LEAGUE & LEAGUERS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1764, 31 May 1913, Page 12

LEAGUE & LEAGUERS.

[By .'Tleetfoot."! CITY COUNCIL & ITS CHARGES. Drop Such Men I •The matches played on Saturday last drow a good number of spectators, especially tluo encounter at tlio Hutt. Tho gamo was worth going a long way to sec, niul tlio crowd who tinned out wero not disappointed, as the exhibition of football given has rarely been equalled i» tlio city. Unfortunately the game set down tor decision on tlio park was a "frost." This was duo to the Ilutt team coming- on short-handed. 'l'he Newtown team had its full strength, while Hutt could only muster niuo players. The nine who did turn out tiro to be commended for trying to fulfil the engagement, but. those who staved awav should be asked for .in explanation. Men like Buckland and Turner should know better. Strange to say, both these men were nominated for the Aow Zealand team, though neither got in. They were both in attendance oil the previous Saturday, but,- on that occasion, of , course, the selectors were present to pick the team for Australia. That, apparently, nuulo all tho difference. Tlio Hutt Club would bo doing tho right thing to drop both of these players; also 6thers who failed to turn out. If tho Hutt Club do not take action, tho league certainly should. How can tho public be expected to patronise suoli games? It is certainly incumbent 011 the League to make a searching inquiry, and to make an example of players sucli as those under review.

Tho Newtown Club's Romp-Over. The Newtown men simply waited all over the Hutt nine. The only players who afforded any resistance were Anderson and Collett, Anderson especially putting in good work. . . , On the Newtown side Strickland had a "day out," scoring four tries. . Murdoch and Russell showed improved form, and M'Guire played with plenty of dash. In the forward division, "Les Campbell went well, while "Jack" Spencer ambled around the field, playing on any old place. He must have played in every position in the team, with the exception or iull-bacK. This may be tolerated by tho Isewtown skipper, but it would not do in _ most clubs, and-"Jack" did not cut any ice as a wing-three-quarter—he plays better in til© forwards. Mr. Murphy refereed, but he must keep a firmer liola on the game, Great Match on Hutt Ground.'

The Atliletic-Petone match on the Hutt ground was a great exhibition, of football, anil excitement was maintained, until the Petone rearguard combined splendidly. Whitley played a brilliant game, and was easily the best back on tie ground; Barber, at half, worked the scrum' well,' but, at times, hung on too much. Miller, the .New Zealand representative, was not up to _ junior form, and gave an awful display. Probstel, the other New Zealand candidate, was also ordinary but is has to be borne in mind that Miller soldoin got the ball out to him. Knlayson, as wing-three-quarter, playcd his best game to date. He arid Strideland fire the bast pair of wingers wo have. Guthrie played on the other wing, and acquitted Himself well. Jack .is a forward, but he took Albert Howie s place, tho latter being unable to play owiii" to an injury to his shoulder. Wri'ht, at full-back, gave an improved display. Ho showed good judgment in his kicking, and he never missed the ball all The forwards were without tlie services of Parker, who was unable to get away from work. His place was filled by Itesby, who did well. Davis, a new player, was "in the thick of it" all day, and made some line tackles. Iraser alwajs 1 plays a good game, and Saturday s- disI play was no exception. Childs is un--1 tiring, and is always on the ball, biiarulow is improving with every game. His constant attendance at the gymnasium is tho cause for his well-trained, appearance. Ashton still sticks to his Union habits. lie plays with unnecessary vigour, and does not keep in the scrum. Ho should remember that tho wing-forward is not allowed in tlie League game, lie gave away innumerable free-kicks lor breaking away from tho scrum.

Notes on the Athletic Men. _ The Athletic men started off at ft great pace and rattled up :.l points in record time, but after that their condition gave out. Kelly was playing badly, ° n tins year's form, is uochampion. Bradley is very solid on defence, and inado some splendid marks, but ho is not playing so well as usual. . AVilson still plays half, but is an indifferent performer in that position—a good man wasted, in fact. Ryan is a mystery. He rnado some great runs, but does not use his weight as he should. He showed improved form, ihowever, and probably when he gets more accustomed to the game he will "make good." Casey is just passable, and the same can bo eaid of the other wing men. The fullback played soundly. The forwards work hard. Brooks is about the best of them, and his knowledge of the game is considerable, but that tf course doea not warrant him in "pointing," especially while playing the ball. Weaver is one of the best. He keeps going all the time, and, above all, does not continually appeal. Jl'Callum should know more about the game by now. The new men in the forwards are all very" promising players, and this team will tako a lot of beating in a week or two. ■

The New Club Starts Off. The new club which has been formed here will have a largo membership, ilr. Healey is acting-secretary, and is a great worker. Another prominent enthusiast is Neil Austin, junr. The club sent a team out to the liutt Oil Saturday, and wero taken m charge by Sir. H. Wright, who put them through their facings. They will have lwo teams going to-day. It is rumoured that thero is a possibility of a senior club turning over to the League shortly.

Tho City Council, the Basin, and Some

Other Thinas. Keen disappointment is felt in Wellington at the action of the City Council in refusing the use of the Basin Reserve, and in charging 50 per cent, on the 'lakings'for the use of Newtown Park. Only a week or so ago the "soccer" people were granted tho use of the Basin 011 a 20 per cent basis, which is 5 per cent, moro than any other town charges sports lxidies. .To impose the prohibitive prico of 50 per cent, on tho League is outrageous. Why the distinction? Tho result is that the New Zealand Council have had to abandon tho match, and consequently the public have been debarred from witnessing a good game. One reason (so it is rumoured) why the 50 per cent, was charged was that "tho plavors divided the gate." If this did inlfuonce some members of tho Reserves Committee in coming to the decision which they did, the least they could have dono was to have made inquiries from t'lto Wellington. League as to facts or otherwise. A deputation from the League waited on tho old council some time ago, and stated distinctly that the players were only paid while on tour, and then only to tho amount of 10s. per day. The money that would have been taken at the gabs (had the match been played) would have gone to tho general fund of the League. The plavors would have got absolutely nothing more than remuneration for actual loss of lime. With tho representatives matches 111 view this season, viz., thofe against N.S.W., Auckland, Canterbury, and other places, the League should have at least terms equal to those granted to other Iwdies.

A Well-Deserved Honour, It is gratifying to the local men to know that "Les" Campbell has been included in ilm N"V Hcqlaiul team. lie will be well worth his place.