THE LEAGUE GAME.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1735, 28 April 1913, Page 6

THE LEAGUE GAME.

CUP SERIES INAUGURATED,

newtown-petone. Tho League Cup fixtures were commenced on Saturday. Newtown and Teton© met at Duppa Street, and tho resulted in a win for Newtown by 14 points to 7. The attendance at tho match was small. The teams were:— . Newtown — Kellclicr, Strickland, M'Guire, M'Cardle, George, M'Elwain, Spencer, King, Warsaw, Sullivan, Campbell, and Cooper. Petone-Wright, Mangin. Gladin, Wlutlev, House, Langridge, Parker, i nesby, Fraser, Childs, Shardlow, and Ingham. # The game'opened with a big pcreentago of uncertain play by all hands. Later on things became more interesting. Petone spent a brief period attacking, and then a protracted ono defending. Strickland was responsible for some excellent dashes .for Newtown, none of which, however, brought scores. Kellelier got to within a few yards of the Petono lino and P&sscd out, but a sluggard colleague failed to make good off an easy chance. A flash down the line by George and Strickland saw Petono in further immiuent danger, but the trouble was averted. Strickland had a long shot at goal, but missed. Petono attacked for a few minutes and during their spell on tho offensive Whitley kicked a penalty goal. Petono, 2; Newtown, 0. resumed tho attack immediately, and a pretty and tricky run by George would have resulted in a score if M'Elwain, to whom ho passed, had had any pace. Petoue were penalised just in front of their own posts and J.' Spencer took a 'shot at goal, but tho old Wellington representative's shot went wide. Just on half-time L. Campbell scored for Newtown after-good following up. Stricklaud converted, Newtown, s;*5 ;* Petoue, 2.

Tlio spcond spell had been in progress or.ly a few minutes when J. Spencer increased Newtown's tolly by scoring from a forward scramble near (lie lino, tlio l>i<T fellow's weight" mid strength making him irresistible. Strickland did not convert. Newtown, 8; Petone, 2. The tireless "Les" Campbell had hard luck in not- scoring from a fast follow-up immediately afterwards. Petone then took up the aggressive and pressed Newtown dangerously. From a stood position Whitley took a snap pot at the goal, but ho missed. Pciono kept up the pressure and Fraser scored from a forward rush. Whitley did not convert. Newtown, 8: Petone. 5 On resuming Newtown attacked and ,T. Spencer, getting the oval about ten yards out fought a passage across Iho line and scored, L. Campbell failed to. convert. Newtown, 11; Petone ft. The next score was Potono's, House kicking a penalty poal. Newtown, 11; Petone, 7. A brilliant run by Strickland took play to Petono's line, and from an ensuing scrum George passe<l out to Strickland who galloped round the suburban backs and scored. /ITe failed with the kick. Newtown, 14': Petone, 7. A sprint by .T. Spencer was the next thing of note. Spencer fought and fended riqlit to tlio line, but was at last pushed out. There was no further score. The result, therefore, was— Newtown 14 Fotono 1 Mr. C. Murphy was referee. ATHLETIC—HUTT, On the Hutt Recreation Ground, in tlio presence of a fair number of spectators, Athletic defeated Unit by 20 points to U. The game was slow in the first spell, but later on both rearguard divisions played with wonderful combination, and play was bright and interesting. Bradley opened tlio scoring with a prettily dropped goal from the twenty-five line—

