FOOTBALL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8824, 28 May 1907, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

The Professional Team. —; J&l I’ress Association—Copyright. Sydney, May 27. The Council of the Eugby Union passed the following resolution to-night, “ That the Council conveys to the New Zealand Eugby Union its hearty appreciation of the action taken in reference to the suggested visit of a professional team to England, being of opinion that such action is in the host interest of the game, Americans and Rugby. Sydney, May 27. Professor Jordan, of Stanford University, California, at present visiting Sydney, states, in proof of tho earnestness with which Eugby is being taken up, that within a week or so two Stanford coaches, Flanagan and Pressley, are coming in search of information. They will soend two months in Australia and New Zealand studying tho play. Per Press Association. Dunedin, May 27. At a meeting of the Otago Eugby Union to-night it was decided not to apply for any portion of the £2OO set apart by the New Zealand Eugby Union for encouragement of Eugby football in the primary schools. It was also decided to demand an apology from the University Club for the criticisms of the referee in the match on May 18th. Failing an apology by Thursday next, the Eefereas’ Association will refuse to appoint referees for University clubs. Invercargill, May 27. The affiidavit required by the New Zealand.Eugby Union from players nominated for the North v. South Island match has been signed by E, Hughes, T. Clark and A. Eeid (Brittania Club) and G. Lang (Invercargill Club.) Wellington, May 27. At a meeting of the Committee of the New Zealand Eugby Union to-night, a letter was read which had boon addressed by the secretary of the Union to Mr H. H. Baskiville, of Wellington. In this the secretary stated that the Union had reason to believe ho bad information upon tho proposed tour of the professional footballers to England, and the Union therefore summoned him as a member of a city loam to attend tho meeting of tho Union. Mr Baskiville, in reply, wrote that all tho information ho had on tho subject would be gained from the newspapers in a few woo'is, meanwhile ho was bound not to divulge it to the Union. Having considered the matter tho Union dealt with Mr Baskiville under rule 2, sub-section 1, clause I, of the rules as to professionalism. The following have been selected to represent the South Island in the football match against the North Island at Christchurch on Juno 3rd : Backs, Turtill (Otago), Deans (Canterbury), . Booth (Otago), Fryer (Canterbury'). Eckhold (Otago), Bums (Canterbury), Dansey (Otago) ; forwards, Hughes (Southland), Carlton (South Canterbury), Casey (Otago), Baton (Otago), Clark (Southland), McDonald (Otago), Johnston. (Otago), Wado (Westland), Denuehy (Westland). Sixteen names are given here, and the southern selectors are to decide which man shall retire. Tho North Island team loaves for Christchurch, on Friday or Saturday. Wanganui, May 27. The secretary of tho Wanganui Eugby Union sent tho following wire to the New Zealand Union this evening : “My Union is of opinion that those players not signing affidavits should be disqualified from playing this season.” Tho feeling is very strong here. Auckland, May 28. The Auckland footballers who on Saturday declined to sign tho declaration submitted by the Rugby Union meet to-uiglit to reconsider their decision. It is understood there is a probability of the men j signing the declaration.

Sneaking of the North Island team, tho Post says:—Although tho team does not, by any means, represent the full strength of the North Island, a number of men who are strangers to the top rung of tho Rugby ladder aro being given an opportunity to distinguish themselves; the result may be that they will prove that Rugby in New Zealand is not confined to ono particular set of players. Some of the men not considered, however, are undoubtedly worth their placo, not only in an inter-island team, but in tho best combination that could be selected in New Zealand at tho present time. A number of the players left out were members of the “All Black” team which toured England, and, according to newspaper reports, some of thorn have been playing up to their very best form this season.

Notes by “ Muddied Oaf.”

The following players will represent Bulls against Mar ton, at Martou, on Wednesday next, May 29th—A. Green, O. Johnson, D. Scott, O. Podjnrsky, W. Green, A. Nicholson. Garter (3), O, Henderson, O. Madden, J. Tenueut, J. Swede, E. Rayu, J. Rowlands, O. Ewing. Coach leaves Bulls at-1.80 p.m. sharp. Out of eight Otago men nominated for the iutor-island Rugby match, the following six have signed the declaration .that they will not have anything to do with a professional team: —Booth, Eckhold, Dansey, Patou, Casey, Fitzpatrick. At Auckland ou Saturday Paruell defeated North Shore by 22 to nil, City were superior to Grafton by 27 to nil, and P msonby triumphed over Newton by six to nil. At Christchurch Albion 20 beat Old Boys 12, Sydenham 18 won from Merivaie nil, ’Christchurch 3 beat Liuwood nil, Canterbury College a bye. At Dunedin Ziugari-Richmond beat Taieri Rovers by i 4 to 3, Southern beat Alhambra 13 to 9, University beat Kaikorai 33 to 3, Dunedin beat Pirates G to 5, and Port Chalmers beat Union 18 to nil.

At Wellington Oriental 12 beat Melrose nil, Poneko aud Athletic played a draw, 14 points each; St. James 9 beat Wellington College nil, Old Boys 8 beat Wellington 3.

At Master ton Carterton and Mastertou played a draw, no score; Star beat Gladstone by six points to nil. Horowhonna Rugby Union has invited Rangitikei “reps.” to play a match at Levin at an early date and promise to play a return match at Martou this season.

All third class Marton players are requested to be present to-night at Gardiner’s stables’jit 8 p.m. for practice and to [receive jerseys for to-, morrow’s match.

The Sandon team has been a heavy loser in hack players this year, being without the services of D,' Scott, M. Carroll, and R. McNao. the former having left the district and the others have thrown in their lot with Huimai, and Awahou. Saturday’s team was further weakened by the absence of H. Thompson and P. Egliugtou, who were unwilling spectators in the game against Awahou through the effects of minor accidents. Their places were filled by H. McNao and B. Frecklington. McNao’s play at half on Saturday proved him to he a good all round player. Hitherto he has always played wing forward. Ho was easily the best attacking back on the ground. T. Richardson fielded and kicked well, his run being only marred by bis unwillingness to pass instead of being collared. Tho lightest and perhaps tho gamest player in the Foxtou sub-union is Alt' George, the Sandon full-back. He had a Tot of work to do against Awahou, and did it well The Sandon forwards were strengthened by tho inclusion of J. and T. Williams and J. Sanson. They formed a very solid pair of hookers and centre man in the sernm. Sanson has a tendency to get off-side through being too anixous The wing forwards, Drew and L. Knight, are a lively pair, who nse good judgment and protect their half well. Awahou forwards are rather light, aud on Saturday their heavy opponents beat them in tho scrums, but they held their own in the loose. Their wing forward, Shadbolt, is a big promising player, 13 stone aud over six feet high, and only 18 years old. He was unfortunate in twisting his knee on Saturday, his side losing his services when playing against the wind. The visiting backs were said to be weakened by the absence of three of their best players. .'With the exception of Dunn, five-eighth, and Spiers, wing three-quarter, those who did play were weak in defence, especially in kicking. , Sandon travels to Foxton next Saturday to meet the Albion tegm, which beat Rongotea on Saturday by 31 to 3, and who were beaten themselves by Awahou by 38 to 0 the previous week.