LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19924, 18 April 1928, Page 16

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

BRIGHT GAMES ANTICIPATED.

VISIT OF ENGLISH TEAM.

PROSPECTS FOR CLUB SIDES.

The 1923 League football season promises to be a year brimful of enthusiasm and activity. The visit of the English tourists in J.ily has already had a very evident stimulating effect in League circles throughout the Dominion, and the chances of New Zeaiiind players against such a strong combination are being eagerly discussed by followers of the code. Although the programme for the coming season has not yet been definitely announced, the authoritie! in control of the game are keen to give supporters the best arrangements possible. Clubs are now busy preparing for the opening of the season, which will take place next Saturday, when the Stack benefit matches will be played. Every senior grade club, as well as those in the lower grades, have been engaged during the past few weeks in training operations., which will be continued for gome time yet. The early training period is a most important featrre in the success of both players and clubs. No player can possibly hope to succeed unless he is properly fit, as Rugby League football calls for special physical fitness. Week-end Practices. A visit to the various training grounds during the week-end did not give much indication as to the strength of the teams. Ellerslie's promotion to the A section is hailed with delight in the suburban area, where it is reported that a strong thirteen will represent the club. Last season Ellerslie had little difficulty in winning the B section, and the team showed tine form at the latter end of the year. Most of last season's team will be available, while there is every likelihood of several players from other centres assisting Ellarslie.

Toward the end of the competition la3t season, Devonporl tried out Saxon, Symonds and Holmes, all promising players, who should make good shew; tigs this year. Seagar was a big success and at his best he has few equals on attack. Beattie is another player of promise who, if given < a trial at centre-threequarter, should greatly strengthen the side. Dixon, Rule, Ruby and Sadgrove are training with the intention of assisting Devonport, whose chances are favoured this season. Retirement ot Kirwan.

■ Marist is reported to have a strong combination anci several young players will be given an opportunity in senior ranks in an endeavour to win tlie grade championship —an honour the ciub gained in 1924. Baicheior, a wing-threequarter from the Rugby code, showed promise at practice, as he has the pace essontial for a scoring threequarter. ilassan, an ex-College boy, will in ali probability be the Manst halibac'i. It is doubtful if Brisbane will be seen in action as the New Zealand representative has an unsound shoulder. Knott, the tennis champion, played some excellent gimes last year, but it is understood he may not turn out on Saturday. Kirwan, who has had a successful career in representative football at both Rugby and league, has given the game best. Gregory will again be the last line of defence, and a repetition of his form last season should gain him a place in the New Zealand team.

,'ine Manst vanguard will be much the same as that of last year. Petherick, a country Rugby forward, who has reputation of being a solid serummager, has also joined up. Last Year's Wieners. Newton won the senior grade championship lust season, but its ranks Avill De weakened this year. The loss of H. Stack in the forwards, and Mclntyre, hah back, will bo seriously felt by the champions. The latter went to Australia recently, and it in doubtful if ho will return to Auckland. Somers, who is perhaps the best hooker in the game, will also be a spectator. However, the champion club is certain to have ,a wealth of talent to assist Dufty and Clarke. With one or two exceptions, Ponsonby will have the same thirteen us last season. Delgrosso and Riley may not turn out again. The former has had a long experience in the game and he is one of the most reliable backs playing club football. It is expected, however, that Delgrosso may be found leading Ponsonby when the season officially opens. Peckham, Gardiner and Usher will again the Ponsonby team. Ponsonby had a good pack at the latter end of the season and with more experienco it should do even better this year. Prentice will again be the pivot of Richmond's attack. At the latter end of last season, Prentice suffered considerably from -a badly-broken nose. During the summer months, however, a successful operation was performed and no more trouble is expected from tho injury. The team will, in ah probability, be the same as previously, except that Telford, who crave promise among the forwards, left last week for Sydney with the intention of playing there.

Wetherill's Intentions. City will have a number of new players in its team jon Saturday. At least four new backs will be included in the thirteen. Crouch gave a good impression behind the scrum in a recent practice. He played well last year for the Sydenham Club, Christchurch. Iverson is a Rugby Union five-eighths from Parnell who is fast and daring on attack. Ryan played football at the Thames last year and is said to be a good five-eighths. Two juniors, Barchard and McLaughlin, will also be given an opportunity. If present intentions are carried out, M. Wetherill will not be playing for City. His loss will be a severe one, not only to the City Club but. to the game, generallv; for it looked certain that Wetherill would lead the New Zealand team against England. Mahon and Humby are a pair of likely-looking forwards, and the return to the came of J. Mitchell will undoubtedly strengthen City, ffadley, a brother of the Rughv All Black, will acain don the jersev. There is a possibility that another brother may also be plavine on Saturday.

AM BLACKS' MATCHES.

APPLICATIONS FOR SEATS.

An item of the greatest interest to Rugby enthusiasts is the decision of the union to issue season tickets at popular prices, i.e., 35s for admission to >the grandstand, and 17s 6d for admission to tho ground and popular side, says a Johannesburg payer. These tickets will carry privileges entitling the holders to all local competitions, visiting sides (other than from overseas) and interprovincial games, but will not admit them to the New Zealand games. They will, however, carry the privilege of preemptive or prior rights to book seats for the New Zealand matches for at least a fortnight before the booking opens to the general public. The holder of a grandstand season ticket will have the right to book two seats, and the holder of a popular side ticket the right to book one.

The union hopes shortly to be in a position to inaugurate its booking the New Zenland mntches and is at present considering the drafl plans. Applications for blocks of seats have been received from all over South Africa. An official announcement will shortly be made on the matter.