LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 August 1929, Page 3

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

NEWS AND NOTES It was a pity that the senior match at Cobden on Sunday was not up to the standard expected at this stage of the year. Marist was without the services of some of the regular players, but both Ryall, and Matthews, until he was hurt, played well, while Anisy’s promotion to senior has not weakened the rear guard. Doogan had to play out of position but his worth to the side was frequently noticeable. Some may have thought the absence of Robins would cripple the Marist backs, but the game against Creek showed that that was not so. On the day’s play the Marist forwards were equal to the Nelson Creek stalwarts. The beaten side seemed to be unable to do anything right, and certainly did not play up to the standard they had set in earlier matches. Coulson and Calder were the best forwards on the ground. City and Christian Brothers are “probably about the best exponents of the League code in the South Island,

according to a Dunedin scribe. What about Runanga, Nelson Creek or Marist taking a trip to the southern city to ascertain whether it is true? Tallentyre will not accompany the South Island team to Auckland and C. Robins’ removal to Wellington will also mean that he will not be called upon. After witnessing the sterling performance of the Northland representatives against Auckland, Mr. W. Montieth, well-known as the donor of the Auckland Rugby League championship shield, decided to donate a trophy to the Northland League for a knockout competition amongst the senior teams under the Northern League’s jurisdiction. Like in most sports that are worth while, uncertainties and the unexpected happen in the League game. An instance was seen at Cobden last Sunday when Runanga fourth grade had carried the ball across the Marist line and followed hard. M. O’Connell came out with it, and instead of kicking he carried on unsupported and threaded his way right through the opposition and raced his pursuers to the opposite goal posts, scoring a try which earned him warm applause. South Sydney, the leading team in the New South Wales League competition, have exploited the system of five forwards and eight backs, as is played in New Zealand. Nevertheless the Sydney “Referee” critic considers that it is a mistake for other teams to tackle South at their own game. Possession of the ball is everything in League, as in any other game of footer. Six forwards should beat five for the ball on the average, and beat them in the ruck and loose, if they work to proper systems. So why asks the critic, come at South with five forwards, as West did in the critical stages last week? One would say that South Sydney’s grasp on premiership honours supplies an answer. It seems likely that the end of the season in Canterbury and Otago will be delayed as the two Leagues are mentioning as late as September 28 for the Canterbury v. Otago match at Dunedin. The Gore Cup game is on at Christchurch before that date, probably on September 14. The Maxwell Cup competition in Dunedin ended on Saturday in favour of City who beat the previously invincible Christian Brothers by 8 points to 6. Canterbury failed to cause Auckland much trouble and were beaten by a cricket score, but the representatives of the chief centre in New Zealand got a big shock the previous week when they met the thirteen from the youngest League in New Zealand. Northland was beaten by 22 points to 19. A review in the Auckland “Sun” says:—“There can be no doubt that every League fan who witnessed last Saturday’s representative fixture between Northland and Auckland left

the ground well pleased with the exhibition. It was a great game and on the day the better side lost. It seems like a mere fairy tale how the Northland League, formed only a .year ago, can field a team capable of keeping the score see-sawing to and fro against a side representative of the stronghold of the code in New Zealand. Some of Northland’s players must go into the New Zealand team next year, while it is indeed pleasing to see them represented in the North Island side.” The reporter for the “N.Z, Herald” wrote: —“The Northland Rugby League team made a big impression in its first inter-provincial match and their form came as a surprise. That Northland was unlucky to lose was the general impression among spectators, all of whom were treated to a fast, open exhibition of League football. The game was easily the brightest seen at Carlaw Park this season. The visitors started off well and in ten minutes added as many points. The backs showed excellent form and actually outclassed the local team. Throughout the first spell Northland had a decided advantage and with ordinary luck should have scored more points. Auckland’s forwards were lamentably weak, the challengers’ front division more than holding its own. On the run of the play Auckland was lucky to win.” It seems that the North Aucklanders created a gratifying surprise. Much credit may be due to “Gig” Wetherell’s coaching, but he has good material to handle in both divisions. Leaguites are not a happy family in Dunedin. In the Manwell Cup Competition neither Christian Bros., the leading team, or their opponents Kaikorai, turned out at full strength, while the other game between City and Pacific ended an unpleasant and regrettable incident, arising out of dissatisfaction with some of the rulings of the referee. The originally selected official had been replaced by Mr. E. Watson. The game had hardly been started When a few of the players, followed by a section of the spectators, took exception to his decisions, and as a consequence Mr. Watson’s task became increasingly difficult. Forced by the unjust heckling and the arguments which were being waged on the field ho adopted a strong attitude. In the first spell Wilkinson, who had previously been cautioned for using objectionable language, was ordered off for . striking an opponent. After that

the referee was a victim of a great P deal of foolish criticism. About ten minutes before the call of time the 1 game, in a sense, collapsed. One of the Pacific players, although not offis cially ordered off, chose to go, and was followed by his brother ami x another team mate. Then the captain ’ of the Pacific team evidently realised it was useless to carry on, and at his ! - request the game was brought to a 1 cohclusion.