LEAGUE GAME.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 107, 8 May 1928, Page 13

LEAGUE GAME.

THE SECOND ROUND. TWO UNBEATEN TEAMS. RICHMOND AND DEVONPORT. The present League season is of absorbing interest to the League public by reason of the fact that some big maches will be staged in Auckland later in the season, two of the principal attractions being a match between the touring English team and Auckland and the first Test match between the visitors and the New Zealand national side. The matches played to date have shown that there are a large number of new players of promise in the game, and at the moment many are i representative candidates. So far Richmond and Devonport have won the two matches they have had, while Eller&lie, with one win. are also an unbeaten team. Newton, the champions of last season, have yet 10 get a win, and the same applies to City, a curious reversal of form, considering the standing of these two teams last season. . One thing which the League officials will have to consider serionsly is the disabilities associated with the staging of senior curtain-raiscr games. Some of the senior players arc decidedly of the opinion that 1.30 is tco' early to make a start, and they can give sound reasons for their attitude. Take the case of a senior player working in the outer suburbs, and finishing work at Saturday. It may be an impossibility for him to reach C'arlaw Park by 1.30 p.m. The curtain-raiser seniors were nearly half an hour late • getting a start on Saturday, the reason being that neither of the teams had all their players on hand at the starting time down. There is also the spectators' viewpoint It means that if followers of a oiub wish to see their team in lotion, they also have to put in an early appearance, a requirement which may <5n occasions be an impossibility. It is a matter of regret that in the Richmond-Ma rist game there was at times a tendency to play the man instead of the hall, and some illegal thines occurred which, if seen by the referee, were passed as being in keeping with the occasion. Without in any way endeavouring to apportion blame, it can at least be urged that the League officials, referees and linesmen will combine to see that games are played in the proper spirit. One cannot eavil at even a very heavy tackle if it is clean, but the player with a penchant for slyly using his fist, or flagrantly endeavouring to obstruct an opponent when the latter is not in possession of the ball, should be handled firmly, and either encouraged to mend his ways; or fiDd an outlet for his exuberant spirit in some other athletic pastime. RICHMOND'S REVIVAL. Marist came into the League competition on Saturday as an unknown factor, much for the reason that some of the players who have given the club sterling service in the past have joined the onlookers on the bank, and new players have had to be found. The greens produced on the dav quite a good team of the requisite material to make an excellent side, but it was one largely of units distrait, and in the face of better combination the greens bad to bow to defeat. It is a truism that a team plays just as well as the other team allows it, and the fact that Rchmond won by a fa !y substantial margin was that their j>enetrative combined play was better, and there was the necessary finish at the psychological moments to gain the all-important points. Outstanding features were speed, spotting tactics and fiery tackling, likewise several bits of illegal play which passed without an official frown. It was a game replete with incident, the fluctuations were remarkable, and although the greens did not score they were often hammering at the maroon line. Richmond as a team have struck collective form very early in the season, their play has been of a verv convincing nature, and if the present standard is maintained they should make a verv strong bid for the club championship." On the day every one of the Richmond backs played well, Hanlon as safe and resourceful as ever as custod : an. while in the centre Taylor rose to superlative heights, and was brilliant both in attack and defence. It was ability to sight an opening and instantaneously to go through that paved the way for one of his tries, while he proved himself a matchwinner by kicking three goals, one being from an acute angle. The youthful wings, Turton and Swift, had pace to burn, and were prominent throughout. Prentice and Wheaton b.ended well in the intermediate linf. whil? Davis, behind the pack, got the ball awav splendidly. Lennie. in the forwards, was a great leader, but splendid support came fruin the others, notably K. who shone in the last-man-down position bv teaming quickly with the backs when the game broke up int:> open play. The best back for Marist was Gregory, that is, up to the time he was hurt. He was the guid'ng brain of the green backs, although he has yet eot some way to go before he reaches the dazzling heights that be climbed to last season, when he was acclaimed the finest exponent of back play in the land. Brisbane's generalship and experience assisted the side, but he was below his best form. Drew, Hassan and C'ronin all played serviceable games. Batch? lor, at wing three-quar-ter. made a very impressive debut, showing all-round cleverness aild a big turn' of speed. Moisley was the pick of the green forwards, and will probably be a representative selection later on;" Graham seemed to revel in being where the fight was hottest, while Xoble showed his characteristic exuberant dash and was ahvays prominent in the loose play. NEWTON'S ECLIPSE. "How the mighty have fallen!" re-i marked a C'arlaw Park cynic when' Devonport finished ahead of Newton by i a single point to make the red and | whites' record for the present season i two matches played and two lost. Last season Newton rose from the depths to' the heights, and surprised even their most ardent supporters by carrying off the senior club championship. As a combination Newton have decidedly as yet not struck form. The loss of MeIntyrc, that dazzling little half-back who was so quick to sense an opening and give a lighting pass to bis supports, has not yet been made good, and foi two matches Newton has had an experimental back division. Back in his proper p'ace at full-back Herewini played a good game, and showed all his oil skill at handling a ball. Hardgrav? and Little are an ideal pair of wing three-quarters, as both are gifted with exceptional pace and football brains, but they cannot get results unless the ball is handed on to them. As it was. they' rarely got into the picture against

