THE LEAGUE CODE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 110, 11 May 1926, Page 14

THE LEAGUE CODE.

EXCITING SENIOR GAMES.

RICHMOND'S GOOD SHOWING

The game between Richmond and City was literally won on the post as far as the latter were concerned. There was nothing between the two teams until the game had almost concluded. Right on the call of time City rose to wonderful heights, and hermetically sealed the issue by adding two tries. Richmond, regarded as one of the tyro teams of the League, put up a wonderful fight, and were outclassed only in the brief and sensational finale. As a spectacle, the game fell a bit short of anticipations. In the main it was a grim, dour struggle, marked by deadly and desperate tackling on both sides. With both adopting the same devastating tactics, neither sets of backs got much opportunity to get going, and thus individual effort was more evident than team work. Speed, spirit, grit and determination was revealed by both sides, yet they lacked equally in finesse. For* ward there was nothing to choose. It was equal going in the scrums and ruck. They battled away in whole-hearted fashion and never gave quarter. Although not deserving of bouquets, the City backs were, from a point of real effectiveness, better than the Richmond back division — that ie, to the extent that there was more snap and virility in their play. It was a colourful mixture of brilliance minus the saving grace of finish. The absence of B. Davidson upset the City combination. The re-arrangement, which brought Wetherill into the three-quarter line, did not produce happy results, nor cater adequately for speedy wings of the type of Wade and L. Brown. Ghent played a good game at the base of the City scrum, Wade and L. Brown showed plenty of pace, while Crewther, at fullback, was a very safe custodian. Brown got a try that was only possible to a player gifted with exceptional speed. He was pocketed twice on the journey, but by various changes in direction and sheer speed he got clear and away. Cargill, Thomas and Mackie showed up well in the City van. The Richmond six nearly' carried their side through to success, Carroll and Redwood being always prominent. The Richmond backs played a nice orthodox game, but there was not the necessary sting in the play. Likewise, orthodoxy in attack proved their undoing, as City had merely to play the mark-a-man game as a counter-move. Prentice, Davis, Hyland and Parkes were the pick of the Richmond backs, the latter giving a very heady display. Hyland's try was the most brilliant incident in the game, a fitting reward for anticipation and determined running. SLOW BUT SOLID. With three defeats on end down against them the Devonport team will not figure prominently in this season's championship. Strong in forwards but weak in backs, has always summed up the team at the marine suburb, and any efforts to speed and strengthen up the back division have failed. In the first game of the season they were rather unlucky to be beaten by Ponsonby, but no excuses can be offered for their downfall at the hands of Richmond and Marist Bros. On Saturday the blacks had a couple of tries in their favour at half-time, but there was a different story* to be written up in the second half. The Brothers put a lot more dash into their play than in the first spell, with the result that Devonport were outplayed and only on a couple of occasions did they get in the danger zone. Even then it was more by good luck than good management. Certainly Marists only won by 19 to 16, but the difference of the teams was more than the three points. Perry, the Devonport full-back, played a sound game, and on the day was quite the equal of Gregory, whose showing was a long way below representative form. L. Scott and K. Scott were the best of Devonport's backs, but Boryer did a lot of solid work behind the pack, and promises well. As usual the pack worked hard all the time, O'Brien, Dixon and A. Scott being prominent. For Marist Bros, the backs were not brilliant, but their defence was always sound. Cooke was probably the best of them, but Kirwan was weak in attack and constantly made mistaken. Nicholson, behind the pack, worked hard, and sent the ball along, and it was not his fault more scores were- not registered for the side. Singe stood right o.ut by himself in the forwards, and others to graft hard were Mannix and Brady. NORTHCOTE-KINGSLAND MATCH. It was a close, interesting game between Northcote and Kingsland on Saturday, and both sides were keen. Right up to the call of time it was difficult to say who would win. Much interest was taken in the game by spectators, and many people left other -games on Victoria Park to witness this particular struggle. For Xorthcote Pennycook and Donald played well, and Campbell, at full, saved his side on several occasions. Kingsland turned out with several new players, who gave promise of becoming good League men. Prominent on the day were (1. Srmms and C. List, whilst the veteran F. Herring put in a lot of solid work. If other games in tho B senior grade can be made as attractive as the Northcote-Kingsland match, then spectators are assured. NEWTON'S POOR SHOWING. The display given by Xewton against Ponsonby en the Domain on Saturday afternoon, when the "Ponies" defeated them to the tune of 46 points to 13, was a most disappointing one indeed. Per haps, though, it could only be expectec considering that the Xewton men put ir very little training together. Ponsonby showed excellent combination am scored whenever they liked. Delgrosso the skipper of the blue and blacks seemed to be a little off form on Saturday his playing being of an erratic nature The fine passing of the backs was a fea ture of the game. The forwards alsc played well, particularly Hutt, who is bound to attract much attention from tht selectors this season. Morman gave t good display at full back for Newton as did also Mansill and Little. Here wini, who will be remembered as Pon •sonby's fullback last season hai improved wonderfully and was alwayi associated with the good work. Somers Clark and Hall were the pick of thi forward division. Xewton badly boa Ponsonby in the scrums and were get ting the ball all through the contest but they cuuhl do nothing with tin leather once they obtained it. Perhap when Xewtonians knuckle down am practice together the results thotild b reflected in their future games.

A GOOD GAME. All Otahuhu seemed to be. present on Saturday to witness the match between Otahuhu and Ellerslie, and none were disappointed with the game. It was fast and hard from the kick-off and provided a great deal of interest. the game on 'the whole it could not be said that one team was better than the other. Where one team shone in defensive work the otlier shone in the attack, yet there were individual efforts that did shine above the rest. T ne score of 8 points all is a good indication of the trend of play, and although. Ellerslie were unfortunate not to score right on time, no complaints can be made. There were numerous casualties which somewhat lengthened the game' but the play was clean throughout. R. Johnston, who played full back for Ellerslie the week before, was changed to first five-eighths and proved to be in his element. He played a line game and was always there at the right time. Cooke, in the third row, used his weight to advantage, and more than once led his men in good sustained tushes. McClure, half, is a nippy player who rarely failed to snap the ball from the scrum and get the backs into action. tjrogan and Slater worked solidly for their pack, and were never far away when needed. Otahuhu, if anything, provided better combination, and possesses some fast men. McDonald, full back, was in great form. He more than once saved awkward situations by heady play. K. Game lived up to his name and was game from the word go. He and Eustace and Bl]\ery were most prominent in ".he Otahuhu pack. Kirklaud an 1 White were also well to the front and assisted to make the game a splendid exhibition of the code. The game was distinguished by its speed, with more than one spectacular burst of play. Especially hard was the play on the line with one or the other fighting to slip across. As the season progresses, these two teams should give a good account of themselves.