LEAGUE

Otago Witness, Issue 3831, 16 August 1927, Page 51

LEAGUE

OTAGO v. WEST COAST. The selector for the Otago Rugby f ootball League (Mr E. Watson) has chosen the following team to represent Otago against the West Coast: — Full-back, D. Sullivan (Athletic). Three-quarters—Clydesdale (City), Eckhoff (City), Oliver (Athletic). Five-eighths—E. M'Kewen (Christian Brothers) and W. Vorrath (Athletic). Half-back, B. Jacob (City). Forwards—Quin (Christian Brothers), Townsend (City), E. O’Connor (Christian Brothers), T. O’Connor (Christian Brothers), Gibsonherd (Kaikorai), H. Thomas (Athletic) captain. ‘ Emergencies: Backs—Denniston (Athletic), Webber (Athletic) ; forwards —Hunter (City) and J. O’Connor (Christian Brothers). TOUR OF QUEENSLAND. SYDNEY, August 9. At a meeting of the New South Wales Rugby League a letter was received from the Queensland League suggesting that the Board of Control should arrange a tour of Australia by a New Zealand team. The Queensland League stated that in the event of the two States not being able collectively to arrange the tour, the northern body would undertake to bring a Dominion team to Brisbane. The New South Wales Management Committee recommended that such a tour could not be arranged by that State, and the recommendation was adopted. LEADING SYDNEY TEAM. SYDNEY, August 10. The St. George Rugby League Club has decided to cabte to the Auckland League intimating that it is prepared to visit New Zealand at the end of the present season. VISIT OF ENGLISH TEAM. AUCKLAND, August 11. The first official intimation that an English Rugby League team will visit New Zealand next- season was received by the New Zealand Rugby League at its meeting to-night. A letter from the English League stated that it was pleased to accept New Zcaand’s invitation. The usual conditions with regard to the sharing of the gate money would apply—6o per cent, to De allotted to the visitors and 40 per cent, to the New' Zealand League, all match expenses to be paid out of New Zealand's share. The English League asked for early advice regarding the itinerary of the tour, as it was intended to make booking arrangements at. once. The Chairman, Mr C. A. Sneddon, stated that no definite arrangements could be made until the Australian Board of Control had first arranged the itinerary of Australia. It was decided to await information from the Australian Board of Control before arranging the New Zealand programme. Mr John Wilson, secretary to the English League, wrote as follows: —“I am directed by the council to make it quite clear that the matter of the residential clause is now out of our hands. The members of die English League at the annual general meet ing decided the time had now arrived wher the agreement must be terminated and the i council is powerless to act otherwise in deference to an emphatic diccision of an annual general meeting.” Mr Sncdden said it was proposed to discuss the removal of the residential clause at a con , fercnce to be held in Sydney in the near future, when New Zealand would be • directly represented. It was decided to take no further action in the meantime.

SATURDAY’S MATCHES. Splendid weather prevailed for the football matches o n Saturday, the sun shining brightly in the afternoon. The two senior matches were played on the Caledonian ground, which was very soft as a result of the heavy rain on Thursday and Friday, and which was cut up a good deal by the end of the day’s play, 'lhe players found it difficult in places to keep their feet, and accurate handling of the ball was by no means an easy matter. Under the conditions the display of football was quite satisfactory, a lot of fast and open play being seen. The attendance was the largest seen on the ground during the season, and the spectators followed the games with keen interest. Kaikorai put up a good fight against City, but lacked the ability to force their attacks home, and suffered defeat by 12 points to 5 after a closely-contested game. The match between Athletic and Christian Brothers provided a keen contest in the first half, and when the teams changed over the former led by only 5 points. In the second spell, however, Christian Brothers lost their dash, while their opponents displayed, their best form and finished up victorious by 25 points to 3 after out-classing the Greens. POSITIONS OF THE TEAMS. The fallowing table shows the positions of the teams in the senior competition:—

THE OTAGO TEAM. - 11. Thomas is away from Dunedin, and will not be able to play for Otago against the West Coast. His place in the team will be taken by J. O’Connor (Christian Brothers). Townsend has been selected as captain of the Otago side. BULLER DEFEATS CANTERBURY. WESTPORT, August 13. In fine weather to-day, and before a large attendance, the Canterbury Rugby League touring team played the first match of the tour, suffering defeat at the hands of Buller by 20 points to 10. The game was fast an'd open. Canterbury established a lead of 10 points in the first spell, with the sun at their backs, but in the second spell Buller held the ascendancy, and had the better—of the game. Goodall; for Buller, played brilliantly, scoring three tries and converting one. For Canterbury, Curtin, Blacaby, Blazey, and Woods were the outstanding players. Mr Baird was referee.

AUCKLAND GAMES. AUCKLAND, August 13. Newton 26. Richmond 2. Ponsonby 9, Ddconport 6.

P . W . L. D . For Agst. Pts. Athletic 13 12 — 1 252 62 25 Christian Bros. 13 10 3 — 210 91 20 City 13 6 5 2 112 111 14 Kaikorai 13 3 10 — 64 212 6 Pacific 12 2 9 1 107 151 5