FOOTBALL.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20274, 7 April 1934, Page 14

FOOTBALL.

Rugby Clubs Have Good

Practices. PLAYERS ALL KEEN. There were good musters at most of the practice runs held by the senior Rugby football clubs this afternoon, and though the ground was so hard that many played in tennis shoes, there was a keenness that augured well for the standard of the grade football. Some of the clubs organised practice games, but others just indulged in dribbling and passing. The younger players from lower grades who had a chance of winning a way into the first fifteens were noticeable for their keenness. Linwood held a scratch game among their own players at Hagley Park. There are some keen youngsters looking for places in the Linwood senior team, and in addition there are one or two useful newcomers, including Thompson, of Ellesmere; Gregg, who played for Old Boys; and Mason, an Aucklander. Old Players Out Again. Christchurch have most of their old players back, and other candidates for senior honours will be Jack Gaskin, who played for Old Boys till injured last season, and Joe Gaskin, who has been showing good form during a visit to England. J. Pawson is not yet fit, following an injury, but should not miss many competitions games. Varsity have some deficiencies. They will be without M’Cormack (first fiveeighth) and Hayman, a winger, while Loveridge is not turning out this season. Heenan, a three-quarter,' is nursing a strain at present, but will not be out long. Of the forwards, Hartnell will not be playing, but G. T. Wilson has returned from Cambridge. Albion will have practically all their old seniors back, and with some good men coming into prominence from the juniors they expect to build up a useful side. Preston is back again, . and A. W. Roberts will be a candidate for his old position at full-back, while two newcomers from Dunedin will be watched closely. Promising Material. Athletic have few deficiencies, though O’Connor will not be turning out as half this year. The club has some promising material from the junior grades, while M’Cormack (Wairarapa), Pender (Wellington) and Quirk (Palmerston North) are newcomers who will be trying for senior places. Merivale have suffered more loss of old seniors than any other club. Tnev will be without the services of Suckling, Kirkland, Steele, Hendry, Dr Pryde, Day and Flewellyn. On the other hand, the Callinan brothers, from South Canterbury, both of whom played for their union, will be an excellent reinforcement to the pack, and Arps, from Golden Bay, will be a candidate for a five-eighth . position. Some of the juniors are showing good form, especially Aewburgh and Mann, both useful wingers, while C. J. Oliver is lit and as keen as ever. Sydenham had a good muster and should be fielding just as strong a side as last year, with the exception of Innes. R.N.V.R. v. Brighton. R.N.V.R. beat New Brighton at Rugby football to-day by 17 points to 9. Nothing better in the way of insurance is available to players of any organised game than the double benefit “Star” and “ Times ” insurance scheme. This is free to readers of the two papers.