LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Grey River Argus, 9 September 1925, Page 6

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

TO DAY’S GAME. POINTS ABOUT VISITORS. This afternoon, commencing nt 2.45 p.m., the first representative League match of the season, so far as Greymouth is concerned, will take place between the West Coast reps and the Aueklr.ud touring team. The visitors, who arrived last evening, aro a fairly strong combi nation, and possess a speedy set of backs, among whom are Peckham, Davidson and Townsend, of the .1921 combination, which visited here. Other prominent members of the piesent team are N. Bass (who just missed going to Australia, with the New Zealand team) Mid L. Mason (a South Auckland rep). The Coast team is a good one and has been strengthened somewhat bj’ the inclusion of Neil Mount (the crack N.Z. forward) and. W. Desmcvid (a Canterbury player of some note who sccred four tries against the Ckast team when they visited Christchurch recently. ’With these additions, the Coast cun be relied upon to put up <1 good showing, as cio doubt they have a very strong forward team. Should the weather hold out the public should witness a fast and spectacular game to-day. ...

THE TEAMS. The teams will line out as follows: Auckland (blue and white): Fullback, T. Herewini; three-quarters, J. List, B. Davidson and M. Kirkland; five eighths, T. Riley and 11. 8. lE. Cole; half. T. Peckham; furwards, 11. Douglas, T. Townsend, L. Mason, A. I’uvne, 11. McDonald, and N. Bass (eapt). Reserves: backs, S. Crewther and 11. Hardgraves; forward, W. Te WllUtu. West Coast (green):—Full baek, b. Pint); three-quarters, C. MeEhvee. B. Oust, and W. Desmond; five-eighths, S. Clegg and W. Harrison; half. W. Kells; forwards, U. Quinn, J. Tallentyre, W, O’Brien, N. Griffiths, T. O Hallab: it. and N. Mouat. Mr C. Dewar will referee the match. The public are notified that seating accommodation will be available for the sum of sixpence extra. The following are a few points as to the visiting team;—The full back. Herewini, of Ponsonhv, is 20 years of age. weighs 13st 6lbs ;nd is sft Sin in height, while the wings nre: List (Kingsland) 21 5 ears, 13st,-sft Ui»; B. Davidson (City) a N.I. rop., aged £2, 13<t. sft Sin; A. Kirkland (Mtirist) 21 years, 1 Ost, oil Jin. The five-eighths are TI. Cole (Pousc-iby and B rep.), 2o years, .Ist, sft B|in. and Rilev (Ponsonby). anotb er Auckland 11. rep. 20 years, lust 7lb. sft "in. Tim Peckham (half), belongs te Ponsosiby. Ims represented Auckland. Ho is 20 years old, 9st lOlbsw weight, and sft Sin In height. The hooker, Townsend (City and N.I. rep)) is 24. 13st. and sft 7hi. S. Crewther, five-eighth (City Club), is 22. list 51bt find sft Tin in height while, A. Hard graves (Newton five-eighth) is only HE lost 21b, and sft Gin. The forwards are: Mason (Athletic, S.A rep), 21 '-ears, lost Tibs, 6ft Jin: To Mlmta (Athletic, N.Z. rep), 29 years, Ibst. 6ft: A. Payne (Ponsonby, S.A. rep), -i veu'rs, 13sii, 6ft: H. McDonald, (City, S.A. rep), 25 years, 12st 71bs, sft and H. Douglas (Devonport A rep), 31 years. 12st 21bs, sft Bin. Manager Doble is Devonport Club’s representative on the Auckland League.

AUCKLAND TEAM SVELUOMMD,

A civic reeeptiiw was last evening tendered the Auckland League rep. team (whom the Mayor and local League oftichlls had met earlier st the station on their arrival) tit. the balcony of the Post Office Hotel, in front. of which there was a numerous gathering of the puldie. The Municipal Band was present" and rendered a number of very good selections. His Worship the Mayor. Mr W. H. Parfitt, said it gave him great pleasure to extend a cordial welcome 1o the visitors on the citizens behalf, and he complimented the local League ca its enterprise in bringing a rep. team from so- far away, as aiso the Aucklanders on their sporting spirit in playing the first game, of their tour here. He had already found them a fine set of men who would play the game both on the field and off, a th rig that brought credit to their code and their town. He hoped a big’ crcvtd would roll up next day, when they would like to see the Coast win, but trusted victory would go to the side best deserving it. He apologised for the absence of Messrs Greonslade (Dep-vtv-Mayor. la.id Mr A. H. MeKane (Chairman of the Centre) who was nb scut through illness). The visitors had in some eases encountered snow lot the first time on thuir arrival at Otira. He trusted their stay would be pleasMr J. D. Wingham said the League were glad to welcome a team of Auek land reps, for the second time iff six years, who had come to show us how better t« plav the League game, which Was progressing in the Dominion, and had elicited a very favourable invitation from Britain to si'.id a N.Z. team. He alluded appreciatively to the recent Australian tour, and remarked on the need locally for a sports ground for the Code, which required the various organisations to get together and till this Ic'Jg felt want. He trusted the visitors would take away fond reeol- i lections of the Coast. Mr A. 11. Naylor, of the League Executive, was gla'i the parent province of League was showing such interest in the baby province of the West Coast. He paid a high tribute to Mr Neil Mount as a player second to none who had left New Z»il«d. He also eulogised the League Code as the finest form of football. He trusted the locals wculd learn from the visitors and that a big crowd would enjoy the game next dav. Mr T. Milligan, of the West Coast League Executive, remarked that it was a credit to Auckland League to be sending s.i fine a team here, nut fur money, but to forward the game. He alluded to the obstacles faced by the Cede bore, in having to go from one ground to another, and finally to a distant ground at. Omoto. He was told the Recreation Ground was. likely to be put up next year to the highest bidder, and ho would remind Borough Councillors that the League had spent a considerable sum there, as at Cobdeu, and deserved Consideration. He trusted they would yet secure a convenient playing area. They had had this season greater success than in any previous year, sending away a number of touring teams. He hoped Hie public Would-be nt the match next, day kt strong force to encourage a deserving form of spoi't. Mt Neil Mount (captain) extended

the visit-rs a cordial welcome on behalf of the Coast team. Mr It. Doble (manager of the Auckland team) said he was not a. public speaker, but he was very. grateful, as well as the whole team, for the very cordial welcome extended them. He hoped to see a- good even game next day, and while wishing to sue his own teujn win, he knew they would get a good game. The'public would be well repaid for their attendance at the mutch, 'Mr Bass (captain of the visitors) also retuaaed' thanks for the welcome, nnd then led his team in giving their war err.