Football

Northland Age, Volume XVII, Issue 60, 30 April 1948, Page 4

Football

COMPETITIONS COMMENCE TOMORROW The Mangonui Rugby Union competition for the Senior and Junior trophies, the Bell and the Fleming Shields, commence the 1948 season tomorrow, with prospects better and brighter than ever before. Not since the Union was constituted in 1920 and the Bell and Fleming trophies came in to vogue during 1921 and 1922 respectively, has there been such a sten forward in an endeavour to improve the standard of football as the two divisions in the Senior grade and the weight and age limit amongst the Juniors. Last year’s undefeated champion team, Rarawa, and also holders of the Ling Cup, emblem of supremacy throughout the five Northern SubUnions, are reported to be equally «s strong, if not stronger, for they have more youth at their disposal this season. They will again be led by the hardy veteran, George Greensmith, ex-County hooker, and lona Pakeha member of the side, who defies his years, and inspires his team with the keenness to win, that has kept Rarawa to, the forefront since he became associated with the seaside Club. Rarawa will be at home tomorrow to Houhora, who in their return to football last season, finished fourth on the ladder. With the same keenness and vigour that makes for dashing football which the Northern team has always been famed for, the match at Ahipara should be one of the highlights of the opening series. At Waipapakauri, Rangaunu Baywill meet Kiwi United, and always in the past these two teams, when in opposition, have been a papular attraction. There is a saying that “old soldiers never die” and this might apply to some footballers, for Nobby Housham, the “Big Chief” of the Rangaunu tribe, will be again to the fore to lead his team, of which so far this season the strength is unknown on account of the liberal promotion of Juniors. Kiwi United, with Northland’s star forward. Selwyn White, still their captain, are reported to have players to let. Club officials have made determined efforts to have the team fighting fit by opening day, and that in itself is a big asset in Rugby football. The other Senior A division match will be played in the Far North at Te Kao, where the newly-formed combined Club, Te Hapua (runnersup last season) and Te Kao, to be called by the tribal name of that district, Aupouri, will meet Doubtless Bay. With the redoubtable Joe Murray (N.Z. Maori All Black, and exN.Z. Rugby League rep.) the Aupouri team will lack nothing on the score of leadership, and the furthest North team promises to be one of the brightest prospects of the coming season. Doubtless Bay gained promotion at the expense of the three oldest Clubs in the Union, Kaitaia, Awanui and Herekino, all of whom voluntarily preferred the B section in an effort to re-build their previous heyday efforts. The team from the Eastern area is intent on showing that it is worthy of the promotion, and has been training hard for several weeks past. It will be led by J. Irving, a Sub-Union representative threequarter from the King Country district. The outcome of their initial encounter will be awaited with considerable interest. Junior Matches Junior supporters should be rewarded with a bright display of Rugby at head-quarters, commencing at 2 p.m. on the Oval when City, coached by the “do or die” tactician, Doug. Hart, will encounter the amalgamated team, Aupouri. There will be a curtain-raiser, a friendly practice match between High School and Kaitaia Third Graders.