FIXTURES FOR TO-DAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15592, 25 April 1914, Page 10

FIXTURES FOR TO-DAY.

Rugby Football: Club practices on various grounds. League Football: Club practices on various grounds. Association Football : Brotherhood v. Carlton, Victoria Park; Corinthian v, Everton, Bayswater; Thistle v. North Shore, North Shore; various junior grade matches. Hockey : Club practices on various grounds. Rowing : West End Club's final "At Home' and trial fours for Mrs. Clark's trophies. Aquatics : Ponsonby Yacht and Cruising Club's class race; Ponsonby and North Shore. Clubs' launch race. Golf: Auckland Club, second round match play tourney. Middleinore; Maungakiekie v. Waitemata, Maungakiekio and Waitemata links, Bowling: Finals Easter Tournament champion pairs, Ponsonby green; inter-club matches, various greens. Athletics: Friendly Societies' sports, Onehunga; Auckland Harriers' opening rim. Lacrosse: Grafton v. North Shore, Victoria Park. Lawn Tennis : Eden and Epsom Club's open tournament, men's singles final. THE RUGBY GAME. NOTES AND COMMENTS. Most of the city clubs have already held & field practice, and it is expected that there will be big; musters at the available grounds this afternoon. As the cup matches will not be commenced until the j middle of May, players will have ample time for training, and the teams should all bo in good condition on the opening day. i'arnell. it is understood, will have some difficulty in getting a senior team this year, but it is to be hoped that the executive will not give up hope until the very last minute. A bye in the senior grade ' will be bad both for the competition and the teams, and if for no other reason than to ensure a game each Saturday for the first grade teams it is to be hoped that Parnell will remain in. There must be some good material in this club's lower grade teams. For instance, the writer saw one or two members of the fifth team last year, who would not disgrace any of tho senior fifteens. These players should have tho interest of the club at heart, and although they may prefer to stay in the lower g.«adei it is their duty to .assist their club in its time of need. The club numbers some very enthusiastic gentlemen among its supporters, and Messrs. Twiname, Wilson, Somerlield, and Co. can be relied on to, do their best to keep the maroon flag unfurled. Financially the club is very sound, and if only two or three of the "stars" from outside would only decide to give it a helping hand it would be all the better for the game in Auckland. Downing, the Marist Brothers and Auckland and New Zealand representative forward, is returning to the city, and will be playing for the '' Tykes" again this year. This club promises to be very strong this season, and if R. Roberts, the Taranaki crack turns out for them, the backs should be capable of something extra good. At least one New Zealand representative will be in the rearguard, in the person of Jack McKenzie, who toured California last year. McKenzie has never shown his true worth in Auckland, but there can be no doubt about his ability. He is an exceptionally fine club man, and for several years was one of the mainstays of the Petone Club and Wellington representative teams.

