THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22704, 16 April 1937, Page 9

THE LEAGUE CODE

OPENING OF SEASON MATCHES AT CARLAW PARK MANUKAU TO PLAY RICHMOND The Rugby League season will be officially opened at Curiaw Park to-mor-row afternoon when a full series of senior preliminary matches will hO decided. It is reported that several of the teams have been strengthened and a good guide on the season's prospects should be obtained. Another series will be played to-morrow week and the championship will be commenced officially 011 May 1.

Richmond, last season's champion of champions, will meet Manukau, Inst year's championship winners, in thy principal attraction to-morrow. Richmond will be considerably strengthened by A. E. Cooke, the international, who retired last season, but has decided to play again. Manukau will field practically the same side as that last year, Homi, Pickrang and Broderick al! being available. It is doubtful whether Trevathan, who is at present in tho south, will turn out.

In tho curtain-raiser Mount Albert will try conclusions with Ponsonby. The former, which was unfortunate with regard to injuries last season, will field a strong side, while the young Ponsonby team is expected to do better with tho experienco it has gained. The chief match on the No. 2 ground will bo fought out between Marist and City. Marist will have some now members in its ranks, while City is always a hard team to beat. The curtain-raiser will bo between two strong teams in North Shore and Newton. Altogether a fine afternoon's football should bo witnessed and the form of the players will be followed with interest. All contests are expected to be keenly fought. SOUTH AUCKLAND LEAGUE ANNUAL MEETING HELD [by telegraph—own correspondent] HUNTLY, Thursday There was a good attendance at the annual meeting of the South Auckland Rugby League, held at Huntly. Tho president, Mr. R. T. Hill, of Taupiri, presided. Tho balance-sheet presented by the secretary, Mr. W. C. Davits, showed assets £2007 and liabilities £I2OS, leaving the leaguo with net assets £709. It was reported that four clubs had entered throe teams each for the ensuing year, namely, Huntly, Pukemiro, Ngaruawahia and Huntly South, and competitions would commence on April 24. lit was considered that the new grounds, which are in course of formation, should be fit for play toward the latter half of the season. Efforts were being made to erect a grandstand and proper training quarters. The following officers were elected: —President,. Mr. R. T. Hill; secretary, Mr. W. C. Davies; treasurer, Mr. H.. Jakeman; patron, Mr. R. J. Warren; vice-presidents, Messrs. A. Sutherland and J. D. Joy (Ngaruawahia), J. Malcolm and I. Kosoof (Huntly). S. Stanley and M. "Wilson (Taupiri), E. Hildebrand (Pukemiro), T, Mahuta and Iv. Martin (Huntly South); auditor, Mr. E. V. Daldy; delegate to New Zealand Rugby League. Mr. S. Farrar; delegate to New Zealand Rugby League annual meeting, Mr. R. T. Hill; property-keeper, Mr. S. Farrar; selectors, Messrs. A. Harlock, N. Mcßurnie, T. Mahuta (seniors), T. Hinton, B. Ruston, T. Bailey (juniors), F. Stevens, 8. Grooby, C. Smith (colts). Messrs. A. Rayner (Huntly) and A. Williams (Ngaruawahia) were elected life members. THE ASSOCIATION GAME OPENING OF SEASON NAVAL SQUADRONS' MATCH The official opening of the Association football season will bo held at Blandford Park to-morrow, when a special attraction in the mooting of the Australian and New Zealand naval squadron teams should provide a stirring contest. This match, which is played for the Auckland Football Association's shield, takes place when the two squadrons aro in the same port. Several matches have been played in Auckland, and also in Melbourne and Sydney, and tho New Zealand team has generally been successful. Australia has a sound team and is eager to avenge its previous defeats. An added attraction will be tho presence of the band of H.M.S. Achilles, which has been granted special permission to play during the afternoon. An early game between Thistle and Ponsonby will be played at 1.30 p.m. SPORTS GATHERINGS GYMKHANA AT WHITFORD ATHLETIC AND HORSE EVENTS The Whitford Sports Club's gymkhana was held in fine weather and in the presence of a large attendance of spectators. Following were the results: — Girls' Race, 12 years and under, 50yds.— D. -Grainger, 1; J. Maber, •_>. Boys' Race, 14 years and under. '7syds. B. Gore, 1; P. Bennett, 2. Wheelbarrow Derby, 100 yds, lady in barrow.—O. Wenzlich, 1. Married Ladies' Race, 50yds.—Mrs. J. H. Colthurst, 1; Mrs. Gordon Wiles, 2. Sintrlo Ladies' Race, 75yds.—Miss Goodacre, l; Miss G. Findlay, 2. Single Men's Race, 120yds.—Elliott, 1; Edwards, 2. Married Men's Race.—W. Killcollie, 1; J. Sutherland, 2. Tug-of-war, 5 men to a team.—R. Brownhill and C. Steele's teams, equal, 1. Pony, 13.2 and under.—McCorquindale, 1. Pony, 14.2 hands and under.—Miss Wilkie, 1; W. Killcollie, ii; O. George, 3. Champion Hack.—Miss Weston, 1; J. Sutherland, 2j J. Townsond, 3. Pony Hunter.—Miss M. Cnlford 8011, 1; W. Killcollie, 2; Miss Wilkie, 3. Pony, scurry.—W. Killcollie, 1; R. Miller, 2. Maiden Hunter.—o. Self, 1; J. Wren, 2. Gretna Green Race.—McCorquindale, I. Champion Hunter.—Mrs. P. Dixon's Nobby, 1; Mr. A. Austin's Tommy, 2; Mr. IT. Brookes' Pathfinder, 3. Open Hunter. —A. Austin, 1; J. Town- j send, 2. i Rescue Race.—McCorquindale, 1; H. Brookes, 2. Ladies' Hunter.—A. Austin, 1; Miss Shirley Watkins, 2. Consolation Hunter.—H. Brookes, 1; G. Roberts, 2; Miss S. Watkins, 3. Open Scurry.—Quinlan, 1; W. Killcollie, 2. Stockmen's Competition.—F. Franshaw, 1; J. Wren, 2. Bending Competition.—G. Guy, 1; C. Hannigan, 2. Car Bending,—J. Dixon, 1. Slow Car Race. —F. Fransham, 1; Mrs. Smith, 2.