BOLD BID.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 85, 11 April 1929, Page 14

BOLD BID.

Shore Will be Team to be Contended With.

Winners of the championship last year, Devon port will make a bold bid to retain the Montieth Shield during the coming season. They will field a" team that will, with a few exceptions, be identical with that that won the premier laurels in n competition that was productive of bright and spectacular football. A side that exploits the open game, that *o appeals to league fans, the popular . hore team was invincible in its earlv matches last winter. Thev had a re*markable facility for crashing through the defence of the opposition when the tide for them appeared to have ebbed and pulling the game out of the fire at the crucial moment. With their backs to t lip wall thev

always fight best, and it is this tenacity that has placed then op the top rung of the league ladder. And the indications are that this spirit that has characterised the club's operations in the past will be carried a successful issue during 1!>29. Absentees from the blacks' ranks will be few

and far between. "Pip" Webb will view the fame from the bank in future, and Preston has gon • to Sydney, not to return. The former's decision to retire will weaken Devonport's attack, as he is one of the best strategic br.cks in the code, and liis heady play has been of inestimable value to the seasiders. Rule is also doubtful, as he is no v " vay from the city a good deal. Nevertheless Shor will have a formidable side with, as of yore, a hefty pack, including, as it will, A. Scott, St. ( eorge, Dixon, Ruby and Casey. McC'arthney. a Rugby neophyte and well-known in ' >- g circles will also wear the black jersey." There will he plenty of good backs to draw upon, although the retirement of Webb and Preston will leave gaps which will probably be filled bv junior®. Cleaver, no doubt, will lie scrum half. Scagar will figure in the five-eighths line. and"outside him will be a flying trio in Beattie. Len •cott, and O'Leary, the colt who showed •Ueh bright promise last season. Simon? %ill possibly be the custodian.