FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 August 1925, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

[by TELEOKAPn —rEH PRESS ASSOCIATION.] X.S.AV. RUGBY TEAM. ARRIVAL AT AY ELLINGTON. AYKLLINGTON. Aug. 17. “East and nippy.” 'iTicso are the words with which Air Harold Baker, manager of the X.S.AAL Rugby football team described the team which arrived from Sydney by the Alaunganui. All were reported fair and well, and to-day ti- statement that E. N. Grcatorex, tlie big forward who toured New Zealand in 1023, was suffering from the effects of an injured thumb was denied. Quite a number of the players are new to New Zealanders. In the hacks, E. Reid. A. E. Toby. G. Morrissey. I). G. Dorati, King, .1. P. Mullugan and H. Snell are making their first trip, while in the forwards H. E. Woods. K. Tarlcton. (.’. Shaw. D. G. Telford. IL Jtuld. AV. A. Bigney, AA’. .M. haycock, H. Bryant and .1. .Ford are also coming to the Dominion for the first tine. Tlie players known in tliis country are: A. .). A. Bowers, X. (Smith, (). C. Grossman. IL 11. Foote, T. Lawton (vice-captain). <L George. ]■’. AY. Meagher, hacks; .1. G. Blackwood : T. S. Smith. L. A. Palmer, and E. X. Greatorex. The manager. Mr Harold Baker, is a brother of the famous “Snowy” Baker. He has been prominently associated with several branches of athletics in Australia, lie has represented New South AN ales »t football and Australia at swimming, while In' has also won distinction at boxing. Mr Baker is an able football coach, lie is of opinion that the nippiness of the team would more than make up for the lack of weight. The inside hacks were heavy, and one of the live-eight Its. T. Lawton, had played for Oxford and London, as well as New South AYales and Queensland. Four of the players were from the country, and .Air Baker was pleased to say that the Rugby game was extending there. He was confident that they would give every side they met a good game. X.S.AV. TEAM AYHLCOAIF.D. WELLINGTON, August IS. To-dov a civic welcome was accorded the X.S.AV. Rugby fool haliers, while .Alavor Norwood also ex I ended a welcome Id the members ol the North and South Alami team, who contest the To .Mori rose howl to-morrow. The Mayor expressed extreme pleasure at welcoming a representative team from the other side of the Tasman. lie saiil the cultivation of a reciprocal tooling between the young men of N.Z. and Australia should he encouraged in every possible way. He regretted no provision had been made for ihe team to play at AA T ellingion, hut he wished them a pleasant tour of the Dominion and a share in the honours ol the field. Colonel Campbell and councillors also Kpoko. Mr Harold Baker, manager of the team, thanked the speakers for the welcome, and incidentally said that Rugby was almost a religion in New Zealand.