LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 95, 23 April 1929, Page 14

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

TRY-OUT FOR TEAMS.

BRIGHT OPENING GAMES

GOOD PROSPECTS FOR SEASON.

Hie organised practice games at League headquarters on Saturday were productive of football of a standard tliat augurs well for the success of the 1929 season. While it was essentially a day reserved for the final touches to be given to team-building, and clubs were permitted to alter their complements at will, there was, nevertheless, some exhilarating play, and the (spectators enthused when the players threw the ball about in the open, telling way. J'ossibly this year tome of the lessons taught last season by the English team will have been learned. Last white# the fact was sheeted home that forwards miic-t scrum properly and lend their full weight when possession of the ball is the paramount necessity, and that the best back tactics are to run straight, support, and throw the ball about. It was till these approved lines that much of the play was moulded on Saturday, and pretty back play, with clever interplay was often in evidence. In the senior teams there were many new facets, something to be expected considering quite a number of good players have gone into retirement and a crop of promising colts is clamouring at the senior gate for admission to the higher flights of League. Old favourites such as Duftv, Soniers, Clarke and | Herewini, of Newton; Kirwan, Gregory and Brisbane, of Marists; Taylor and Prentice, of Richmond; and Wetherill, of City, failed to put in an appearance, but while many of tliem will probably not don the jersey again, others will be in the fray next Saturday to sparkle with other stars in the League firmament. Then there are the newcomers, Rugby neophites who gave promise, but have yet to master the finer points of the code they have adopted. Surprises Indicated. Because of the many defections— many of them designed to give new talent a try-out under the supervision of referees who would keep it up to the mark—it was impossible to get a true indication on the prospective championship team. The indications were, however, that the senior standard will be pretty even, with the distinct possibility of a few surprises being sprung before the competition is very greatly advanced. JPonsonby caused a good deal of disappointment by not turning cut, but it is certain that they will field a team that will test the metal of the remainder of the senior division sides. A gratifying feature that was indicative of the growth of the game, was the display of* the newly formed Mount Wellington thirteen, who gave a good account of themselves against Parnell. The amalgamation team, KingslandAthletics, justified their elevation to senior A status, and thg List-Longville-Lucas-Herring-Angelo combination — brilliant in patches—showed in their game with Northcote form that is likely to prove troublesome as the season progresses and team work Is developed. , ' The best exhibition of the day was given by Newton and Richmond, teams that have gathered many now players I about them. Newton had the better of I exchanges and forced the pace to ; register a well-deserved win by a margin of ten points to nil. Popular "Shaver" | Hardgrave demonstrated that he has lost none of his speed, and on several occasions thrilled the crowd with electric dashes, one of which he brilliantly finalised by swerving in-field and cutting the defence to shreds. In the absence of Dufty, he showed he has also a good boot, converting one try and kicking a penalty goal. Of the 1927 champions' new forwards, Johnstone, of Ngaruawahia, was most impressive. Richmond were not as enterprising in the backs as their opponents, but their forwards, with Colebroke in the van-, entered into the work with elan and dash. Ellerslie Open Well. The Devonport-Ellerslie contest was interesting because of the contrast in tactics and the fluctuating fortunes in a drawn game. As of old, Shore relied on the open game for victory, a game that they exploited with success in the early stages, while the opposition employed bustling tactics among the forwards, which have been strengthened by the inclusion of Hobbs, of Hawke's Bay, and Quirke, of Petone, two burly men who mix brain with brawn. The racecourse players enthused a life into their tackling that was effective and tired the seasiders towards the end. With a little more training Shore should produce their last season's form for they have a good percentage of their champion team in the field again, including Beattie, the Scott brothers and Simons. On the other hand, supporters should not be surprised if Ellerslie is well up on the ladder when everything ie washed up; that is providing they get down to training with more enthusiasm than they did last year. The Marist-City clash was more evenly contested than anticipated, and Marist were only able to clinch a win in the last few minutes of play. But it was only a desultory exhibition, with occasional passing bouts on either side and an excess of individualism.

DEVONPORT UNITED CLUB. Devonport United on Saturday night

celebrated the winning of last year's senior championship, and junior success by a dance at the Foresters' Hall, Lake Road, where there was a large attendance. During the course of the evening, Mr. Swinnerton congratulated the club on last year's successes, and the prospects for the coining season. The Mayor of Devonport, Mr. E. Aldridge. also felicitated players on their prowess, and csjps donated for the players of the successful teams were presented bv Mrs. Aldridge.