LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20237, 23 April 1929, Page 17

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

HISTORY OF THE CODE. INCREASE IN POPULARITY. PROGRESS SINCE INCEPTION. Brief, eventful and wonderfully successful has been the history of the AucklandRugby League, which introduced the code here just 20 years ago. The game originated in t lie North of England, and was played almost exclusively in Lancashire and Yorkshire. The rapid progress of the game sinco 1903 lias placed the Auckland Rugby League in a sound position, as it possesses one of the finest football grounds in tlie Dominion. The lir.st club match in Auckland was played between Dcvonport and City at Devonport in -May, 1910.

Fiie tour of England by tlie famous I 1905 All Blacks attracted considerable j attention in the North of England, and j negotiations were started then to send a j New Zealand team to play League clubs j at their own game. It was in 1907-3 ! that the first New Zealand League team set out on tour to England, a missionary enterprises that eventually startled the athletic world. The team, which included many famous Rugby Union players, had an extraordinarily successful record. The code had never b"en played here prior to that tour, but New Zealand's athletes were keen to learn this strange game. Net. only did New Zealand win the majority of the matches, but to general astonishment it. also won "the ashes" from England in test gam us. A Ground Secured. In the following year the code was seriously started in Auckland. Matches were played at Takapuna racecourse, Eden Park and later Victoria Park, which was the Auckland Rugby League's headquarters for many years. The bright, open nature of the football appealed to Aucklanders,, and in spite of opposition the game made progress. Ii is safe to assume that the code is tirmly established in Auckland, and the attendances at club matches increase each season. For the first time the League gaino was introduced into primary schools last season, and seven teams took part in a competition. Through tlie foresight of a committee, led by Mr. .1. Carlaw. the controlling body secured a ground of its | own. When the iron fences were removed | from Victoria Park tlie officials were I forced to go elsewhere, as no ciiarge could be made for admission under I these circumstances.

During the war period the Auckland j Rugby League started negotiations with j the Hospital Board for the purchase of a j Chinese garden, situated at the foot of j Parnell rise. It was in 1920. however, that the League purchased the ground, j which was turned into a playing field, j opened in June, 1921. and named Carlaw J Park. Large sums of money have since j been spent on the property, and to-day j it is one of the finest football grounds i in the Dominion.

The growth of the code was the subject of special reference in the Auckland Rugby League's annual report of last year. Tlie number of players registered ;n 1927 was 1250, and in 1923, 15S0. Sixtv-one teams took part in the game iu 1927, and 72 in 1928. Tlie number in this season's competition has increased to 31. Championship Honours. The success of club competition games has increased the popularity of the code in Auckland. Tlie honours have been evenly distributed since City won the first recognised championship in 1910. From 1914 until 1920, the game was played regularly at, Victoria Park and crowds of 5000 saw many great matches. Tlie area immediately in front of the grandstand was roped off and each Saturday the stand was packed. During the Great War the game was carried on and although many good players left on active service young players were given a splendid opportunity 10. learn the fine points of the game. After the war the league game made remarkable progress and eight new clubs were organised in 1919. The strength of senior clubs has improved of late and three years at'o a senior B section v.-as introduced, making in all fourteen senior teams. In representative matches Auckland has been the premier province since the game first started, although there was a period about 1913-14 when Wellington and Taranaki were serious rivals. Tlie game lost its hold in these provinces and Auckland has had little difficulty in retaining the Northern Union Cup. Auckland clubs have always provided to a big extent the members of New Zealand teams and some splendid footballers have played the code overseas. Games With England. The visits of Australian and English teams have been valuable in educating local players in the finer points of the game. Against England, nineteen matches have been decided, New Zealand being successful on six occasions. Following are the results of the games nlaved:—In New Zealand; 1910, England won bv 52 points to 10: 1914. England won bv 11 to 3; 1920, England won by 31 to 7. 19 to 3, and 11 to 10: 1924, New Zealand won 13 to 11, 13 to 11, and lost 18 to 31: 1928, New Zealand won 17 to 13. lost 13 to 5, and 6to 5. In England: 1908, England won 18 to 16. 14 to 6, and lost 6 to 18, 5 to 12 and 5 to 3; 1925. England won 28 to 20, 21 to 11. and 32 to 17. The Auckland Rugby League has for many years supported local charities. The free insurance introduced in 1920 has been the means of attracting many players to the code, and last season £517 was paid to injured players. This season the Auckland League will confine its activities to club matches and there is every reason (o expect a record year. On Saturday next tlie club competition will commence. Following is the list of clubs that have been successful since the code started: —1910. City: 1911, City; 1912, Newton; 1913. North Shore; 1914, North Shore; 1915. Grafton; 1916, City: 1917. Ponsonbv; 1910, Ponsonbv; 1919. Ponsonbv; 1920. Maritime; 1921. City; 1922. Citv: 1923, Citv; 1924. Marist: 1925. City'; 1926. Ponsonbv; 1927, Newton; 1928, Devonport.

THE GAME TN ENGLAND. aucklanders in form. Advice received in Auckland recently states the coldest weather experienced in England for years has seriously affected the Northern Rugby League's foot bail competition. The ex-A tick landers with the Wigan team had gone through three weeks of an unpleasant experience. Football was difficult to play and under these conditions Wigan was beaten for the first time in 22 matches. Davidson has been successful of late, scoring nine tries in three games. Brown has met with a succession of injuries. Ho badiv damaged his shoulder against Warrington, and when fit again had the misfortune to cut his knee which required stitching. Mason has shown splendid form, and is Wigan's best forward. Wigan has hopes of taking part in the cup-tie final to be decided at Wembley.