FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13727, 18 April 1908, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY. . PROSPECTS OF THE SEASON. This season is to be a very busy one in the football world of the Dominion. The visit of the British team is already rousing strong interest in the national game. One thing is certain, they are capable of putting in a strong side, in which nine internationals will be included. The wearers of the silver fernleaf were able to defeat, when in England, the chosen of that country, and it has been said that the Britishers with only nine internationals will not have a show here. Those, however, who make that remark have forgotten that the very conditions which operated in favour of the "All Blacks" at Home will be an opposing force to them on this tour. I refer to the opportunity of getting into condition and acquiring tactics and combination. These essentials only come by long association and play together. With that in the balance against our leading provincial teams and in the test matches, to even matters tip the games should be closely contested, with the chances in favour of our own representatives. Turning from the British team to the provincial teams, Auckland is to be visited this season by representatives from Wellington, Taranaki, and Otago, each in quest of the coveted Ranfurly Shield. It is early to speak of the strength of the Wellington Union's "reps," yet, but those who remember the tremendous struggle at Alexandra Park two years ago, can only wish that Wellington may have a team just as strong as on that occasion, with our own " reps." just sufficiently stronger to retain the shield. The Taranaki and Otago clubs are sure to send good teams to Auckland. Club football is on every enthusiast's tongue just now. Clubs and the union have met, and as scon as the Easter holidays arc over serious business will commence. A question which is troubling the minds of club officials is the recently-passed by-law (Rule 4), allowing junior teams to be formed irrespective of the district scheme. For that reason no attempt has been made to get a forecast of the strength of the junior grades. There is a considerable feeling among the colleges that they should he left intact as junior clubs. This is viewed with more favour, as being a reasonable modification of Rule 4.

In reviewing the chances of the various senior teams 1 would point out that it is difficult to get a full and comprehensive report of each club's position, for the reason that officials are a little reticent about the status and probability of some, players donning the/jersey. The visit of the British team is apparently responsible for the resuscitation of several players. As far as can be gathered the teams' changes are as follows:—■

City Club: Last year's champions are reported to be almost as strong as last season, although they have suffered several withdrawals. The services of Geo. Smith and W. Tyler (of professional fame), G. Tyler (retired), Williams (disqualified), and Z. Harris (gone over to Parnell) are not available this season. Against this P. Walsh, late of Parnell, will, if his residential qualification be correct, play for City. New players who have joined arc Lawry, a Northern Wairoa "rep." fullback, and Robinson, five-eighths, a Poverty Bay "rep.," and ex-Grafion player. The officials do not say much about the team's chances, but appear to be quietly confident.

