FOOTBALL.

Observer, Volume XXXVI, Issue 37, 20 May 1916, Page 10

FOOTBALL.

The Rugby Game

THE Auckland Rugby Union will open the season in all grades on Saturday next, May 20th.

In connection with the Auckland Rugby Union's competitions, three grades have been decided on, as follows:—20 years and under, 18 years and under, and 16 years and under.

At the last meeting of the management committee of the Auckland Rugby Union it was decided that the president of the Union, Mr J. Arneil, be nominated a vice-presi-dent of the New Zealand Rugby Union.

The appointments committee, whose duty will be to arrange ■grounds and referees for the various grade competitions, consists of Messrs Ohlson, Nicholson, and a nominee from the Referees' Association.

Messrs Pagni, Mackie and Ohlson were appointed a sub-committee to go into the question of the publication of the annual. They will report on same at the next meeting of the management committee.

The Referees' Association, by letter, stated they were prepared to forego the usual brake conveying them to matches on Saturdays, and go out to the grounds in tram cars. This offer was made consequent on the present conditions pertaining.

The committee agreed to passes to the grounds being issued to school delegates and secretaries '"and treasurers of clubs.

Messrs Langsford, Frost and 01)1----son were appointed a sub-committee to frame a report in regard to the trustees of the Union.

A correspondent, "Interested," writes:—"A suggestion has been made to me that the management committee of the A.R.U. should consider whether it would not be desirable to fix the price of admission to Eden Park this' year, or while the war lasts, at sixpence, with free admission to grandstand." There may be something in my correspondent's suggestion, in view of all the circumstances' at present existing.

One point which occurs to me as deserving of the executive's attention is that all grounds at Epsom under their jurisdiction should be properly marked. I refer particularly to the touch, goal and dead ball lines. For the sake of the game, the players, the referee, it is hoped this most important matter will have the attention of the officials early in the season.

Goal posts, cross-barsi, and flags are essential in the proper carrying out of the game. Another niatter of detail, but of importance, is that teams should take the field at the advertised time of starting, and be able to kick-off punctually. Nothing appeals to the general public more than starting to time.

At a recent meeting of the Auckland Rugby Referees' Association, Mr Peter Mackie was elected as the Association's delegate on the Auckland Rugby Union's management committee. At the same meeting three members were proposed. ■ • a The League Game. ' Saturday afternoon , last ushered in the opening competitions held under the auspices of the Auckland Rugby League under Northern Union rules,

The two principal (senior games were played at Victoria- Park, under moderate weather conditions. There was a very good attendance.

■ Much interest was evinced in the Sames, owing to the fact that teams generally had been so altered in personnel by the addition of new players and last year's juniors, consequent on so many older players having enlisted, that the public could only guess, and that roughly, as to what were the capabilities of the respective teams. The Results at a Glance. City Rovers, 12, v. Ponsonby United, 5. Grafton Athletic, 33, v. Newton Rangers, 7. North Shore, 13, v. Otahuhu, 9. The main ground at Victoria Park was given over to the match City Rovers v. Ponsonby United. City soon started scoring with a penalty goal, and when half-time had sounded had notched seven points to Ponsonbv's nil.

After changing ends, Ponsonby got going, and put on five points. City, however, were not yet finished with, and scored another try, which put the issue practically beyond doubt, the .game ending: City Rovers, 12 points; Ponsonby United, 5 points.

Want of combination, and in many cases lack of knowledge of the finer points of the game were generally noticeable in both teams, but these defects are to be expected in the opening games, and should be easily rectified by coaching.

On the No. 2 ground at the Park, Graf ton met Newton, and the first half, finished fairly even, the former being in the lead by 12 points to 7. The second half, however, was all in Graf ton's favour, .and they piled up a score of 21 points, without their opponents adding further to their score. The whistle sounded with Grafton's , total at 33 points against Newton's score of 7 points. The winners were easily the better team. Otahuhu was the scene of the contest between North Shore and Otahuhu. A fairly even game resulted, principally in favour of Shore, who led by 10 points to 6 in the first half. On the chance of ends, the Otahuhu players made many efforts to score, but without avail. Shore again got away, and added 3 more points, the totals then reading—Shore 13, Otahuhu 6. Just on , call, of time, the country boys broke away, and Eustace scored. The kick was a failure. The game ended almost immediately afterwards with the scores as follows :-—North Shore, 13 points; Otahuhu/ 9 points.

A meeting of fhe Auckland Kugby League executive was held last week. Present: Mi- It. Benson (chairman), Messrs J. Endean, R. Pollock, It. McDonald, A. W. Tatton, C. Baker and the secretary.

A letter was read from the Auckland Dramatic and Vaudeville Employees' Association, asking the League's .assistance is raising a sum of £3000 in order to equip a special children's ward at the public hospital, as a memorial to fallen soldiers. The meeting decided to assist the worthy cause, and to grant the total proceeds of a special match to be played at Victoria Park towards the end of June. The date to be announced later.

The Auckland Telegraph Messengers applied for information, and also registration for a 6th grade team. The messenger boys were accepted, and the secretary was instructed to assist in the necessary arrangements, and give the information desired.

The secretary announced that another quotation had been received from Home for League jerseys. The matter was held over for a special meeting to go into the question.

The Otahuhu Club asked the assistance of the League, through it.s executive, in applying for special train arrangements to enable play-

ers from the city and vicinity to reach Otahuhu at a reasonable hour. The secretary reported that during the winter months a train will leave Auckland at 2.10 p.m., arriving at Otahuhu at 2.45, for the convenience of footballers and the public.

The Oity Council intimated having granted the League two grounds at Victoria Park and one at the Domain, as in previous years. The Manukau Olub also intimated having secured the use of two grounds at Onehunga. With these additions, the League has now fifteen grounds for the use of players.

The Garrison Artillery's request tor affiliation of a senior team was not accepted, owing to the fact that the six established clubs had eacli entered a team in the senior grade. It was also agreed that places could be found in present senior teams for any senior players they had who wish to play. Affiliation Avas granted to a team for the junior grade.

It was decided that vice-presi-dent's passes be issued to the vicepresidents of clubs, and also those supporters who Tiad so willingly become donors of trophies, etc.

Mr Endean intimated his desire to present a set of caps for the sixth grade copmetition, and expressed a wish for permission to canvass for

simitar donations for the other grades. Accepted with tlianks. An of For was received from a wellknown supporter of. the League game to draw up specifications and supervise the construction of necessary buildings and the laying out of the grounds of the property recently leased from the Hospital Board. « « • Mr J. Goodmanj Otahuhu's delegate on the Junior Advisory Board, who is leaving for the front, was presented .'recently with a wristlet watch as a memento of his connection with the League game in Auckland. The presentation was made on behalf of the Auckland Rugby League. It is the intention of the controlling body to use every effort to see that players are properly uniformed when playing in the competition matches. Spare numbers can be obtained from the secretary at the League's office. Club secretaries are instructed to attend to this matter. Club secretaries are recommended to let the League secretary have complete lists of the number of their players who have enlisted, to assist him in the compilation of a roll of honour for the district. The date of the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Football League has been fixed for May 26th.

The senior games set down for decision on May 20th are: Ponsonby v. North Shore, Otahuhu v. Grafton, Newton v. City.