Record Crowd For Great Match

Northern Advocate, 31 July 1939, Page 2

Record Crowd For Great Match

The gate takings of approximately £319 at Kensington Park were a record for any provincial football match hold in Northland. Officials estimate that between 3000 and 4000 spectators were present.

The previous best was £250. when Auckland bc-al North Auckland. 21-5 at Rugby Park. Had the weather been more favourably settled during the morning, the crowd would have been greater still on Saturday.

“Following our showing against the Springboks, against Auckland last year when we were beaten by a single point and now again on Saturday, we have recovered our position from a playing point of view.” Mr L. J. Brake, president of the North Auckland Rugby Union, told the “Northern Advocate" to-day.

Towards the Peak

"Like other provinces, we have experienced cycles of rise and fall in our football. We are now on the way back to our peak, and it seems certain that we will continue to improve for several years. “One of our players, aged only 20, has been nominated for the North Island team, and Saturday's side included many who will bo able to assist the province for. a considerable time. Again, concentration upon encouragement of our primary school football must yield results and prevent us slipping back from our high level.

Catering For Supporters

‘The Northland public is anxious to bo provincial-minded and if wc, as administrators, do our part, we will be supported. That also was proved on Saturday. “Several lessons which we learned will assist us in dealing with the large crowds which will be attending the three other North Auckland matches this season.

For instance, the traffic problem will be looked into, and the congestion of cars, which was apparent after the game on Saturday, will be overcome in order to let the people, many of whom come from very long distances, get away more quickly. “The union will also give .attention to providing for the still greater crowds which are now expected for the Otago match at Whangarei on Wednesday, August 23, and for the game against Fiji the following Saturday. Extra rows of scats along the sidelines will be contemplated."