RECORD CLUB PRACTICES INDICATE BIG SEASON FOR LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 21, 16 April 1927, Page 11

RECORD CLUB PRACTICES INDICATE BIG SEASON FOR LEAGUE FOOTBALL

REVIEW OF SEASON’S PROSPECTS Six years ago, the Auckland Rugby League had a debit balance of £3O. To-day, its assets are valued in round figures at £IO,OOO. The game has forged ahead at a tremendous pace, thanks *to vigorous and progressive management, and another big year is anticipated this season.

A fortnight from to-day the season in Auckland will be officially opened at Car law Park. This magnificent sports area was once a Chinese market garden, and many were the “Dismal Jimmies” who prophesied disaster when this area was taken over. But there is no thought of that now. The 13-a-side code has definitely established itself, and those at the head of affairs confidently expect that last season’s boom year will pave the way again this winter for another big season.

All the clubs report great enthusiasm among the players. Practices are the order of the day, and busy scenes were witnessed on the various grounds. All the clubs holding practices hist week-end report record attendances. Polio wing is a review of the prospects of the different clubs:

Ponsonby.—The popular blue and blacks, winners of last year’s champipnship, held a useful practice on the Outer Domain on Saturday, and a very large muster of players attended, including eleven of last season’s senior team, which is held to be a record for the first practice of the year. Delgrosso, the captain of the side, should be able to impart a lot of valuable information to his men, as also should Cole and Gardiner, after their trip Home with the New Zealand League team.

The latter, who played in the backs last season, will be seen in the forwards this year, as he is reported to have shown good form in this department of the game while in England.

The ever-popular “Tim” will be seen out in his old position at half. Peclcham is a very useful member to have in a club, and will be sure to catch the selectors’ eye if he retains the form that he showed last season, both before and after the trial games. He was very unlucky to have missed the trip.

This club is in a very fortunate position, as 'it has not only last year’s complete senior team to pick from, but it has also some fine juniors to fall back on if necessary. Ponsonby held a picnic at Eastern Beach last Sunday, and needless to say the football was produced and a practice held.

Devon port.*—This club held a practice last Saturday on its own ground, and the selectors say that the hardest job they are going: to have this season is not to pick the team, but who to leave out of it. They had about thirty players practising, and nearly all are fit to play senior. Pip Webb will be seen out at full-back. Some of the forwards they will have to select from are: A. Scott, Dixon, St. George, Douglas, Ruby, O’Brien, Doing and a new forward, Prior, who is likely to be tried in the team. Hemmingway, Cleaver and Co. should get plenty of assistance from a pack of this sort. It is to be hoped the club will have a bit better luck with the team this year than it did last season. City.—This club was the first team to use Car law Park this season. There was a very large muster, but there was not too many seniors present, and if the club hopes to turn the tables on

its old rivals, and wipe out last year’s defeat, it will have to get down to solid training. L. Brown and B. Davidson made their first appearance after their trip to England, and their movements were watched with interest by a large crowd which had gathered at Carlaw Park to see their old favourites in action. They were certainly not disappointed, as these two brought off some very pretty moves and will give the crowds some clever football this season.

This team, lil>e Ponsonby, is fortunate in having a good junior team'to fall back on. Most likely some of them will be found in the senior team when the season opens.

Richmond.—This club, which finished up last season by winning the Roope Rooster, held a very useful practice on Grey Lynn Park, and the club must feel pleased at the prospects for the coming season. J. Parks, who left New Zealand with the All Blacks as a wingthreequarter, and returned as the beef hooker in the team, will play in this position for his club. All followers of League football will watch with interest this team’s doings, as it is one of the clubs in Auckland which does not believe in going outside the club for players. As soon as a junior shows any form he is promoted* Richmond is improving all the time and should be a very hard team to beat this spason. S. Prentice was noticed on Saturday doing some great work. Athletic.—A record number attended the Athletic Club’s first practice and the club’s prospects, of taking a prominent part in this season’s championship appear to be very bright. B. Avery is in great form and was the shining light in an interesting game. Still possessing all his pace, the New Zealand captain was here, there and everywhere. He is in great form for the start of the new season, and it is a pity some of the other players do not take a lesson from him, as lie never misses a practice or training and is always in the best of condition.

Last season Lucas was brought up from the junior ranks, and played some fine games at half. He will he seen out again this season, but it is possible he may be played at five-eighth. E. Anderson, who represented Rotorua last season, will be seen out with this club. Courtney, who show'ed good form last year, will be playing again, also Herring, Heard, Dufty and possibly Wilson Hall and L. Mason.

Newton.—This club has had a couple of useful practices this season and the prospects are exceedingly bright, as the committee has been working hard and their efforts are meeting with the results they deserve. Marist.—A practice was held at Parnell and a real good muster turned out, including the three All Blacks, Gregory, Kirwin and Brisbane, who should make a good trio on which to build a back team. Marist should be able to field a good forward team, including O’Brien, Stormont, Johnson, etc. Altogether the season appears likely to be a very prosperous one, as never before have sp many new players been offering at the beginning of the season as is the case this year.