LEAGUE CODE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 146, 23 June 1925, Page 8

LEAGUE CODE.

CITY •IN THE LEAD. The results of Saturday's games ,giv. City a clear lead in the senior grade championship, but it is no certainty that the wearers of the red and black will carry off the honours. They have yet to meet Marist Bros. and Devonport the second time, both of whom are liable to bring about the defeat of the present leaders in the competition. Again the selection of the New Zcalund team to tour New South Wales and Queensland will weaken some club teams more than others, and have an Important bearing upon the remaining club matches to be played. THE HELPING HAND It can never be charged against the Auckland Rugby League that its members adopt the "dog in the manger" policy and refuse to give a helping hand to other sporting ' organisations not so financially sound as the League. Ever since the A.R-L. made Carlaw Park into the fine sports ground it now Is. no obstacle has been placed in the way when requests have been made to stage sports other than League football. Athletic and cycle club carnivals, girls' Inter-house sports, hockey nnd soccer matches have nil been seen at the Park.'

But the A.R.L. has sometimes gone further towards assisting others sports organisations, and, whenever requested, has always refrained from staging an important match, if such could possibly be avoided, which would affect the attendance at an important match played, say nndcr the auspices of the Football or Hockey Associations. The Australian hockey team will shortly be in Auckland, and the local association has asked the Auckland Rugby League not to stage any of its Important fixtures to clash with the big hockey match. The Management Committee considered . the request, and displayed the true sporting spirit by granting it. -Now the ' Girls' Hockey Association has asked the League permission to. plfly a match at Carlaw Park: during the season, such to take the form of a curtainraiser 'to one"'of the League's big, games. It Js suggested that'the Hockey Association receive five per cent of the ■ gate. The matter will come before the Management Committee to-morrow evening, and In view of the committee's action on previous occasions the latest request is not likely to be turned down. JUST a little; There were times on Saturday, particularly towards the end of the game, in the Marist Broß.-Devonport match, when . the play became slightly beyond that degree which comes within sport. It was "over the oddß" —just a little—and the referee, Mr. Taylor, did the right thing in handing out a word of advice and then going further and sending two players off the field. Players are foolish to indulge in roughhouse tactics, because they get known, and there comes a day when anything they have dealt out is returned, and with interest. The Englishmen learned thiß last year when they toured New Zealand. Some of them used' the strength God gave them, as the manager put it, but the little worm turned, and as we know, the Englishmen lost the ashes In this country. ' ATHLETICS' DOWNFALL. Playing on No. 2 ground at Carlaw Park on Saturday Athletic sustained • their Iheaviest defeat when they were beaten by City by 57 to 10. Athletic have been unfortunate this season, as several -of their best- players have had to stand down in many of the recent games,. owing to injuries received. Again, on Saturday, Dufty received another knock and had. to leave the field before-the game ended. Although beaten, Athletics 1 were by .no means; disgraced, for . their- forwards really - had to play the whole City team. They should show up to better advantage later on, perhaps in the. Roope Rooster knockout competition. r . r~ —•* * r • p DEVONPORT—SOMETIMES^ , Not only this year, but lor. some, seasons past, the mostMnconßistent team, playing In Auckland has been Devonport. Time after time they have been responsible for wretched exhibition's, very often against.'weakwoppoKltlon, and a week later they, have stepped out and handed out defeat to the best team in the competition. • It might be said of Devonport—it jnst depends. Ten days ago at Carlaw Park they received a severe drubbing from Richmond, and on that form were not entitled to play In the same paddock as other teams. But the Auckland Bugby League and the crowd who-follow the League game know something about the players from across the harbour. .-* So on No. 1 ground the Beasiders were planted to meet the solid and proved Marist Brothers' team,.'and "a 'crowd' of "about' 9000 'came ( along. They hoped to see a good, hard game, but would not have been surprised If Marist Brothers won by the proverbial "street.".

