LEAGUE RUGBY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 158, 10 August 1914, Page 2

LEAGUE RUGBY.

AN INDIFFERENT DISPLAY. The League Rugby match between Sydenham and a selected team of Canterbury League- representatives, played on the Show Grounds on Saturday, was "in the nature of a practice game, in view of Sydenham's future engagements. Taking it generally, the display was somewhat ragged, though good individual play was shown. As usual, the two Bussells gave a fine display of open work for Sydenham, and W. Smytheput up a really good defence and was the star player in the back division. W. King and t. King, in the Sydenham forward line, carried the brunt of the attack, and were responsible for some excellent displays in passing tactics. Another of Sydenham's most efficient forwards is C.'Eaton, and on Saturday he proved his ability throughout, both in attack and defence. He was alert and swift, and never failed when called on. Several times he relieved his team from dangerous attacks. Ashton was one of the most prominent players in the forward ranks of the selected team, playing a vigorous and resourceful game, and with Kruse, Watts, and Morris some good defensive work was done. In the first half, the combination of the selected team was superior to that of the Sydenham team, and Sydenham was kept on the defensive, but picked up later., Stokes, Carroll, Morris, and Koskella showed up.in the opening stages of the second spell. ; MUCH SCRAMBLING PLAY. There was a good deal of scramble about the play as a whole, but some good form was shown. P. Robertonand Eaton showed their quality in the scores made for Sydenham, and good kicking was Gasaoil 's strong point. For the selected team, Ashton and Stokes were the most proficient workers for points. Although Sydenham had the advantage, the game was of a much more even nature than indicated by Sydenham's margin Of seven points over the selected team. . At a meeting of the Auckland-Rugby League last Thursday; evening, correspondence from the ; Eastern i Suburbs. Club and ,the .South Sydney Club .was considered, and it was decided; to. ; reply to the Eastern Suburbs Club to tlnp effecf that the terms—£2so guarantee, from Auckland match, £l5O from club match, £3O in the .Waikato matches, £ls from the Rotor.ua match, and £4O from the, extra club matchrr-were too severe, and.the dates—September 1,. .2, ,5> 9, and 12—were ; also unsatisfactory. The" South 1 Sydney Club suggested August' 29 and September as dates for Auckland matches, knd. asked for 50 per cent, of ttfe takings. It was decided, to go into this proposition and endeavour to procure a ground for Sep5. The Victoria Park is already "available; on August, 29. If. .successful in obtaining a ground for September 5, it is the Auckland League's intention to accept South Sydney's (challenge. s ' AN UNPROLIFIC • SEASON, ''■ iMr Claude Corbett, the League Rugby expert of the Sydney "Sun," writes:—'.'Usually a season produces a number of new players destined to appear in representative football. This year has not been prolific in that respect. As a matter of fact, people are wondering where the men who are to bring back the ashes from England are coming from. For the greater part.the ranks of the clubs are crowded with men old in the game —men who have football whiskers. Those whiskers should be called in, so that youngsters, might have at least a fighting chance. Tidyman of Eastern Suburbs, Reynolds of South Sydney, Beed .of Newtown, and Brassil of Annaiidale are about the most promising of this year's crop. Tidyman, of course, was pla.yiug last season, but was a raw recruit from the juniors. Beed is a full-back of great possibilities —he kicks well and handles the ball finely. He played with Newtown once before, but was not given a proper opportunity of proving his worth. I have not seen Brassil, but people who have tell me that he has great pace, and only wants to be in a winning club to develop. Reynolds was raised from the Redfern Club, and is a player with a future if present indications go for anything. It is in his favour that he belongs to a side which will enable the best that is in him to be produced."