LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18996, 18 April 1925, Page 12

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

SEASON OPENS TO-DAY. SENIOR GRADE CONTESTS. Tho Aucldand Rugby League competition will open to-day when senior grade games will bo played at Carl aw Park and at Devon port. Great interest is being manifested in the code this season, and owing to 11 teams having been entered for tho senior grade it was decided to divido the teams into two grades—A and B. Two B grade games will bo played each Saturday at Carl aw Park as curtain-raisers "to tho A grade fixtures. The chief games to-day will be City v. Ponsonby and Athletic v. Newton. Good sides will bo placed in the field by all tho teams, and judging from last season's form tho games should be full of interest and excitement. The " curtain-raisers "will bo provided by Ellerslie and Mangero and Kingsland and Northcoto. Tho two latter are new aspirants for senior honours, and both sides posseses promising material. The fixture at Devonport between Richmond and tho local team is sure to evoke considerable interest. Devonport showed consistently good form last season and made a bold bid for championship honours. Richmond improved as the season progressed, and toward its conclusion gave somo excellent exhibitions. The League's junior competitions will commenco on May 2.

AUCKLAND MARISTS TEAM.

CHRISTCHURCH WELCOME. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN' CORRESPONDENT.} CHRISTCHURCH, Friday. The Auckland Marist Brothers League team arrived in Christchurch this morning from the North, and, weather permitting, they will play Christchurch Marists at Monica Park to-morrow afternoon. They were accorded a welcome at the Royal Hotel this morning, Dr. Thacker presiding. 'lhe chairman said he hoped the game would he played to-morrow. He congratulated the visitors on winning the Auckland championship last season. Ho would like to see a North v. South match played soon, followed by a trip of at least thirty players to England. Messrs. Baker and Healey also welcomed the visitors. Mr. W. HamilJ, president of the Auckland Marist Club, traversed the history of the game in the North. They were looking forward to a good game. Messrs. Glover and W. Ghent also returned thanks.