FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 August 1924, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

AYESTLAXD SUB-I'NION

The Sub-Union met last evening at S o'clock. Present--Messrs J. Stafford (in the chair), D. Dowell. Coulson, Bannister, Hownt, Cutlnisli and l.eemin.

The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence a]iproved. Tlie Referees Association report was received: SENIOR FIXT URE. Senior Game. Mr A. Sumner. .JUNIOR FIX l CUES.

Kiwis v. Rimu at 1..'J0 p.m.. at Hokitika.—Air L. Hughes. Excelsiors v. R-ess at lio.ss, Air E W. Heenan. THIRD GRADE.

School v. Excelsiors— Air K. Breeze. From Fire Brigade thanking Union lor recent benlit match which resulted in a return of Co lls (id to the Bripade I nulls.—Received. It was resolved to ask the Judicial Committee to meet on Thursday evening to deal with the Hahn ease. The Newman Shield match. Greynioutli v. Hokitika was fixed for Saturday next at li p.m.

RUGBY IN FRANCK. ALL BLACKS’ OIM'OXENTS. Hugliy followers who have anived from England recently expect that one of the best teams the All Blacks will meet in their tour will he that representing Era nee. French Rughv lias grown out of all knowledge, popularity and thoroughness going hand in hand, and since the French Army have made the game of Rugby Eoothall compulsory as a part of their military training. the French soldiers are gradually placing the game oil a level with its character in all the British countries. French Rugby was a huge joke polite ‘id years ago. and attention was then limited to the game in Paris. Such .’■cratch sides used to he got together to play games in Paris, that the whole allair was little short of a jov ride for the London sides.

From early Rugby days among the French, there was certain s] cod in evidence and since tlie war many fast

and (lever t liree-i|liarters have been found. Rut where the mosl notable improvement has been seen has been amongst th(> forwards. The old idea tiiat the Frenchman was a finicking individual and a little man has been cx--1 hided froin experience. The weakness amongst tlie Frenchmen is that they have not made a close study of the laws, and some of their players, especially forwards, have the reputation of being “tough’’.

league football. LEAGUE Af A NAG ERAS eoAIMK-NT. t’HRISTCff U.I It’ll. August 11. Speaking at till) civic reception lo the English League team this evening, Mr J. 11. Dannet, the .Manager, commented on the poor s; irii .shown in the Dominion in connection with the Rugby League game. The Chinese, ho said, had been handed out a hearty welcome, hut the Britishers had been turned down. The League players, although they were professionals in the eyes of the Rugby Union, did mil want to lie profe-sional.s. The League players were not paid a.s were members of the Rugby Union, where the pl.t yet,- ’*( e paid ! th’’ week an-l not by the match, a-, was (lie , as” with League players. The treat mem which had been handl’d out to the English learn b.v some of the so-called sportsmen k!’ th" Rugby Union was not pleasant.

“The lilvwhite Rugby Union. ’’ lie id. There was no more polluted

mime in ilio world than Rugby The League paid its players , n top of the (aide, and not under the table. Dr. Thacker, who was one cf the

speakers, said that lie had letter from Manaw.atu. which slated that the whole of the Rugby teams in the Alanawatu wore to go over to the League next .season, lfc and others had been invited to visit the Alanawatu, and to start the code there. The writer of the h-licr to him was Air P. J. Jack of Eo.xum.