FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18692, 24 April 1924, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

THE LEAGUE GAME. OPENING ON SATURDAY. KEENNESS OF PLAYERS. The 1924 League football season -will be opened at Carlaw Park on Saturday, when four senior matches will be played. With the exception of North Shore, which has drawn a bye, all the senior teams will be seen in action. On No. 1 ground Mangere will oppose Ponsonby at 1.30 p.m. and City will oppose Newton at 3 p.m. On No. 2 ground Marists will oppose Ellerslie at 1.30 p.m. and at 3 p.m. Athletics will meet IticEmond. The decision of the League to play two senior games, when possible, on No. 1 ground i» sure to be widely appreciated. The suggqsted inability of the senior players to attend at 1.30 should easily be overcome, for even if the old system bo reverted to, the juniors will be required to be there at 1.30 p.m., as they have done for the past three years. They consider it is only fair to ask the seniors to make a little sacrifice with them, in order to entertain the early attender. Charlie Purdy, the New Zealand Olympic boxing representative, who left Auckland last Saturday, was a member of ■ the Marists Club. He was entertained by his club mates at the Queen's Hotel on Friday and presented with a travelling outfit.

F. Turner,/ the brilliant Marist forward, will not be seen in action this season owing to business reasons. W.) Somers, the Newton forward, showed plenty of dash at practice on Saturday. R. Stack, who came from the junior ranks last year and gained representative honours, will again be in the Newton pack, second row, this season. Good Form at Practice. W. Ghent, the brilliant Marist half, showed particularly « good form in the practice match last Friday. Ghent will again b<3 behind the green's pack this season. B. Davidson, the City threequarter, is brilliant. In the practice match on Friday he demonstrated his speed and elusiveneiss. He and his speedy brother George made several sensational runs, oach ending with a score. With these two as the wings, and supported by a good centre, the City's threequarter line will be as strong as ever. 0. Poison, the Newton half, retains hie dash. He will probably lead the red and whites this season. Poison is the best defensive half in the game. Marists have discovered a brilliant young player in Sweeney, who played first five-eighth in the practice game on Friday. He is fast and resourceful and should be Marists' best back throughout the season.

L. Williams, a recent junior, will piay wing three-quarter for Newton. In the Sorenson Bros. Newton have two players from whom great things are expected. One is a five-eighths with recent form to recommend him, and the other, who scales 14 stone and has represented Bay of Plenty, will be a decided acquisition to the pack. M. Flynn, who recently returned from Sydney, will again take the field for City. He was playing both halfback and wing threequarter on Friday, but he will probably bo in the position of fullback when the team takes the field, as C. Mitchell, the City half, was in the team at practice "and will probably again be seen in his old position. W. Kirkland, the young wing tnreequarter, who played the early part of last season' for Athletics, will fill the same place for Marists this season, txo is showing improved form and his brilliant pace points to him being Marists' best scoring back. No line can be obtained as to the personnel of the City pack, as not one took the field for the practice match on Friday, but with players like Thomas, Mackie, Hawkes, Townsend and Co. to choose from, the team will not be lacking in strength in this department. Grant, fripm Wairarapa, and Cook, late of Ponsonby, will be included in the pack for Marists. Marists Promote Juniors.

Marists are making a bold experiment this season by playing a largo number of juniors and new talent in their senior team. Only about five of the players of two seasons ago will take the field this season. This experiment is all for the good of the game and Marists should receive reward for their enterprise. City has always followed this practice, with satisfactory results. Duncan Thompson, the celebrated Sydney back, whose disqualification last year caused such a sensation in league circles and who stated publicly that ho intended to retire from the game, in playing for Towoonsba (Queensland) this season. When the Queensland team is picked to play New South Wales he will be a decided acquisition to the side. W. Walshe, the popular halfback for Ponsonby, is at present out of town and may not be available for Saturday. In this case Ponsonby can) fall back on their last year's five-eight, McClure. F. DelgroSfeo, the Ponsonby threequarter, who was injured in the latter part of last season, has recovered, and will take the field on Saturday. Should Ponsonby play F. Wilson, a junior, a* wing threequarter, Delgrosso will probably play centre threequarter. J. Littlewood will again ho seen on th« wing for Ponsonby. Phis player is as keen as ever and in perfect condition. He will have few superiors in the wing position this year.

