LEAGUE EXHIBITION

Waikato Independent, Volume XLIV, Issue 1193, 15 October 1945, Page 2

LEAGUE EXHIBITION

VISIT OF AUCKLAND TEAMS BIG CROWD AT SQUARE After a lapse of about 22 years Rugby League football was brought back to Cambridge on Saturday last when a local League Committee, in conjunction with the Ponsonby, Mt. Albert and Frankton Clubs, arranged a week-end visit of senior teams of the two Auckland clubs; also third and fourth grade players. The public, being well acquainted of the exhibition, they showed great interest with the result that the biggest crowd seen at a football match at Victoria Square for a considerable period was in attendance. Actually just on 800 people paid for admission and then there were the juveniles who were admitted free. The curtain-raiser was provided by a mixed team from the third and fourth grade and resulted in a win for the A’s by 10 points to 5. For the winners R. Kelly scored Ferandaz goaled, and Moyer scored in the first half. In the final spell E. Moyer and G. Ransford scored tries and Steele converted one. Mr J. W. Taylor, of South Auckland Assn., refereed. The Big Game.

Everybody was waiting for the appearance on the field of the star teams —Ponsonby and Mt. Albert seniors. Soon they were in action and the big crowd was treated to a real exhibition of the League code. To a great many old Rugbyites some of the rulings were puzzling, but the spectators were treated to many thrilling movements. They had the pleasure of seeing p number of Auckland’s representative players and for a stage in the second half they were shown orthodox League at its best. On one occasion the ball travelled the length of the field three times and was hardly on the ground. It was good entertainment. It was necessary to appreciate that the two teams had instructions to entertain the spectators with as much orthodox League as possible. Tries came frequently from spectacular passing movements. In the first half Ponsonby Jed by 20 points to 13 and the final scores were Ponsonby 40, Mt. Albert 28. Mr Kelly, of Auckland, was the referee. In Wednesday’s issue of the “Independent” we shall publish a more detailed account of the run of play. Visitors Entertained.

In the evening the visitors, officials and players were entertained to a “smoko” in the Oddfellows’ Hall, when the chairman of the local, committee, Mr N. Culpan, presided over an attendance of about 100. A most enjoyable evening was spent. The chairman extended a very warm welcome to all present and referred with pleasure to the presence of several visiting officials who had played and supported the code for many years. Mr Culpan sincerely thanked the Ponsonby and Mt. Albert Clubs for the visit at no cost to the local committee, so that a more generous gift could be made to the Cambridge Rehabilitation Auxiliary’s “Kiwi” Flats. He could say then that a “very tidy sum would be handed over.”

In proposing the toast of “The Guests,” Mr W. Cummings, the local committee treasurer, heartily endorsed the previous remarks of the chairman. Mr Cummings congratulated the two senior teams on their good exhibition and said how much the local committee was indebted to the clubs and to the managers. Mr. E. McEwan (Ponsonby) and Mr F. W. Clements (Mt. Albert) returned thanks for the welcome and hospitality shown them and intimated that if their visit relivened interest in the code in these parts, then they were well repaid.

Other toasts honoured were: “Kindred Sports,” proposer, Mr R. iNewcombe; reply, Mr Alt’. Back. “The Press,” Mr H. Woods; reply, Mr V. G. Boulton. At (he invitation of the chairman, Mr J. Jeans explained to the visitors the “Kiwi” Flats project. The chairman extended thanks to the artists and to all who had worked to make the exhibition day such a success 1

Items were rendered by Messrs A. Paton, T. H. Boyce, Knipe, B, Yeale, Mills, J. Zane, while Mr T. H. Hampshire officiated at the piano. Visit To Karapiro Hydro. On Sunday morning the visitors were taken on an inspection of the Karapiro Hydro Works. There was a full bus load, besides cars. Op arrival the party was kindly met by two of the engineers and were conducted over the works, which are now in a very interesting advanced state. Many of the visitors had not previously visited the works and they showed keen interest. The local committee appreciated the assistance of the two guides. After lunch the visitors left Cambridge for Frankton where they were to be the guests of the Frankton Club. “Kiwi” Flats -Benefit. While a final balance sheet has yet to be made up, the “Kiwi” Flats fund will benefit by a cheque of between £4O and £SO.