LEAGUE FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25324, 4 October 1945, Page 7

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

NORTH PLAYS SOUTH KEEN CONTEST EXPECTED A special attraction to followers of League football in Auckland will be the match at Carlaw Park on Saturday afternoon between teams representing the north and south parts of New Zealand. This contest has usually been played between sides chosen from the North and South Islands. On this occasion, however, the South team is more mixed, as it includes players from Canterbury, West Coast and Wellington.

The South team has arrived in Auckland and has been indulging in intensive training. The visiting side includes no fewer than nine players from the West Coast. The latter province has had a remarkably fine record this season having lost to Auckland by a single point in a match at Carlaw Park toward the end of August, but having nince inflicted heavy defeats upon Canterbury and Wellington. * . The selectors of the South team are conndent that tbev have chosen the best team to visit Auckland for some years. They have concentrated on this occasion upon obtaining effective combination among the backs. Hence the choice of only two backs outside the West Coast. One is C. Davidson, of Canterbury, a well-known veteran, and H. Mallirtder, of Wellington. Davidson will be on the wing and Mallinder at halfback.

Inclusion of Mallinder Auckland critic® consider that Mallinder must be good to gain preference over Ord (West Coast) and L. Brown (Canterbury) the latter having been a member of the 1939 New Zealand side to go to England. McNaughton. first five-eighths will be representing -south tor the first time, but he has shown perfect understanding with the Mountford brothers throughout the season. Cecil Mountford is regarded by southern critic.s as being the equal of the best, five-eighths the game has produced in New Zealand. The fullback. Soster. tfi only 'JO years of age, but he is in a class of his own in the south. Stenhouse. a 19-year-old _ winger, has Impressed the selectors with his speed and sound tackling, and he has been placed on the opposite wing to B. Nordgren. the fast Aucklander. The South forwards are a rugged set. and they include four players weighing over 15sl On" the form he displayed at Carlaw Park against Auckland. Newton (West Coast) is one of the finest forwards seen for years. Another forward considered to be up to international standard is P. Smith (Canterbury). Aynsley. the hooker, is regarded as a find in this position. Aynsley. Moses and K. Mountford will he representing the-South for the first time. Moses is Wellington's outstanding forward, while Mountford is looked upon as the most versatile player in the team.

Few Surprise Selections There arc few surprises in the selection of the North team. J. Smith, the fullback, had to prove that he had not. lost his form while overseas, although there was a good deal of surprise at his getting preference over Clarke, the Auckland representative. B. Nora gren has proved himself the most _ prolific scoring winger the game fcas seen. Not only has he speed and general brilliance, but his goal-kicking has been a wonderful asset to his club team, Ponsonby. Kav the centre is another who is perhaps lucky" to be included. However, he ifi always very' fit and depends upon attack to win matches for his team. Kelly, who has been chosen as a winger, usually plays at centre. He has fully justified his inclusion. K. Clarke, five-eighths, has proved the player in this position in Auckland, and his selection was practically a foregone conclusion. L. Allen, the South Auckland halfback, must have played well last week to gain the selectors' preference over Reiiiiie. of Richmond, and Stirling, of North Shore. The North Island forwards will meet with solid opposition. Pita Birinui has been included. much to the satisfaction of hie exporters. He is looked upon as the best forward in the code. Hardwick and Ryan have both been playing exceptionally well. Hambleton (South Auckland) is only 20 years of age, but he has shown promise of developing into a high-grade forward. Rutherford is the choice as" hooker, but he must have had a serious rival in Thomaesen, of Mount Albert. G. Moyes (South Auckland), who was chosen as back row man, is suffering from indisposition, and his place will be taken by F. James, of the City club. The teams will be as follows i 1 -—