New Blood in Athletics The Athletic Club are starting off th» season with new blood in both the administrative and playing department*. Efforts are being made to secure the eer-; vices of their old sterling forward, wert Avery. Included in their ranks will bo Herring, Yardley, Nicholson WilsonHall, Dufty, Lee, Nixon, Miller and Graham. , . . J, Woolley is a new player in the senior ranks of Athletics and will PJ"9* bablv play wing three-quarter. If this player takes his football a little more seriously good judges predict representative honours for him this season. Hettit, an old Rugby player of standing has thrown in his lot with Athletics and will be seen in their back row on Sa McKenzie, who captained Richmond last year, will probably don the jersey for Athletics on Saturday, if his transfer i to the Athletic Club is granted this week.

management committee. The Management Committee of the Auckland Rugby League met last evening, Mr. W. J. Hammill presiding. ' it was decidted to make the usual grant of £5 6s to the Poppy D.ay Fund. Arrangements were put in band tor a match against a Canterbury team on May The committee reßolved that an application The committee resolved that an application from Lower Waikato for a match 'with the senior team which draws thfe bye on May 3 and 10. be left m the hands of the ° A "transfer from City to Newton was c-nnted to R. Callaghan. also one to A. Williams from Ponsonby to Ellerslie U lt, l was resolved that the number of vicepresidents' tickets for junior clubs be extended to 20.. . jr.. The usual invitation was issued to the inmates of the Evelyn Firth Home and T.B. huts, to atttend the matches. It was decided that the Mangere club's colours he registered green and black. SATURDAY'S FIXTURES. Seniors. —Carlaw Park, No. 1 ground: 1.30, Ponsonby v. Manpreife. Mr. Gallagher; a p.m., Newton v. City, Mr. L. Bull. No. 2 ground: 1.80, Marist Old . Boys v. Ellerslie, Mr. T. Hill; 3 p.m.. Richmond v. Athletics, Mr. W. Ripley. Second Grade.Marist Old Boys v. City, at Domain, No. 2, 3 p.m., Mr. A. Carlaw; Devonport v. Ellerslie, Victoria Park. 3 p.m., Mr. Clayton: Ponsonby v. Manukau, Manukau. No. 1,'3 p.m., Mr. A. Saunders; Mangere v. Newton, Mangerc, No. 1, 3 p.m..

