FOOTBALL.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume III, Issue 166, 28 June 1913, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

NEW ZEALAND LEAGUE. Auckland, June 27. The New Zealand League Council has been advised that the New South Wales football team will reach Wellington on August 20th. A subcommittee has been appointed to arrange details. The life disqualification on C. Savoury, imposed by the Auckland League, has been lifted by the New Zealand Council owing to insufficient evidence.

The New Zealand touring team is due at Wellington from Sydney on ■Wednesday and plays Canterbury at Christchurch on Saturday. RUGBY UNION. NOTES BY ‘THREEQUARTER.” The attendances at the Napier Recreation Ground are steadily increasing and the '“roll up” at the Pirates-Rover-Kautuki game on Saturday, was, at the same time, the largest and most entliusiastic we have seen- this season. The fast, open game displayed during' the last few weeks is having its effect on the public and there now seems no room to doubt but that the old game is fast regaining its one time popularity.

Pirates are still developing their open dribbling game and back each other up in thrnr attacking movements. Their line out play is also improving and they hold their own well in the scrums. On present form they should go close to landing the premiership. Rovers-Kautuki also put up a sterling fight on Saturday. Though beaten in the loose, they were litlte behind their opponents and were dangerous on many occasions. The next game between them and the Blacks will be full of interest Dine, the Pirates’ full-back, played liis best game- of the season. His line-kicking was up to the mark and his handling of the bail, when stopping rushes, very clean. His claims for consideration, when the repre- ! sentative honours are being bestowed. are undoubted.

McKeown was the most brilliant back on the ground and was unlucky to miss scoring on two occa sions. He has. however, two failings, one being a teauency to tax< passes vvit-h cue hand, and the othc’ a habit of not getting nea.‘ enough to his opponents when taking' hir kiek. The Holder Bros, both showed consistent form. Were prominent in'all the passing rushes, besides tackling soundly. AVaugh gets round the scrum verv smartly, but should try and send his passes out with more snap. A second makes a deal of differencial times.

Porohiwi, the consistent Rover five-eighths, gave a very, sound dis play. His running and kicking were both gqod and it was no fault of hitthat some of his passes were not attended with better results. Blake also shone out conspicuously. His sterling defensive work and effective lino kicking were of greal service to his side.

Ellingham. though hardly as conspicuous as usual, played very soundly. AVith the forwards dominating the game, he was not allowed many opportunities to make openings.

The Rovers forwards to a man played up , well and made matters interesting for their opponents right to the whistle. O'Neill handlcd~liis men well on Saturday, besides placing a sterling game himself. Stars were no match for Maris! Bros, although they worked vein hard to avert defeat. Drawing first blood was encouraging, but Smyrk soon placed his side in the lead by petting a nice goal. The game does not call for much comment as Marist Bros, had matters very much their own way. Lceder was again the shining light among the Star backs. His form has been very consistent so far. The forwards; all worked hard and though beaten never locked like lettingup. Smyrk proved his usefulness by petted a neat goal, bis second this season. Teddy is showing fine form form, and has decided claims for and has decided claims for consideration when the rep. team is chosen.

Jack O’Brien, of cricket fame, donned the jersey again on Saturday after three years absence from the game. He did not do half badly either, bis kicking at times being quite up to the mark. McKenzie was back in his place with Marist Bros, on Saturday. He was badly missed against Pirates.

The H.5.0.8.-Celtic match was a fairly even go, but the form shown was nothing brilliant. The Old Boys as usual showed some neat passing, in which Anderson and Bailey were generally conspicuous. Aldridge was about the pick of the Celtic backs. The forwards were an even lot with no one standing cut in particular. . Much interest is being displayed in the select ion of the team to represent the province, and it behoves all who have a chan.nce of gaining the coveted cap. to do their very best to-day. With the imp,roved iorin recently displayed, one is justified in holding the opinion that the piovincc will be worthily represented, and it is to be hoped that tb.e effoits of tlie team will lie successful in placing Hawke’s Bay back m tm proud position held by her a few

years ago. The Maori team which has b>-cn touring Australia has not been 'e..t successful, the most important win being that against the Sydney Metropolitan team, in which the scores were 6to 3. They have, however, created much interest during their travels and have done good work for the amateur ganic. which I reported to be on the up grade again in Sydney. The lour of the Australian representatives through NewZealand is creating widespread interest.