LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 119, 22 May 1929, Page 14

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

LOWER GRADE GAMES. RICHMOND SURPRISE MILDLY. The fourth series of matches in the B section provided several interesting games, and It is evident that the competition will produce more surprises. The defeat of Parnell at the Lands of Richmond came as a mild surprise, while Otahuhu, one of the leading teams, went down to Northcote. The thirteen from across the Waitemata have shown considerable Improvement of late, and the .blue and golds are sure to have a say in the championship. Mangere placed a good side against Point Chevalier, but the latter won by 14 points to 6. The game between Qtahuhu and Northcote was staged on the recreation reserve, a ground provided by the local municipal authorities. The turf was In splendid condition, after the Auckland Rugby League had generously loaned its large mower, besides providing the necessary labour to do the job. In this connection the borough and sports followers of Northcote owe the League a debt of gratitude for its cordial support. A victory to Northcote, after an interesting game, in which the local team wan by 3 points to 2, was Indeed popular. Otahuhu did most of the attacking in the first half, but a penalty goal by Eustace was the only score for the visitors. In the second half, Spencer scored for Northcote. Robinson, at full-back for the latter, waa the outstanding player. His defence was magnificent, and time and again he opened the play effectively. Keal also played well. For Otahuhu, Matson and Eustace did splendid work. The brilliant football of R. Roberts, of Mangere, was a feature of the game against Point Chevalier. Playing at five-eighths, Roberts scored two tries in eight minutes, and on each occasion he beat the defence badly. In better condition, Roberts would prove a great player, worthy of support in any senior gratis side. Mangere, strengthened by the inclusion of several juniors, put up a good fight against Point. The Maoris will cause some surprises later in the season. Point's forwards were better able to turn Mangere's mistakes to advantage, and bustling tactics eventually proved successful. Morrow was successful in getting the ball from the scrum, with the result that Monoghan and Lane scored nice tries. In the second half McMillan scored a particularly good try after four players had handled. Behind the scrum, / Humphries played a sound game, giving-

his backs plenty of opportunities. Kau and Pai were prominent among Mangere's forwards.

Richmond gave Parnell a shock by winning a well-contested game by 13 points to 10. Parnell did not have its best thirteen together, but little excuse can be found for its defeat. Richmond have a team of young players capable of extending the best in the competition. Brockltss and Kelly turned out for the first time for Parnell, and the pair will undoubtedly strengthen the black and whites. Parnell's best back was Anderson, who gave a fine display at five-eighths. Ritchie was easily the best forward on the ground.

PLAYING THE GAME.

"League Supporter" writes:—l witnessed the games in front of the stand at Carlaw Park on Saturday, and I would like to make a few comments re those games. In my opinion the scrum formation is still open to improvement. The rule is perfectly clear upon it; an open tunnel so that the ball can go well into the scrum, and the only persons who can use their legs are the opposing forwards at the other end of the scrum to where the ball is put in, so as to keep the ball from coming out that way. All this can be easily remedied by the referees penalising until the scrum formation is ,in accordance with the rules. Another glaring item is the deliberate falling on the ball; this was very much in evidence on Saturday. I was very pleased to notice that Mr. Bull made no mistake in penalising the obstructive players. This is where the i line umpires can materially assist the referees. We have to consider the public whom we have to look to for our support, and ir we follow the interpretation of the rules in their proper sense it will considerably help to even more popularise our game.