FOOTBALL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 30 April 1927, Page 3

FOOTBALL

DOINGS IN THE RUGBY WORLD

WOTjBS 'FROM FAR AND 'ftEASt

First Ranfury Match 'Tin' livsi match for I lie Bnnfurly Shield this year will he played on JSril .June between Hawkes Bay and Wairuxapa. Last season in the Shield game between these uvo teams the Bay won by 7T points to 14 and in a return game titer were again successful by 40 points to 12. What will happen this year? Hawkes Bay are a weakened team arid Wairarapa much strengthened, in some cases at Hawkes Bay's expense. Marlborough's Kick Off The Marlborough Rugby Union opened its 1927 season last Saturday, when the matches were even ami interesting on account of a number of new players being in evidence. The fact that the commencement of (he season sees the infusion of a good deal of fresh blood is cause for congratulation, for in recent years it lias been a matter for concern that certain clubs have shown a marked tendency to cling tenaciously to veteran players who, Worthy as their services have undoubtedly been, have stood in the way of the promotion of younger and more virile men with ideas and am- . bitions and many years of active service still before tlipm in-which to gain experience, and polish. , , ° . Notable additions jLo* the ranks are Sutton from fioldon Bav. Thompson, hue of Waitolii. a tricky little Maori half; and A. .1. Edgeler ■an ex-South Canterbury representative. Saturday's senior fixtures resulted: Opawa 6 defeated Mouterc 5; Awafere ' 5 defeated Central -1 Among the Players W. (■lvy, the All Black, Canterbury and Linwood three-quarter, is to be lost to the Christclmrch public. He has resigned from the railway service ami is going to live at Pahiatua. Canterbury enthusiasts will learn this news with regret as Klvy is one of the 7iiost brilliant men in the province and was expected to play a prominent part in this year's Ranfurlv Shield, majtch. A. B. Mimro, 192*4 All Black, is unable to lake the game seriously owing to an injured knee. Stephenson played a sound game for the Christclmrch chili last Saturday and before the end of the season will lie running close to Lilburne for Canterbury's fuil-baek position: North Otago will have the services of Shaw in the live-eighths line this season. Me lias represented New Zealand University and hails from Tar-i----naki. W. L. llulherford, captain of the Nelson College fifteen in 192.1, is playing full-hack for 'Varsity in Christclmrch. Bobilliard has retained his form and is a certainty for the South African tour. A report on last week's game says: "Robilliard was outstanding. His delenee saved his side time after time." An embarrassment of backs is an unusual complaint in Kttgbv, but the Christchnrch Club lias so many good men to choose from that its senior B team will be almost up to A standard. McC'regor. Mttllan, Mardon. Fratcr Hart, liobilliard, Meikle, Marshall! Boss. Brown. Fyfc, Noill. Stevenson, and Boon.are all good men, and the selectors will have an unenviable task, Thank Heavens Not All A handful of spectators are often the cause of bad feeling developing 0 u the Held. They should be made to curb then- tongues. The spectator of this type screams for what he wants: the referee gives what lie sees. Those who tell hint to put his glasses on are generally looking through' a pair col-' oured to meet their own desires. Auckland Entries Total 125 According to an announcement made at ihe meeting of the Auckland Rugby Lnion held last week, the code should tlirive in that city this. year, for already tlie entries reeeived'for this season's competitions constitute a record. Entries have been received from '.'ld Hubs, totalling 12". teams in all grades. 01 Iliese 19 teams were nominated for senior grade, '('lie management cornmil lee after a lengthy discussion as to the number of teams to l*> played' in each senior section resolved to* make ■ the senior A section open to emat teams, the remainder to piny in ?he senior B grade.