MERELY BANK GOSSJP.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1461, 8 June 1912, Page 12

MERELY BANK GOSSJP.

'SOME OF THE CLUB HAPPENINGS. M'Leod, the well-known Oriental ba'ck, who has been on the disabled list for some: lime, attended at the club gymnasium this week, and will probably bo playing in Hie bis match to-day. Scant difficulty seems to have been experienced by the Petone men in winning the --even-aside tournament at Palmerston on Monday. They had rather a weak team, but they walked through, everything. The junior strugglo was keener. Petono juniors played five matches, won four and lost one. They had bad luck in having to plav four of these matches on cud, and, in ths final, were matched against St. James juniors, who had only played two games. Reported that Edward Ryan, v. Petone junior, played better football than any nian who took part in the tournament at Palmerston on Monday. Luck threw her arms round the neck of College when her representatives travelled ■up to Auckland on Saturday last.' Somewhere in the Hulcombe region they mannged to c-Jiiimandeu- C. Phillips. As a College player puts it: "He played centre for us, and made all the difference." He is art ex-College player and cx-Wanganui icpresentative. Amusement was caused by a team of Maoris who strolled into the arena, at the Palmerston tournament. They had the demeanour of Roman gladiators, but, unfortunately, not the execution. In tact, it was soon apparent that then- knowledge of Rugby was almost nil. Piki, the Maori half-back, is again playing for Merivale, Christchurch. Weight will bo more in evidence in the Victoria Col legs forwards than heretofore. They have just enlisted the services of ,1. liiartrum, who wore the light bluo jersey, for O'.ago University in 190U-7. He is"ono,of the heavy brigade, and used to be a good in an. It is stated that G. Nicholson, the Auckland and Ali-iilack forward, has practicallv decided to accept an oiler lo coach in America. Ho thinks of leaving lor San Francisco in October. \fter heiii" badlv mauled last year in the defence of his distressful Alma Mater, W Ptainton is out again wuh tne College colours on. He played half at Auckland, and was the best back on the ground. College back play in the match at Auckland is said to have astonished even themselves The change for the better is ascribed to Stainiou and Phillips. "Some doubt has been voiced as to tho ability of James Ryan to figure in club engagements to-day. Tile doubt is reported to be groundless. Hospitality was not wanting at Auckland when "tho local Collegians arrived thrif. A drive to Onehunga and Ol.iliuhu. and a dinner on the evening of the Dial,ch were among the items. •U I'm- UHc:;.- dinner al Auckland the chief interchanges of post-prandial wit reb'.'-d to ihe old. old oiieslion—Which is !•',.• village, Auckland or Wd-iiiiirt-.-n:- "ihcv pii-hcd it <>» l» us," says „ CY-!h-:-.' man. "about the Queen City, etc..-ii'.i'i v hurled back Hie magic words •<'u|,;(.V!,' 'Supiema a situ,' and all that Borl of thing, so honours wore easy."

Dent, tlie well-known Petono forward, has beon training' at the "gym.," and will likely bo on the field later on. Heady, Petono player, who injured his hand somo time ago, is progressing on tho way to complete recovery, He. will probably liavo tho jersey on bpforo the season closes. Ono point in the intcr-'Varsily match which caught the fancy of tho Victoria Collego men was the line judgment of the referee (Mr. J. Kattcrns). On the advantage rulo it is tho case of knock-ons. The result was a fast game.