The San Francisco call., 1909-08-22
By WILLIAM UNMACK


season is now practically completes.
There are still some open dates for a
few of the teams but in SO far as
Stanford California and Nevada uni
versities are concerned the graduate
ma gers ait these institutions have
completed what is easily a record
schedule for their respective squads.
The Olympic and Barbarian clubs
also have full schedules. The newly
formed Reliance Rugby team has an
ambitious schedule prepared. but there
stiI remains ssome open dates On
Thursday, October 81, the Portola COM
mittee has scheduled Rugby game
at the stadium in connection with the
Portola celebration. 1t was hoped that
an all California team would be Sc
lected for this event TO play against
the Vancouver fifteen. AS this date is
fully 10 days ahead of the Vancouver
teams first game with the University
of California, it is hardly probable thar
the northern men will be able to secure
the necessary extended vacation. In
the event of this game falling through
it would create great interest if the
Castaway team of Los Angeles were
extended an invitation to try conclu-
siops with the local Rugby men on
October 21. The Castaway Rugby team
is an old Rugby organization in Los
Angeles and Pat Higgins, who played
on the all California team against the
Wallabies is member of the Los An
geles team.
1t is probable that the Portola COM
mittee will place this game under the
direct Jurisdiction of the California
Rugby union. If this is. done, and the
Vancouver team is unable to accept the
invitation TO play on the date men
toned, it would be move in the right
direction If the Rugby union recon-
mended to the Portola committee that
the Los Angeles team be invited to-
participate.
Tomorrow actual practice begins for
all blue and gold Rugby squads. The
freshmen will probably be drafted off
into squads under the supervision of
different veterans. After Coach
Schaeffer has drilled the men in the
rudiments of the game scrums and
other formations will be practically
demonstrated TO the babies
Schaeffer does not intend to adopt
any of the alterations as played in
Australia and New Zealand. He will
follow the same translation of the
rules as played last year, There is
possibility that the three, two, three
serum formation will be used by
Schaeffer. 1t is to be hoped the blue
and gold coach will adopt this forma-
ton 1t is without doubt the finest
serum formation there is, particularly
with a team that has good hooker
Another great point in favor of this
formation is the elimination of the
always in the way" wing forward
The "winger" is a New Zealand crea-
ton and ever from the dav of it's
III, (,
criticised and roughly handled by both
critics and public in all parts of the
world than any point in the game.
The New Zealand Rugby union has
practically killed the position by
bringing in rule this year which
places a man off side il he approaches
beyond an imaginary line drawn
through the back rank of the serum.
With the two. three, two serum the
two outside back row men are used as
break aways," and their work is much
cleaner and far superior to a regular
wing forward. Again the eight man
serum always has the advantage of
weight over the seven formation. The
eight formation also has the. advantage
of opening up the game far more than
If winger is used. although smart
"break" man can always get in a lot of
legitimate deadly work
Nevada university opens tomorrow
Later during the week a great football
rally will be held and the following
Monday practice for the season viii
start In earnest
The victory of the 1906 Nevada team
over the blue and gold team of Califor-
MIA that year has never been forgot
ten. and the 1908 team is ambitious
enough to want to duplicate the vic
tory.
The first actual game Of the season
takes place at the stadium next Satur-
day between the Lowell and Mission
high schools.
Next Sunday morning a monstrous
Rugby football rally is to be held at
the stadium. The Barbarians, Olympic
and Reliance clubs will all be strongly
represented and the high school squads
will also turn out. Light practice will
be gone through and it is possible sew
era1 serum formations will be tried.
The University OF the Pacific opens
at San Jose tomorrow. Rugby practice
under the coaching of A. H. Moverly
starts on Wednesday. Moverly signed
a contract last week TO coach the San
Jose institution. This coach is one of
the best on the coast
number of last years team will be
back at college this term. and w. II.
Settelmeyer forward) is captain elect
for the seasop