LEAGUE

Otago Witness, Issue 3830, 9 August 1927, Page 52

LEAGUE

TOUR OF NEW ZEALAND. INVITATION TO SYDNEY CLUB. SYDNEY, August 2. The invitation by the Auckland Rugby League to a Sydney club' team to tour New Zealand was referred by the New South Wales Rugby League to the affiliated bodies. Mr Lewthwaitc, the Australian representative on the English Board of Control reported on the proposal for an Imperial Board of Control, with delegates from Australia and New Zealand, stating that it had been rejected by the parent body. RESIDENTIAL QUALIFICATION. DOMINION PROTEST SUPPORTED. LONDON, August 1. “There can be little wonder at the suggestion of the hosts to cancel the Rugby Leagues visit to Australia and New Zealand,’’ says the Athletic News, in publishing the Australian and New Zealand protest against- the removal of the residential qualification. It says:—“lt is not a squeal, but a firm, dignified protest coming from a treasured section of the Empire, and the action cannot fail to have a damaging effect now both here and in Australia and New Zealand. The English clubs have a free trade which will mean that there is a price to be paid for every tour, consisting of overseas’ players being tempted to join the English organisation.” SATURDAYS’MATCHES. The weather was fine, but cold, for the football matches on Saturday. The Caledonian Ground, on which the two senior matches were played, was in good condition, and was not much the worse for wear at the end of the day’s play. Pacific were unable to put a full team in the field against Christian Brothers, but they made a good stand against strong opposition for a long time. The Greens, however, proved their superiority in the second spell, and finished up with a margin of 13 points in their favour, Pacific tailing to score. gin of 13 points in their favour.

The game between Athletic and City was one of the best seen in Dunedin this season. It was keenly contested all the time, aqd the ball was thrown about with great freedom. The City team has improved very much in the last few weeks, and now ranks as one of the strongest combinations in the code- The CiV forwards beat their opponents for possession of the ball in the scrums, and as a result the speedy Athletic backs did not get many chances. City held their owu in good style, and Athletic were rather fortunate in emerging from the contest with a draw, the scores being 8 points each. POSITIONS OF THE TEA?,IS.

The following table show- the positions of the teams in the senior competition:—

IN OTHER CENTRES. AUCKLAND GAMES. Ponsonby 31, Grafton Athletic 7. CHRISTCHURCH MATCHES. Marist 24, Woolston nil. Addington 27, Sydenham 16. Waimariri 16, Hornby 5.

P. W. L. D. Pts. Cup For. Agst.Pts Athletic 12 11 0 1 ‘■X >r i 59 23 Christian Brothers 12 10 o 1 207 60 20 City 12 o o o 100 106 12 Kaikorai -12 3 9 0 59 200 6 Pacific . 12 2 9 1 107 151 5