RUGBY LEAGUE

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 70, 19 September 1936, Page 23

RUGBY LEAGUE

REVIEW OF SEASON BRIGHT PROSPECTS Officially the Wellington Rugby League season has been declared closed, and,-, although retrospective stocktaking.of ten is overdone, enthusiasts are .now inclined .to reflect upon the current season's, activities and accomplishments. Therfe is every reason to believe that sound progress has been made in all phases of the game, and:it is certain .that a continuation of the existing co-operation and co-ordination between the controlling body and the clubs will give Rugby League a solid foundation and a fair chance to prove its merits. Consequently, the sincere arid courageous work/ of those who either in playing or administrative spheres have helped to establish and foster the code locally has been well worth while. 1 GENERALLY POOR.

Attendances at club matches generally have been poor, but this, is a factor which has failed to perturb the authorities, who are satisfied that the game should pay its way. Strange as it may seem to those who either unwittingly or purposely disdain the ■game's principles, the reasons for promoting Rugby League football in Wellington are mainly to give New Zealand a wider sphere and greater scope in choosing international teams to play England and Australia. " The entry of Wellington into interprovincial competition is a means, to this end. Of course, the time-worn contention about supplying an excellent mental and physical- recreation for the young men of New Zealand applies itself to Rugby League as well as to any. other code of football or sport.

Perhaps it is unnecessary to emphasise that in • the two years the game has been established Wellington has been represented in New Zealand thirteens by H. T. Lilburne, in the Tests with Australia last year, and J. G. Cootes in the.more recent series with England. Both players' thoroughly earned the honour. Thus it is seen that Wellington has progressed sufficiently well to become' part and parcel of New Zealand Rugby , League and a spotting ground lor the national selectors. GOOD FORM SHOWN.

The general standard of football locally has been much higher than credited, as witness the Wellington' representatives' splendid performance in running a strong Auckland thirteen to a 24-21 margin on the King's Birthday. Many Wellihgtonians were prepared to decry the merit of that game on the ground that the Auckland players did not exert themselves, but surely the fact' that the Auckland selectors were choosing their thirteen - to play England on "the form shown that day will denounce the absurd suggestion. It is no easy task to win a place in an Auckland Rugby League side, especially when the opposition is England, and for that reason in the match against Wellington every member of the Auckland side was out to gain the selectors' approval for the big fixture. The New Zealand Rugby League on that display granted Wellington a fixture with the Englishmen, and although defeated by 40 points the local team made a creditable showing against one of the most scientjflc and brilliant football combinations ever seen in New Zealand.'

The local club games produced some good football, but the manner in which the strong St. George thirteen dominated all first-grade competitions

tended to counter public interest. It would be exaggerating to say that the clubs generally exhibited a true conception of Rugby League football; but nevertheless as a spectacle many games were highly entertaining, and a steady improvement in tactical knowledge was displayed from week to week. NO UNIFORMITY. Perhaps the most disappointing feature of the games played was the definite failure of referees to appreciate the necessity of uniform interpretation of rules, To each and every rule there is only one possible answer —the correct one—but unfortunately for the '' players individual referees were liable to shatter confidence by giving individual interpretations. However, be that as it may, the problem is not by any means an insurmountable one, and it is possible that the solution has already been put into operation. Summed up, it would appear that Rugby League has, and will continue, to take a place in Wellington winter sport. It is fitting that the code should enjoy prestige in Wellington, the home of A. Baskerville, the pioneer founder of Rugby League, who in August, 1907, sailed out of Wellington harbour with the "All Golds" to teach the game to Australia and England, now our masters.

Speaking at the annual meeting of the Hutt District Cricket Club, Mr. Pegler expressed pleasure at the amicable relationship, existing between the Hutt Valley Cricket Association and the club; and he trusted-that friendly matches would continue to be arranged at suitable times, as during last year, It was greatly in the interests of cricket • in the. Valley that these bodies should co-operate. An arrangement whereby a composite team of the most promising players from the association's clubs could compete in the, Wellington Cricket Association competitions would be a step in the right direction and would provide an avenue of advancement to representative honours for those players.