CODE JOTTINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 249, 21 October 1933, Page 2 (Supplement)

CODE JOTTINGS.

Cooke At His Best. — Great Full-back Play. — Robinson's Smiling "Mark." — Auckland League Ambition. —■. Kangaroos ' in England. Just as Jim Sullivan is said to have beaten Australia in the recent Test with England, played at Belle Vue, Manchester, so it may be here recorded that Bert Cooke played a notable part in the defeat of St. George (Sydney) by the Richmond Rovers. In a game that thrilled a large wet-day crowd Cooke, at full-back, fielded the ball, ran with judgment and was dazzling for his linekicking. The Belle Vue ground referred to is probably the largest amusement park in the world outside Coney Island, New York. People go there from all parts of England. Because of its formation, the football ground is a separate enclosure, making the cost of running the turnstiles extra. The area is claimed to be ideal for Test football, although stated to be five yards short of standard width. The taking of a mark in Rugby League football generally is regarded as a waste of time —the slowing up of the game. It is seldom done, but there are occasions when it is wise. So, when Stan Robinson, tlie St. George full-back, snapped up a short kick and "claimed" in front of his own goal, when playing against Richmond, his own amusement was evident by his smile, which seemed to say, "Now, there's a surprise for all of you." There is no doubt that both! terms WT6 surprised, and ao jzae the'

Carlaw Park crowd, winch, however, recognised that it was a case where a mark was a case of desperation. It was the only one registered by the visitors in their seven fixtures. Reflecting the improved standard of Auckland club play this season, the representative team put up a fine record, winning six out of seven interprovincial matches with 177 points' for and 10S against. Taranaki (twice), Hawke's Bay, West Coast, Northland and South Auckland were defeated, although the last-mentioned sprang one surprise victory. Shrewd judges claim that Auckland is now capable of beating New South Wales, and It is possible that the enterprising Auckland League will consider sending a special team to Sydney next season, if this project would fit in with the New Zealand Council's ideas. International Jim Rukutai, one of the great players of his day, is an enthusiastic supporter of the proposal, and he should know. The Australians played Bradford Northern at Valley Parade, the home ground of Bradford City Soccer club. Northern's own area at Birch Lane wasjicrt considered good enough for the fixture. The civic authorities in the great manufacturing city of the wool trade were glad to entertain the Kangaroos, who, however, followed up their first test loss, with another surprising loss to one of the lowly club thirteens in the English Rugby League. Still, it is a club that has been greatly strengthened and the Australians were playing the 'thirteenth' match of their tour! Ben Cronow, former Iluddersfiekl international, out hero with the 1924 British team, is Bradford coach.