half-back, is said to be retiring, while Gibson, another very useful player in the back division, is a doubtful starter. Rumour lias it that Fred Tilyard may elect to be an onlooker. If so, Poneke will be losing the services of a five-eighth of sterling worth. But if Poneke are wanting in the back division, Fred Tilyard will, no doubt, fill the breach. Turner has not properly recovered from ten injured knee, though he will be available.' Gilbert, D. Algar, H. Tilyard will again don the jersey, as also willmost of last year's forwards —tho Shearer brothers, Walshe, ■jth'e two Wilsons, Smith, Pope, and Jesiup. A very promising third-grade $>layer, Middleton ; is heading well for 'senior honours, and some juniors aro ;likely to receive consideration. Adams has.gone to Taranaki, and : will, probably be playing for Tuakapa. Slater may be another absentee. Petone. ■' Prospects so far as Petone are concerned are regarded as bright, and it Tils- hoped to place in the field a senior eteam which will bring -further credit !;tb" the club. H. E. Nieholls, who has ■ fc6t played since the 1924 New Zealand ;team went on tour, is to make a reappearance, and his brother, Geoff., who -las been in Auckland, is also claiming ' a place. Mark Nicholls will be in harvßess as usual, but "Doc", another *;inember of the family, will be on the .bank owing to the injury which he received last season. As far as can be gathered the only other player not available is Hawkins, who has transferred to Wellington. In the junior ianks there are some players who might be considered for promotion in the event of vacancies, one or two new members may also be considered. It is expected that M. Corner will again form a link in tho back division, for .Which other candidates are Henwood, Jowett, Gardner, and Rodger. The forwards will be much the same as last year, though Mat Love may not be '.playing. Thomas, King, Arthur Parker, Cameron, Warden, Williams are all likely to turn out, and. with them may lie found M'Kenna, a player from Pirates, Hawkos Bay. .University. ■ The record of the University senior ite'am last season was the best in' the club's history. Although some replacement* will be necessary this year, the islub is hopeful of its forces making another good- showing,. A, severe loss

has been sustained by the departure of Kells for Manawatu, Hart for Wairarapa, and Marks for England. Most of the others, however, will bo in action locally, and among new candidates for places are some players who have done well on Rugby fields elsewhere. I. A. MacEwan has returned from Cambridge, where he showed up as a back in the Trinity Hall and Cambridge teams. Another new back is South, the Hawkes Bay five-eighth, while NobleAdams, the Marlborough full-back, is also offering. Grigg, of Training College, is a likely successor to. Hart, and Mackay (from Eastbourne) has claims to a three-quaTter position. A new forward is Grant from Nelson College. Last year's members available are:— Backs —Malfroy (who has recovered from the injury to his foot), Sceats, Love, and Walpole; forwards —Mackenzie (wing), O'Kegan, Wiren, MartinSmith, Burns, Pope, Joll, M'William, Childs, and Baldwin. Ballinger and Watson are juniors with chances of promotion. Athletic. In last seasons contest Athletic did not perform up to expectations, winning only half the matches in which they played. They hope to do better this year with a team that may be' more definite from the outset. There will be a few changes in the team, and it is possible that the newcomers may include Yates, the Hawkes Bay fullback, who will be remembered by reason of his prominent part in the Shield match in which Wellington we're narrowly defeated by Hawkes Bay before Nepia blossomed forth as a fullback. Yates was due in Wellington this week. It is also stated that there is a possibility of a well-known Canterbury back joining up with Athletic, while M'Gill is claimed as a member, though he also appears on Oriental's list of probables. Malmanche has transferred to Christchurch, and Osborne is also away. W. Ryan and Duncan, who came out when called upon last season, may now prefer to take a less active part, but most of the others will be as keen as ever— Porter, Svenson, Warwick, Cookson, Sutton, the Gibsons, M'Dougall, Adams, Boyd, Park, M'Kernan, and Co. Pope,, of Berhampore, has changed over to Athletic. Oriental. , From the material which Oriental claim to have on hand, a really good team should be arranged. They showed excellent promise at times last year, but were unable to live up to it. Hopes are entertained that their performances will be more consistent this year. Sidet, Cowdell, M'Nicol, Weheipihana, and Chambers are again on hand as backs, while Hall, Thomson^ Hepburn, Pringle, Murje, Sly, and Parker will bo available as forwards. Smith has gone to Christchurch, Newall has been transferred, Chant, and Watts will not be playing, and Taylor can be counted as an absentee from the field of play, as he is a patient in the Thames Hospital. All followers of the game will wish him a speedy recovery. Notable among Oriental's new members is Darby, the Wanganui representative full-back. It is hardly "likely that Sidet or Darby will be dropped, so that one of them may be found in the three-quarter line. Oriental also consider that M'Gill, a former member of the