ENGLISH LEAGUE TOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18771, 26 July 1924, Page 11

ENGLISH LEAGUE TOUR.

MATCH AGAINST AUCKLAND. GREAT CONTEST EXPECTED. TEAMS FOR TO-DAY'S MATCH. -The English -Rugby League touring representatives will meet the Auckland League representatives to-day at Carlaw Park. An exceptionally strong side has been chosen by the visitors, notwithstanding that two of their cleverest backs— Bacon and Hurcombe—are unable to take the field owing to injuries sustained in, Australia. The Auckland side is a Ecund combination that should thoroughly test the powers, of the visitors. The majority of thf> players have represented Auckland on previous occasions, and have been well tried, both in attack and defence. It is interesting to recall that the only defeat sustained by the English team of 1920 was administered by Auckland. In fairness to that fine team it must also be reroembeared that the visitors on ..that occasion were handicapped by the los 3 of a brilliant halfback, J. Rogers, whose leg was broken early in the gama As the English League does not allow injured players to be replaced the team played ouiy 12 men against, 13 kk 'the greater part of the game. At a meeting of the Auckland Council last ayneing it was decided to adopt the English interpretation of. two of the League rules in to-day's match. No will be aliowedto be kicked from a mark, as previously a'.lo.wed by the Auckland League j and in the case ol a player who is running, passing the ball forward, it being taken bv a membeir of his own side, the decision will be for a scrum and not for a free kick, as previously allowed. Two curtain raisers to the representative game will be played, the first starting at 12.30 pirn, Following are the teams:—■ ' ENGLAND, Fullback.—-Knapman. Thi , eequartera.~-Ring, Howley, Carr, Evans, or Ri*. ;'. Halves.—-Whitty, Mooney or Parkin. lS'orwardß.~-Burge3s, Bennett, Cunliffe, Darwell, Price, Gallagher. AUCKLAND. Fallback.—Gregory (M.0.8.). Threequarters,-—B. Davidson (Oity), Brisbane (M.0.8.), Delgrosso (Ponsonby). Five-eighths.—Wetherill (City), Dufty (Athletic). ' ' Half,—Poison (Newton). Forwards.—W. Stormont (M.0.8.K Townsend (City), Herring (Athletic), Gardiner (M.0.8.), Avery (Athletic), Bass (City). . ■' Reserves.—Forwards: McDonald (City), Douglas (Devonport), Somers (Newton), Backs: Brown (City), Lang (Mi 0.8.); Crewther (City). Mr. L. Bull will be the referee. OIVIG WELCOME TO VISITORS. GATHEEINQ AT TOWN HALL. The English team was accorded a civic welcome yesterday. There was a large gathering at the Town Hall, the concert chamber being unable to accommodate all who attended. In the absence of the Mayor, ; Sir James Gunson, who was visiting. Wellington, the Deputy-Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon, on behalf ;of the citizens, extended to the visitors a cordial welcome to Auckland. Mr. Baildon congratulated the team on retaining the "ashes" in Australia, but considered they had made a mistake in bringing them to the Dominion, The president of : the New Zealand League, Mr. J. Carlaw, had a keen eye on the anhes, and would spare no effort to keep them here. Referring to the , progress of the League code in Auckland Mr..;. Baildon said that though the game ;had only been started in 1908, there were now 94 teams playing the game; there nine teams in the i senior grside competition. The game was also making good progress in Aher centres, as waa indicated by the fast that the Canterbury League had recently acquired a park of 33 acres In Christchurch. The Auckland League had, in Carlaw Park, one of the best football grounds in the province. Though the English League had Bent four teams to New Zealand since 1908 only one Dominion League team had visited England, added Mr. Baildon. He hoped the New Zealand League would be able to' send a team to return the:Jwesent visit. . The games of the English-team in the Dominion ware being looked forward to with great interest, Carlaw Park was noted for large gates, and he trusted that the first game against Auckland would attract a record attendance: May the best team win, coijcluded Mr. Baildon. Mr. J. Carlaw, president of the New Zealand League, and Mr. D. W, McLean, vice-president, also extended a hearty welcome to the"visitors. Mr. Carlaw said he had visions of sending a New Zealand team to England next year and looked to the good offices of the managers of the English team to make it an established fact. It was difficult to over-estimate the immense amount of that resulted from such visits. Sport was a great asset to the Ernpire and it should be used to ceinent the bonds of friendship between Britain and the Dominions. Replying on behalf Of the team, Mr. J. H. Dannatt expressed appreciation of the cordial welcome. The English Leiigue authorities realised that the game was W its infancy in the Dominion- and they desired to foster ..it. rHe hoped that a New Zealand League'team would be sent to England within the next year wr two. He could not assure them that an; invitation would be extended to New Zealand next year. The '; Australians had already asked for an Invitation next yeax' and that would have to be considered. Mr E. Osborne, secretary-manager of the tearn, said he was sure the games in the Dominion would be played in the true sprirtirig spirit. Football should help to make citizens who would play the game both on and off the field. That remark could be applied to all the New Zealawders who had plavsd in England. Mr. Osborne spoke highly of the attractions of Auckland and its wonderful harbour. He was sure -that members of the team would return with many happy memories of their stay in New Zealand, Mr. J. Parkin, the visiting captain, Raid he had heard great reports of the form of the Auckland players. He had vivid recollections of the last time he had played against Auckland when the English team was beaten. If the Auckland men had improved on, that form the contest this vear should be a stirring one. Chests for the visitors and the DeputyMayor;'concluded the ceremony. ,