The Opposing Teams North. —Fullback, J. Smith; threequarters, B. Nordgren, A. Kay, J. Murray, P. Kelly; halfbacks, R. Clarke, L. Allen; forwards. A Hambleton, J. Rutherford, D. Ryan. P. Ririnui, T. Hardwick, F. James. Reserves: Back, I Stirling; forward N. Johnson. South. —Fullback. J. Soster (West Coast); threequarters C. Davison (Canterbury), W. Mount ford, A. Stenhouee (West Coast); fiveeighths J. McNaughton, C. Mountford (West Coast); halfback, H. Mallinder (Wellington); forwards P. Smith (Canterbury). R. Aynsley, J; Newton, K. Mountford. C. Mcßrade (West Coast). F. Moses (Wellington). Reserves: Back, R. Brown (Canterbury); forward, A. Gillman (Canterbury), ASSOCIATION GAMES The control board of the Auckland Football Association received a challenge last evening from Whenuapai to Philomel for the Munro Services Challenge Cup. This was accepted and it was agreed to stage the game on Labour Day if suitable to both teams. The H.M.S. Undaunted team applied for a match and it was agreed to oppose this Navy side with an Auckland colts' team as a curtainraiser to the Munro Challenge Cup game. It was resolved to play the winner of the third intermediate champion of champions game against a junior Pukemiro team as a curtain-raiser at Blandford Park on October 20. Fixtures for Saturday.—Falcon Cup semifinal: Philomel v. Comrades, Blandford Park, 3 p.m., Mr R. Lalley. Second grade final: Onehunga v. Eastern Suburbs, Blandford Park, 1.30 p.m., Mr J. Hitchens. Third intermediate champion of champions: Thistle v. Eastern Suburbs, Blandford Park, noon, Mr V. Butler.

AMATEUR SNOOKER Auckland Championship.—Matches last evening ■ resulted: —M. Astrella beat S. August, 33 —41, 54 —51. 37 —35; I. Erceg beat C. Steneesen, fifi —31, 53—40. The games for tonight are:—W. Carson r. T. Garforth, R. Baker v. G. Whitmore. ELDERLY WOMAN'S DEATH EVIDENCE AT INQUEST An inquest was held by the city coroner, Mr A. Addison, yesterday into the death of Miss Mary Frances O'Learv, aged 71, who died at her home at 126 Balmoral Road, Mount Eden, on August 8. Evidence was given by deceased's niece, Nancy Helena Falls, that she had lived with her aunt for the past five years. They had been very happy together and there had never been any quarrels. Miss O'Lcary had been in bed for three days before her death suffering from a cold and witness obtained a bottle of cough medicine for her from a chemist.

"I kept the bottle of medicine on a ledge in the kitchen," continued witness. "At 6.30 p.m. on August 8 1 made up the usual dose of medicine, a dessert spoon to a small glass of water, and took it to my aunt in her bedroom. Just after T left her room she knocked on the wall. 1 went back to her and she said she was going to he sick. "I went to the kitchen to get a glass of water and then noticed that there were two bottles on'the window ledge, one on each side. On examining the bottles, I found one contained cough medicine and the other nicotine sulphate. I then thought I may have given my aunt nicotine sulphate by mistake, but 1 did not smell nicotine. T cannot remember which bottle 1 took the medicine from."

A verdict that the cause of death was nicotine poisoning through the deceased being given a dose of nicotine sulphate in mistake for cough medicine was returned l>v the coroner.

TEACHERS APPOINTED The following appointments of teachers were authorised by the Auckland Education Board yesterday.Head Teachers.—Mr W. E. Donnelly, Ponsonbv; Mr H. Blackburn, M.A.. Mangapehi. Sole Teachers.—Mr A. Mills, M.A., Mangapai; Mr J. H. Elliott, Awaroa Bridge; Mr A. E. W. Day, Mangaotaki. Assistant Teachers. —Mr A. J. Flatt, Whifiora: Mr L. \V. Turner, Devonport; Mr K. McCarthy, Te Kuiti District High; Mr E. A. K. Lee. Te Pa pa pa. Infant Mistress—Miss L. E. Chell. Mount Maunganui. Senior Assistant. Mistresses.—Mrs M. E. Stobart, Remuera; Mrs D. D. Bowie, 8.A., Kaikohe District High. Assistant Mistresses.—Miss G. M. Phillips, Henderson; Miss L. I. Jamieson, Tanpiri; Mrs E. C. Abel. Three Kings; Mrs V. J. E. Rhodes, Te Pa pa pa; Miss U. M. Jenkin, Benneydale; Miss E. P. Longley, Kiwitahi, Miss E. M. Leaf, Maropiu; Miss M. T Cleary, Motuknraka; Miss M. Wilson. Ntrakuru; Miss M. E. Knox, Ruawai District High; Miss D. J. Parker, Waimate North; Miss A. R Ryan, Clevedon; Miss L. B. M. Wrigley. Devonport; Mrs J. D. Cossar, Manngawhau; Miss L. .T. Collins. Ohaupo; Miss E. T. Goodwin, Richmond "Road; Miss B C. Nicholls, Weilsford District High.