club, who has represented Horowhenua, will don the black-and-white jersey. Ferguson, R. Smith, and Whyborn are lower-grade players with chances of promotion. If reports are correct, J. Moffitt's playing days are not over. Moffitt is at present. regarded as the likely lock of the team. Marist. The Marist team is likely to take the field in a somewhat rearranged state, with a number of young players receiving a chance of proving their worth. The stalwarts, however, will be available if required, and it is to be expected that such experienced playe2's as are necessary for generalship. M'Hardy is unable to take a place in the team this year, and Hopkins is a non-starter, while it is doubtful whether M'Kee and M'Rae will turn out. Mahoney is listed as doubtful, but no doubt lie will find the call too great. The members of last year's team who are once again prepared for action are:. Murphy, Bowman, Cummins, Foley, Johnson, Ward, King, Hall, Bell, Holtz, and O 'Brien. Among the juniors who are regarded as being worthy of promotion are: Barry (full-back), Donovan, Dennehy, and Roach. A new member is Garraty, a half-back or five-eighth, from the West Coast. J. Barry (hooker), from Training College, and Barry, from Wanganui, are among others who are offering as candidates for the team. Berhampore. Tho players who are available for Berhampore this season include most of those who comprised the senior fifteen last year, and with some additions to the back division the Light Blues should be able to cover up some of tho weaknesses which were apparent last season, They have .lost, however, a very fine forward in Gunnion, who has gone to America, and it is not yet definitely known that Deere will be playing, although it is reported that he is likely to return from Auckland in the near future. Howard, who was absent last year, will be back, and will probably bring a Nelson player with him. Cooke, the Grafton half-back, and brother of the All Black, will also be helping the backs. Hume, a former member, will be available for a place among the forwards. Slater (Poneke) has been mentioned as a probable new member, but this player's present intentions are to have a spell. Pope has transferred to Athletic. Among promising juniors to be considered. are Brettis and Renner. The following members of last year's team are on hand: Walters, Mathieson, Lang, Charles, Taylor, Glennie, Christie, R. and L. Brown, Duncan, Goodall, and M'Artney. s : Old Boys. "> The distinction was gained by Old Boys last season of being the only team to defeat the championship winners. Old Boys shaped well enough to suggest that they might gain a bigger share of success this season, and as most of their players are still available, their teamwork should not be undermined. Their type of game is bright, and the dash which they put into their play makes up for what they lack in weight. Menzies may not be reappearing unless the team is short-handed,'and other places to be filled will be those occupied last season by H. Underlain (who is now in Haivera), J. Lamason (who has gone to Blenheim), and Dormer (who has transferred to Dunedin). There are, however, a number of new players coming forward, and from these there should be obtained >the links required to complete a promising combination. Of last year's set of young backs the following will bo out again:—Malcolm, Bedell, Grenfell, R. Lamason, Mansfield, and Bramwel!.. The forwards carrying one include: Dormer, Barclay, Claridg(> Hum, Carmody, Francis, and Jones. In Emerson and M'Pherson the club will have two forwards of fine type. Emerson is back from North Auckland and M'Pherson from South Canterbury. Wellington. Although Wellington will be without the services of one or two of their last year's seniors, they appear to have in the rank 3of probables for this season the makings ■ ] of a team which should give a good account of itself. The departure of L. M. Johnson, the New Zealand representative, for Hastings will mean a big loss to Wellington, and those choosing the team will find it difficult to obtain a five-eighth ,of the same calibre^ However, there

is some prospect of M'Gregor (the All Biack) coming to Wellington, though no great hopes are being built upon it. Another Canterbury back, Goodman (from the League code), and M'Arley (from Wairarapa) are among the new players being considered for places in the back division, in which there may be another vacancy if J. R. Johnson (centre-three-quarter) goes to Auckland. Hawkins, of Petone, has also joined up. Absentees among the forwards will be Theyers (who is in Dunedin) and Maxwell (retiring).' New forwards are Howes (from the Hawkes Bay district) and Johnson, a brother of the centre-three-quarter (from Auckland). The following members of last year's team are oSering: Backs, Hill, Corless, Morgan, Frater, and Cunningham; forwards, Lindsay, Whyborn, Carter, Mathieson,, Honey field, and Voice. Other club members are also being considered, for places in the senior team. Hutt. The performance of the Hutt seniors last season indicated that the club had good material for first grade Rugby, and as this is nearly all retained Hutt should again present strong opposition. Crotty, a fine forward, has gone to the South Auckland district, and his place will be hard to fill. P. Sullivan is.a doubtful starter, but all other