LEAGUE RUGBY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 488, 2 September 1915, Page 11

LEAGUE RUGBY.

ATHLETIC (WELLINGTON) v. SYDENHAM. SATURDAY'S CHALLENGE SHIELD GAME. The first interisland champion club teams' fixture at the Show Grounds on Saturday afternoon should result in the best display of League football witnessed here this season." The Athletic team possess a fine set of forwards. Of their half -backs Bussell formerly played for Sydenham, and Utiku, the clever Wellington representative, is five-eighths. With'Casey, the first line of successful attack is assured. The northern centre threequarter is George Bradley, the well-known intercolonial back, and probably the best back in the Dominion to-day. Bradley has appeared here before, and last season won the game for Wellington by his clever generalship and bril-. liancy of attack. Though their crack .threequarter, W. Wilson, is with the. Expeditionary Forces at Gallipoli, the visitors have a strong line, and the wings will have the guidance of Bradley. The visitors arrive to-morrow morning. The following is the team:— . Athletic (blue and black ihoops):— Full-back: 1 J. Pardoe; Three-quarters: 2 H. Bramsley, 3 George Bradley, 4 J,< Mears. 5 J. Utiku, 6 D. Gasey. ;■ ■ ;. Half-back: 7H. Bussell., , Forwards: 8 S. Sullivan, 9 T.. E. Hughes, 10 J. Weaver, 11 D. Beere, 12 R. Nolan, 13 F. Burke. Reserves: 14 W. Hastie, 15 J. H. Byrne. Line control: Mr C. Murphy. Referee: Mr D. McGregor. The Sydenham Club will have the team that has won them the premiership hei;e this season, and members have put in hard practical training to meet the visitors. The feature of the team this season lias been the fine combination shown, and this should Jdc to their advantage. Sydenham will be represented by: Full-back: 1 E. Clements. Threequarters: 2 P, Robertson, 3 J. Howison, 4 S. Loader, 5 W. Bussell, 6 F. King, Half-back: 7 F. Matthews. Forwards: 8 T. Kirton, 9 W. Lyes, 10 W. King, 11 W. Brunsden, 12 S. Trudgeon, 13 C. Eaton. Reserves: 14 E. A. Gasson, 15 T. Healy. Line control: Mr A. Howison. Patrons will find complete arrangements made for their comfort, and members of the Expeditionary Forces in uniform are invited to attend free of cost. The game will commence sharp to time, and a frequent tram service will be provided to the Show Grounds.