LEAGUE SEASON.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 86, 12 April 1938, Page 19

LEAGUE SEASON.

AUSPICIOUS START.

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES.

VARIABLE FORM SHOWN.

With several of the League teams playing the four three-quarter game this season, and others adhering to the old two five-eighth formation for their inside backs, a problem is likely to arise for representative selectors later in the season. There are-—or sihould be—essential differences in the style of play. The Jour three-quarter game requires a stand-off half, speedy and versatile, for he is the sole connecting link with the men behind liim. With two centre three-quarters there is limited room to work in. In attack they must run - straight to allow the wings enough space for the final movement. Visiting teams to Auckland from Australia and England have consistently adhered to the four three-quarter formation, and if one can judge by results, the style of play has a lot to commend it.

But it would be better for the game in Auckland if a clear-cut decision were made on the point, and some mutual decision made as to what type of back play shall be adopted.

Although an early start has been made this season, the form shown in the championship matches on Saturday was reasonably good on the whole, although there ■was evidence as matches progressed that some of the players need to advance a little in the matter of physical fitness.

The indications are that it will be a good season for the code, and the players have the incentive that at the end of next month a New Zealand representative team Will be chosen to tour Australia.

The showing of the Sydney player-coach Bnnham was watched with interest. He showed style and ability in the North Shore backs. The Sydney man varied his play well for the needs of the particular moment, was quick to make up his mind what to do, and added something new in the way of a thrust to the Shore back play.

This season Shore have a young team, | and defeat by the Marist combination was not surprising. Still, the Shore play held promise, and up to a point they did -well. Coming straight from the cricket season to football. V. Scott played well at full-back, and in R. Smith they have « good centre, who, in addition, is a remarkably fine place-kick. The Shore forwards played a very lively game in the loose, and hunted hard all the time. Haslam Shows Form. The Marist team is one of the strongest in the competition. McLaren, Murdoch and Donovan teamed well in the inside backs, and Haslam showed splendid form in the centre, defending well, and running hard in attack, with a very speedy wing pair in Halsey and Midgeley to support him. Glover, who is one of the leading fullbacks of the code, was never at fault, fielding cleanly and kicking with good judgment. Breed, Finlayson, Anderson and Woods were outstanding in the Marist forwards, and it was through their efforts that the Marist backs got the best of chances during the day. Newton sprung a big surprise by defeating Manukau, and the game showed that the latter team is not yet wp to form. They expect to have the services of Hemi, the Wairarapa back, for future matches, and it remains to be seen whether Nepia will come north to join the side. They expect this season to field McKinley, the former Poverty Bay three-quarter, but tlio latter, after an impressive debut in his f ; rst League match, is likely to return to Glabor.-'e. T. Chas« was the outstanding

Manukau back against Newton, and Walter Brimble played brightly in the intermediate line. R. Chase, who was making his first appearance, had the misfortune to be injured early in the game. J. Brodrick was standing down from theforwards owing to injury on the previous Saturday, and the outstanding player, both in scrum work and loose was the massive Ririnui, from the East Coast. The positional play of Kendall, formerly of North Auckland, at full-back for Newton, was excellent, and they have been fortunate in getting his services. In W. Brimble and his brother, E. Brimble; they have an experienced pair for the work close to the scrum, and their supporting play is an asset to their team. Papakura Do Wall. There was some doubt whether the I'apakura team would be strong enough for admission to the senior ranks, but on their showing in the preliminary match, and the fact that Richmond on Saturday had to play all out to beat them by a three-points margin, has given the answer. Last season Papakura gave a very good interpretation of the code, and their brightness of play against Richmond won them full support from the spectators. With a wider experience, good coaching, and possibly a little more in the way of team-uuilding, the suburban team should have its share of success in the matches to come. They have backs of fair enterprise in A. Burgess and R. Burgess, ami three forwards right up to the best standard in Evans, Fogarty and Rose. Cossey, their half-back, was unfortunate to meet with injury during the game.

Furnell gave Richmond good service at full-back, and the Powell-Bickerton-W. Tittleton combination was effective in the inside backs. The Richmond forward play was solid all the way, and the club has certainly one of the strongest vanguards in the code.

Mount Albert were lucky to defeat Ponsonby by the narrow margin of two points, i a penalty goal by Minckam in the last minute of the game. The Mount Albeit forwards were superior to the Ponsonby six, but there was a weakness in the Mount Albert five-eighth play, and the ball did not flow through to their exceptionally fast three-quarter line in the way that it should. Walker, the former Queensland player, made a very impressive appearance behind the Mount Albert scrum, and there was a touch of real quality in his play which the average half-back lacks. Herring was the best forward of the match, and if he maintains his present form should be well in the running when a representative selection is made. The best of the Ponsonby forward work was in open play, with E. Morgan outstanding as an opportunist. Black gave good service at half-back tor Ponsonby, and Riley, as the outer half, was brilliant 'in attack. i They were unfortunate to lose Kay early in the match through injury, but Campbell, who replaced hiin, played very well indeed.

COACH AT REFEREES' MEETING.

The Australian player-coach J. R. Ban-ham received a hearty welcome at the Auckland Rugby League Referees Association meeting last evening. He. asked some interesting points about interpretations of the rules. Objection was shown to a suggestion that appointments for Saturday be made on Tuesday evening instead of Monday and Mr Mincham was requested to inform the ContrrJ Board accordingly.