RUGBY FOOTBALL

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17386, 24 April 1928, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SEVEN ALL BLACKS ILL SUDDEN SEIZURE ON SHIP. ALL RECOVERING. A cablegram from Hobart from the special representative of the New Zealand Press Association with the All Black Rugby team states that seven of the players, McGregor (Canterbury), McWilliams (Auckland), Grenside (Hawke's Bay), Hore (Otago), Scrimshaw (Canterbury), Hadlcy (Auckland) and Harvey (Wairarapa) were laid aside by illness on the voyage from Sydney to Hobart. The first Ave went clown without any warning. They suffered frantic pains, accompanied by violent vomiting. The spasm lasted for three hours. The ship's croctor suggested it was iced water or food which disagreed with them, Hadlcy is also suffering from a poisoned arm. Harvey is down with a heavy cold. All the players affected are now .on the mend. Training started on the ship and the fit members of the team practised on the Hobart ground yesterday. AT MORRINSVILLE. OPENING OF SEASON. The official opening of the 1928 football season took place on the Recreation Grounds, Morrinsville, on Saturday. The afternoon being fine there was a large attendance, and plenty of interest was taken in the .play, showing that the public interest in this popular winter game is by'no means on 'the wane. Two senior .'''• and three Junior club matches were played, and spectators had no reason lo complain that the play was not in- j teresting. The Junior clubs played their maSchos first, and considering that they were the first matches or the season the play all round was remarkably good, showing that the players had profited by their coaching and the practice that they had already had. The grounds were m good order, the rain at the beginning of tiie week softening the surface nicely and freshening the grass. Having now been put into good shape, it should, with an occasional rolling, provide first-class grounds for matches during the season. With the coaching that the junior teams are getting from Messrs Campbell, Chase, and other experienced players, Morrinsville for many seasons should be able to select a representative team good enough to hold its own against any other team in the Waikato. The prospects for the senior teams having a successful season arc also bright. With most of last year's players in form, and the addition of some .good men lo take the place of any that have retired, the Peace Cup, which Morrinsville was a little unfortunate in not winning last season, should be well within their reach, and there should be some, very interesting 'contests for the Findlay Cup, Marshall Cup and Scholium Shield. If these matches can be won by the Morrrasville clubs and afterwards compete-d lor there it will make the season's play much more interesting. WaiLoa, not having entered a senior loam, if somewhat lessens the strength of the Union, but as the seniors are now reduced to four it will save a bye <ach Saturday and is fortunate from a competition viewpoint. The following were results of matches played on Saturday:— Juniors. Kereone 3v. Waitoa 11. Mr D. Pirrilt was referee. Terriers 9v. Tahuna 3. Mr R. Allen was referee. Goals were kicked by Alorofet and Sanson. The forwards ware fairly even, but the Terriers' backs were too fast and clever for their opponents. Sanson and Hubbard were prominent in the backs and McKenzie in the forwards. United 3v. Springdale 11. Mr J. Pirrilt was referee. This was a particularly interesting game to watoh, the play on both sides being good enough for seniors, and with a little more practice the newly-formed Springdale team will be hard to beat. Senior Matches. Kereone 11 v. United 7. Mr B. Chapman was referee. With a strong wind in their favour United quickly ran up a score of 7 to nil in the first quarter, but from that to the finish were unable to add to their score, and Kereone gradually crept up to 6 to their opponents' 7, and just on time, by hard play, Muccahy got over and Thomas converted, winning a well contested game. Tatuanui 6 v. Terriers 16. —A good open game, tout Terriers were too good in every department for their opponents and won by a big margin. GAMES AT PIRONGIA. Technical Old Boys journeyed from Hamilton on Saturday to meet our junior team in a friendly game, the result being a win by the narrow margin of two points in favour of the visitors, a try and a converted try to two trys. The game was fast and clean and was played in a good friendly spirit. Afternoon lea was dispensed by voung lady supporters, during which ihanks ami appreciation on behalf of his side were expressed in a short speech by the visitors' captain, who also expressed the hope that Pirongia would return the visit before long. He then called upon his team for three cheers for Pirongia. The local secretary briefly replied, thanking the visitors for their visit and promising a return by Pirongia at the first opportunity. Karamu senior team defeated Homai at Parawera on Saturday by 24 to 10. , PIAKO RUGBY UNION. At a meeting of the executive of the Piako Rugby Union, held at Te Aroha, it was agreed to commence the year's operations on May 5. An application from Te Awamutu In play a match on .Tune 3 was -deferred,' ns Matamala had already booked that date. The Thames Valley Union advised I hat a levy of 10 per cent would be made on all gross takings of gale money at sub-union matches, with a view to augmenting a fund lo send a learn on tour next year. Further advice was received that line seniors will piny two rounds for (he Frank Poland Cup and the juniors one round for the Shareholders' Cup.