Well, there' wt?.s a surprise—for Marls* Brothers. We all knew Devonport could play good football, and the. game on Saturday. had_ no.t been in swing ten minutes before' it", was' apparent 'the- seasiders -were en business bent. For perhaps ten minutes Marists held their own, and possibly had hard luck in not getting a score, but there can be no question about Devonport having the 'upper hand then' on. - Of: course there- were the < usual occasions when the Tykeß "attacked, but, taking the play throughout, ; Devonport occupied the"'spotlight; .. There is ; no more vigorous pack of. forwards ..playing League than Devonport, and ' they, never put more vim into',their Work than .on Saturday. And Just as hard played the Martst-forwards, withUnV result: that: .some brilliant • forward; play was witnessed. "-At. times ■ a little unnecessary effort was displayed—this is referred •to elßewhere —but, it was, a great game,-even \lf It was not spectacular. -\While. it:, waß .recognised, that the. Marist backs were not'overburdened with speed, few thought they would be benten by the Devonport ■ rearguard, yet they were, and with B. Laing playing a dazzling game, easily his beßt this season, ho put confidence Into those with him. Each side bad a fair share of the ball from the scrum, but Laing and Cleaver gave Kirwan and Klrkland no chance, and downed them before they could do anything. On the other hand, Laing was brilliant, and always did his bit, and more, in passing movements among his own team.

Marist Brothers' weakness was the backs, not one of whom, with the exception of Gregory, was seen to advantage, particularly In attack. They tackled well, but when it came to throwing the ball about their work left a lot to be desired. Again,' they showed little speed In; following up. The forwards worked hard all '.the time, particularly " O'Brien, who is one of the best in Auckland. On the Devonport side, K. Scott, at full- i hack, did well, but with the Marist backs < rarely following up it must he said that 11 Scott was not unduly bustled. Of the i three-quarters, Butlnnd did not put in that H™* bit-of dash which is necessary to | i Bnish off passing movements and score ' * S B *. . Gr ? lE - was always doing, his share, and doing it well too, while Godlck used his V£Z2&J£rl3'P a conßt nnt annoyance to the OPPOslng backs, and he had them in trouble I ?ne t;„ m H 2 W r^ r ' ■?• L J* ln S wns ft e Star of i the wt m i I*%?*% HHarder. arder tbe same became i reS&t c i he J T - ked lt * ' He mn flhgs round i ni^ a S^ n Cleaver . who partnered Laing. I Devonport possesses a plnyer who will he ! V*ZrS? a 'V ne llmeli -- ht "«t year. He ! I is pretty good now. Webb played a great ' ' game at half-back.' The forward* .in »* d " k <- Trojans, and it would-be hardly fair to single any out for special mention Evidently the crowd thought Dixon the best' as carried shoulder high from the ground. O'Brien and Douglas did great work, and did it all the time. B PONSONBY AND RICHMOND, Richmond are Improving all tbe time and their game with Ponsonbv on the Domnln last Saturday was good to wat'-h Despite counter attractions there were about a couple of thousand people present at the match, the fact that it was played on No. 1 ground opposite the stand no donbt having something to do with it. It 1b safe to predict that if more such games were played In. front of the stand bigger! crowds would attend these games at the Domain.- From start to finish it was a ding-dong go. . Richmond made the game willing, and Ponsonby also rose to the occasion. Not until the last" minute did Ponßonby actually pull the match out of the fire. On several occasions Richmond were on the point of scoring but they lacked the necessary finishing touches which are most essential in a hard : fought' close game. This team has some goodplayers coming on, and special mention mußt be made of their full-bnck,' Hanloii He is a cool customer, especially in a tight corner, and is a Bplendid kick. • Of the young players, on Ponsonby's side . Moore should be an . acquisition to ; any ■■■ team in the• near future. Although'there «ie re^eM ra J Payers..temporarily Injured, . the accidents were-not caused,.by rouch ~:- -.S°-V :J n thisfrespect much-time was the: referee not ordering the n*n •™--be. transferred to the sideline lor attention and proceeding with the game. Fully tt,£!i arter ot an h on r "was occupied in ■toppages on account of this practice.

