UNDER LEAGUE RULES

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 August 1920, Page 2

UNDER LEAGUE RULES

THE ENGLISH THIRTEEN,

ARRIVING TO-NIGHT. IN ACTION TO-MORROW. The English team will arrive by tonight's Otira express, and will be met at the railway station by the League officials. Headed by the Runuuga Band they will be escorted to the Albion Hotel, where a civic reception will be accorded them, the speaker being Mr. W. H. ParfTtt (Deputy Mayo/). Later in the evening they will be the guests of the Ivohinoor Club at a bail to be held in the Town Hall. THE PAST.

The English N.U. team of 1920 is the th’rd team to visit Austral as a. r ) he first in 1910, was crjdaine l by James Lomas, a, remarkably powerful apd able centre three-quarter, and an adept left-foot goal-kicker. Tim second in 1914 was captained by Harold Wagstaff, leader of the present band of tourists. The last team finished their Australian tour on the eve of the Great war, leaving a fine impression. f)rey developed into a tremendously powerful combination and though defeated in the early games the tourists won against Australia. The final success —14 to 6 at the Sydney Cricket Ground —was accomplished by a phenomenal exhibition cf grit, staying power, and collective skill ever shown on the football field in Australia. They finished the struggle with eleven men, who outstayed, outplaced and outplayed the Australian thirteen. The forwards of 1914 were a very fine lot, skilled and organised in the strenuous work of the scrummage. Of the present players H. Wagstaff, G. Thomas, J. Rogers. IX Clark and A. E. Wood were mem hers of the 1914 team. G. Thomas apd H. Wagstaff (cap!) are the only t!wo prominent players who will not be seen in action to-morrow.

• PARTICULARS OF PLAYERS. ■ 'The following are paititulars of the thirteen selected to represent England against the West Coast at the Victoria Park to-morrow afternoon. A. E. WOOD (Oldham), full back, 55 years, 12st 81b., was a member of the 1914 team in Australia. A Rugby Union International for England against Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Classed as a daring defender, a sure field, by no means inclined to be too orthodox, and is a good goal kicker. JOE DOYLE (Barrow), centre threequarter, 29 years, and just over it) stone. When W. Batten did not turn out in the trial match at Leeds in February the selection committee invited Doyle to take his place, and his display was such that he was invited to make tlie tour. If on the light side, he is full of fire and possesses remarkable speed from 100 yds to a mile. His long, raking stride, clean fielding, low tackling, have taken him over many obstacles.

W.J. STONE (Hull), 20 years, list. A Gloucester boy. An artist as centre threequarter, tricky, slippery and enterprising. E. DAVIES (Oldham), centre three quarter. Brilliant in attack, a player of good experience, and the best tackling man in Oldham’s team. S. STOCK WELL (Leeds). Strong, fast, clever left wing three-quarter. Developed during the war period. E. W. JONES (Rochdale), 12st 6 lb. The finest five-eighth in the Northern Union. A great player ; big, fast, a fine swerver, a thorough footballer, and full of resource. Also a great defend er. Unfortunately his great partner J. Rogers will not be at the Pari: to morrow. J. PARKIN (Wakefield Trinity) list, five-eighth. Was a great player three or four seasons back. Still very able all-round, and if he strikes his best form will be very prominent. J. CARTWRIGHT (Leigh) forward, 14st. In Club football is a hooker of the finest class and good in the loose. Captains the Leigh Club. J. BOWERS (Rochdale Hornets), forward, 15st 61b. First-class front row scrummagev ; tremendously power ful; solid tackier; has been playing 14 years. E. J. SKELHORNE (Warrington) 12st 71b. A strong scrummager, dea I ly tackier and fine dribbler. W. REID (Widnes), 13st. Dashing forward, excellent in tlie open. Abk to play in the backs, being a versatile footballer.

B. GRONOW (Huddersfield), i4st. First-class second row forward. Finest goal kicker in Northern Union. Kicked 147 (a record) goals this season, 128 n< 1912-13, and 140 in 1914-15. Gronow is a clever forward, who repeatedly helps Huddersfield backs to make tries as a result of his accurate transfers.

D. CLARK (Huddersfield), 28 years, 14st 111 b. A wing forward of allround excellence, as he demonstrated with the 1914 English team. FLAYER'S’ REMUNERATION While on board ship 15/- rev week i; allowed each player as pocket expens es ; and £2 for each week on land, with an extra allowance of £lO at the conclusion of the tour. Each wile receiv. es £2 per week and 7/6 for each child while the husband is away ; and single men with home responsibilities receive consideration by the Council according to their resnonsibilities. In addition one-third of the profits accruing will be.equally divided amongst the players. THE LEAGUE GAME, The League game, in its most excel lent control of the game on the field,' in its considerate treatment of the rdavers, in the quality of the game it handles, and in its business arrangements is greatlv suited to Australasian ideas of football. But the Rugby Lea gue has i’mnortant Felds still" to exploit, one being ground building for the iuniors. Everything i« rossible to the League, if some day. it incorporates in its constitution a rule providing for the control of its clubs by amateurs.