LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15980, 7 May 1924, Page 9

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

(By "Verax.") The annual meeting of the New Zealand League will be held on May 8. At the latest meeting of the Management Committee of the Canterbury League a letter was received from Mr J. Bridgcman, of Sydney, to the effect that a combined universities' team would visit New Zealand next mouth, and that the visitors would prefer a fixture against the Marists Old Boys' team. The Marist side was acknowledged to be the champion Rugby Union team during the last few years, and the University team would prefer to play it in place of a selected team. It was decided the visitors be informed that their request would be granted. The secretary of the Auckland Centre forwarded a telegram to the Christchurch Centre at its latest meeting asking that the Marist Old Boys' team visit Auckland and play a fixture there on Monday, May 12, which would be a public holiday. The club's delegate stated that, as the team had a bye on May 10, it would go north. Both senior matches were keenly fought out on Saturday, as the results showed. Athletics, by prevailing over United, are now in the leading position with two wins: Frankton and City coming next with one win and one loss each; United tatting off with two losses. United was distinctly unlucky on Saturday in not pulling off the game against Athletics. The Bed and Blacks were leading right up till within a few minutes from the final whistle; when, from a loose rush the bad was ""kicked bard over the line, with Stewart (Athletics) touching down in the nick of time. Patterson converting Hie try. The grounds were in remarkably good order after the heavy rain during the week, and, all tilings considered, the spectators were treated . to a couple of very fair exhibitions of the code. for United, Jaccpies, Payne and Hemingway \.weep the outstanding backs—Hemingway being in particularly good form. The forwards were an even set, with no one in prominence. Athletics' backs were nippy—Stewart and Bezar most prominent. Peck-

ham was good, but for some reason there the understanding between the half-back and the other inside backs, consequently there was more individual play, than concerted passing rushes. Corlieson was fair. Patterson likewise. The latter fields and kicks well, but is inclined to shirk a hard tackle. Stephenson, Duncan and Bond were most prominent in the forwards. The other senior match —Franktoh versus City—was keen and hard. City fell away late in the second spell, and allowed Frankton to get ahead. No doubt but that City lost heart on the occasion when the referee ruled "no goal" after both line umpires signalled in favour of the goal. The decision was probably unusual, but the referee was within his powers, and no doubt gave what he considered a fair decision. The position was unfortunate. Of the Frankton backs, Duffy and N. Vernall worked solidly right through. Dufty at times played too hard, and on two occasions was penalised for rough play. Dent and E. Vernall were mest in the limelight, although the other forwards got through the afternoon's work creditablv. For Gitv. Buffet!,, Armstrong and Appleby shone out--the centre threequarter being very safe, extricating his side from serious situations on many occasions. Shaw, in the forwards, used his pace to advantage, and on one occasion scored .a good try, as a result of fast following-up. Neill, also was in the limelight, but was too frequently penalised for coming round tiic scrum too soon. McRae used his weight to advantage, but as on the previous week, was too often "offside " The meeting between Athletics and City on Saturday next should be a great came. Given a fine day, enthusiasts should witness a splendid exhibition of the code.

The only junior match played was that between Whitiora and City. The former loam was too experienced for City, and won comfortably. City will improve as the season advances—many of the team being new to the code. Indeed, some were playing their first game of "football."

Whitiora showed up on occasions m fine concerted action, and will take some heating in the competition.