LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18697, 25 July 1932, Page 2

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

BRITISH TOUR. SO\JTH AUCKLAND MATCH. HOME TEAM SELECTED. With a view of the selection of the strongest team possible to oppose the Englishmen, the South Auckland Rugbv League staged a Possibles Probables match on Saturday at I aupiri. Possibles won by 20 points to 8 " The team to oppose England was announced afterwards as undei . Fullback: G. Tittleton. Three-quarters: W. Smith, A. Menzies, W. Tittleton. Five-eighths: E. Abbott, K. Peckham.

Half-back: L. Knight. Forwards; P. Mcßurney, J. Laird, VV. Hogan, H. Mason, R- Stevenson, T. Timms. , Emergencies: J. Farrell, (forwards), T. Holland (back). In the trial match on Saturday, the opposing fullbacks, G. Tittleton (Possibles) and Lees (Probables) played good games, there being little difference in their games. The wing three-quarters did not get much worn to do, the best being Tremain (who is very light) and Kelly. Tremain put in several fast dashes down the line ■but it is against him that he lacks weight. S. Muir’s game at centre was heady. After making splendid openings he let out the hall lo his supports. When changed over to the Probables side be made a great difference lo their attacking forces. The five-eighths were all good as individuals but lacked the cohesion necessary for bright back movements. Barakat spoilt his play by trying to beat too many men and the same applies to W. Tittleton and Abbott. Holland was the best of this division. He tackled solidly and when shifted to the wing put in some strong runs. L. Knight’s inclusion at half-back over S. Hines will come as a surprise to those who applauded the latter’s game on Saturday. It is essentially a half-back’s job to get the ball away quickly to his backs. Hynes shone out in that respect and tackled solidiy. Some Good Forwards. Botii packs were served by some high-class forwards. The best of I lie Possibles pack were Mcßurney, Hogan and Scott, whilst Trautvetter was a great worker in the Probables’ pack, being well supported by Shaw, Paget and McTear. C A. Menzies aftcii playing for a while in , the forwards, came out to centre and sliowed out in several strong runs. It was erily tackling of the weakest order that allowed him to go so far. Menzies is a fine all round footballer, and his presence In the backs might hold them together better. The selection of W. Tittleton as wing three-quarter will be a surprise to every player and enthusiast. He does not occupy that position for his club nor did he play there in the trial. Against Auckland he was full-back but was too slow and later when moved up did not impress. As the wing position calls for speed and resource this player’s inclusion over players like Kelly, Robinson, and Hill ds difficult to follow. T. Timms, R. Stevenson and J. Laird who played in the North Island team and E. Abbott in the trial match at Auckland on Saturday justified their inclusion. South Auckland’s forwards promise lo fully extend the English pack but the same cannot be said for the backs unless some alterations are made. FIRST TEST MATCH. HOME TEAM SELECTED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Saturday. The selectors, Messrs A. McClymonth (Auckland), A. Ferguson (Auckland) and Sanders (Christchurch), have chosen the following players to represent New Zealand In the' first test match against England at Carlaw Park on Saturday:— ' Fullback.—A Laing (Auckland). Threcquarters.—(P. Hart (West Coast), C. List (Auckland), L. Scott (Auckland). —Five-eighths.—H. Brisbane, captain (Auckland), A. E. Cooke (Auckland). Halfback: J. Masters (West Coast). Forwards: J. Calder (West Coast), E. St. George (Auckland), R- Stephenson (South Auckland), M. 0 Brlen (West Coast), T. Timms (South Auckland), L. Hutt (Auckland). THE ENGLISH TEAM. ARRIVAL AT AUCKLAND. RECEIPTS IN AUSTRALIA £28,000. (Bv Telegraph. —Press Association.) V AUCKLAND, Monday. The English Rugby League team of 26 players arrived to-day from Sydney to play a series of matches in New Zealand. _ ... The team is captained by J. Sullivan, who is paying his third visit to New Zealand, and is managed by Mr G. F. Hutchins, who said the attendances in Australia at the matches totalled 315,000, including 70,500 for the first Test in Sydney. The total gross receipts were £28,000. He thought the present team rather better balanced than The one which visited the Dominion four years ago. One player, Butters, broke a bono in his fool' in the first match in Australia, and is still on orulehes. Sullivan said they should not have lost a match In Australia, bit they were unlucky in the matter of injuries. The team was accorded a civic recoption to-day.