RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 130, 2 May 1940, Page 10

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

OPENING OF SEASON. THREE SENIOR MATCHES. Moro interest than has been taken for a number of years will bo attached to the opening of the Man'awatu Rugby Union’s season on Saturday, on account of the changed conditions under which the gamo will bo played and also the appearance of a new senior team, from the Ohakea Air Training Station. Now that the area at the rear of the main stand is available, three senior matches will be held at the Showgrounds. Air Force last Saturday played a hardfought practice gamo with University on the latter's ground, and the indications given then were that there will be. ample interest for spectators at their meeting on Saturday, this being set down as the main match, to open at 3 p.m. The Air Force team is described as being a strong combination so that, given favourable conditions the tactics should bo open play. The first match on the Showgrounds oval will bo between St. Patrick’s and United, to commence at 1.30 p.m. In this the potentialities of the teams are largely unknown, and for followers of the game in this district the result will hold considerable interest.. ICia Toa and Feilding Old Boys will meet on the ground at the rear of the main stand at 3 p.m. Both teams ar© popular and there should be u good following of thoir supporters in attendance. „ At 'Johnston Park, Feilding, the Feilding arid Old Boys teams will lie matched, commencing at 3 p.m. following a junior grade curtain-raiser between United and Feilding Old Boys. All the clubs have been engaged in practice games for some time and the training has spread over a longer period than in other years on account of the Showgrounds not being available until this Saturday, a week later than the date originally sot for the opening of tho inter-elub games. ';