UNDER LEAGUE RULES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14999, 22 May 1912, Page 9

UNDER LEAGUE RULES.

* SATURDAY'S SURPRISES.

. FAVOURED TEAMS BEATEN. The uncertainty which is the great and attractive characteristic of cricket plays just as prominent a part in the Rugby game, under League rules. Saturday was a day-of big surprises in Auckland, tor in none of three sonior games was the result generally -anticipated. ■- '."■■:, ■ . Very few expected City Rovers to go down so badly before the Ponsonbv rushes. Even the most confident of fianukau Rovers supporters did not hold out promise of such a fine win over Eden Ramblers, and it was hardly looked upon as possible that Nowton Rangers could smash up ; the Shore Albion defence so completely as they did. :' f -.' > : ■-'.•;;.;,.-■--;■■:-' '..';: ; : With 'f all these probabilities ■ upset v he would, indeed, be : a wis© ' man who could point out the ultimate winner of the championship. The downfall of the Citv Rogers was a grievous thing. All through a hard, fast, and exciting game glimpses of last season's form were;rare. A brisk rush would start off promisingly, only to end ; in chaos, or worse— Ponsonby counter-rush.; Nearly every time there was a weak link in the City chain. ; The Rovers' back division,'■•.■■which did such big things 'last year, has lost—just for a time one hopes—that combination and originality which used to come to light and; victory in so many unpromising occasions. But , the material is still there. The present hard knocks should: make, for future improvement, Possibly fi. a < few j alterations 1 in the ;team would ; wipe out the worst deMa, i < , Among the Kovcrs' ■; backs Hickey played a ! smart, game',' and' was '■ a, useful member of the team in tight- cowMMrs. Asher played up to his best form, and made ■; a good* deal of headway on occasions when support from his fellow-backs would have probably meant a score. .

.".The Rovers* forwards did not play.so well as : they did on the previous Saturday, and there .was a sad falling-off, principally in aggressive dribbling rushes. '■.-'/ ..!-'. T.hey ; even left their backs too much to do when they should have come round after a;broken-up rush. They ; showed up ; well, however, in following up, and tackled r with determination. • Ponsoriby can bo credited - ; with ;an . excellent and well-deserved win. '... They played the open game for all it was worth, and gave many splendidly spectacular • passing displays. X The team, 'as. a whole, worked as a team should together. ' v ■; From the jump.they did not slacken the pace, ; and ; attacked persistently, and : with precision. • '■; Attack is the best method of defence, and time after time,Ponsohby, took charge of an opposition rush,' and, went away themselves. It was ■ this ; style of play, that won -the: game. " .' . -\ Roope. of tho bocks, was perhaps the best of his class on the ground. He it was who picked out the • choicest openings, sent the ball skimming out to his supports, i and camo round on tho wing to carry on a rush that would otherwise have petered out. "' ' V'--- ' ~ , ; '_ ;'■"■ :-"■■., The 1 scoring was rapid, and Rovers were baffled time after time by quick changes in their: opponents' fashion of ; aggression. 3 Mincham was particularly to the fore, and helped himself cleverly to ,'. :;.;;tries. Dunning and Savoury were ;also prominent,. useful, and resourceful. . , Manukau Rovers went out to ; wm,_and returned pavilionwards triumphant. They j played a steady, safe game, nipped their j opponents'; rushes in the bud, and watched i the opportunity with a wary eye. Hardgravo was again in brilliant form.for Manukau, and kept to tho front in a dangerous style—for Eden. He was .given plenty to do, and acquitted himself .excellently. There was plenty of dash in his methods, and his kicking was a feature, of some note. ,- . ... : > Rukutai is the same player who did so well last year. He is one of the most dashing forwards in the province, a grafter any time and all the time, clean and vigorous in his methods, and fast on his feet. He can collar a. good deal;better than many backs' of i reputation. • . •Eden Ramblers did not do so badly all. the same, and were equally responsible tor a fast, interesting match. They are stronger forward than back, and some practice in passing-would improve their play. XT -,, ;* Newton Rangers owe their win over North Shore Albion to the splendid combination of "" Perry, a young- player,. al fullback for Newton gave as good a display .of fullback play as has been'seen m league football tor a season or two. ... - ' , ■ Tho forwards of the two sides were evenly matched. Clarke, an ■ ex-Ponsonby player under, the Rugby Union, played ;a j really Eoddgame for North Shore; In the Newton pack Den-an Miikii were the,most proBennett,, one of the Newton threeqnarters, had a small bone in one of his ankles, displaced, and this will keep him; out of the game for a month or so. - Until he was. hurt Bennett did much useful work. 7v ~'..'., Seven now members * were elected . at ; a meeting of the ■. Auckland; Referees' ' Association last night. ''- "**S::",''.'. , , u ;, ' : : -„. -.--' A suggestion has been made that a -New Zealand Referees' Association should be formed in connection with the league game. Further-action will be token after the New Zealand.team has visited Australia, as. it is hoped to get valuable information from New South Wales. Such an association is necessary; and it should bo formed before the present season ends.. - «/•',■, -A new club lias been formed;at. Otahuhu, and it will enter for the Auckland League's second grade competition. Th© following officers have been. elected:—Patron, Mr. F. W. Lang, M.P. president, Mr. H. It. Goodman; hon. secretary, Mr. J. M. O'Connell; treasurer, -Mr Geo. Jackson; executive committee, Messrs. W. J. MeManus, Geo. Chatman, J. Bronnan, ;0. Doyle, and J. Miller; selectors, Messrs. I. Dixon, S. Miller, and IT. Miller. The team will practice on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.. ' ;".';• "'.*''

LOWER WAIKATO LEAGUE. , The following fixtures in the Lower Waikato League's second and third grade competitions have been arranged — ; ''*■ "' . ■ ■ ,'.-,-- SECOND GRADE. May 25 Mochaki v. Ngaruawahia, ;at Ngaruawahia ; . Huntly, a bye. . June 1: Ngaruawahia v. Huntly, at Ngaruawahia; iMoehaki, a bye. June 8: Huntly v. Moehaki, at Huntly; Ngaruawahia, a bye. ]■.-■ ■'■ ' GRADE. June 1: > Ngaruawahia v. Huntly, at Huntly.'-- ■ ,-; ■ . Juno 8: Ngaruawahia v. Huntly, at Ngaruawahia.'; '