| Shore, Little being on a particularly j well-starved wing. Again Dufty was the great all-rounder of the side, although his goal-kicking skill appears tor the moment to have left him, and he missed a couple of conversion chances which should have been bv no means beyond him. Thero was a decided weakness amongst the other inside backs, who failed either to combine or bring their three-quarters into action in attack. Mid-way the backs were reshuffled, but the expected results did not materialise. The fact that Clarke and Somers were awav greatly weakened the Newton vanguard, although on the dav it was a well-balanced sextet. Good team work marked the Shore play. St. George, Dixon and Rule showed up in a weighty, fast pack, while at limes the back*play had the hall-mark of real class. Seagar may be j inclined at times to overdo the cut-in, i J yet he is one of tlie best attacking fiveeighths in Auckland, and made some brilliant openings for the men behind him. Beattie starred in the ccntre, showing both skill and pace in attack, and ability to make the play for the j men outside of him, where both Saxon ! and L. Scott were quick to embrace any chaiice that came their way. In Simons Shore have a* young fullback of tine physique, who should develop with experience. He was hesitant on occasions, and once it cost Shore a score. - ] THE ECLIPSE OF CITY. Last season City fulfilled most of their engagements on C'arlaw Park No. 2, and it looks as though they will repeat the performance again this season judging by the form they have displayed in their initial matches. Against Devonport, and again on Saturday when playing Ponsonby, they faded out lamentably in the second stanza, and had a substantial margin of points piled up against themThe teams were on level terms at the interval, although territorially Ponies were superior throughout. The latter,, seriously disorganised in the backs by the defection of Gardiner, took some time to conjure up combination and complete movements promisingly begun. In 1 addition to this their operations wer-e hampered by the spoiling tactics of the red forwards, ably led by W. Hadey. who emerged with honours ou the day and was one of the best forwards on the sround. Hamilton, J. Hadley and Pascoe also shone in this department, and were a continual source of annoyance to the opposition. City's principal trouble seemed to centre round the inside backs, and to make matters worse, Wetherill, who can usually be relied upon both on attack and defence, had an off-dav. He was frequently caught in possession of the ball, when to have beaten his man and then sent it on would have been more to the advantage of his side. A plaver who was always in the thick of the fray and shaped promisingly was Crouch, who filled the half-back position. He has facility for stopping rushes and opening up the play when his side requires the ball. A newcomer to Auckland football, C rouch last seasoii figured in the Sydenham (Christehurch) thirteen. Perry played his usual resourceful game, but until be moved in from the wing few opportunities came his way. Honours for sound defensive plav went to Barchard. a promoted third-grade plaver, who as full-back, extricated his side from many a tight corner. Running up to put his backs in line was a feature of his play.