Athletic, 2; Hutt, nil. Harnett then had a chance to equalise, but failed. Athlctio did a lot of attacking, chiefly through their forwards. Bradley, after a dodgy run, dived in, and goaled with a good kick. Athletic, 7; llutt, nil. From a scrum at half-way, Kelly secured, and all, llutt backs being in position, Buckland put in a lino run, anil sent tlio "ball to Allen, who passed to Harnett. Tho last-, named sent it back to Allen, v who dived ill at tho corner. M'llvrido failed with tho kick. Athletic, 7; Hutt, 3. Play became very fast, and in tho second spell some fine passing rushes were seen. Just after tho start Kelly scored for Athletic, and Bradley gdalcd. l'J—U. Ending tip a brilliant forward rush, Davidson scored in a good position, hut tho kick went wide. IS —3. Athletic again attacked, and alter every back had taken part in a rush, Kelly scored near tho posts. 20—3. llutt then .spurted up considerably, and near (lio end of the gamo Buckland, after a great run, scored, and Harnett goalcd. 20—8. Continuing the attack, Hutt got in a good position, and Buckland dropped a goal. 20—10. Just before limo was called, M'llvrido kicked two penalties, and the gamo ended: Atli- i letic, 20 i Hutt, 14. Mr. Hay was refcreo. JUNIOR. Petono defeated Hutt, on the lotter't ground, by 3 points to nil. Whitley scored a try. NEW ZEALAND RUGBY LEAGUE REPORT. FINANCIAL DETAILS. Tho annual report of tho New Zealand Rugby League, to bo presented at tho annual meeting to bo held at Auckland next month, states (hat last season was tho busiest in 'tho history of tho New Zealand League. A visit was made to Australia by league representatives, and for tlw first time an Australian League team visited Now Zealand, the New South Wales Loaguo sending a team across to tour the Dominion. Tho New Zealand combination which visited Australia played seven matches, four being won. and three lost. Three matches wero played against New South Wales, ono being won nud two lost; two wero played against Qujjonsland, both * being won; ono was plnyed against Australia, and lost; and ono ogainst Newcastle, which wus won. Tho receipts of tho tour amounted to X 1250 3s. Id., tho expouditui'o to ii 1032 lis. 5d., th<i profit on the tour thus amounting to £217 lis. Bd. Tho Now South Wales team which visited New Zealand for missionary purposes was a strong combination, practically tho strongest that could bo got together. Tho .. tour brought tho g;amo prominently before 1 the public, somo very largo attendances being recorded. Tho New South WalesNew Zealand match, despito tho counter- • attraction of a Plunkot Shield match between Aucklnnd and Otag'o Union repro- . sentativos, attracted an attcndanco ofr over 20,000. Tho two New South WalesAuckland matches attracted attendances of 10,000 and 15,000 respectively. At Wellington it is estimated that fully 8000 attended tho match, whilo at Christchurch about 7000 were in attendance. NEW LEASE OF LIFE. Tho progress of tho gamo in Now Zca. land, states tho report, is steady. • Dur' ' ing tho past season 'the existing leagues l>ecame stronger, now olubs being formed,, and others increasing their nienibarship. Tho most notable forward movement vas made in Canterbury, whero n strong, • league was formed under capable man- 1 agoment. Tho systematic manner it which 'tho Canterbury League is working points strongly to tlio organisation of a sound body. The Wellington League ■■ took a i new lease oC life; their, prospers for this season are bright. • Already a new league has been formed ■ iu Marlborough, ana Wellington is showing an energy which bids well for tho future. Tho leagues affiliated with tho New Zealand Council aro as follow:— Auckland, Hawke's Bay, Wanganui, Wei- ■ lington, Canterbury, and Marlborough, ■ During tho season several tours were mado by officials of tlio • league, tho most recent being those made ' by tho president (Mr. D. XV. M'Lcan) to Canterbury and Marlborough, which re-1 suited in leagues being formed in theso centres. ENGLISH TEAM' NEXT SEASON. An -endeavour was mado to induce tho English Northern Union to send a team' to Australia and New Zealand this coining season, but tho parent body,'.while not in a position to do so, are likely to view tho proposal ihoro favourably during : ' the next season.

FINANCE. The leaguo commenced the season with a credit balance of .£557 95., and fiuished with a credit balance of -E393 10s. 2d. The receipts include the sums of .£217 lis. Bd. profit from Australian tour, and <£87 15s. 4d. profit from the Now South, WalesNo\v Zealand match.' Tho assets includo loans to leagues as follow Auckland, .£44 7s. 4d.; Nelson, XGO; Hawko's Bay, oCGO ss. j Wanganui, .£SO; Wellington, <£125 Is.; Canterbury, XlOOj and .£393 10s. 2d. in tho bauk. The liabilities are nil. The expenditure includes tho sum of .£lO5, grants made (o leagues. The receipts from loading mntohes during tho year were as follow:—Auckland v. New Zealand, receipts .£99 3s. Bd., profit J2GB 19s. 2d.; Auckland v. Now South Wales, receipts .6419 Is. 3d., profit JEII7 16s. Bd.( Now South Wales v. Now Zealand, receipts .£671 is. 4d., profit £87 15s. 4d. Tho report is signed by D. W. M'Lean (president) and Frank Burbusli (secretary). BIG RECEIPTS. A glanco a'fc tho supplementary accountl show that ;tho receipts for the New Zealand-New South Wales match wore J;G7I 4s. 4d., and tho percentago handed over to 'tho New South 'Wales . body amounted to .£320 2s. 2d. Tho balance of profit as fnr as tho New Zealand Ijcaguo was-concerned only amounted to .£B7 15s. 4d. Tlie expenditure includod jCl4\os. Gd. for advertising Mi 17s. for loss of time {for New Zealand players) | players' expenses, J29 13s. Gd.; and board, .£25 19s. Tho Auokland-New South Wales match yielded dE449 Is. 3d., and tho New South Wales team's 50 per cent, amounted to ,£221 10s. Bd. On this match Auckland made iIG7 lGs, Bd.