RUGBY LEAGUE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 234, 4 October 1927, Page 14

RUGBY LEAGUE.

STORMONT MEMORIAL SHIELD

STARTLING CASUALTY LIST. BULLER TEAM ON TOUR. The match for possession of the Stormont Memorial Shield between Newton and Richmond will be remembered by reason of, an extraordinary crop of casualties, which resulted in three Newton players having to go offthe field, the injuries in three instances being serious. The mishaps were largely attributable to the hard state of the ground, the playing surface being entirely different to what the players have experienced during the season. It was a game played at a fast pace, and fiery tackling was a feature throughout, although as an exposition of the code the play was disappointing, particularly after the entertaining display given in the inter-Island fixture on the previous Saturday. On the day neither team combined effectually, athough there were at times cohesive flashes, and Newton won for the reason that greater collective speed was shown and more skill in finalising scoring chances. On the Newton side Dufty was the outstanding back, his wonderful length in kicking being a great asset to his team. On the wings Hardgrave and Little showed great pace, but at no stage, except in defence, was the five-eighths line impressive. Behind the pack Mclntyre played brightly and lost no time in handing the ball on to his supports. Clarke, whose play was colourless in the inter-Island game, was the most brilliant forward on the ground and played the loose forward game like a champion. Up to the time that they became cot cases Somers, Stack and Rhodes were the shining lights of the Newton vanguard.

The fact that Prentice was down with influenza and unable to play rather disorganised the Richmond backs, and the rearranged forces did not link well enough in attack to turn the tide. Davis, behind the Richmond scrum, was outstanding, good alike in defence and attack; Turley, in the five-eighths line, handled the ball well and ran refreshingly straight; while on the wings a young pair in Swift and Turton displayed both speed and dash. The former, showed up brilliantly on occasions, and his skill at giving a wide in-pass without dwelling over the movement resulted in his side getting the most' spectacular score of the day. Lightning release, of the ball has not been an outstanding feature in the game, this season, and anything in the" way of unselfish play and trying to get the ball to another player in a better scoring position is to be applauded; but it is well to sight the prospective taker before parting with the ball, as in one instance interception resulted in a run-, away score for Newton. Hanlon, played well at fullback, and for consistency of form has no superior in Auckland. From the Richmond viewpoint it is a pity that Hanlon was not piiaced in the five-eighths line, seeing that on a previous trial there he made the Richmond attack formidable. ' The Richmond forwards were a very even lot, and right through the day carried the burden for their side.

Auckland Reps. A strong team has been selected represent Auckland against Buller next Saturday—a match- that is attracting wide interest in view of the meteoric rise of the code on the West Coast. The fact that Brisbane and Prentice are not available has meant Little and Wilson getting places in the back division, where both should do well, as their form during the season has been consistently good. The fact that there are; two B senior grade reps, in the seven selected is likewise an indication that the selectors Have given a perfectly fair run to players in a competition who have but limited opportunities of displaying their form to the League public. The selectors have solved the half-back problem by selecting Webb, with Mclntyre as reserve. The choice of the North Island selectors was Peckham, who thus is evidently rated third best by the Auckland selectors. As a matter of fact there is but little between the half-back trio, and all are good.

The Auckland forwards are fast and enterprising, and, moreover, have a good understanding of the team play which is featured on local grounds in rep. games. Buller Reps. The history of the League code in the Buller district has been brief, meteoric and successful, its spread being largely due to Mr. A. G. McAlpine, who is in Auckland as the manager of the Buller rep. team. Three years ago the code did ri° nf but that was before A G. McA came on the scene. He decided to get the game going, and things moved quickly. League was started with one team founded by Mr. McAlpine, a Canterbury representative player of a few seasons back, and now there are six senior teams there, with the promise of more next season; likewise the introduction of the code into the primary schools. He considered that the team with him isi weH representative of the strength of the code on the Coast, despite the fact that some of the leading players were unable to make the trip north.

Mr. McAlpine points out that football is played under great difficulties in his district compared with some other places fiS e J a . n ° ÜB ,^ Dt r es are wi <te apart and a of travelling has to be done. Thev looked to Auckland as the home of the code, and as the players would be coached during the present week expected to be acquainted with a few of the finer pointl SwSSa?™" Wi ' n tb " 7 lltted

tW^^T 1117 Mr. McAlpine mentioned that the League code would have a verv bright future on the West Coast if itfc properly fostered and encouraged It was hoped that the British team would play in the Buller district next season.