THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21245, 27 July 1932, Page 16

THE LEAGUE CODE

TOUR OF ENGLISH TEAM MATCH AT WHANGAREI TO-DAY INTEREST IN FIRST TEST The English Rugby League team Mill open its tour with a match against Northland at Whangarel to-day. The home team has been in hard training for the past 10 days and has received some advice from Mr. W. Kelly, the Australian coach. Eight test players will-be included in the English team. The first Rugby League test match between .England and New Zealand, which will bo contested at Carlaw Park next Saturday, is creating considerable interest and if the weather is fine a record crowd is expected. The team chosen to represent New Zealand has caused a good deal of criticism among enthusiasts of the code, it being considered that at least four players were fortunate to gain a place. However, the selectors gave the matter careful consideration, and on the day the team is likely to rise to the occasion in an effort worthy of New Zealand. The English team came through a strenuous tour in Australia and was successful in retaining N thc rubber. The present combination is particularly well balanced ;ind the happy team spirit, which is always necessary for success, is very evident on this occasion. Mr. G. F. Hutchms, who is a great believer in perfect harmony, attributes this to the team's success. Conference Arranged A • conferfcncc between Mr. G. F. Hutchins, the English team's manager and the rules committee of the New Zealand Rugby Lcaguo Council will be held tomorrow evening. The laws of tho game aro to be discussed and efforts made to clear up differences of opinion which have existed in tho past. The offside rule and a penalty for the forward pass arc two matters on which New Zealand referees hold different views. Their interpretations do not coincide with those of tho visitors. However, the English law must be ruled next Saturday. The New Zealand team commenced earnest training on Monday undo? the coaching of Mr. W. Kelly, of . Australia. All members arc present each afternoon at Carlaw Park. Blackboard lectures each evening also form an important part of the team's training. It is interesting to note that New Zealand was the first overseas team to visit England, and that combination, best known as " All Golds," had a most suc : cessful tour. The code had not been j played previously by many of the team j and it was all the more creditable that it i did so well. The combination, which was captained by A. H. Baskerville, included many vrell-known Rugby All Blacks, and | .first visited Australia, where the famous j " Dally " Messenger was induced to go i with the team. The tour opened at Bram- j ley on October 9, 1907. The New Zea- j landers attracted much attention by win- ! ,ning five consecutive games. In all 35 games were .played. New Zealand won 20 and lost 13, while two were drawn. Eng- ; land was defeated in two test matches out i of three games. . First New Zealand Team 'The team, which on its return played i exhibition games in Australia, was as follows:—C. Byrne, A. H. Baskerville, T. ; Cross, A. Culla.ni, C. Dunning, S. G. j Frater, D. Gilchrist, J. C. Gleeson, W. j Johnson, A. F. Kelly, A. Lile, J. A. j Lavery, W. Maeki-ell, D. McGregor, H. j H. Messenger, C. J. Pearce, H. F. Rowe, George Smith, W. Trevarthen, W. T. Tyler,, H. S. Turtill,. H. Tyne, L. B. Todd, 11. R. Wright, E. W rig ley, E. Watkins, R. Wynyard and W. T. Wynyard. In 1910 England visited Now Zealand and played only four matches, the results being as follows: —Against Maoris, won 29 to 0; against Auckland, won 62 to 9; against Rotorua, won 54 to 18; against New Zealand, won 52 to 20. Again in 1914, England won all six matches. England defeated New Zealand by 16 points to 13 in the only test played. In 1920 the test matches resulted as follows :—First test, England 31, New Zealand 7.; second test, England 19, New ; Zealand 3; Lliird test, England 11, New] Zealand 10. Auckland was the only team j to defeat England, winning by 24 points ; to 16. In 3924 England played nine matches ' in New Zealand, winning seven, while two j were lost, New Zealand being successful ! in the first and second test matches. *| In 1926 New Zealand toured England and was beaten in all.three fe?t matches. I New Zealand woju one test in 1928, while j JK-ngJaxid won the second and third. Of ' the lest matches played England has won 12 and New Zealand 5. The improved football of the South 1 Island team in this year's inter-island fix- i ture was a pleasing feature of hist Satur- I day's play. Prior to the game North Island was strong favourites and many expected a ; one-sided contest. Cooke had much to do : with North's success. Not only did he I score three tries but he also repeatedly j drove back South's attack by splendid dc- ; fence. . j TfUOBY IN SCHOOLS SECONDARY COMPETITION INTERESTING STAGE REACHED The secondary schools' senior grade Rugby football competition is now at an extremely interesting stage. Auckland Grammar, with 9 points, King's College 8, Mount Albert Grammar 7, and Takapuna Grammar 7, all have a chance of winning the championship. Auckland has only one more game to play, this being itrf return match with King's on August 6 Possession of the championship will ho decided during the next fortnight by the results of the following games:— Mount Albert v. King's, Sacred Heart v. Takapuna. Mount Albert v. Takapuna, King's v. Grammar. I>y convincingly defeating Grammar on Saturday Mount Albert has enhanced its prospects of being successful in the remaining matches. The forwards mastered the opposing vanguard, (heir combined play being excellent. In consequence, the winning team's backs received the ball more than their opponents did, and so for most of Hie time Grammar was forced to defend. Bannatyne, McCownn and Ker were noticed for the smart manner in which they followed up the ball and went down in the scrums. The five-eighths, Carruthers and Ilook, repeatedly made useful openings, and Williams gave a polished display at centre. Clarke's eagerness and speed caused the defence a good deal of concern, while at fullback, Storey was exceedingly safe, and crowned some good work with a splendid field-goal. Booth, Deari and Buckley were Auckland forwards who played energetically. Fraser, first five-eighths, and Spittal, centre, were below form, Spittal being inclined to crowd his wings. He would have done better by passing on the ball and by judicous kicking. JVlcCowan was kept busy at fullback, but, except for a few occasions when ho was caught out of position; ho was equal to the severe test.