LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19307, 21 April 1926, Page 16

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

PLAY STARTS ON SATURDAY. GOOD GAMES ANTICIPATED. PONSONBY AND DEVONPORT. The League football season will open on Saturday and from all appearances some good games may be exp6cted when the ball is set rolling at Carlaw Park. Early in the field, the authorities are s.nxious to give the players every opportunity to get fit beforo the departure of tho New Zealand team on July 24. The practice games fcave been well attended and many new faces will bo seen on the opening day. It. is fully expected that the season will be a first-class one. Seven nominations have been received in the A grade and an additional entry from Parnell makes a total of six teams in tho B grade. The principal game at Carlaw Park on Saturday will bo between Ponsonby and Devonport. The former team is reported to bo very strong, and it includes most of last season's players. Reports of.' Devonport's strength are very encouraging and it would occasion no surprise if they fully extend their opponents. It is pleasing to learn that B. Laing will again lead tho Devonport team, as his experience should be a decided acquisi tion. Devonport are fortunate in securing a fine player in C. Fahvasser, who is a relative of the brilliant Hawke's Bay wing of the same name. City, last year's champions, who will play Newton on No. 2 ground at Carlaw Park, again have a formidable side. Their rear division has been strengthened by tho inclusion of J. Lewis, from Pukekohe, a recruit from tho Rugby codo. He is a five-eighths and last season gained a place in the Auckland B team. G. Wade, a wing-threequarter who has pace and has shown good form in practice games, should be an asset. Little is known of tho form of the Newton team, but new players have considerably (strengthened the back divi sion. It was thought that Grafton, formerly Athletic, would have some difficulty in assembling a good sido but last Saturday many of the club's older players were in training. The addition of J. Laing behind the scrum is a welcome one for, in his best form, he is a fine player and a worthy substitute for Wilson Hall, who was halfback last season. C. Dufty will again fill tho fullback position. Grafton's game at the Domain against Richmond should be a most interesting one.