LEAGUE PROSPECTS.

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

LEAGUE PROSPECTS.

First Run for the Season To-day.

With the approach of the League football season, the clubs are beginning to size up the season’s prospects, and there were good musters on several grounds in the city and suburbs this afternoon when the first practices of the season were held.

Hornby are likely to be as strong as ever, and the seniors should again give a good account of themselves. The team may be slightly different from that of last year, but the exact personnel is not known.

Addington will be practically the same as last year, but there will be two defections which will be hard to replace. Jack Amos will be missing from the forwards, as he has oeen transferred to the south, and Les Amos will probably be missing from the wing, as he has signified his Intention of retiring. The vacancies will be filled by juniors. Sydenham may lose several of their regular players, and are relying on juniors to fill the gaps. New Brighton, on the other hand, are reported *_o be exceptionally strong, and from near the bottom of the competition last year they are likely to finish well up. Linwood will be without the services of L. Mercer (second five-eighth) and F. Butler (forward). Butler has been transferred to Auckland. The Linwood pack, though they are inclined to be light, shape as though they will he able to hold some of the heavier packs. The opening matches will give a definite lead on the strength of the senior teams, but present indications are that Addington and Hornby will be in the first flight, with Linwood, Sydenham and New Brighton next. Riccarton will field a young team and with Pirates they will help to add interest to tl e competition. A report is in circulation that Waimairi may also field a senior

The Linwood Club met for practice at Linwood Park, Riccarton at Hagley, Sydenham at Sydenham, Hornby at Hornby, Waimairi at Waimairi, Pirates at Woolston, and Addington at Adding- ’ ton.

The senior competition will commence on April 21, and the junior competitions on April 14. Nominations for the junior representative teams will close on Monday at 5 p.m.