NORTH V. SOUTH. THE TEAMS ■ SELECTED. AUCKLAND A-AND- B TRIAL. The selectors of the Xew Zealand team to tour New South.Wates_and Queensland last evening announced the players -chosen to represent the- North -Island'ln-.the .'match against the South Island to be played- on Saturday at Carlaw Park. Later- on the' Auckland- selectors- announced the teams to play In the A and B trial, game which is to he the curtain-raiser to the North v. South match. The selectors of the All Blacks. Messrs. Liversidge. Pearce,"' and Hnrdingham, want It to be known that all players taking part In the two matches are eligible for selection in the Xew Zealand team. The following are the teams for Saturday:—. NORTH ISLAND. Full-hack.—C. Dufty (Athletic). Tliree-qnart?rs.—l.. Prown (Tlty), .1. Klrwan (Marist). F. Delgrosso (Ponsonhy). Flvp-el^hths.—P.. Laing (Devonport), M. Wethernll (Cltv). Half-hack.—Wilson-Hall (Athletic). Forwnnls.—F. Herring (Athletic). A. Tow-i<-enrt (Cltv). E. J. Carroll fWelllneton). S. Dixon (Devonport), B. Avery iAthletlc|. X. Bass iCityl SOT'TIT ISLAXD-Full-back.-—E. Brosnahan (Canterbury). Three-quarters.—J. Parkes (Canterbury), D. McKay (Otago). J. Hastle (West Coast). ■ Five-el-thths.—C. Fitzgerald, J. Saunders (Canterbury); .'..'. Half-back.—R. -Watts (Canterbury). . Forwards,—L. Vivian. T. Green, E. H. Ellis,' F. -Henerv (Canterbury). H, Thomas (Otago), X. Monatt (West "Coast);; ' : Reserves.—Back: J. Prescott (Otago). Forward: T. O'Connor (Otago). .: ■ ADCKLAXD A AXD B TEAMS. ; 'Messrs. E/-Fox. A. Asher and R. McDonald have chosen the following A and B teams:— * ' ,-•

, Auckland A T«im;-Full-buck. ..P..Grpcrorv fMnrlst): three-onarters—B/D-vvMson (Cltr). Brisbane (Mari«t). • W-. -Littlewood , (Ponsonby); fivp-pi^hths—Cole. fP-omionhy). Har-t-reaves- (Xewton): half-tinck—Webb (Devonnnrt): forwards— O'Brien - (Marist). T.owrv 'Ponsonhvl. Hn-n-kes 5 (Cltv\ McDonalrt (Tltv),- Avery (Richmond);' Donglas (Devonport). • .-,.-• R Team.— fPon-wvnK-rt: three.n'-nrterj—MrHinv, rvn>-lst).. rJarrimer (Ponsonbv). List rK - i.ii'*9la'"r»: flro.ple-lit''*— Crpn-ther fClfvl;' Phind CFllerslle): hnirPpckhn'm (Pon'onhvl: f o r^n»d«.— o'"*-lpn 'ShoreV Some--s (Ne-vton). Rtormonr (Martof). Pavne (Ponsonby), Clark (Xewton) Slt-?p (Marist).

■Reserves. -Fneks: Poison. Hnnlnn. Klrß•nnd. Grel-r. Forwards: St. George, Mackie. McDonald. Any nlnvers not nvnllnMp for thi» No*"th Island team are requested to notlfv Mr. T.iT-prsld'e nnd f-ose not nvailibl* for the Auckland teams to notify Mr. E. Asher.