Atkinson, the West Coast forward- who toured America with the New Zealand team last year, is playing for the Southern Club in Dunedin this season. A. McDonald, captain of the New Zealand team last year, is turning out for Kaikorai, and Steve Casey, another of the original " All Blacks," is playing for Southern. McDonald and Casey are the only two of tho famous team who are still playing in the Dominion. Tho Wellington Rugby Union has secured about 28 playing grounds this season, but it certainly has to pay foe them. Four of tho grounds are City Reserves, and for eacli a yearly rental of 10 guineas is paid. The Athletic Park costs tho union about £1500, the Wellington College ground £10, Lower Hutt £25, Miramar £56, Sharpe's (Petone) £30, and with other grounds the amount to be expended inns into four figures (£1663). The annual meeting of the New Zealand Union is to take place at Wellington on Thursday, May 7. It is hard to say yet (remarks the Taranaki News) whether there will be any Thursday senior football in Taranaki this year. Clifton have not yet decided to return to Thursday football, and it is also rumoured that Stratford intend to play on Saturdays. If this is so Tukapa will also nolens volens have to throw in their lot with the Saturday players. This is unfortunate, as it is understood that some of their best players— Zealand reps, at that—would have difficulty in playing on any other day but Thursday. These are men that Taranaki can ill afford to lose, especially at the present juncture with the Ranfurly Shield. It would be distinctly hard luck for these players if they cannot get football, in view of the probable trip to Australia and England this year. It is understood from advices received from- Wellington that the Wellington Rugby Union will not maW the special match to bo played at Hawera during "winter show" week a shield match. Wellington would like to receive a visit from Taranaki on June 3. This, however, is the day set apart for the Wauganui match at Wanganui. The Wellington Rugby season opened on Saturday, when grade matches were played. The winning teams were Petone, Athletic, Oriental, and Wellington. Pearce, late of Auckland University, scored a try for Oriental, and young (jourtenay, who played for Marist Brothers juniors last year, shaped well at half-back tor Wellington. NORTHERN WAIROA UNION. A meeting of the Northern Wairoa Rugby t'uion was held at Dargaville on Saturday, when delegates from the Arapi>hue. Southern, Darg;i\ die. and Northern districts were present. It was decided to commence the nip matches on May 16. Rules were drafted for the Harding Shield contests, and it was decided to send copies to all clubs north of the Waitakere tunnel, that being the southernmost limit of clubs entitled to compete. It was reported that Hoanga would probably enter a senior team for the cup and the shield contests, and that Maropiu would nominate both senior and Junior clubs, whilst Kirikopuni would furnish a strong senior combination. The secretary reported that there was every probability of an Auckland representative team visiting the district during the season. 'The following officers were elected —Patron, Mr. J. (i. Coates, M.P.: vice-presidents, Mr. A, Costello and Dr. C'loss; chairman, Mr. L. Bassett; treasurer, Mr. T. C. Webb; executive Messrs. L. Bassett, D. L. Ross, and If. Montgomery; secretary, Mr. D. L. , Ross. . - . • g I

UNDER LEAGUE RULES. NOTES AND COMMENTS. • Before many weeks have passed the Auckland Rugby League's competitions will bo in full progress, At present instead of any retrograde movement in the game in Auckland, as certain rumours have had it, prospects for tho coming season seem exceedingly bright. One fact alone is sufficient proof that the game is going ahead, and that is that, whereas last year there were only four clubs with senior teams, this season there will be six, Otahuhu and Grafton Athletic having ocen added to the list. 'the latter is an entirely new club. Other new clubs to make- their debut this season are Remuera and Sunnyside, while in Pukekohc and other country districts, the game will make its initial appearance. It will thus bo seen that the League game is on a sounder foundation this year than ever. Grounds, too, are fairly plentiful, though the sooner a League ground is obtained, to which admission can be charged at any time, the better it will bo lor all concerned. At present there are two grounds at Devonport, one each at Northeoto. Victoria Park, and the Domain, three, or, if need be, four or! more at Otahuhu and one at Remuera,! so that there will be no lack of accommo- j dation for players as far as both practice and matches are concerned. j

In the various clubs hardly any withdrawals have been made from the lists of membership, though North Shore has lost its clever half-back, Jackson, who is now in America. The Shore club has, however, secured the services of W. Williams, a player from Te Ante College, and Cros- , bie, the well-known Waihi Rugby forward. The newly-formed Grafton club will have the assistance of Chapman, tho Wellington League forward, who made such a good impression when playing against Auckland last year, and Fincham, a Taranaki League representative back. Ifwersen, the New Zealand representative, is one of the many local players who have joined the new club, which will be coached by J. Howe, a Southern player of note. Otahuhu should put a fairly'strong senior team into the field, and Rukutaia, Hargreaves. and several others, who did J battle for Manukau at the beginning o>' I last season, are mentioned as additions to i the club. Cocke, the Newton and Auckland wing-threequarter, King Hyde, tne country rep., and Lennard, a well-known North' Island Rugbv player, have also thrown in their lot with Otahuhu. S. B. Rutledsie, of Wellington, will probably be" found playing for Grafton or Suniiyside. The latter club also contains A.' W. McCallion. a Wellington representative. Two players from Otago, in T. McPherson and W. Moir, and H. Miller (South Canterbury). Rumours are also afloat that Strickland, an ex New ! South Wales player, who represented the I Wellington League last year, will be found'playing for one of the Auckland clubs. The City, Ponsonby, and Newton clubs will bo composed of "practically the same players as last vear, though it is possible that Allan Blak'ev. the Newton and Auckland five-eighth,'will this year assist the game as a referee, instead of as a player. Blakev is a really good stamp of player, and it is to be hoped that he may again be seen in the red and white jersey this year. Ponsonby will have the services of Lambert, the well-known sprinter, McPherson, from Dunedin, and Woolleey, of Auckland, who is said to be full of promise. The Wellington League has already received an application for affiliation from a new club which has a senior and a junior team. The league now has four senior teams, six juniors, and eight third class. There are two clubs willing to enter two senior teams, but the league rightly considers it desirable not to have too many, so that the standard of play in the senior competition may not ho lowered.

