RUGBY LEAGUE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 101, 1 May 1928, Page 13

RUGBY LEAGUE.

DAY OF SURPRISES.

CHAMPIONS IN THE SHADOWS. ELLERSLIE'S WINNING WAY. The subtle fascination that the | League game has for a big section of the Auckland public was emphasised by the large attendance for the opening day at Cariaw Park. It was a keen gathering with a whetter appetite for spectacular football, and the spirit of eagerness was reflected in the play. Truly it was a day of surprises. Ellerslie. merging from the somewhat shadowy background of the B grade, faced a big proposition in meeting a combination with the skill of Ponsonby, but the tri-colours made a sensational debut, and played a game that by infiltration and fast backing-up, proved victorious, a result that pleased League patrons just as much as it astounded them. Newton, champions of last season, had to strike their colours to Richmond, beaten by a clean-cut margin in a game that was full of sparkle. Devonport, as the result of team work and good constructive play, finished well ahead of City, the seasiders literally taking charge of the play in the second half. The standard revealed in the senior games augurs well for a season which promises to be a vintage one, seeing that the English team is due' this year. The official kick-off was made by Miss Peggy Rhodes, the little daughter of Mr. Geo. Rhodes, chairman of the League Management Committee.

RICHMOND'S TRIUMPH. In a game that had pep. pace, thrill and clever constructive moments, albeit a fatal lack of finish on occasions in which the tickle goddess of Fate was really kind and the prize offered to the best opportunist who came at the psychological moment, Richmond triumphed over Newton, the champion team of last season. Territorially the maroons held the advantage most of the way, although Newton raided sporadically ond enthusiastically as chance offered, and chased every fleeting hope to the end. On the day defence was relatively superior to attack, perhaps for the reason that in progressive moves both seta of backs played in shallow formation, with a tendency for lateral movement through seeking the line of least resistance in their forays. Fielding literally their crack team of last season, the maroons had no misgivings on the all-important point of strategy. They knew that their spearhead was up against a heavier sextet, and set out to counter with mobility and sheer, sustained pace. Thus the Richmond forwards, a volatile and versatile force, paved the way to victory, with their backs cleverly alternating attack and defence. Serious comment on play in an opening game is unnecessary, yet several of the Richmond pack deserved a bouquet. Lennie played in inspired fashion, while the spotlight. Davis and Hanlon were Stewart and McCarthy were always in outstanding in the Richmond backs. The maroons' half got the ball away like a champion and was very quick to get his backs moving. Hanlon, at full-back, was the same cool, resourceful player of last season, playing flawlessly and repeatedly saving his side, his initiative suggesting that he would be of even greater value if shifted further up. In the five-eighths line Prentice and Wheaton(the latter gathered from the Rugby fold) blended •nicely. Taylor showed resource in the centre, while Turton and Swift, the two colts on the wing, gave very promising displays. Swift appealed to the spectators by his gameness in tackling; he dived in enthusiastically, firm in the belief that the bigger they are the better they fall, and when on one occasion he upset Dufty a League spectator with Biblical leanings was prompted to recall the story of David and Goliath. Right through Newton showed a lack of the understanding that characterised their opponents, and although there were flashes of combination, individual play was the keynote. Dufty was the sheetanchor of the Newton backs, kicking the superb length that made English crowds marvel, and showing cleverness in every ;>artment of the game. Th«- übiquitous P ■. wini was patchy and pi ie to miss I man in defence. Murray, a League dci-uiante, sampling a new football menu for the first time, showed promise, while Hardgrave was nippy at the base of the pack, although scarcely up to the Mclntvre standard.

CITY DEMORALISED. "A game is never ]•• t till it is won." The truth of this say! •? was strikingly impressed upon City t-upporters during the second 6tanza of the gai u between City and Devonport at Carlaw Park on Saturday. Shore, in the early stages, were spasmodic in their efforts to 6core, and there is no gainsaying the fact their opponents played all over them. Only once in the first forty minutes did they look like scoring; that wh-.'ii s-. actually gat acros* the line following a concerted movement and was held up and prevented from touching down. Consequently, the seasiders surprised even their own supporters, following the change over, by displaying a remarkable reversal of form, form aucli as has won for them games in the past and earned for them the reputation of being serious contenders for championship honours. -New life was infused into the team from the very moment that Seagar landed a beautiful penalty goal in the first minute of the second spell. From then on City's defence was subjected to a succession of concerted attacks, launched both fore and aft, that simply could not be denied. The score mounted with bewildering rapidity, and the wearers of the red and black saw their advantage of six to nil melt into insignificance and develop into a substantial deficit. City recovered themselves too late to retrieve the position, though in the last twenty minutes their defence wavered and crumpled but once. The final score, which favoured Devonport by 24 points to 6, was a fair indication of the merits of the teams on the day, and was indicative of the visitors' facility for upsetting calculations when least expected to do so. Shore turned' out a pack that presented few new faces, and which understands each other's play. St. George, Kubv, Rule, Dixon and A. Scott, all familiar figures, showed excellent form, and were conspicuous in both the tight and loose stuff. While it is difficult to individualise, Dixon and Scott were probably outstanding. The latter displayed some of the dash that brought him under the eyes of the selectors during the 1926 All Black trials up till the time he was injured late in the second spell. City's pack has improved since last season, though it tired perceptibly at the death. Early in the piece they held their own in the scrumI mages and in the loose, and repeated]v gave Crouch, wfco filled the half-back OT>eq up j

play. Pascoe, the Had lev Brothers and J. Townsend were the most conspicuous. In the second spell. Shore's backs worked •with precision, and. while Seagar made some splendid openings at times, it. was straight running and short, crisp l passes that so perplexed the opposition, Beattie. L. Scott and Sea gar were most impre*ive. Saxon, a new-comer, disclosed himself as a determined winger, who should improve as the season progresses. Skuons, the custodian, emerged with honours, despite the fact that his task in the first spell was unenviable and he was compelled to get through a great amount of work. "Gigi" Wetherall was again the pivot of City's attack, and his genius as a five-eighths and ability to anticipate the trend of t/he play, was invaluable to his side. He combined with Wade on occasions in some promising criss-cross passing bouts. The latter has lost none of his dash, but he still displays that hesitancy off the mark that mars his play. Perry revealed himself as a player who has developed with the passing of a season, find playing centre outside of Wetherall shaped particularly well.