Ponsonby Club: The runners-up foifethe championship last season are the favourites for this season. The team still includes such star performers as Gillett (notwithstanding the report; that be will play the Australian game), Nicholson, Francis, and Cunningham. The club has lost tho services of Wilson, who lias gone over to the University Club. There is a gain of several members, making the team stronger than ever. It. was in 1897 that the Westerners won the championship, and they have a long spell to break. Parnell Club: The Parne.ll Club is in hopes of improving its position this year, and hope to beat, City for second place. They have lost the services of L. B. Todd, of the professional team, and E. Hears, who is in the Waikato. The playing of P. Walsh is doubtful, as it is thought he has qualified for City, and Bamford has gone out of the forward line to play for University. The club has gained the services of Kelly, a. Poverty Bay "rep." five-eighths: H. Davis., a Wanganui rep." forward; T. Cornes, I of Grafton ; Z. Harris, of City : and Tonks, a promising player, law of Wanganui College. The club possesses a number of promising junior players fit for senior work, and five provincial "reps." of last season are still with the team, which is improved all round, and will be fast, but light. Grafton Club: The Grafton Club consider their prospects to bo brighter for the season and hope to show greatly improved play. They have lost the services of Poananga and Grierson, who have joined 'the University Club, and also J, Cornes, who will play for Parnell. No practices have been held yet, but it is anticipated that H. Kiernan, the "daddy" of Auckland halves, will be seen out again. • Another addition, to this years team is Graham, a senior player from Christchurch/ The club is greatly concerned by the new junior rule, for there are a number of likely St. John's College boys who would strengthen the senior back division if it was rescinded. j The Newton Club officials, are most enI thusiastic over the chances of.success of the club team for the season, who have already commenced training in- real earnest. The professional team are responsible for taking H. Rowe and Trevarthen from the last season's team, the club also losing the services of the two Gray brothers, who .will play for University. Against • these losses there are several recent arrivals in the district available, including W. Dora late "rep." wing-forward and Ponsonby player; A. Sandall, of City forwards; McNab, Thomas, and Washer, forwards from Taranaki, Whangarei, and Hamilton respectively: Sehraff, a. threequarter from Napier: Wadley, a halfback from the Athletic Club, Wellington, and Duval, a threequarter from the Oriental Club, Wellington. The club are making an attempt to get the disqualification removed from P. Long. The back division of the club is considerably stronger, and in the forward division the selectors have 15 senior forwards to choose a " pack" from. Will this team be the "dark horse - ' of the competition? It appears as if a remarkably strong combination could be picked from the players available to the club this season. The junior grades are expected to be strong, but Rule 4 is troubling the minds of the club officials, who are very much against the rule being allowed to stand. North Shore Club: The, waterside suburban club are in hopes of improving their position in the senior grade this season. The club have lost the services of the Wynyard brothers, W. and R. J., who went Home with the professionals, as well as "Currie" Smith, whose early demise during the recess all footballers deplore. The club have practically no new players, but has a. number of promising juniors to promote, prominent among whom are " Hee." Wyr»yard and C. Shaw. The senior team did not draw on the second grade last season, allowing that team to win the championship; therefore, there aw many players of senior rank available from that team whoso services will be requisitioned this season. University Club: The University team is the most recent addition to tho # district clubs, having been admitted by special legislation. Naturally the constitution of a new team is problematic, but the inclusion of several well-known senior-grade players gives a certain indication of the team's strength. Tho team will include Wilson, a Ponsonby three-quarter; Bamford, a Parneil forward; Gray brothers, the Newton five-eighths; iWnanga and Grierson, of Grafton; and Hiroti and Otterson, both of Wellington. In addition to this the club will utilise me services of the pick of the players who won the Secondary Schools' Old Boys banner last year. The team will be light but iast. and may be expected to make a fair showing. Iti common with all scholastic teams, who practice each day. we may expect them to play, the scientific game. ■ The foregoing statement of tho strength of the clubs would go to show that the competition for senior-grade honours should be even rijore interesting than last season. City and Ponsonby are- sure to be strong: Newton look a good team on paper, and Parnell, Grafton, and North Shore may be expected to make matters interesting. Would it be rash to predict that, the winner of the championship will come from one ot the first three? Time alone will. show.

NEW ZEALAND REFEREES' association;' The annual conference and meeting of the Now Zealand Rugby Referees' Association was opened in the Spurts Club yesterday. The following were in attendance:— of executive, Messrs. F. A. Hempioman, iA. Campbell, and J. Robb (hon. secretary): delegates, R. Oliphant (Auckland , G. Griffiths (Taranaki), W. 0 Council (Wellington), F Laws (Waipawa), L. Seivors (Dannsvirki*), R. Barry (Canterbury), M. Naldcr (Nelson). J. Duncan (Otago), H. Frost (Southland), G. Bassett Waoganui), F. Hawk (Hawke's Bay*, G. Katterns (Hastings), W. IPowdrell (South Taranaki). Mr. A. Campbell was elected chairman. ,',-., Mr. M. J. Sheahan, chairman of the Management Committee of the Auckland Rugby Union, welcomed the visiting delegates, and invited them to be the guests of the A.R.U. at an outing at Lake Takapuna to-morrow. The conference then proceeded to discuss the rules of the game, and, amongst other interpretations, decided to. strictly enforce

the rules against lying on the ball and against holding the ball. The annual meeting was held at the close of the conference, the following officers being elected:—Patron, His Excellency the Governor; president, Mr. R. M. Isaacs; vice-presidents, one elected from each affiliated association; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. J. M. Robb; Management. Committee, Messrs. Hemplernan, So i vers, Laughton, Laws, and Mackie; auditor, Mr. C. H. Manson,

A number of motions, of which notice was given, were dealt with, the principal being in relation to the expenses of referees. The annual meeting wiil be continued today.

