FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18684, 14 April 1924, Page 12

FOOTBALL.

THE RUGBY GAME. PRACTICE! MATCHES ON SATURDAY. Practice matches were held by Auckland Rugby football clubs on Saturday . under excellent weather conditions. In view .of the early opening of the season, Keen interest is being displayed by players of all grades, and there was a large muster at tho various grounda. Material benefit should insult from . Saturday's games, _ and when tho competitions open the'majority of clubo should be able to place well-trained teams in the field. Several senior - teams held inter-club practices at the Avondale racecourse. Other teams turned out in good strength at Victoria. Park, Domain, Epsom showgrounds, and suburban training grounds.

REPRESENTATIVE GAMES.

AUCKLAND FIXTURES. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Saturday. The Rugby representative fixtures for tho season include the following:— AUCKLAND. August 23.—Versus Hawke's Bay, at Hawke'e Bay (tentative). August Versus Wairarapa, at Auckland. Match versus Taranaki, at Auckland, to be- arranged. September 6.—Versus Wellington, at Wellington, and Auckland B versus King Country*, at Auckland. September 10.—Versus Wanganui. at Wanganui. September —Versus Taranaki. at Tartns«ki. NORTH AUCKLAND. Vera an Thames Valley.—-Arrangements to be made later. WAIKATO. May Bj—Versus Auckland, at Auckland. August 9.—Versus Thames Valley, at Paeroa. August 13.—Versus King Country, at Xe Kuiti. August 17.—Versus Horowhenua, at Levin. - August a).—Versus Hawke's Bay, .'it J)annevirke. August 23.Versus Wairarapa. at Waixftrftpsi! KING COUNTRY. August 13.—Versus Waikato, at Te Kuiti. September 6.Versus Auckland, at Auckland. September 13.Versus Wairarapa. at Wairarapa. 17.—Versus Bush District, at September 20.—Versus Wellington, at Weilington . September —Versus Horowhenua, at Horowher.ua. MATCHES AT WHANG [by TELEOKAPH. CORRESPONDENT.] WHANG AREI, Saturday. .The Whangarei. Rugby Union's competitions began this afternoon. As only ihre® teams have entered yet in the senior competition, only one match took place. Last year's champions, High School Old Boys. were beaten by Hikurangi by 9 points to 3. R. Cunningham and J. Hamilton (two) scored tries for the winners, arid K. Durney for the losers. The standard of pls.v was generally disappointing. In. the junior grade 13 teams have entered, and ' two sections have been arranged. Horahora defeated Marsden by 14 points; to 0; Procter (two) and R Hollows ncored tries, and R. Rodgers a penalty goal. Maimia beat Pioneers by 6 points to 0; J. Mackenzie scored two tries. Old Boys beat Portland by 14 to 0. High School boat Whakapara by 25 to 6.

MATCHES AT TE AWAMUTU. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] TE AWAMUTU. Saturday <«»»

PIAKO SEASON OPENS.

I®* TELEGRAPH.—rOWN CORRESPONDENT.} TE AROHA, Saturday. T>;Ti e Rneby football season opened in the Pialco district tday ' when a team rep-e----?W«i^ erol r • Wc i, Seniors met TVs Aroha turners in a friendly game, which resulted p ftTSSS. 0 ' Te Arha „ by , 3 P° ints to 5. i •, G % ds , 11 scored all for the winners while Clwk scored for Pa«rc« and J. Poland converted Mr. Turner was referee. At Wai-hou. Tc Aroha Rimbler juniors sr. fw««^y d y " w ' aillou b 5 6 *°' to 3 m a friendly pme. > The union hopee to commence its cud rounds next Saturday,

THAMES VALLEY RUGBY UNION. [BT TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT..} TB AROHA, Saturday. Thfc annual meeting of the Thames Valley Kugby Union was held <;t Paeroa on Thursday evening. The president, Mr. J. Sileock. was in the chair. Present were delegates from the stfb-uaiona of Paeroa, Piako, and Hauraki Plains. The balance-sheet showed & credit of £2 lid. , The election of officers resulted:— Mr. H. Poland, M.P.; president. Dr. W. K. Lawrence (To Aroha); vice-presidents. Sw P. A. Brenan (Paeroa). R. Spragut) (Piako), and J. Costeljo (Hauraki Plains). It was lett .to the Waihi union to propose a fourth vice-president: hon. auditor, Mr v A.. Bush; "on. treasurer, Mr. B. B. Penlmrton; .hon. secretary. Mr. W. Smith (Paeroßv).