Mr. Lupton; Otahuhu v. United Suburbs, Otahuhu, No. 1, 3 p.m., Mr. Taylor; - Athletic® v, Richmond, Richmond, 3 p.in, Mr, MeCowatt. i Third —Mangere v. Devonport, Domain, No. 1. 3 p.m., Mr. Nield; Victoria Cruising Club v. City, Grey Lynn Park, 8 p.m., Mr. Hemming; Point Chevaliea ▼. Athletics, Point Chevalier, 3 p.m., Mr. Ooolan; New Lynn v. Marist, New Lynn, 8 p.m., Mr. Burgeiia; Coromandel v. Manukau, Manukau. No. 3, 3 p.m., Mr. E. Bovaird; Parnfell v. Kinsrsland A, Parnell, 3 p.m., Mr. Dempsey; Ponaonby v. Otahuhu, Otahuhu, No. 2, 3 p.m., Mr. Francis. Fourth Grade.Parnell v. Ponaonby B. Domain, No. 1, 2 p.m.. Mr. Neild; Mariut Old Boys ▼. Ponaonby A, Domain, No. 2, 2 p.m., Mr. T. Avery; City v. Manukau, Manukau, No. 1, 2 p.m., Mr. Saunders! United Suburbs v. Takapuna, Birkenhead, 3 p.m., Mr. Mullarvey; Newton v. Mangere, Outer Domain, 3 p.m., Mr. McNamara; Devonport v. Richmond. Devonport, 3 p.m., Mr. Rogfers. Fifth Grade.—Northcotc v. New Lynn, Victoria Park, 1 2 p.m.. Mr. Bell; Point Chevalier v.- Athletics, Grey Lynn, 2 p.m., Mr. Hemming; Devonport v. Newton, Devonport, 2 p.m., Mr. Rogers; Richmond v. Manukau, Manukau, No. 2, 2 p.m., Mr. E. Bovaird; Otahuhu v. Marist Old Boys, Ot«vhuhu. No. 1, 2 p.m.. Mr. Taylor. Sixth Grade A. —Ponsonby v. Marist Old Boys, Gutter Domain, 2 p.m., Mr. MoNamara; City B v. Newton. Point Chevalier, 2 p.m.. Mr. A. Coolan: Parnell v. Devonport, Parnell, 2 p.m., Mr. Dempaey; Athletics v. City A, Ellerslie Course, 2 p.m., Mr. Pullen; Manukau v. Richmond, Mansere. No. 1, 2 p.m., Mr. Lupton. Sixth Grade B.—Manukau v. Ellerslie, Otahuhu, No. 2, 2 p.m.. Mr. Francis; Rich mond v. City, Domain. No. 1, 1 p.m.. Mr. R. A. Bovaird; Parnell v. Athletics, Domain, No. 2, 1 p.m., Mr. Mitchem; Ponsonby v. Marist Old Boys, Outer Domain, 1 p.m., Mr. J. Clarke. Senior fixtures for Saurday, May 3, are: l No. 1, Carl aw Park, 3 p.m . City v. Marist Old Bovs; No. 2, Carlaw Park, 3 p.m., Newton v. Ponsonby; Domain, 3 p.m., Richmond v. Mangere; Devonport, 3 p.m., Devonport v. Ellerslie. TEAMS FOR SATURDAY. Senior teams for Saturday are:—* Mangore United. — Lipscombe, Rewha, Paul, Tutaki, Hapi. (2), Digger, J. Wilson, Wilson, Jun., 3. Wilson, Ansell, Lipscombe, Roberta (2), N. Wilson, J. Pai, T. Pai, C. Paul, Peter. Ponsonby United.V. Fagan, A. Pooley, D. Moore. A. Moore, L. Ward, R. Larson. L. Wilson, S. Lowry.J. Peckham, W. MoNeill, W. McClure, H. Cole, F. DelgTosso, C. E. Grey, and I. Littlewood. THE RUGBY GAME. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS The Management Committee of the Auckland Rugby Union met last evening, the chairman, Mr. H. Frost, presiding. _ Considerable discussion took place in conruction with the case of L, Knight, a member of Grammar Old Boys senior team last year, who wrote that he had been temporarily transferred to Hamilton, but was coming back to Auckland in about three weeks, and asked to bo allowed to play on Saturday. The matter was before the committee last week, when it was decided that Knight should, make a personal application, but the railway strike prevented _ this. It was decided that he should be eligible to play for Grammar Old Boys from the opening of the season. The Grammar Old Boys' Club also asked for a .ruling as to the eligibility of H. E. Bridgers, another member of last season's senior team, who was teaching in the Franklin district, but intended to come to Auckland each Saturday to play. Members of the committee who would be at Eden Park on Saturday were empowered to deal with the case Th committee granted the transfer of B. Palmer a resident of the Manukau subunion district, to Ponsonby seniors, the subunion having agreed to the transfer. Several applications were received for reinstatement m the Rugby , Union gome. Mr. J. Potter, the primary schools delegate, reported that four seven-a-side schoolboy teams would play "curtain-raisers" to the senior match on No. 1 ground at Eden Park on Saturday. The schoolboys' games will commence) at 1.45 p.m. Messrs. M. Kronfeld. J. Boggs, and H. Thomas .were appointed referees for the seven-a-side games. The Auckland Marist Old Boys Club forwarded a report on the club's meeting in connection with the dispute between the Canterbury Rugby Union and the Christchurch Marist!! Old Boys Club. The committee agreed to forward to the New Zealand Union, without comment, two resolutions passed tit the. club's, meeting. The Taranaki Rugby Union wrote agreeing to the date. September 13. arranged for the Auckland-Taranaki match at Taranaki, and the Wanganui Union agreed to Sep- . tember 10 as the date of the AucklandWanganui match. No practice matches will be played at Eden Park on Saturday.

FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY. The following grounds were allotted for senior grade matches, to be played on Saturday und4» Hhe Auckland Rugby Union:— First Section.—Grammar Old Boys v. Grafton, Eden Park No. 1. 3 p.m., Mr. F. E. Sutherland: College Rifles v. Marist Old Boys, Eden Park No. 3, Mr. W. J. Meredith: Ponsonby v. University, Victoria Park No. 1, 3 p.m., Mr. F. Paul. Second Section.—King's Old Boys v. North Shore, North Shore, 3 p.m., Mr. Peace; Newton v. Suburbs, Eden Park No. 2, 8 p.m., Mr, A. Y. Miller.

TEAMS FOR SATURDAY. The following teams have been, selected for senior grade matches to bo played on Saturday under the auspices of the Auckland Rugby Union: FIRST SECTION. Marist Old Boys: E. O'Connor, H. O'Connor. J. Kirwan, J. Loft, T. O'Brien, F. Herring, E. Earlly. C. Anderson, R. Casey, H. Peters, F. Rauch, E. McGinley, L. Culpan, F. Cotter, C. Twining, H. MacDonald. Heffornan. Foley, Stitchbury. Culpan. Grammar Old Boys: G. Goodacre, N. Ifwersen, B. Badeley. Williams, K. Ifwerson, C. Badeley, Wright, Arnold, Taylor, Gould. Goodacre. L. McLean. Lintott. L. Knight, Bridgens, Burns, A. Knight. R. McLean, Smith. SECOND SECTION. North Shore: W. .White. A. McKellar, Wautrh, J R. Miller, S. Rykers, L. Seagar, Bartley. H. Jaggs. Boswell, .M. Grant. D. Fairgray. Parore. M. Reid, A. McFarlane, Darrogh, MoAnallyr Hobby, Hansen. t King's Old Boys.—J. Sheen. Hosking. Dalton, Charter, Miller, Lacey. Cox F. Heard, Walker, Tremble, T. Heard, Maxwell Gil,more. Adams. Swanson, Gribble. Eddowo, Mitchell, Teape. MATCH AT KING'S COLLEGE. The following players have been chosen for King's Old Boys # second grade team in ft match against King's College at Middlemoro on Saturday afternoon: Lambe. Fountain. 'Andrews, Rathbone, McCallum, Jackson, Fenwick. Buchanan, Blomfield, Ranger. Brett, Lav/ford, Harland, Bull, Findlayson. Lockhart, Thomas, Anderson, Eady, Stewart. GROUNDS FOR PRACTICE GAMES. Grounds for Rugby practice matches on Saturday have been allotted as fol^ws: — Showgrounds: No. 1, 1 p.m.. Grammar Old Boys; 2.15 p.m., Grey Lynn; 3.50 p.m., United No. 2; 1 p.m., Gordon; 2.15 p.m., Marathon; 3.30 p.m., Marathon, No. 3; 2.15 p.m., Post and Telegraph; 3.30 p.m.. Grafton. UNIVERSITY CLUB. ' The University fyigby Football Club will hold a final practice at Victoria Park at 4 p.m. to-day. RANFURLY SHIELD. HAWKE'S BAY ATTITUDE. WILL PLAY ONLY AT HOME. [by telegraph.—press association.] HASTINGS, Wednesday. Hawke's Bay Rugby Union officials deny the Wellington report that the union will not play Wellington for the Ranfurly Shield this season. The fixtures for the shield are already drawn up. and include Wellington. The union, however, will not travel with the shield this season, but is prepared to meet all-comers on it 3 own ground.