THE RUGBY PASTIME.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 1600, 31 May 1924, Page 18 (Supplement)

THE RUGBY PASTIME.

(By “ Drop luck.’’) THE ALL BLACKS. ITINERARY OF TOUR. The New Zealand Rugby team’s programme for the British tour has been arranged as follows; September 13.—Devon. September 17. —Cornwall. September 20. —Somerset. September 24.—Gloucestershire. September 27.—Wales. October 1. —Wales. October 4. —Leicester. October 8. —North Midlands. October II. —Cheshire. October 15. —Durham. October 18. —Yorkshire. October 22.—Cumberland. October 25.—Lancashire. November 1. —Ireland (intematl.). November s.—North of Ireland. November B.—Northumberland. November 12. —Cambridge Unty. November 15.—-London. November 20. —Oxford University. November 22. —Wales. November 20.—Wales (internatl.). December 3. —Wales. December G. —East Midlands. December 10 or 11.—Warwickshire. December 13.—Combined Services. December 17. —Hampshire. Between December 17th and 26th the team will play two matches with France and on December 26th will play London. January 3. —England (international). JOTTINGS. On Tuesday the Hamilton Union will return to the regular competition games. As the occasion is a holiday there should be an increased attendance at Steele Park headquarters. The first Ranfurly Shield match of the season will be played on June 3 between Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay. By scoring the last try for England against Scotland, the wing threequarter. H. G. Catc-hsido. earned the distinction, which must surely be a record, of scoring not only in each of the three trials, but in the four international matches. In these seven games Catcbsidc registered 13 tries and dropped a goal. The local Referees Association is very strong in membership Ibis year, which is a splendid sign and the very keenest of interest is being shown at the weekly meetings, There lias been several inquiries from outside districts for referees lo officiate and also to give lectures and demonstrations on the rules. These demands have been answered which indicates a spirit of helpfulness which is admirable.

To-day the North and South Island teams \w;re engaged at Athletic Dark, Wellington . The next and final test for All Elack selection will be played on Tuesday, at Wellington. After- today's play several of the certainties for the English tour will be announced and they will not be required for thy final test. This step is being adopted to enable the selectors lo give a ,'lial trial to a greater number of players from whom the ranks of the touring team will be completed. This week Hamilton footballers had the pleasure of renewing the acquaintance with W. Devine, who was here with the Christchureh Marists team. Devine is somewh&t of a traveller in the football realm, having played in Waikato, Wairarapa, Wellington aed Canterbury. During the few seasons he has been in the bigger centres of the game his football has improve! considerably while he displays a very fast turn of speed for a big man. One of the features of a fine game by Devine on Tuesday was his command of the ball in the few dribbling rushes in which he was concerned.

The English Rugby Union has allotted five fixtures lo Wales during the tour of the New' Zealand players next season. These have been allocated as follows: —-November 29, international match v. Wales, at Swansea: September 29, Swansea; October 2, Newport; November 22, Cardiff; December 27, I.lanclly. It lias been arranged that 00 per cent of the gate money shall be paid to the English Rugby Union to cover the expenses of the tour. The remaining 40 per cent will be divided equtlly between the clubs concerned and the Welsh Union. The lattcr's share will lie distributed among necessitous clubs. The prices of admission lo the club maL/h.?-i have been fixed as follows:—Grand stand, ss; inside, the ropes, 3s: enclosure, 2s. The usual prices will be charged for Hie international match.