FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15646, 27 June 1914, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

THE RUGBY GAME.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

A stirring contest is expected to result from the meeting of the City and University teams at Eden Park to-day. When the teams last met the spectators were rewarded with a verv exciting game in which University won by a margin of three points. The scores in the game were even until a tew minutes before time when University got a goal from a mark. With a dry ground and dry ball one ivoukl feci inclined to say outright that University would win to-day, but in view of the weather of the week City must be given a chance. The display of the latter team last Saturday was not inspiring, but, led by Bruce to-day, the forwards should cause the University backs some trouble. College Rifles and Marist Brothers teems will occupy the No. 2 ground at Eden Park to-day. The first round match between these teams resulted in a win for Marist Brothers by 9 points to 6 after a hard-fought game. Marist Brothers' prospects seem the brightest to-day. The Marist Brothers team has been singularly unfortunate this season, and their prospects for championship honours are not bright. After to-day they will lose the services of three men, J. O'Brien, J. McKenzie, and Downing, who have been selected to represent the Dominion in the forthcoming Australian tour. The loss of these players is not so serious as it might have been had the team been higher on the championship list. The City team will sustain a serious loss next week by the departure of A. Brace for Australia. The big bustling forward is a tower of strength to his side, and as lie generally acts as a lead in forward rushes ho will be much missed in the concludin" games of the competition. L. Weston's departure will leave the :'.• taekin" powers of the Coil-ego Rifles team much less effective than they have been latelv. Mr. Percy McElwain, who was recently re-elected as a member of the Eden Ter race Road Board, was congratulated by the chairman of the Auckland Rugby Onion at Wednesday's meeting. Mr. McElwain. who is a Creator Aucklander, will be best remembered as a staunch supporter of the Newton Club. For some years he struggled valiantly against great odds in an endeavour to keep the old club's senior tea**! alive, but eventually he had to accept defeat. Thnt ho still takes a keen interest in the club was in evidence 1 y his attendance on its behalf at the union's meeting on Wednesday. Mr. Donald Clarke, who has been appointed New Zealand's commissioner of taxes, was an old-time Poneke (Welling ton) player in the days of Sid Nicholls, Tom Ellison, Archie Merlet, and Loo Uixon. Clarke, however, was on the light side and did not win much distinction at the "ame. Amongst his predecessors in his present position, however, were* two famous footballers, viz., Messrs. 0. F. C. Campbell and J. M. King, both of them fine forwards and Wellington representative captains in their day. The following comments bv the Sydney Dailv Telegraph football writer are well worth the attention of New Zealand's football legislators:—" Some feeling is bciii" shown in New Zealand Rugby circles owing to the fact that apparently the English Union is not sympathetic towards the visit of another All Black loam to Great Britain. It is said that All Black methods do not appeal to Englishmen, and that the feeliin; against the Maorilanders is even more pronounced in Scotland. Reading between the lines it seems as if for t _) unknown reason the British authorities do not care what happens to Union Rugby in the Antipodes, and a warning might well be given them here and now. By their foolishly conservative methods, they were responsible for the disruption of the Rugby came in England. 'lTie separation lasts to this day, when the results have been seen in English Union games, and even in the Northern League team now in Australia, whose performances are not equal by any means to the Yorkshire standard of 25 years ago. There is continued talk of secession in Now Zea land, and sooner or later in the present circumstances something is bound to happen. Of course, whatever happens will not matter a great deal to the Rugby Union little Engenders at Home, but it matters a lot to those who are trying to keep the l'nion fto" floating round the world." The Management Committee of the Auckland Rugby Union was called on at Wednesday's meeting to again deal with junior "radc player for striking. There seems to be an epidemic of this kind of t|,,n~ ,-c* now, buv, perhaps, if, instead of administering severe cautions, the union officials disqualified the offenders, the nractrre would soon cease to he so general. This class of offence must lie stamped out as speedily as possible, otherwise no decent bov will play the fame. It is to be honed that the next offenders will be ,),..,it ~;t n in aU exemplary manner. In connection with the foregoing paragraph it may be stated that some of the players who were before the committee on Wednesday were urged on by the spectators. The match was played at Devonport, and the referee characterised the conduct of the " harrockers," among whom ; were some supporters of the Parnell team, as disgraceful. Plavers from both sides were ordered off. The secretary of the North Shore Club, Mr. E. L. Eyre, has written to say that a lot of the trouble was caused by the supporters of the town team, and he further complains of the actions of some spectators who wanted to co into the North Shore dressing-room. He considers that the Rucby Union should more strictly supervise the playing areas, and thus fid the amateur game of a

