RUGBY HAGUE CODE

Northern Advocate, 14 July 1933, Page 2

RUGBY HAGUE CODE

CONCLUDING STAGES PLAY AND PLAYERS. GENERAL REVIEW. (By “Kiwi.”) After a series of the keenest of competition, the Northland Rugby League championships are now drawing to a head aiid the ultimate title-holders will soon be divulged. The outcome of the senior division is now restricted to City and Hikurangi, the former's defeat of Takahiwai last Saturday having eliminated the native®. City now hold a tw.o-:point advantage over the representatives of the mining centre, and if successful against them at Hikurangi tomorrow will annex the honour's. Should Hikurangi predominate, however, a final replay will be .necessary. In "the junior section, the finalists have also emerged. Kamo's defeat of Onerahi and Whaka-Waro's draw with. Portland last Saturday have placed these teams level at the top of the lad-, der. Tomorrow, at Kamo, they meet in the deciding game. The positions of the teams in the respective grades is shown in the appended tables:—

Senior.

TEAM POE ROOPE ROOSTER. REQUEST FROM AUCKLAND. COMPLIANCE UNLIKELY. . J ,On Tuesday, the secretary of the Northland League received telegrams from Mr E. Stallworthy, Northland’s representative on the New Zealand League, and Mr Ivan Culpan, secretary of the Auckland League, requesting the nomination of a club team from this (district to participate in the Roope Rooster knock-out competition, commencing at Carlaw Park next Saturday. , Owing to the high expenses, travelling in particular, involved in such an undertaking, and the consequent disruption of the local competitions, it is practically certain that the request cannot be complied with, A final decision will be made at the next meeting of the executive.

Programme. At Carlaiy Park tomorrow, South Auckland step out against Auckland, in 'deffence -of the Northern Union Challenge Cup, annexed from Northland last season. As the Cityites are generally considered almost certain winners, they will, if successful, meet Northland's challengers on August 12. The local selector, Mr P. Little, has chosen seventeen players, with a possibility of more being added, who, under the direction of Mr T. Jones, are to commence training immediately. By August 12, therefore, Northland should be represented by a very competent thirteen. At a later date a return match is to be played against XCaikohe at the northern centre. The cup challengers, on their trip to meet Auckland or South Auckland, will be accompanied by the junior represen-' tatives, whose opponents are not yet decided upon. However, 'as the Marisfc intermediate representatives meet the

local lads at Hikurangi at the end of the month, it is probable that a return match will lie arranged.* SATURDAY’S PLAY. CITY'S CONVINCING WIN. SUPPRESSION OF TAKAHIWAI. The fact that a win for Takahiwai over City would assure the natives of championship honours was sufficient inducement to the town team to give of their best, and they took the field determined to gain the day. The same applied to Takahiwai who also were right out for the coveted win. As a result both sides were as keen as the proverbial mustard, in fact, a little too eager, and the expectations of a really brilliant exhibition, which both thirteens are quite capable of producing, and for which better condition®, could not have been provided, were not completely fulfilled’. , This was more pronounced in the first half, easily attributable to the evenness of the scores, which at halftime were 7 —3. in Citv's favour.

The preceding 40 minutes had been marked by hard football which all through had been crammed with interest. After the interval, however, the early notching of five points was an inspiration to City, and they soon settled down to indulge in bright, open football. The natives were not long in adopting the same tactics, and from then on it was what the crowd ’wanted —duels between two clever rearguards, ably supported by hard-working packs. City now gave a glimpse of their polished play, whidi proved more than a. match for the blues. They piled up a 17—-3 advantage and never looked like being beaten.

Takahiwai fought, gamely, but vainly, and although augmenting their tally to 1.1 points, had a further live scored against them and had to acknowledge defeat by 22 to 11. City’s best backs were Child, Cross and G. Baker. The first-named, at fulTbaclc, was indeed brilliant, and if he retains his present* form should soon qualify for rep. standard. H. Baker' played one of his best games this season, his handling being a decided improvement on recent weeks. Hooker, in parts, was good. He should smarten up on defence. The same applies to Dent, whp had a day off on Saturday. McMahon, behind the pack, was quite a serviceable pivot, and fed his backs well. Of the forwards, Bowyer, Y. Payne, and Jones were outstanding. Payne 's goal-kicking was a revelation. McDonald, Watts and Kernohan all played well, and, in association with the three previously mentioned, are a worthy vanguard. The elect of Takahiwai’s rearguard were D, Paid, P, Maekie, and S. and B. Pitman. The first-named, at fullback, was really good. Flesher, J. Pitman and D. Maekie also acquitted themselves well.

'Tlife star'- forwards were Hat a “.Togo" Pitman and George Mackic, although all played their part.

Team P W D Pts. F A Pts City ..... .. 7 5 i 101 OS 11 Takahiwai .. '8 4 2 74 00 10 Hikurangi .. 7 4 i 08 30 1) Kamo .. 7 I o So 87 4 Whaka-Waro 7 1 0 S3 70 0 Team Junior. P W D Pts. F A Pts Kamo .... .. 9 6 0 42 33 12 Whaka-Waro . 0 5 2 78 43 12 Onerahi .. 8 «:> i 50 57 7 Portland .. 8 i i 84 13 3