It 1b quite apparent from a perusal of the North Island team that the selectors have got together what they consider the strongest thirteen in the North Island, but keen followers of the game will possibly find what is considered weaknesses in the combination. Assuming- that the . team expresses the opinions of the' three selectors, there will be found plenty of enthusiasts who would have -voted- In favour of Gregory (Marists) over Dufty (Athletics). There is no question-that Dufty at his best is a great full-back. He. tackles veil, and. is undoubtedly the best kick in Auckland to-day. On the-other, hand, Gregory also tackles well, is a good kick, and .has - the happy knack of getting himself out of the most difficult positions. .Still it is possible I that both will go to Australia.when the final selection is made on 'Monday next. ' Of the three-quarters Brown and Delgrosso were always considered .certainties.. Brown Is without doubt the best bade in Auckland, while Delgrosso has been showing form which entitled him to a place In any team. Klrwan has shown great football in more than one game this season, but even so there are many who would have preferred to see B. Davidson playing with Brown and Delgrosso. Certainly Davidson did, not do well In the early part of the season; but; lately he has been playing- with all -hl'Bdaßh, and tackling soundly j'- -There" 'was never any doubt about Laing and Wethe'rlll j being coupled as the five-eighths, j They are a fine pair, but where Lalng runs straight there is an inclination! for;WetherllL to go out towards his wings. • might find It j awkward to keep*'-.together»-at times, but old generals like they are should soon **eaeb,-| an understanding. - One of the -surprise's is i the selection of Wilson-Hall at half back, but even those who have been loudly voicing the claims of Webb and Peckham must | agree that Wilson-Hall Is a fine player.' Still, it might have met with more approval! had Webb or Peckham been given the job" I behind the pack. Coming to. the .forwards, ' the first- thing that 'strikes one is tie. absence of'O'Brien'(Marists).' He "should, certainly have been ene of the first selected, I and one might have thought he had been left out of the hat only his name figures In the A team.-, Admitted there are plenty-, of" fine forwards in Auckland, or New Zealand, for thnt matter, there are few with more genuine claims to be in the New Zealand team than-.O'Brien. .Townsend. has' beenselected as; hooker- on .Saturday. ~,Most people expected Lowry to have that Job, but the selectors may be acting wisely In their selection, and Townsend, even if he does not get the ball all the time, will have I his turn, and in addition will be .doing his! bit in the open. Herring is always worth j his place. The selectors have done the I right thing In putting Dixon in the team, l Not only has.he.shown himself to be a fine 1 forward, but it 1b encouraging to other ' players' to .know that It Is possible to play , • League.only.one-season and then get In the , New ; Zealand .team." The inclusion of Avery, will. not meet with" unanimous support, because he has not been'playing consistently this. year. S.tlll his .showing on Saturday may justify, the action vof the selectors. Again there" will be found, some who hold that Bass '.3s: fortunate. He is a great breakaway lorward ; when In a good team. • A glance'at'the A.and B teams to play the curtain-raiser gives the impression that nil the backs with a chance of getting in the New Zealand team have been placed in the A combination, but the forwards have been evenly divided, and that it Is not a matter of one pack,.,'in the opinion of the selectors, being better thnn'fhe other. There Is every prospect of a fine game, and It will indeed be n surprise, if more than one ; Player in the curtain-raiser does not find his way Into the All, Blacks- ' -.. ] SELECTING THE REPS. * ■ THE GBAND FINALE. •; As. the time draws near for the New Zealand tenni to leave for 'New" South Wales and Qoceinsland interest grows, and wher- ! ever followers of the code gather the chances i of certain players getting a trip are discussed. However, we will not be kept waiting long, and on Monday the selectors, Messrs. Liy.crsage, Hardingham, and Pearcc will announce the names.of': the 22 players who-will'.be required to back their portmanteaux fthd- leave 'Auckland on July 3 Every, opportunity »has been given the selectors to note the piny this senson, and the grand finale is down for Saturday at Carlaw Park, when at 3 p.m. the' muchdlscusseu North v. South Island match.will begin. . At 1.30 on the same ground the Auckland A and B teams meet, and no" doubt there will be 26 out-and-out triers, ' because it will come as a surprise if one or more of them do not find a place with tho j All Blacks. if <

The public will probahlv be most interested In the. showing of the South Island team, and though we at this end of the Dominion are inclined to regard Auckland ns '"It" in League football, a surprise is always on the cards It is claimed that the code is making great headway In she south: the men from across Cook Strait can win "-"J!*.^t" 1 " " obo<l y will begrudge them the , „ c ' s " e reat shllllngsworth promised-for Saturday at the Park? and a big crowd may safely be expected.