LEAGUE CODE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 192, 16 August 1938, Page 14

LEAGUE CODE.

CANTERBURY VISIT.

BRIGHT TYPE OF PLAY. CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP OPEN. There was considerable variety in the programme which was staged at Carlaw Park on Saturday with three senior matches and the representative match between the Auckland and Canterbury teams. Any illusions that the Auckland representatives would pile up a score and win by a wide margin were quickly dispelled by the Canterbury piny. Auckland were down at the interval and lucky to win.. It was a pity that two of the Auckland tries were of the very doubtful order, so much so on one occasion that when the hall was obviously thrown yards forward a lot of the players stopped in anticipation that the whistle would go. The Canterbury real strength was in their forwards, and there Auckland could claim no ascendancy. Had the Canterbury inside backs had more finish it is very unlikely that Auckland would have won. There was brightness in the play of L. Brown at the base of the scrum in conjunction with his brother R. Brown, but there was no effective linking outside to get contact with Davison on the wing. who will compare with any League player in Xew Zealand in that position. The play of Boniface at full-back was relatively weak. The Canterbury forwards played a very virile game all the way. both in tight and open, and the outstanding one was Price, who was the best forward on tlie ground. In general the Canterbury players tackled well and that had a lot to do with holding Auckland in check. Tn the second match of their tour a*lluntly the visitors again met deff' V. They "will appear at Carlaw Park to-mor-row, when they will meet the Newton Club side. On form at the moment McLeod, the Richmond player, is outstanding, but Ririnui, of Manukau, was fully deserving of representative honours, also Devine, of Richmond. Hemi's goalkicking was one of the great features of the match, while the centre play of R. Chase was attractive, and his forceful method of going for the line when in possession was in keeping with the best traditions of League back play.

Ponsonby Surprise. Had Marist defeated Ponsonby in the club match the championship of the 1938 season would have been in their keeping. They are still in the lead by two points from Newton, which team they will play next Saturday. Aβ it is Marist still have a good winning chance. Defeat by Ponsonby came as a surprise, but Ponsonby played remarkably well, and fully deserved the victory. Accurate goalkicking had a lot to do with the result, and Schroeders four goals won the game for his side. This player came from the King Country in the early part of the season and was a good full-back until recent matches, when he was shifted to the forwards. His best value to his side is his goalkicking skill and Sehroeder, on his day, ie a valuable man to have on a side. On Saturday, for half the game, the Ponsonby back's did not get into action in the best style and at half-time Carr was taken from the five-eighth line to exchange positions with Riley on the wing. There was a big improvement at once: th© Ponsonby attack flowed in a smooth way and Riley supplied the incisive dash that was previously absent. The best try of the day was gathered by Kay, the New Zealand centre, cutting through in a brilliant way with acceleration of pace when a real chance came to cross the Mariet tryline. Martin, the Ponsonby full-back, fielded the ball perfectly, but his kicking lacks a bit in power and at times it wa« not well placed. The Ponsonby pack played well throughout. Brown and Mkldleton giving particularly fine displays.

It was hard to recognise in Marist the team which piled up points against Richmond a week previously. It was not one of Marist's best days, although there were repeated efforts to get their team play on a winning level. Grotte, the representative half, opened up_ his game well, and Murdoch played in his usual faultless way. biit Haslam was not often able to get his wines into scoring position. In defence Haslam was. as usual, extremely sound and repeatedly cheeked Ponsonby attacks.

Marist were unfortunate in losing Woods in the early stages, ae he was playing a great game. Finlayson had a field day and got the two tries that went to the credit of his side.

Newton had a hard task to emerge three points in the lead from Xorth Shore and they owed a lot to their forwards, who were on top in the final stage of the game. It was a game that wae colourful in parts. The Brimble brothers played in a very lively way and combined well, the other backs played soundly, and at full-back TJempeey gave a good exhibition of positional play. But it was the solidity of their forward play which carried them through at the end, where Proctor, Ginders and McXeight were a great trio. Simpson and Jones showed np in the Xorth Shore forward line. Jn the backs E. Scott, V. Scott and L. Scott were prominent all the way. while out on the wings Hammill and Bennetts showed good speed and anticipation.

Forward Play Tells. Mount Albert were too strong for City and won by a comfortable margin. The Mount Albert forwarde—easily one of the best packs in the competition—were too good for the opposing six and as a result more scoring chances came Mount Albert's way. Straight running by List was a good feature of the Mount Albert back play. Renton showed up in attack ami Wilson varied hie play with skill. The work of the Mount Albert forwards was good all the way and even. Shadbolt and Gunning were always to the fore, and Herring showed some of the dash and enterprise which won him a place in the New Zealand team. Some of the City back play wae of a very bright, concerted kind. Hutehinscm gare a very effective service from the scrum and Banham often had the opposition in a tangle with unexpected moves and the Way he varied hie play. There were flashes ofj>lay of the mercurial kind by Rata and his contribution to the City ecore included both a penalty goal and a field goal.