LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Northern Advocate, 4 May 1933, Page 7

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

THE LOCAL COMPETITIONS. REVIEW OP SATURDAY’S PLAY. {By “Kiwi.”) The Northland Rugby League could not have selected a better day than ♦Saturday for the opening of its competitions. Affine, but cool, afternoon made for ideal* weather conditions and all grounds were in excellent playing order.

The form displayed by the four teams in the two senior matches augurs well for a season of first-class football, and if the fixture with, the West Cdast tourists eventuates, Northland should quite uphold her prestige in the League football world. After commencing last season with six senior thirteens —but through Towai’s withdrawal concluding with five—'the League this year has started out with five sound senior clubs — Whaka-Waro, Hikurangi, Kamo, City and Takahiwai.

The expiry of the Celtic Club —not unexpected—-has been counteracted by the Kamo Club raising its status and nominating both senior and'- junior teams.

All other clubs are practically fielding the same thirteens as last year, few alterations in the respective personnels having been effected. In the junior grade there are Sour participants, the same number as last season.

A new club has been formed at Onerahi and judging by their initial performance on Saturday will ably fill the breach caused through the inabil ity of Hikurangi to field a team.

SATURDAY’S PLAY. CITY v. KAMO. The outstanding feature of the CityKamo encounter was the poor showing of the former players. Although their first game, with consequent lack of cohesion, the players individually were not a shadow of their last season ’■» form. This was more notice* able among the backs where accurate passing was conspicuous by its absence. However, a little more combined play will see this team once again displaying the good form of the previous season. The same faults characterised Kamo’s exhibition, but not to such a marked extent. Their forwards especially were a hard working lot, and perhaps their fast following up was the deciding factor in the inability of the opposing backs to get moving.

Kamo’s tackling was also sounder than that of City, and few green and white- breakaways resulted.

Another distressing fault, indulge! in by both sides, was too much kicking with little endeavour to set up combined attacking movements. If a team desires to improve its combination and understanding —the neces,'sary element in the thirteen-a-side code—it should be prepared to take a few risks instead of putting the boot to the leather and gi\-ing the other side possession. Individually. To draw a comparison among tlic City players on Saturday Avould be a little unfair, especially in the backs. At full-back, Gatlin, although sound was not fielding the ball as he should do. Practice will remedy this weakness. The wings, Keith and McDonald, were never given a chance to display

their wares, except when, the objective of long - kicks. ,

After playing at centre in the early stages, H. Baker later replaced Child at second five-eighths, and always gave a good account of himself. Perhaps he was City’s star back. His try was indeed a good effort, the result of clean handling and determined running, in which he shines. Dent played a fair game, but is in need of training.

In making his debut in Northland League, J. Stone, at half-back, created a most favourable impression. On his first appearance after a two-years’ spell, he appears to be a decided acquisition to the club. Of the forwards, Jones and Swanberg were undoubtedly the best. Both were always on the ball and are able leaders of a good pack. Middleton promises to be a good hard-worker, and on Saturday was always in the thick of it. The same applies to Kernohan and Watts, who with Reynolds all gave a good account of themselves.

For Kamo, Rice, at full-back, was a sound last line of defence, and always relieved difficult situations. His place-kicking will also prove a great help to his team. Hoey and Dangen were not busy wingers, but the latter at times figured in nice runs.

Whitelaw and Lenne, ably fed by Tautari behind the scrum, made good use of any opportunity offering, and never faulted in their tackling. The former, however, was inclined to hold on too long, but when a little more understanding develops among the backs this fault should be corrected.

The City backs’ apprehension of Hooper’s agility at intercepting, and their policy of avoiding the lob pass, gave the Kamo centre no opportunity, and he was unable to break away on scoring runs, characteristic of his play in the junior grade last season. , Among the forwards, Gough and Belson were continually in the limelight. Gough, as hooker, however, was much too keen in the set scrums and gave away far too many penalties. Unless rectified, this will prove ,a costly error. Baker, Tucker, Sands and Crump combined to make a good, fast pack and will all prove thorns in an opposing back line. MATCH AT HIKURANGL TAKAHIWAI’S SUCCESS.

Bent on winning the senior competition this season, Takahiwai tool? the field against Whaka-Waro on Saturday, bursting with confidence. Several weeks of solid training stood the natives in good stead, and their victory can only be attributed to the fitness characteristic of their thirteen representatives. They were always the aggressors and never slackened in their efforts to ensure a sound win.

Whaka-Waro, as a team, played well, but could not cope with the continual onslaughts of their fitter opponents, They were considerably handicapped by the absence of sCA r eral of their regular players, but when able to field their strongest thirteen will undoubtedly prove a harder opposition than on Saturday. League enthusiasts will be eagerly awaiting their return match Avith the natives.

Owing to lack of form, several of the Whaka-Waro stalwarts did not show up as much as expected. The captain, T. Berghan, played a sterling game and controlled his men most advantageously. Tins, to a large extent, counteracted the unfitness prevalent in the team.

For his first run of the season, C White performed admirably.

T. -.Shiiford, on the wing, figured in some splendid runs,

P, Morgan, a junior recruit, made a very promising showing and will be seen to advantage before the season is far advanced. Individually, Takahiwai played splendid football and w - ere all erowdpleasers.

THE JUNKERS. Present indications point to WhakaWaro being - a solid combination ..this season. As early victories are an indicative factor in a team’s later standing, their convincing success over Kamo on Saturday will prove of great benefit. This club annexed the knock-out competition last season, and should gain further laurels during the ensuing winter., By defeating Portland, the newlyformed Onerahi club must be treated with respect. On Saturday, only ten players could be mustered, two vacancies were filled by Portland lads and the/team took the. field a man short.

In defeating. the “ cement cityites” under such conditions, the seasiders promise to develop 1 into a formidable combination.

Portland, however are sure to improve and, if able to regain their last year's strength, will be with the leaders later in the season.

Kamo also should develop, but it is doubtful whether they can field a thirteen to uphold the reputation of their predecessors.

However, keen competition will prevail among the four clubs, and as yet the outcome remains in the balance, THE TABLES. Senior.

P. W. D. F. A. Pts. Takahiwai ... 1 1 0 .12 8 2 City ... 1 0 1 5 5 1 Kamo .... ... 1 0 .1 5 5 1 Whaka-Waro .. 1 0 0 8 12 0 Hikurangi ... 0 0 0 0 0 0 Junior. Wliaka-Waro .. I 1 0 15 3 2 Onerahi ... 1 1 0 14 11 o Kamo ... 1 0 0 3 15 0 Portland ... 1 0 11 14 0