FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 August 1928, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

ENGLISH LEAGUE TEAM, FINANCIAL RESULTS. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, August 27. “ Financially it has been the most successful tour ever made,” by an English Rugby League team, said Mr F. C. Hutchins, one of the managers of the English team, whfbh sails for Vancouver to-morrow.

“ Peifore wo left England we knew that the tom- would cost us about €12,000.” he said, “but when the last match was played in Australia, we had made €7OOO clear profit, The New Zealand tour has paid its way. and after two matches are played in Canada on the way hack, there should he record figures to show.”

Mr Hutchins said: “The gates in New Zealand were as follows: Match at Taupiri, €l5O ; first test in Auckland, €1900; Auckland province, €400; Auckland, £1000; Greymouth. £250; Puller, £220; second test match (at Dunedin), £600; Invercargill. C-100; third test at Christchurch, t.SOO, The team, he remarked, had had splendid receptions everywhere, and the missionary work accomplished would be invaluable if it were followed up.

Mr Hutchins has something to say about the second test game played at Dunedin:—"Quite candidly, I must say that the refereeing was weak, and there were some incidents which should not have occurred, hut the Dunedin press work was both inspired hv partisanship for another code and lamentable. The game itself did not merit the scathing criticism which was telegraphed all over New Zealand.”

Mr Hutchins said that they had been impressed both by the support of the League game in New Zealand and the general improvement in the playing standard of their opponents—a much higher standard than they had been led to believe in Australia. The real playing requirement in New Zealand was more concentration on physical fitness, and development in the direction of open play, instead of concentration on defence.