LEAGUE & LEAGUERS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1806, 19 July 1913, Page 12

LEAGUE & LEAGUERS.

TBi "Fleetfoot."! AUSTRALIA'S OUTLOOK. . Lean Years May Come. Frank Corbett writes as follows in tho Sydney "Sun":—"The first round of the League's football competition revealed many things. Possibly tho most pronounced was that tho old hands retained that form which in tho past won them the highest honours, that football has to offer. In the four representative games played against New Zealand there was not a man on the New South Wales side who (had not previously won his spurs in big ■games. To some minds that would suggest chat .the material coming forward in tho league is not what it should ba if the State is to maintain its prestige in the future, "Tho position at first glance would appear to be serious indeed. But one has to weigh the facts before 'forming a judgment. It could not be said that more than two of the players who figured in the contests against New Zealand are bearing the end of their careers. All of phern are comparatively young men with many sears ot football before them, provided accident or inclination does not lay them on tho shelf alongside all the go.od pld warriors who have gone before them. ,"It seems strange that beyond the representative backs this season there are few men worthy of a place in the highest pompany. That applies particularly to three-quarters. If the men to whom we have looked so long to fill tho threequarter positions wero to suddenly lose form it would be a matter of difficulty to find substitutes of sufficient ability to take their places. Admittedly there are young fellows who aro good enough for iii3t grade teams, but not class enough to wear, the Blue jerseys of New South Wales. Unless somo new stars shortly appear iu the League firmament, there is a chance of the State dropping with a thud from its lofty pedestal, especially if the .English Northern Union forsakes its 'livery' attitude, and sends a team to Australia next season." A Cricket Score. Hutt were up against the stiffest proposition they llai-o had to face on' Saturday last, when thoy ■ played Athletic at Newtown Park, ana a nice score of 58 was rattled up against them. 'The side only turned up nine strong, and had to secure tho aid of two Atuktic men to enable an eleven aside nuitcli to be played. Hutt scored 111 points, out a number of theso'were put on by the Athletic men borrowed, for the occasion. It was not an interesting exhibition of football by aay meani," but Hutt wero not expected to put in a strong team. Thjy ure at their best oil tho home ground, and when away make poor exhibitions. • Athletic were strengthened by the inclusion of Bradley, who showed that he had learnt a lot whilo away with the New Zealand team in Australia. The .Wellington men who have been away with the touring game have all returned impressed with the idea that. League is tho game in football, circles, and the prospects of the game appear to be getting brighter every day. Tho lack of grounds is likely to militate against any big forward strides in Wellington for somo time, but th's difficulty is not impossible to overcome. Nowtown Victorious. Newtown placed themselves six points Ahead in the championship ladder on Saturday, by defeating Petone. They played the better game, and got home by a margin of ten points. The only score against thom was a goal, so their defence was pretty strong. Championship Ladder. Tho championship ladder for city clubs is as follows :— Pts. Pts. Ch, P. W. L. for. ag'st. Pts. Newtown ... 11 9 2 . 212 ( J0 18 Petono 11 C 5 223 117 12 Athletic ... 11 5 6 ICS) 149 10 Hutt 11 2 9 79 327 1 H Farewell Supper. While the New Zealand team were in Jhristchurch Dr. and Mrs. Thacker gave j farewell supper. During the evening .Mr. J. Hoean. on behalf of the team, referred to tne Kindness and attention given by Mrs. Thacker on the Australian tour,

and presented her with a solid silver service. Ho also presented Mr. Brice, on bahalf of Mrs. Brice, with a set of furs and a muff in appreciative remembrance. Dr. Thacker and Mr. Brico replied.