THE ASSOCIATION GAME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21608, 28 September 1933, Page 7

THE ASSOCIATION GAME

SENIOR TEAMS NEXT YEAR REDUCTION MADE TO EIGHT 'Die question of the number of teams t» constitute the senior grade for the 1934 season, was discussed at some length by the Control Board of the Auckland Football Association last evening. A proposal by Mr. F. M. Ritchie, that the number of senior teams for next season be eight, was carried. Further suggestions by the same speaker provided for the present senior clubs acquainting the board of several matters which would guide it in defining the teams to constitute the grade. .As Thistle and North Shore United are both in the semi-final of the Falcon Cup and will meet in the championship next Saturday, it was decided, owing to the shortage of grounds, to combine the two fixtures, and the time of starting was altered to 3.15 p.m. The times of starting the two earlier games were also put forward by 15 minutes. , The Onehunga Club was granted permission to hold a charge day at the local ground on Saturday next. Letters expressing thanks and appreciation of the hospitality extended to their teams while on tour were received from the Wellington and South Auckland Associations. Permission was granted the Glen Innes senior team to travel to Hikurangi on either October '2l or 28, provided the team has not any Falcon Cup obligations to flieet. The use of Blflndford Park this afternoon was granted to teams representing the Police and Fire Brignde. The following ground officials were appointed for Saturday :—Blandford Park, Messrs. A. Fletcher and J. Ball; Onehunga. Dr. Neil McDougall; Outer Domain, Mr. G. L. Adams.

SCHOOL STEEPLECHASE EVENT AT KING'S COLLEGE FAST TIMES REGISTERED Ideal conditions favoured .the annual steeplechase of King's College, which "was run off yesterday afternoon. Only a slight breeze faced the 115 runners as they lined up before the starter in the college grounds. It hardened to a fairly strong and gusty wind as the boys were about half-way over the six miles course which lias been used aunually sinco 1923. Apart from the actual distance, the route, which follows road and field, -with a stiff piece of rough country at Self's Quarry, is a stiff _ test of the runners'); stamina. It is n tribute to the training of the boys that every runner finished, the course without showing signs of distress. Splendid times were registered, the first scratch man home, W. E. Barnard, doing the complete course in 34m 545. This is only 12s short of the recowl set up in "1928 by R. S. Browne, The winner was -A". E. Edward, who started off the 5m mark. He finished about 3Coyds ahead of his brother, N. J. Edward, and H. W. Duigan. who were both off the limit of Bm. • ■ The limit men were still leading when the course turned into Portage Road, with the scratch men, Weston, Shelmerdine and Barnard, steadily reducing the gap. The heavy going in the quarry paddock exacted its toll, and at the Double Gates the Edward brothers were leading from Duigan, Henderson. Gordon and McDell. Turning out of Henwood Road on . the home stretch along Massey Road Barnard had come through to show up in the leading ten runners. A.' E. Edward, however, had increased his lead on his challengers. Duigaii and MoDell, and his brother. The scratch men were lengthening their stride in an effort to reduce the gap, but the handicap men staved off every challenge and entered the college grounds with the nearest scratch man in eighth place. The placing# were:—A. E. Edward (sm). time, 32m, 1; H. J. Edward (8m), 33m 18s. 2: H. W. Duipan (8m). 33m 4l«, 3; R. McDell • (4m), A. M. Henderson (8m). S. P. Huywurd (7m), dead-heat, 4; N. Gordon (3m), 7; W. E. Barnard (scr), 34m 545, 8; W. F. C. Shelmerdine (scr), 9; R, J. B. Pi-acocke (scr), 10; D. Pratt (7m), 11; G. W. S. Williams (7m), 12; D. P. Winstone (3m). 13; R, R. Clark (scr), 14; F. L. Abbott (4m), 15. JACK ATJkIOUNT ALBERT The annual steeplechase of the Mount Albert Grammar School will be held this afternoon, commencing from the school grounds at 3 o'clock. EVENT AT WHAKATANE [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] WHAKATANE, Wednesday The annual steeplechase of the Whakatane District High School was held to-day in ideal weather. The course was the same as last yenr and there was a large number of entries for both junior and senior events. Results were:— Juniors.—Green, 1; J. Wheeler, 2; J. Hnultain, 3. Fastest time, T. Green.

Seniors.—H. Akroyd, 1; G. Rogers, 2; E Garaway, 3. Fastest time, A. Stewart.