stigma, A " Disgusted. .Spectator," in . writing about the same mutch, said it was the most unsportsmanlike game he - ' had ever seen, lie blames the referee for want of strictness, and while admitting that there was dirtv play on both sides, considers that members of the town team v ere the greater offenders. In connection with " Disgusted Spectator's." charge against the referee it may be stated that the union commended the official in question for the able manner in Inch he controlled the. game. A pleasing iunction took place at the College Rifles Fuotbol) Club rooms on Thursday evening. On behalf of the members Captain Dawson presented L. U. Weston with a suit-case, on the occasion of his being selected as a member of the Dominion team to tour Australia. The speaker stated that, though »Veston's absence from the team as a captain and player would be keenly felt, they were proud of the honour gained by 'he captain of the team. The secretary (Mr H. Clay) read a letter congratulating Weston, and wishitt'' him an enjoy:ih'e ano successful tour. The recipient suitably reipunded, and thanked hi? fellow members for the:) presentation and good wishes. NORTH ISLAND SELECTIONS. [BY telegbaph.—rar.ss association.] Wanganpi, Friday With reference to the New Zeal.™' Rugby Union's staioment in regard to Wangaiiui s complaints m cunceclioii with the North Island selections, Lin local union explains that :t did not suggest that the New Zealand Union .-.huiiiJ luu-nero | With tile Btlectois. 'I he latU-i stated that the Wangauui Union rtouiii sunnily resent selectors aciopiing ouire if iIiCT were nut prepared to nuke Ihcnifielvca acquainted with the various players throughout the islaud If mey did nut it would .-.imply be an insult to ask local selectors to nominate pin; > for eon fideralion. It vwts pointed out that ail the players representing the North were from Auckland, Taranaki, and Wel'-.ng-ton.