Payne and Hutt were the pok of the Poneonby forward?, and were at the head of most of the incursions into eitemv territory. It could not be said that there were any passengers in the pack, but others who caught the eye w?r3 Fa "Tin and Goodley. The Pony backs were not very impressive in the early session, mainly due to faulty handling by the ins ides—K. Peckham. Moore and Thompson—who also seemed to prefer individual effort to feeding their wingers. Tim Peckham, worked indefatigably at the base of the ruck. He was usualiv on hand when wanted, and opened up* the play at every available opportunity. Lsher on the left flank was probably the best back on the ground, and when the occasion presented itself, showed the dash and quickness off the mark that characterises him as one of the be*t three-rjuarters in the League game. Langley. the custodian, was not troubled greatly, but was usually sound on defence. His main difficulty xras t(5 restrain himself from following through when he cleared, so +hat he would be ready for the returr

SENIOR B GRADE. SCOfillfG A FEATURE. TWO CONTESTS DRAWN. Close scoring was again a feature o, the h Section games on Saturday, when two enued in a draw, and the third in a narrow win. Ike second series were well contested, and the football generallv was of a good standard, particularly at Point Chevalier, wneu a line crowd »ere treated to fast, open piay. Kingsianu made their debut in tlie" competition, having iiad the oye the wee* previous. Tneir deteat at the band* os -Viangere was a big surprise, and the Maoris showed improved form. Point cinrvaliei and Otaiiuhu finished up with noiiours even, ana it was a fair indication of the run of the play. Paraell and Athletic ;<l»o engaged in a great struggle to gain an aa vantage, and when time was called each side iiad scored 12 points. Parncli were considerably strengthened oy the inclusion ot ieriv and li'atten, buL the b,ue and golds, who a tew seasjus ago took a pioniineut part in the A section matches, proved a nard side to beat. if anvthing Athletic were a littie unlucky to be oeaten. Early in the secoud .-pen they lost the services of Paltridge. liiei; speedy wing, who was taken to the hospital with concussion. Paltridge v<aj plav ing a grand game and he was always dangerous on attack. Martin did some pretty things behind the scrum, ana opened up the play with the ability oi a senior. Augeio also made some nice openings, but Lucas laaed to give support. At full-baek LoiigvLie vva? reliaole. He is a useful piace kick. Athletic forwards were well matched against Parnell, but York. McCluie and iiryer were prominent throughout. For Parnell, Perry scored a very clever try and badly beat the opposition on numerous occasions. Kenmade but one mistake, and it cost Parnell a try. Pattoa and Keene worked well together, showing a perfect understanding in passing. Anderson was perhaps the best of the backs, being good both in defence and attack. His straight running gave the three-quarters plenty of room to work in. Davis came through a hard match with credit, and he is no doubt a game little half-back. Parnell's vanguard were a solid set. showing plenty of dash in the loose. Ritchie and Brockliss were solid workers. Malloy kicked three excellent goals for Parnell.

There were numerous casualties at Point Chevalier, where Otahuhu met the local thirteen. Phillips' try for Otahuhu was a lucky one, as several Point players were off the field attending to an injured team mate. The try scored by Bowden for Point was the result of a desperate forward rush, and "the referee had uo easy task in giving a decision, as there were at least forwards engaged in the scramble. Campbell, full-back for Otahuhu, gave a sterling display and he stood out as the best back on the ground. His fielding was certain and his kicking powerful and well directed. It was a treat to see the Otahuhu custodian open up the play for his three-quarters. Toms, on the wing, got limited opportunities, but his pace is undoubted. Levy was always in the van fading the forwards. McLaren and Monoghan played well for Point, and Wf.ikara, a new addition to the green's back division, played a dashing game on the wing. Mangere gave a pleasing display against Kings land, and the Maori team j will be hard to beat as the season advances. Mangere's backs showed surprising form, and the excellent individual play of several proved too much i for King-land. The latter team, however, can be expected to improve, and too much notice need not be taken of their opening game. For Mangere, ; Wilson, Paul and Hapi played well. The latter made some splendid solo runs. Pai did a lot of spoiling among the forwards and his pace was used to good • advantage.. List was the pick of Kingsland's backs and the Auckland representative is in good fcrtn for the big matches ahead. He has only to retain [ his form of last season to be one of I the big successes against the English I team.