The San Francisco call., 1906-12-23
Pugilisn
ANXI0USLY AWAIT
RESULT OF THE
RUGBY GAMES

STANFORD UNIVERSITY. Dec. a.
The interest of the undergraduates
is keen as to the outcome Of the cham
pionship Rugby matches between the
Canadian teams and the Stanford var
s1ty, which will be held shortly on the
Britishers' home gridirons. Consider
able Importance Is attached TO the
result of the games. as il will give
followers of the new sport a better
line on the merits OF the varsity play
ers- The games should prove more
satisfactory than the contests held on
the local gridiron. when the northern
ers played two preliminary practice
games.
Although Stanford won both of the
contests. there is doubt in the minds
of the undergraduates as TO the sue
cess OF the varsity in the post-season
set While the cardinals have learned
considerably more OF the technfcalitfes
OF the British sport. they lack to n
certain degree the ginger and deter
mination that was evident in their
play prior to the intercollegiate con-
test with California When the col
lcgians met the visitors from the north
every effort was being made by coaches
and trainers. as well as the athletes. 70
get into the best possible shape before
the clash with the Berkeley ffteen-
Now that this epoch has been passed.
the incentive is partly removed
In the northern contest the Stanford
representatives will play ball under
conditions far different from those un-
der which they met the Vancouver men,
The matches here were held on a dry,
fast grtdiron. and the squad was in
perfect lighting trim. On the home
grounds of the Canadians, Ii is expect
ed. the climatic conditions will be ne
sponsible for marked contrast. In
anticipation OF wet and soggy fields.
hoc IrsI
every opportunity which the recent
rains afforded before the closing OF
the university. With the local srfdiron
slippery and the rain still falling, the
men have been called out for scrim-
mage and light practice to acquaint
them with the game under the most
adverse conditions, which are predict
ed for the contests in the next few
days.
The condition of the team will be
matter upon which the winning OF
the championship matches will largely
depend The Northerners We're rot in
trim physically to tackle the aggres-
sive and well trained squad. In the
first game this lack of training was
not as apparent as in the second clash.
The cardinal fifteen will probably en-
ter the game in a condition similar
TO that of the Britishers. Strict train
ing has not been observed by the men,
tercollegiate match with California
The trip north will tell upon the fft-
ness of the men. The admirers of the
cardinal do not expect that the team
Will play the snappy style of ball that
was possible before the close OF the
season Holman at wing has been out
of the game for some time because OF
severe case of water on the knee"
He will play. however.
With one exception. barring acci-
dents en- route, the team will line up
as it did in the intercollegiate match.
G. Wallace, 0S, will be substituted for
c. A Thorpe. 10. in the serum, Thorpe
being compelled to withdraw from the
game.
Before the departure Coach flanagan
stated the men were in good trim and
had fair chance TO win in the north
ern matches d. ID. Sales. graduate
manager, accompanied flanagan and the
squad of twenty.