NEW ZEALAND LEAGUE. REVIEW OF PAST SEASON. The annual report of the New Zealant Rugby League remarks that an inspec tion 'of the past season's affairs shou-t-hat the league is now on a more solii basis than in previous yearsIn addition to the new leagues foraei the previous season in Canterbury am Marlborough", the game received a fresi impetus in Taranaki and Nelson. Th Taranaki League had prospered unde new management, and was certain tforge ahead The game in Nelson wa also strongly supported. The league' affiliation list last year was as follows :- Auckland. Wellington, Canterbury Hawke's Bay. Wanganui, Taranaki, Ncl son, and Marlborough. The idea of ; league in Poverty Hay seemed to b steadily growing, according to a com munication received from that district The game was firmly established in nearl; all affiliated centres, a large increase ii membership being recorded, and furthe developments were anticipated during th coming year. As in the previous season, a visit fron a New South Wales league team wa received. The team proved itself by fa the best combination that had yet visitet New Zealand, and wound up* the ton without having suffered defeat. Matche were played at each centre, and tes i matches at Auckland and Wellington, th league suffering a fairly heavy loss fo the experiment of a test at Wellington The tour, however, did much good in tin Dominion, being a great advertisement and it would prpbably result in mud benefit to the game. The New Zealand representatives agaii visited Australia and upheld the reputa tion of the Dominion. The tour was J distinct success from all points of view The team succeeded in defeating Nev South Wales in one match and 01 ! another occasion just missed a victory bi | a very narrow margin. However, thei I succeeded in winning the majority o ! their matches. Bad weather and 'aeci , dents interfered at times with their ulti ! mate success, but notwithstanding thii j the team performed with great credit. j Arrangements had been made for ; I visit of the English representative tean ! to the Dominion this season. This was .' | matter for congratulation, as it meant ; ■ great stimulus to the game in New Zea land. The team would leave Englant this month and would be in the Dommior about three weeks, arriving on July 12 It had agreed to play six matches" but arrangements would be made to extent the tour if at all possible. The important, ground question is dis cussed at some length in the report which expresses the' opinion that with j united front, this question could be dealt with successfully each centre heine catered for as circumstances and oppor tunity offer. "We trust." remarks tin report, "that the incoming committee will not lose sight of this important matter, which means the future welfare and prosperity of our game. Without permanent grounds, we can only hope foi a temporary advantage and support." "The standard of play showed a deeded improvement last season, hut, mud; yet remains to be done in this respect " the report continues. " Efficient coaches and training quarters are the essential things needed, and it is to be hoped tlvt affiliated leagues will impress upon all clubs under their control the necessity tor improvement always. Such a great deal depends on the' exhibitions given Some well thought-out system of advancement of younger players might well be made use of, a grading system, for instance wine, is carried out in other parts. The selection 0 teams to represent the Dominion does not seem to he the success it should bo, and wo would recommend the incoming council to *. well into this mutter and devise Sol f le method wherebv th,. best immaterial may. be' available. There is I feeling existing that our best an strongest team, have not been sent i n each case, and ,t is not without' some foundation. 1 lie league should spare »' expense to obtain the best win, th,. view of budding up a Dominion reputation i, the league game. The balance-sheet reveals a satisfactory state of aftairs. the assets being £124' 4s and the liabilities nil. The general ac count shows a credit balance of £89 8' 9d. and the trust account of £40 15s 3d' The tour of the New Zealand reps ii Australia resulted in a net profit of £107 i 9s Bd. The test match between New South Wales and New Zealand at Auckland resulted in a profit, of £22 16s Id while on the second test match at Wei linjjton a loss of £81 2s 2d was sustained