LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19500, 8 June 1925, Page 11

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

TRIAL MATCH. The first of the South Island trial matches under the League code was played on the Oval on Saturday afternoon with a view to selecting local players who will form part of the team to play with the West Coast representatives against Canterbury at Christchurch on Saturday next. After this match the South Island team will bo selected to play against a North Island team at Auckland on Juno 27, when the Now Zealand team of 22 players will be selected to tour Australia. The team will leave Auckland on July 5, playing its first match against New South Wales at Sydney on July 11. In connection with the Queensland matches, about the playing of which there seems to be some doubt, the hitch apparently is on account of the Queensland League wanting to deduct from the total gate receipts 15 per cent, ground fees and gatekeepers" wages before dividing the balance 50-50. There are seven other matches’to bo played by the New Zealand team while on tour independent of the Queensland matches. There was a large attendance at Saturday’s trial match, and the spectators were treated to a fast and frequently spectacular game. Many of the players showed a vast improvement on their previous efforts, while it was also noticeable that the players showed a better knowledge of the rules than in previous games this season. Mr Hardingham, the South Island selector, was present. The Colours caught the Blues napping within a minute or two of the commencement of play, when O’Connor scored after a fine piece of passing between Prescott and M'Kay. 'The last-named converted. The Blues immediately rushed play downfield, and after loose play on the line Ocmnolrv scored. It is attempt at goal failec. Shortly afterwards O’Malley cut in, and O’Connor scored again. Eckhoff converted. Cameron intercepted a pass by the (colours, and gained ground with a strong kick, but the Colours’ rearguard transferred play to the other end of the; ground. A forcedown relieved the position. M Ka-y niade several fine openings, which put his side on the offensive. Donnelly intercepted a pass -and raced for the line, but his was mulled Thomas later sent the ball out to Potter, and the ex-Southland representative scored. Watson failed to convert. Jacobs almost scored as the resuL of clover play, but the Blues livened up, chiefly through the initiative of Cameron. There was a spell of play in midfield, m which bad handling and hard tackling lost the Colours several scoring chances. Loonier broke away with the ball at. his feet, enabling O’Connor to score again in a good position. Eckhoff added the extra points. C’Connor fielded a free kick and again scored Clydesdale made a spectacular run, but he hold on to the ball too long, and spoilt a good chance. The score at halftime was: Colours 18, Blues 6. Play was fast and spectacular on resuming Prescott put in a smart run, and then sent the ball to O’Malley, who .scored a splendid try. Eokhoff again converted. Clydesdale securer! the ball, but sent out a wild pass to Bexar. Prescott then took a hand, and his pass also went wide. Lorimer then picked up and scored. Jhe kick at goal failed. M'Kay was again seen in action, but sent out a bad pass, and the Blues transferred, play to the other end The Colours’ forwards soon brought the ball back. Bozar made a good opening and passed to Semple, who put in a strong run. Leo, after, a run down the field, was brought down by Fraser, the Colours’ full-back. Prescott. O’Connor, and rVoasan were then associated in p, fine passiiTg movement, which ended vrith Orossan scoring at the corner. Tire try was not converted. Both sides did not slacken, in their efforts, and a few minutes before time was called Thomas scored, a.nd the final scores wore: Colours - 29 points. Blues 9 points. Mr O. Snow was referee. Mr Hardin gharri stated after the game that he considered the refereeing to bo the best ho bad over seen. H was surprised to see the knowledge the players had of the ‘‘play-the-ball” rule. II considered that two or three of the forwards would bo selected for the Now Zealand team. ' NEXT SATURDAY’S TRIAL MATCH. The following Otago players have been selected to play in the trial match at Christchurch on Saturday next between a combined Otago and West Coast team and Canterbury : —Forwards —Thomas, O’Connor, Eckhoff; half-back, Jacobs; five-eighth, Prescott; three-quarter, M‘Kay (wing). In tho event of any of the backs being unable to play, O’Malley will he included. AUCKLAND RESULTS. CPkb UMinus Pbxbs Association.! AUCKLAND, June 7. Yesterday’s League matches resulted as follows:—City 27 beat Devonport 20; Ponsonby 42 beat Newton 3; Otahuhu 2 beat Nortncoto 0; Ellorslie 9 beat Kingsland 5. CHRISTCHURCH GAMES. (Pkb Gniv-i. Puns* Association.! CHRISTCHURCH, June 7. Tho following are the results of yesterday’s matches; —Hornby 11 beat Svdenham 9; Marists 33 beat Woolston 5; Addington 23 boat Linwood 9. NEW ZEALAND TEAM’S TOUR, DISSENSION IN AUSTRALIA. Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, June 6. There i appears to be a storm brewing in Rugby League circles over tho cancellation of the Queensland portion of the New Zealand lour. Tho Queenslanders state thgt the whole tour will be cancelled if New Zealand does not agree to the terms laid down On tho other hand, tho New South Wales officials point out that the Australian Board of Control probably has no jurisdiction, as the tour is in the hands of the New Slouth Wales Rugby League, which organised it. The matter appears to have reached a deadlock. QUEENSLAND DEFEATS NEW SOUTH WALES. Press Association — By Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, June 6. (Received Juno 7, at 5.5 p.m.) At Newcastle, Queensland defeated New South Wales by 56 points to 23.