FOOTBALL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXV, Issue 13059, 29 April 1910, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

BY '‘DODGER.” Cup contests start to-morrow. Both senior matches will commence at 3 p.m. Kaicrau play Wanganui bn No. 1 ground, and pirates will meet Eastern on iSo. 2 ground. Both games should prove very interesting, ana there should be a lafge attendance.

The general opinion is that all the senior teams will be weak this season, but the new blood being tried might prove better than expected. Wanganui appears to have practically a new team, but some of the promoted juniors should show up well.

The Kaieraus have lost several of their old battlers, and are not likely to ,be so strong as last season, though when they get into their stride they will probably take some stopping. The Pirates will also have to do without several who have rendered excellent service in the past, but, on paper, they appear to have good prospects. The newly-formed Eastern Club will have a light senior team. Their supporters are hopeful, however, that the team will create a surprise. If there arc any players in this district who are anxious to get into the New Zealand team for Australia they will need to show their best form very early, as the All Blacks will be chosen before long. The ■ team is to leave for Australia in June. so that the selectors will not have much time in which to make a selection on this year’s form. it is understood that L. Meuli is keen on getting into the “All Blacks.” At his very best he should be worthy of consideration as a full-back.

There are' one or two other players hero who would be well in the running for the trip providing tire selectors had the opportunity of seeing them at their best. McLeod, the Wanganui representative five-eighths, who played so well for Wslll- - against Taranaki last season, is playing for Manaia this season. W. Hardham, Y.C.. who has been playing for Petone for something like. 14 years, has made up his mind to retire from the game, and’ the suburban residents are initiating a movement for the purpose of recognising his services to the Rugby game in their district. Hardham was a member of what is still known in Dunedin as the “Butchers’ ” team, which defeated Canterbury, Southland, and Otago in succession, under the leadership of “Off-Side” McKenzie, as far back as 1897. Without being a brilliant player, Hardham has achieved great distinction on tiie Rugby field, and his generalship was no small factor in the success which has followed Petone on very many occasions in the championship competitions.

Eighty-two teams are playing this season under the jurisdiction of the Wellington Rugby Football Union (exclusive of school teams); last year the number was 715.

They say that the much-abused wingforward had a lot to do with England winning the Rugby championship of the British Isles during the season just closed. In view of the threatened invasion of a team of Northern Union footballers from England this season the New Zealand Union purpose considering the question of counteracting its influence by arranging for the American Rugby team'to tour New Zealand at tiie .same time.

Onj of the many rumours in evidence at this ’-eriod of the year is that A. F. Harding, the ex-Welsh international, is g-oinc to play for Petone (Wellington). Colour is lent to the statement by the fact that Harding is now attached to the clerical staff of Messrs Wilford and Levi solicitors, the first-named being one of tbe suburban club’s most enthusiastic supporters. ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL. A practice game will be played on Victoria Park at 2.45 to-morrow afternoon, when all soccer players and enthusiasts are requested to turn up. The ground is in good order, and a good game should result.