SECONDARY SCHOOLS' OLD BOYS' UNION. On Saturday evening the annual general meeting of the Secondary Schools' Old Boys' Rugby Union was held, delegates being present from Grammar School, King's College, Sacred Heart, St. John's Collegiate and University. It was stated that all arrangements had been made for the season, and the Banner competition would be commenced at an early date. Strong support was promised to the union numerically, and the committee commented upon the greatly increased interest evident in the affairs of the anion. The union expressed its strong disI approval of tho action of the University Club is seceding from the union, especially as they would have held tho banner this year as champions for 190 7 . KAEANGAHAKE UNION. [BY telegraph.—own* CORRESPONDENT.] Waihi, Friday. A the annual meeting of the Karanga- | hake Rugby Union Mr. E. Keating was i voted to the chair. The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £26. Mr. Corbet was elected secretary pro tern, Mr. Geo. Inglis president, and the following a committee of management:—Mossrs. J. McGregor, E. Keating, W. Neillio, G. Fallon, G. Williams, and F. Ladner. Mr. It. S. Nconan was reappointed treasurer. HERE AND THERE. The Sew Zealand Universities team will play at Sydney on July 4, 8, and 11. It is understood that an English Rugby team will tour South America in July. Gwynn Nicholla reappeared for Cardiff v. London Welch on February 29, and showed splendid form. Captain Norman Biggs, the famous Welsh International and Richmond footballer, who was stationed in Northern Nigeria, died early last month _ from excessive bleeding, presumably following a wound. He played in all three internationals in the season 1893, and against England and Ireland in 1894. The Taranaki Rugby Union have decided to invite subscriptions from players and followers of the game towards erecting a memorial to Mr. Alfred Bayly, president of the New Zealand Rugby Union, who died at Wanganui in December last. Commenting on the subject the Taranaki Herald, of April 14, says: "We do not as a rule believe in the habit of hero worship which has become so common in New Zealand, but here is a movement which we feel that we can heartily support. Football is the national sport of tho Dominion, and New Zealanders have proved their supremacy at the game. The late Mr. Bayly did more for football perhaps than any other man in New Zealand, certainly as far as Taranaki is concerned. As a player of the game ho was the finest exponent we have had. He played it as it should be played, strenuously and fairly: and he was as honourable and manly off the field as on it. As a supporter of the game he has had no equal in Taranaki. though few outside of the inner circle know the extent of his work. All lovers of manly sport will readily acknowledge his sterling worth as a sportsman, while those who take no interest in the game, but know him only by repute, will sympathiso with the movement to perpetuate his memory as a footballer and a man. It has not been definitely decided, what form the proposed memorial will take, but if it is of a suitable nature no better or more appropriate location can be found than at the Recreation Sports Ground, whioh was the scene of so many of his triumphs." This movement is sure of support in Auckland, where deceased had many admirers.

ASSOCIATION. It is proposed to send a New South Wales team to England, and that for the purpose of financing it £1000 be raised by means of 1000 debentures of £1 each. This suggestion comes from Granville, a place where the love of Soccer is deep-rooted, and therefore where enthusiasm runs high, In connection with the proposal the Referee says: —If a New South Wales Soccer team visited England, and were whipped match after match— * they probably would be—their experience would be sad and their pockets lean. The Corinthians find it pleasurable to visit South Africa; why cannot they be induced to come a little further and see the Land of the Golden Fleece? The *' international" match England v. Scotland at Glasgow was drawn, each side scoring- one goal. The attendance was 130,000—a world's record—and the cables tell us that 50,000 others were doomed to exclusion from the ground, because it would not hold them. Forty persons were injured in the crush, which is not surprising. The gate proceeds amounted to £7000! So. runs the cable. But the England v. Scotland League match was played at Birmingham on February 29. 11,00.0 present,' 1 £379 taken at the gates. England winning by 2 goals to 1. The match by the cable was probably the champion Scotch Club v. the English cup winners. An attendance of 100,000 or more at a soccer match has now been thrice recorded, twice at the Crystal Palace, London, to see a cup tie final.