LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Grey River Argus, 17 August 1934, Page 8

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

NORTHERN UNION CUP CONTEST. At last the chosen thirteen to defend the New Zealand Rugby Foolball League’s Northern Union Cup have been selected. Followers of the League Code throughout the West Coast will agree that the selectors, who have been faced with the necessity of fielding a team strong in defence as well as attack, have ably fulfilled their task. Some who long have recognised the dashing qualities of Newton (Runanga) would.feel more confident had he been selected, but it must be taken into consideration that he has played in few games this sea-

son, owing to. an injury early in the season. Kennedy (Marist), who has been considered by many keen football critics to be the best wing threequarter on the Coast, will not be available. All sports keen on open football and appreciative of quick anticipation will regret that an injured ‘ankle will ke<-n him from playing next Saturday. deputed to be the best inside backs i- the South Island, J. Amos and W. foung will not let any opportunity go . egging, but the sound defence of W. 1 ing, T. O’Connor and J Dodds should keep the Coast line intact. In the fc rwards, Coast should have a slight adv: ntage in speed and weight, and this eight to assist towards giving the Co st hack line more confidence in attack All of the Coast 1 icks are in solid training under Mr. . .’Griffiths, at Greymouth, and are ceeuly awaiting a fast and thrilling gti-ne. The lower grade mat dies have been set down as curtain rai ers to the big match and early patron will be well entertained? firstly by th ■ school boys, and later by a third grade match, Whitcombe and Tombs (Cl Ch > v. War atah (Reefton). The League are to be congratulated on their interest in the lower grades, and two pood games should eventuate. Greymouth visitors to Bia kball on Sunday last were loud in th r praise of the Marist-Blackball mate . “The best game this season”, was t eir verdict, and many will await wii •; impr-

est the next meeting of the two teams. Players-and public-alike will L -ari ily congratulate the Pirate thirteen on their success last Sunday and will wish them every success against the next challengers for the Thacker Sh eld.— Hornby. The Ahaura team, although beaten, was far from disgraced. The r display was a creditable one. It was anybody’s game until the final vhistle. many Pirate supporters wearing an anxious look when Ahaura had one point of a lead. THE CANTERBURY TEAM. The Canterbury team is coisidereil by critics bo be the strongest fielded for many years, and selectors and supporters alike feel that they ha.-' every prospect of victory on Sain: M. Sta.ndeven (full-back), age - !l years, weight 10 6, nepresentid Can terbury last season, and, on his season’s form, it js stated, he has a bright football career ahead of him. R. Chaston '(wing), age 23, weigh; 11.3, is one of the most-improved players in the Canterbury league's competition. F. Ayres (centre), age 22. weight 11.0, is a veiisatile three-quarter possessing speed and penetrating power. F. Wellmore (wing), age 22 we gh 11.4, is a speedy, determined scoring man, and will play his first r*p gam-* on Saturday. J. Amos (first five-eighth), age 26, weight 13.10. captain of the visiting team is heralded as the most determined inside back in any < ode in New Zealand. L. Young (second five-eighth), ago 21, weight 12.2, a club-mate ‘<-f Amos, noted for his versatile g.tisp of every mistake made by the opposing 'backs has attained rep honours for the first time. J. McCarthy (half-back), ago 19. weight 10.5, is one of the best halfbacks that Canterbury has had for many years. E. Barbarel (b.-eak-away forward' weight 11.0 is noted for his speed and ant'cipation. M. Smith (second rolw), weight 13 2 has represented Canterbury for three seasons. W. Dunn (second row), weight 12.6 is, although slower than his teammates, a glutton for “the thick of it.

'E. Hambergen (front row), .13.8, a fast and sure-handling forward. R. Ward (hooker) 13.4 is considered by Canterbury critics To be th only hooker in Canterbury capable U securing the ball from ’ the We<i Coast- pack. L. Wehner (front row), 1’2.0. is a fast and clever handler, who soldo " misses an ’opportunity. A comparison of weights gives th following: Canterbury—backs 1 I forwards 12 8. West Const— back--11.0; forwards 13.2. INANGAHUA SUB-CENTRE Mr C. Coxall, presided over a meeting of the above Sub-Centre on Tuesday- evening. The Waratah club wrote issuing a challenge for the Mystery Chip held by Reefton. Messrs. J. M> - Elwee, C. Coxall. C. McEjwee, E Riley, and M. 'O’Brien were appointed to atltend a conference with the West Coast Centre. It was decided to submit to.the Canterbury Centre the names of tile following referees for selection for the match with Inaugahua. Messrs W Parsonage, and J- Becker. Officials appointed for Sunday’s game are as follows: —Touch Judges, B. Top’p, a nd A. McElwee. Time Keepers, W. Morris and F. Rollerson. Manager of team. C. Coxall. First aid, G. Turner. Captain. W. King Vice captain J. Mjorel. It was decided to' commence the Rep game at 2 o’clock and to play a curtain raiser if the weathei isi suitable. NORTHLAND BEAT TARANAKI. NE.W PLYMOUTH, August 16. On a ground that was drenched with rain, the Northland League representatives at Inglewood, defeated Taranaki by 25 points fo 6.