FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 March 1926, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

[by tel to it ar h —rr.it chess association, j WELLINGTON GRADING SCHEME. WELLINGTON. March 30. Although the local Rugby Union decided to institute a grade scheme in senior football, when it came to settling details there was so much conilict ql opinion as 1o the host method, that it ended in a resolution more or less nullifying the proposal altogether. Those clubs which feared relegation to the second division fought strenuously against any grading, and after a long struggle gained their point to the extent that it was agreed for this season that the A grade should consist of the present senior clubs, and B grade of any others offering. It was immediately pointed out that, so far from impromur the present unweildy system, this only made it worse, upon which further resolutions were passed _ that next year A grade should be limited to ton clubs, and B to eight, the lowest in A to go down into 13. Practically the decision of the annual meeting was shelved for the year.

ALL BLACK COOKE. NAPIER, March 30. Approached to-night. Mr A. E. Cooke, the All Black centre-threequarter, emphatically denied the statement recently published, in England to . the effect that he had been offered and had accepted an invitation to join the New Zealand League team to tour England in the. coming season. Cooke made it perfectly clear that lie had not the slightest intention of playing the Leaimo code. He will continue to play Rugby, and for the ensuing season, he will play in Hawke’s Bay.