LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 101, 1 May 1929, Page 16

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

THE SENIOR B GRADE. PROSPECT OF HFTH TEAM. PLAYERS WHO HAVE "GONE UP." AMONG THE LOWER GRADES." The defection of Richmond from the B section, and the inclusion of Athletic and Kingsland in the senior A grade, has left the minor senior competition less interesting. The Auckland Rugby League, however, have reviewed the position, and there is every likelihood of another team being nominated on Wednesday. The lowering of the status of senior B players, so far as grade is concerned, has been the means of weakening the strength of several clubs. Already five prominent players have found positions in senior teams. Purdy, who last season played fine football for Point Chevalier, has thrown in his lot with Marist. Perry, Paton and Clarke are included in City's ranks, while May, of Northcote, is assisting Newton. Nevertheless, an open competition is assured from reduced strength.

On Saturday at Carlaw Park, Point Chevalier, winners of last season's knockout competition, had- a splendid game against Parnell, with Point the winners by 11 points'to'lo. Play was even throughout, and there was little to choose between the teams. Points' backs were better able to effectively carry out the good work of the forwards, all of whom played dashing football. Parnell's backs kicked too often, and near the end the tide could easily have been .turned in their favour, had the inside b'i'cks elected to run more. It was a general fault with both sides. Plenty of opportunities came the backs' way, only to witness indiscriminate kicking. Both teams should well remember that possession of'the ball means everything in League football, and under no circumstances should the ball be kicked without an objective in view.

King, who severaL seasons ago played with Richmond seniors, performed creditably at full-back. He fielded well, and kicked with excellent judgment. Of the three-quarters, Smith at centre showed a sound knowledge of the position. He made several fine openings and tackled resolutely. The wings, Broad and Duncan, did well with limited opportunities. McLaren and Monaghan were Point's best backs. The pair combined effectively on attack, although the former hung on occasionally. Humphries showed good form behind the scrum, and should do weir this season. Morrow played well as third row forward, but improvement in his handling would make his play more effective. Goodwin and Kindley led the forwards in the loose, and Surtes and McLaren gave solid support in the serums. Parnell were not up to full strength, but it is anticipated that a strong thirteen .will take the field next Saturday. C. Kerr, the well-known United Suburbs spin bowler, who plays football well, was an absentee owing to influenza. He expects to play next Saturday; Little replaced Kerr as full-back, and did well under the circumstances. His defence was very sound. In the three-quarters Lyndberg, a recruit, played a useful game. He has plenty of pace, and should score tries with a heady centre. Hosking was perhaps the best of the backs. O'Donnell scored a fine try, the result of keen anticipation, He was always on the ball, and played a great spoiling game. Anderson and Lunn, five-eighths, were associated. in some good work, which resulted in the three-quarters getting plenty of opportunities. Porteous, 'at half-back, scored "a very clever try, beating the deence in finished style. Parnell's forwards lacked condition, but with a few games will prove a formidable set. Brockless, Wilson and .Sldman were tireless workers, both in the scrum' and loose. Ritchie showed a. lot of pace, and was prominent in following up. Veart successfully got the ball from the scrum, besides doing good work in the ..loose. Otahuhu had a runaway victory over Mangere, who were defeated by 48 points to nil. Mangere started the game with only ten men, but near the end of the first half a full team was mustered. The match Was played on the recently-acquired ground at Mangere Domain, and both players and officials speak highly of the playing area. The ground is within easy walk of the Onehunga tram terminus, and it is to be hoped that the League will play senior B matches there each week. Mangere have had some difficulty in raising a team this season, as the Maoris have been otherwise engaged during the past few weeks. Otahuhu are early in form, and promise to be a hard team to defeat.