FOOTBALL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13418, 4 July 1911, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY FOOTBALL. Referring to the close call AVollington had against Marlborough, a correspondent says that their forwards played splendidly, and once again demonstrated that there are many good players among the smaller unions, who only want the opportunity to prove that they are worthy of inclusion in the better class of football as we know it in New Zealand. There are many in .Marlborough who have often expressed Ihe opinion that their players could shift the Ranfurly shield from Auckland if they could only get a gallop on Ranfurly Park. It would he no surprise, therefore, to see a challenge go forth from. Marlborough at this stage, with the object of relieving the Aucklanders of their trophy. 'Hie following were the results of the Wellington matches on .Saturday;—Sl. James 19 v. Pel one 11; Ponekc (1 v. Orieenfal 9; Athletic 10 v. Melrose (I; Wellington (> v. Old Roys 3; Southern 31 v Victoria College 3. It is reported that the Old Boys intend going into hard training with a view to lowering the colours of the Pirates when they meet that team on Saturday week. Tt is a pity this team has showed itself so lax in this respect daring the season, as it undoubtedly has some of the host material in loeal Rugby. It is pleasing to hear they are at last waking up. It is certainly “up to thorn,” ' NORTHERN UNION GAME. We are informed (says the Press) that there is a movement oji foot in Paten In form a Northern Union club, seeing that al! the teams are now out of the fixtures. We would remind (hooe who are enutemplatiug joining the proposed club flint “once a pro. always a pro.” At the first League match between Now South Wales and New Zealand, at Sydeny, 40,000 people were present, and Afj.l7o waa taken at the gates. This amount is a world's record for the Rugby League game. Sydney’s previous hast was ,£182.'!, at the match against the English team last season. It w stilted that the Australasian Northern Union team to visit England will include 22 Australians and 4 New Zealanders. When the last mail left England 15 Home clubs had applied for Saturday fixtures with the “Kangaroos,” and seven for mid-week games. Numerous clubs outside the Northern Union arc offering their grounds for matches, and as these are scattered over England mid .Scotland, (he tour will be a comprehensive one. Commenting on the New South WalesNew Zealand League match, the Sydney Referee says;—ln persistent systematic effort the Blues (New South Wales) were perhaps a trifle the superior set of forwards, hut in this, as in Thursday's game, the work of .Francis was unexcelled" Re is a truly groat forward, and will be a great man in flic international contests tin's year—you see, like the man in the crowd, one is able to pick him as a eerfaiiity for the Homeland tour. As full-back (..illicit brought off some brilliant tackles, one in the first half when he solidly downed Messenger, who had taken the in-pass from Broninham and was shooting through, being a feat that oulv a man who know every move in (be our.u'e could have accomplished. He had °„ee;i Hie movement and lucked out the man whom he would have to tackle, though he had to come across sidewa.ys at a. rush. H: was remarkably clever play by bolli sides there. The New Zealanders play the following matches before returning to Eydnev: Wednesday, July 5, v. Queensland; Saturday, July 8, v. Queensland, at Brwbaa»• Wednesday, July 12, v . Hunter District, at West Maitland. They are likely to ;e----tuin with considerably improved combination. They are a far better team all round than they were expected to be, the forwards being very tough and the hacks nippy. They are expected to win every match to bo placed boloro they ref urn to Sydnev. ' ’