UNDER LEAGUE RULES.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. The Auckland Rugby League's competitions will be advanced another stage this [afternoon, when the principal match 'should be that between City and Novum, - at the Domain. If tiny \w.sh to win, the former team will have to improve on last week's showing, which was far below City's usual standard. While n is liardlv probable that Newton will win, the red and whites hare bt*n improving con- ■ siderably of late, and should !>i.t tip a : good right. Grafton cherish ,t hope that , they will extend North Shore, but on 1 present form the match look- like an easv victory for the blacks. Ponsi't.hy should ! succeed in running up a fair tela! of points against Otahulitt. Mr. A. SI. Myers, M.P., has acceded the position of president of the Auckland , League, and has given a donation to the . funds of the league. 1; One team in the second grade competi i tion, Sunnyside. lias not taken the mid this season. In the opening match of i the competition the team defaulted to ( . Northcote, and then withdrew from the I competition. For the default, Northcote : gained 2 points, but as Sunnyside were not afterwards matched against ativ team, , those points have been disallowed. Tho . Northcote third grade team, after playing some matches, withdrew from the competition, and each club in the competition i ha.'i therefore been credited with a win. ' | The Auckland League has five day? on ! 1 which it may charge for admission to Vic ) i toria Park, and has derided to apply to • the City Council for the necessary per- ! mission in respect to Julv 18, and August 1 | 15, 22, and 29, leaving one date still 1 ; open. July IS will probably be devoted [.to club matches as on Saturday, and the , .first grade competition should be in an , 'exceedingly interesting position by then. I Tho representative match against TaraInaki has been set down for August 15, and Mtho other two dates, August 22. and 29, ) -have provisionally been set apart for i [ Auckland's matches against Wellington |' and Haw'.e'g Bay respectively, though . j those two leagues have not yet notified j their acceptance of the d^tes. | Following the example of the New ZeaIland League, the Auckland League on ; Wednesday night last appointed three i ' selectors in place of one as formerly Mr. '■ R. McDonald, who in the past has acted I as sole selector, has given every satis'ac- ] tion. but owing to the league's eroundfl ■ ' being so far anart. it was considered only fair that he should have some assistance, ,' as he could not he expected to visit each 1 ground every Saturday. The Executive ' Committee made a wise selection in ap- ■ pointing Messrs. R. McDonald. A. Blakey, I and H. Rowe. All are old players. Mr. ■ McDonald renresen'ed Auckland in 1903. 1910. and 191*1, aid New Zealand in 1909, ' 1910, and 1911. Mr. Blakev was an Auci:- ' i land representative in 1912 and 1913, and ' i Mr. Rowc in 1905. Mr. Rowe also rcpro- .' sented New Zealand in 1907, and in addii : tion gained Australasian representative ,: honours. All are still very keen followers I of the game, and may be seen at club ! I matches every Saturday. They are also first-class judges of a player's capabilities. - | The Auckland League may rest assured '; that the selection of Auckland's repres-en- ! tatives has been entrusted to safe hands, ' and th» p'nyers may feel confident th.it ' thev will receive all the consideration they ' | are entitled to. ! After last Saturday's matches quite a , ! number of local players found that they , had received more or less serious injuries from the studs in the boots of other : players. One member of the Grafton ; i team had a clean hole in his lea reaching '! almost to the bone, and there was no sign • of a bruise or any abrasion. The wound ! hud plainly boon caused by a sharp spike. , ! Football studs, unless very carefully at- , I tended to,* are liable to prove very dan- , gerous on the field. A; soon a? they 'become a little worn, the nail* protruda, iiand can then make a very painful wound, i i Many players also wear sharpened studs, .and others play in spiked running shoes, 5 I with a leather covering over the spikes. ■ ] Unfortunately the leather comes off, and ; : leaves- a naked iron spike. Naturally a ! player would receive a severe injury , should he ho stepped on in snc/i circum- ,' stances. Tin necessity of taking some 'i steps to pre cent- players from wearing ' : dangerous studs was commented upon by [iinemb■'• of the Auckland executive on ' Wednesday, and it was decided to write {to al! club (-"m-taries informing uiem ; I that in future a!' 'tails must be obscured. , i Sharp edged stub? and running shoos will ' i iilso bo prohibited. In England, it may \ be mentioned, no studs which ire smaller ' at the point than a threepenny niece wo . tolerated. It was unfortunate that 0. Culett could not be persuaded to play for his Mown club, Newton, which is hardly ts strong :«• one could wish it to be. al'though it curried off the first grade pre'jmiership last year. A player of his ex Iperienee and capability would be of the ' greatest value to the red and whites on ''the field. Gillett, no doubt, had his own '! reasons for wishing.to play f-ir Pnnsonby. I I and rather than let him drop out of the ' game altogether, the Auckland executive '■granted him a transfer from Newton to ponfonhy. No doubt he w-'Il be sum in tho I i field again almost immediately. !! Referees' reports of rough or unspcrts,j manlike play are unfortunately only too I I common, but it is seldom that a referee 'lis actuated by bright and (lean play to ! : send in a report '° his executive. Ifaw- ■ ! ever, at the Auckland executive's meeting '! mi Wednesday, such a report w.v< received from Mr. A. Ferguson, who very capably ''controlled 'he Ponsonby-Nnrth Shore ' mntdi at Victoria Park last Saturday, I " The players deserve great credit for their • display, arid all praise for the total ab- > sence'df rough play, talking, squabbling, '(etc.," wrote Mr. Ferguson. "The clears •[manner in which the game was played • 'bv both teams made my duties a pleasure. ) ■ Such matches create a creditable impresi j sion, and I am sure that such an impres- ,: sion was prevalent among the 5000 spec--5 I tators who witnessed the match. In conJ elusion. I would like 'he delegates of tho i Poiiaonby and No-th Shore Clubs tn eoni' vev mv hearty appreciation to tho players i ; for the mannor in which thay ' played ■ I the game.'" i In accepting his appointment aa ope of . ■ the three selectors of the New Zealand II team, Mr. W. Wynyard suggested that. , an A and R match should bo arrange.! i for Auckland players before the toit

natch, is order to give 1 tho selectors'an' opportunity of seeing .• fill the" best local . Btea hi' action together; '£. Such :* a ' scheme • j would not be practicable" this year; a* the 'Auckland League's competition docs not close until July 18, the Saturday preceding j the -Auckland v. England' match,? and it is quito possible that a play-off. will be (necessary even after that Uate. Mr. iWynyard has also written'to the secretary of the 1 Wellington -League suggesting that s Canterbury-Wellington match might bo arranged to afford some help to the selectors. ... It is to be hoped that the New Zealand League will adhere strictly to its'decision not to alter in any way the itinerary it has drawn up for the British team's New Zealand tour. The' Englishmen, will ho, hero in less than a month, and tho lime at the disposal of the various leagues is all too short' without the possibility of further changes in the itinerary. It is hard to account for tho -laxness of the visiting team's managers in the matter of communicating with the New Zealand League concerning th* tour, and on Thu'rs. j day night the council decided that it would j take matters into its own hands, and draw ■ up an itinerary which should be absolutely final. The itinerary decided upon differs somewhat from lint originally suggested. Canterbury does not receive a match at all, as. it has not accepted or declined tho date' it was allotted and as tho visitors arc evidently not keen on going l to Christchureh. Hawke's Bay rereives the date allotted to Canterbury, .July 15, instead of Saturday, July 18, which has been given to Wellington. Wellington, bv the way, has secured the Basin Reserve lor the match, and a goad gate should result. The other matches remain &s previously arranged. It would not be at all sninrlsing if the tour resulted in a loej to the New Zealand Leaguo. In each match the visitors wilj, receive 65 per cent, of the gross takings, leaving tho local leagues only 35 per cent, to cover all expenses. To those leagues which have not grounds of their own, the ground charges are in almost every case heavy. In Wellington, for inFiance, the City Council's terms are 15 pe' cent, of the gate up to ioO, and 20 per cent, of the takings above that figure. The Wellington League is endeavouring to secure special rates for the game. Local ground" charges arc also substantial, and wet weather would mean an almost certain loss.

The New Zealand selectors, Messrs. W. J. Perrett (Taranaki), Duncan McGregor (Christchurch), and W. Wynyard (Auck-' jand)/will meet at Eltbam on July 20 to select s the team for the test match to be played at Auckland on August 1. , The following nominations for the Now Zealand team nave been received by the New, Zealand Council and handed on to the selectors Canterbury : Backs, W. J. Mitchell, C. Kruse, W. Bussell; forwards, H. Shanks, E. Button, and W. King. Wellington: Backs, Bradley, W. Wilson, J. Barber; forwards, J. Sp'encerj Ashton, Campbell. Hawko's Bav: Backs, McCarthy, C. Manning, Barclay, Duval; forwards, Banks, Johnston.

..Mr. A. F. G.'Pilkington/spperintendent of St. John Ambulance Brigade, AuckDivision, has forwarded an explanation in connection with a complaint made ,by the . Newton $ Club to the Auckland Rugby League that no ambulance men wero in attendance •at Devonport on a recent Saturday, Mr.Pißdngton.says that the' St. John Ambulance corps provides men for six different sports grounds in the. suburbs each Saturday, in most cases at the request of the principal sports body concerned."'...These- are at the services of in- ' jured : flayers of any sport ■ thereat, irrespective of whether they be 'senior : or junior players,' ;\ In; some , instances , they may not ; have : a man available, as .the work is % voluntary, ; and members have private engagements sometimes.: This was the esse on , the day in question at Devonport. In '" addition two members of the jadies' nursing ": division attend weekly "at the Herauera hockey grounds, where the game is played by ladies. .'/ ■'■- -..'•

' THE ASSOCIATION GAME.

5 J NOTES' v AND .*COMMENTS.

■- >.; The*competition ; matches will be ad- . - vanced Ia s farther stage .. to-day ) when, . v owing .to the ! interesting position of .: the . loading.teams/;- some ; fine g matches should '-. be ""> witnessed,*;" Chief. 1 , interest will lie in ■•* the meeting of Thistle and Corinthian on the No. 1 -ground at the Domain. . ; The : . ■' Scotchmen, who are at : the head !of the ; li jfcable, will make one alteration in their team :; of • last Saturday, A. McWbirter ;* will resume at', right-back in, place of J. f May, who . has' left Auckland* for a , few :},. -weeks, bat will don. the i black and white -jersey .on his retprn. It should bo a '-■.: pood came, fa? Corinthian .are consistent, ;}-and - play just the style Of football to upset /;Tiufitleyv calculations.^^,' ; The latter, .how- ! ever, ibould win lif they, repeat ■'■ recent 'JJornu"? ..--'"' ■ ■ •': ■- ■ ■

; -The Brotherhood team, which is by no ; , means oat of the running, for the chant- ,. pionship, , will meet- > - tho unlucky Ii'.M.C.A. team at Bayswater, and in nor-, ,:'. mil '*',; conditions '; the * Brotherhood team ..;' should win. Y.M.C.A., had /a; good; deal iof l hard - luck ■] last ' week. . Ccx, who diglocated his 'nose,;; is \ progressing satisfac- '/ torily, and •.will' play to-day. :? Y.M.C.A. i ,-«iU also have the assistance of Shepherd,. ' one of ;Auckland's; last Reason, representatives. '■■ ' ■..'■ ' - -■"■' ■' .>'*■ • The followers of the North Shore team

iwere' disappointed at the failure of the ;. eenior eleven last week, but. they .are. L|c* looking s forward ito a ? win to-day at the I 'V-,expense. of Everton. Tho Shore, who had j, * disorganised eleven, .'hope to : consider- |. ably strengthen .their ■■. team to-day/: with -" probably the inclusion of Jenkins and' R. %'( ..Gardiner. The game should, be very close, 1 ,1; but. North i Shore,' .with the advantage of the home ground, : should just about win. ~. The Adult School team, which spring a ; surprise on,. Brotherhood last week, is an- '"■" other,'team which will play' on its home v ' pitch again -this afternoon. The team will meet' Carlton to-day, and a clos"6 game ehould result. The school team will play 'the same eleven as last week, providing . Harrison ; 'is fit j- 5 but Carlton will pracJ'-; tically rearrange their whole team, through ';. ;tre, inclusion ■of iHareanape at .right-back. * These teams met; earlier in the season in .]:' » friendly game, which resulted in a draw. '"'''':'; The alterations which will bo made by ; Carlton to-day should'strengthen the team all round. j The shooting of the. front rank is a weak feature of the team's play. l'-x;:;iThe committee of :the Thistle Club has ~ arranged to hold a ball August 26. ■-,' v The boys' sub-committee has appointed ■??■■ ■Messrs, E. Blincoe. G. Turleyj ' and M. 0. i '.Stewart selectors -for.-the, junior represen- ; tative match, will be played on the last v-.. Saturday in August. ;. , . *-.. There is nothing like enthusiasm to help ■'.- oa the game, and with this idea, in view ,: .the secretary of the /Thistle Club lias ar- . ■ ranged with the St. Andrew's Pipe Band ■ to. be present at to-day's match at tho Domain. - ~' "•=' ■'-. The. Everton third division A team by winning last Saturday now beads the division with a point to spare. The game was never in doubt, and tho win by 3 coals fairly indicates the run of play.. O'Con- ~ nor, Isbister, and Williamson were the pick of the ■ forwards; tho two former playing with considerable dash. Caradns at centre-half for the Everton third division A team, has been playing it good game this season, and his form is being watched with interest by the club's selectors. It would not be surprising if he pained a place in the senior eleven, for the cup competition.