It waa decided that the union's headQuarters be at Paeroa. In recognition of his Valuable services to member 031 " Mr. Silcock was elected a life member. ; At a ting of the committee, the recommendation of the Paeroa sub-union that all fe a te tt der control of the Sftt. w 67 » Un i lon J slay,5 lay , 111 accordance with the Now Zealand Kugby Union rule® instead of the Auckland amended rules' was adopted. At the request of the Paeroa sab-union it as deemed to apply to the parent body for the reinstatement of C Hine, C. Neils, and W. Nelson, three players who played under the League code lost season. It was agreed to have three seleotois, each of the four sub-unions to nominate one. and the Thames Valley executive to make the final decision. Mr. Barrett was appointed elector for the Thames Valley for the Wait ato-Tharnes Valley match •Sr 4 onWro'" ,d "■i ol " *»,««»- The. first round for the Poland Memorial £up is us May Rl: Paer»*"v Wtfihi, ftt Paeroa; Piako v. J? I*'**.1*'* *. at Npa-" tea. June 14: Pawroa v. Pliung, at . Te Aroha; Waihi v. Plains, at Waihi. July 'sata Te*Aroha 1M ' &t Nffatea; Woihi v. Kako.

THE HAWKE'S BAY SEASON. [BX TELEGRAPH.— ASSOCIATION. J NAPIER, Sunday. , tChe football season was officially opened by the Hawke a Bay Rugby Union yesterday, under perfect conditions. A large number of teams took the field at Napier and Hastings. * WELLINGTON TOURNAMENT. [BT TELEGRAPH. — ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Sunday. The Rugby football season,was advanced Another etage. yesterday, when a ctnior and fifth-class seven-a-side tournament was held. There were a large number of entries, and fast, interesting Contests in both grades. In the senior competition Athletic A beat Varsity by 6 to 0: Petone A beat Selwyn by 6 to 0. In the final Petone A beat Athletio A by 6 to S. In the fifth grade. Wellington College ■were victorious, beating Athletio in the final by 11 to 6. OPENING IN CHRISTCHURCH. [BY TELEOBAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. The football season was opened to-day, but not in football weather; it was too warm. Nevertheless, keen struggles were witnessed, and there is every prospect of ; an interesting reason. _ To-Hay's senior Rugby results —Christchurch beat Merivale by 82 points to 8; Linwood beat North Canterbury by 23 to 3; Old Boys beat 'Varsity by 23 to 0; Albion and Sydenham drew, 3 all.

THE LEAGUE GAME.

SERIOUS PRACTICE COMMENTS. What might be termed " the first fulldress rehearsal" for thto coming season, which opens on Saturday, April 26, was indulgod in by the different League football teams on Saturday. Owing to Carlaw Park being prepared for the opening, it was not available [or practice on Saturday, but it is to be oiwned for night practice, and all the central clubs are taking full advantage of the opportunity. The City Club, all grades, played on Victori*. P»rk> a.nd the teams will not be wanting in condition, when the whist re blows

for the owning: game." MsrLrt Brother* Old Boys snd Newton wore, *11 out on .the Doma.™, anfl some good practice- was - indulged in by all grades. Devonport, Pofisonby, and Athletic*, all report that ; their players are well forward in condition. Paraoll were on their own ground at CamplHilla Point, ma played & practice m&:;ch with ( Athletic juniors. Richmond • and Mangere United a Flayed cn their respective grounds, and Ellerslie. who enjoy the distinction of, having their own grounds and training sheds, report themselves in readiness to give more than a good account of < themselves when they oppose the Haristft on the opening day. The evergreen "Jim" Rtdpxfcai is taking a special, interest and iiride in the Mangerts Salted thirteen, and confidently expresses e opinion that his inde will not be one of the thrtee teams to drop out at the end of the first round. This team is fortunate in having such a staunch and able sponsor, and should show the ■ effects of his coaching and advice when it opposes Ponaonby on April 26. the club teams have made their As all the club teams have made their first appearance " with th% colours > up, training will go on in earnest, and it is safe to predict that the first round of the coming season will be productive of the best form of the respective teams. •: DEVONPORT UNITED CLUB. • A special meetipg of ' the Devenport United Football Club will .be held in Ford's tea rooms. Devonport, this evening. The presentation of caps to the fourth grade team will be made s WELLINGTON V. CHRISTCHURCH. [By TELEGAAFH. —PBESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Sunday. The following is the Rugby League football team picked to play against Christchuroh:—Backs, W. Smith, S. Town send, J. Ryan, P. Tovey, F. Ward, P. Webster, Thorpe; forwards, J. Birt, Bell, C. Brown, J. Kmley, F. Gregory, H. Walker, & - ■; GAMES IN CHRISTCHURCH. [BY TELEGILAFH. —PBJESd ' ASSOCIATION. ] CHRISTCHITRCH. Saturday. The following are the results of the Rugby League football matches played to-day:— Hornby beat Woolston by 39 to 5; Addington beat Sydenham, by 17 to 10; Marists beat Linwood by 33 to 3.