From Rugby to League

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 225, 24 September 1935, Page 8

From Rugby to League

C. SMITH LEAVING IMMEDIATELY POR ENGLAND Per Press Association. WAIROA, Sept. 23. Charlie Smith, who played so prominently in the Maori All Blacks’ Australian tour, announced to-day that he has decided to play League, having accepted an offer made recently. He leaves immediately for Auckland, where he joins the Rangitata for London on Thursday night. It is claimed this is the biggest loss to Rugby in New Zealand since Cooke went over to League.

’he club Smith will play for at present is unknown, but the terms stab that ho must bo availablo in England before the end of October. It is interesting to note that he will be playing in the Old Country the same time as the All Blacks, in which the omission of this fine three-quarter caused so much controversy. Telegraph Messengers Play Rugby An interesting football match was played on tho Milson ground during tho week-end between teams representing Manawatu-Wanganui and Wellington Post and Telegraph messengers. The Wellington team came to Palmerston North by train, 50 members making the trip under the management of Mr A. Hopkins, supervisor to tho deliver)’- branch, Wellington. Gragg was captain of tho Wellington team, with Dunning as viee-eatpain. Several minor accidents occurred during play. The Combincds were successful in winning by 13 —8. Combincds kicked oil and took play to Wellington’s (red and black) 25, but an infringement gave Bed a free kick and play went to the other end of the field, where another free kick gave Bed a chance to goal, but it was missed. Play went up and down field. A. Workman for Combineds (blue) got possession and secured a good try. L. Congreivc had the kick but failed.— Combineds 3-0. Another good chance was spoiled when a Combined man was penalised for hanging on and Bed took play to Blue 25. Then Johnstone got over, Dunning taking the kick and landing a goal.—Wellington 5-3.

After half-time Wilson secured from a scrum and shot over to earn three moro points for Wellington. Dunning’s kick failed. —Wellington 8-3. Combineds were striving to even up matters when Workman got possession and scored a good try and Congreive kicked a good goal.—Combineds 8-S. The game was now very interesting, both teams fighting for the upper hand. A dribbling rush by Bluo ended wnen Congreive scored and converted his own try, making the final score: Combineds 13, Wellington 8. Mr Ward had control of the game.