members of last year's team are expected to be on hand. The back division is practically intact. Among the new players available are: K. Baumber, a former member of the club, who has been in Taihape, Pedwell, a half-back from the Buller district, and Groer, a promising type of player from the West Coast. Hansen, from the juniors is another likely candidate, while Wright may be turning out again. The forwards continuing on from last year are: B. Baumber (wing), Fawcett, Silva, Whiterod, Dawson, Synott, Daily, and M'lntosh. The following backs will be in harness once again:—Cudby, J. Hickling, Munro, Wood, M' Kay, M'Dougall, Burt, and Fisher. It seems from the foregoing list of players available that Hutt should be capable of showing up to advantage. ! Selwyn. "Poor old Selwyn," as Mr. Fred Laws described last year's" wooden-spoon-crs when the question of placing them in the senior B grade was being dis-' cussed by delegates, are to retain their status, and they will no doubt make a very determined endeavour to show that their lean period is over. Most of last year's seniors will again be available, and to assist them there will be some promising juniors and some . players from other parts. It is reported that; they will, have the services of two or three players from the Canterbury district, one of them a North Canterbury representative; A player from Yorkshire may also be on hand, and it in probable, that Kent may don the jersey again. S. Wogan, who ' has been a "strong man" in the team for some years, has decided to retire, and it is doubtful whether M( Quade will play. It is stated that the following members of last year's team are likely to carry on:—Foster, Eastgate, M'Brearty, Reeve, Seadden, Churchill (2), Kobb, Hendry, Barr, Mf Lucas, Young, Jamieson, Williams, and Anquetil. If those responsible for the team are able to place the material satisfactorily, Selwyn should be capable of a much improved showing this season. In view of the recent discussions regarding senior status, they are bound to strive hard for better results. Two of the new players are M'Frederics and Mitchell. Ranfurly Shield. It now seems certain that the. New j Zealand Maori team will leave this season on a tour of France and Great Britain. This may have an c; ct upon Hawkes Bay for the Shield matchces later in the season, that is, of course, if the coveted, trophy,.is ptill in the Bay's possession. Among the Ha\vkes Bay representatives who may b 3 selected for the Native team are: Nepia, Mill, Falwasser, Paewai, Gemmell, Ormond, and Walker. If all these players happen to be away Hawkes Bay will need to be on their guard, but, after all, the; major unions, would prefer to meet the Bay's best team. It is reported from Hawkes Bay that two challenges are already in for the Shield. The customary game. on 3rd June against Wairarapa will be played as usual, and 'Wanganui have already got in a challenge for sth June—a Saturday. The riyersiders in throwing down, the gauge of battle to the Magpie (writes "Scrum") do so on the strength of their*team last ye ■, when they had fast, clever backs and hard: working forwards, and claimed victories over Wellington, Southland, and Tara-' naki. Notes. . . Delegates who attended the adjou.ned annual meeting . of!.the Wellington Rugby Union on Monday evening did not forget'to show their appreciation of tho work carried out by the retiring Management Committee. -Special reference was made to the,;very efficient manner in which the secretary (Mr., A. E. Neilson) had fulfilled his duties. . The Hastings Club will 1> without the services of C. Brownlie this season, as that player has taken i his residence in Wairoa. It is possible that L. Brownlie, brother of Maurice and Cyril, who has been spelling, may be stripping aj*ain this, season. "He is the donkeyman of football in Wellington," remarked a delegate at the W.R.U. annual meeting, when the club secretary was under notice Wanganui have suggested the sth July as the date for their Shield match with Hawk.es Bay. The amendment to the Ranfurly Shield rules providing for Shield matches being played away from the holders' ground is considered by Wellington to have served its purpose. Wellington is to move at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union for a return to the old order, making it compulsory for challengers for the Shield to visit tho. holders. A. E. Cooke, the ex-Aucklander, is evidently remaining in Hawkes Bay this season. He will be the leading light in a new senior team in Hawkes Bay—Technical College Old Boys Swain, formerly of Wellington, may also be a member. "The day of complimentary or courtesy appointments of referees to representative games has passed," remarked Mr. J. Moffitt at the W.R.U. annual meeting. He suggested that tho incoming Management Committee might consider the advisability of adopting a procedure by which visiting teams would be given a wider local field in making their choice of a referee. There is a report from the North that Alf. West may be transferring from Taranaki to the Waikato. "Moke" Bellis has- not cried "enough." He will be in action again at Taihape this season. Canterbury are expected to make a good showing in representative matches this season. Canterbury are inviting Wellington to send a representative team to play at Christchurch on the 3rd June.- c: