FOOTBALL.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12722, 18 February 1910, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

The report and balance sheet presented at the annual meeting of the Nelson College Old Boys' (Jlub on Tuesday evening last showed the Club to be in a strong financial position — stronger, perhaps, than any other chib in the district. The credit balance is £15 18s lOd, which is highly satisfactory, and shows that the management of the club is in capable hands. Altogether last season the club played 12 matches, winning three and losing 9, scoring 70 points and having 82 points scored against them. The club expect to put a strong team into the field this season. Most of the colonials playing with English teams are showing to marked advantage. For Oldham, G. W. Smith, A. E. Anlezark, and S. Deano have been brilliant. This club had lost only 2 out of 16 matches on December 27. H. Dcvere.ux and A. Morton have done splendid work for Hull, who recently beat Huddersfield 26 to Os L. O'MaJley. P. Frawley. Bolew&ki, F. B. Walsh, W. Tre.varthan, and L. Todd have also distinguished themselves. - The Wigan Club on December 27 gave a trial to a New Zealander halfback named Gray, who arrived in England a few days ago. Gray comes from Auckland, and if his display against St. Helens Combination team is anything to judge from, he is likely to prove a useful man. With the advent of Seeling, the famous All Slack forward, who is expected to reach England on. the 13th of next month, Wigan will have four New Zealanders in their ranks.— "Sporting Chronicle," January 28th, 1909. George W. Smith, the ex-New Zealander, who is now playing for Oldham (England) is a remarkable ; example of "staying power," for he ' I was born in New Zealand in 1872, and yet his contribution to the Oldham score, this season is 13 tries. He was ' the boy who ran away from home at thirteen years of age. He determined to earn his own living. His first attempt in this direction was when be became a jockey. Then he turned his attention to running and fotball, and his success in the latter was such that in 1895 he represented Auckland. In

1899 he played for North Island and New Zealand, and was, of course, a member of the amateur All Black team which visited England in 1905G. He came to England with Baskerville's combination, and at the close of the tour was secured by Oldham. The Northern Union last sea6on gave Jrim county honours for Lancashire.

The New South "Wales Rugby Leaguo has received a cable message from the Northern Union totheclicct that an English team will leave for Australia in April, to play a series of matches in New South Wales and Queensland, and perhaps six in New Zealand. The party will be under the management of Mr P. H. Houghton, and will embrace from 24 to 27 players.