UNDER LEAGUE RULES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17158, 12 May 1919, Page 5

UNDER LEAGUE RULES.

CHAMPIONSHIPS CONTINUE, , MARITIME BEATS NEWTON. MARGIN OF ONE POINT. Matches in tho Auckland Ilugby League's championships wore _ played on Saturday. At tho Domain Maritime defeated Newton by 10 points to 19, and at JDovottport City! beat North Shore, and Grafton beat Mjrist Old Boys, Details of the play are:— NEWTON Y. MARITIME. The teams in the Xowton-Maritimo match were Wartime: Mincham, Davidson, Robinson, Sutton. Phillips. Lane, Limn, Shoehan, Amy. Arndt, Notion, Hogg, CarBill. Newton: Uansill, Clolse (2). lies, Lovett, Williams (2), Keonan, Spmers, Miller, Doeherty, Newdick, Ivil. Newton get the pace, and early in the game pressed Maritime back to within 30yds of their liita. But tho backs got to work, close play ending in a scrum. Then 0. lies cut in and scored near tho poet. \V, C'loke missed the kick. Newton 8, Maritime 0. From the drop out play was rather clobo, Newton holding tho advantago, Near the mid-lino Sutton got a kick in. Cloke nittdo an opening. passed to Lovett. to lies, who ran round and scored. Tho kick failed. Newton C, Maritime 0. Day. then quickened, Maritime, after a good i attack, bei.-ig put on tho defensive by a smart Newton run. After rapid play a series of scrums on tho ytfllows' line followed, but steady pressure by tho Maritimos .brought the .game buck to midflold. Mincliam, Maritimo's full, was then replaced by Bovaird, who succeeded in netting through, passing to Davidson. Mansiil beat !'M. lor the kick. Maritime attacked, but i Williams intercepted an opposition pass and sent on to Bovaird. to Somors, who scored I with a clear field. The kick failed again. Ijiowton 12, Maritime 0. Tho latter team 1 drew their first , blood just on half-time through an opening by Sutton carried on along tho Jnio by Itobinson. Tho spoil ended:— ¥ Newton ~ kl «' .in Maritime .. J.' •# 3 Ataritimo attacked and pressed almost home, but Norton rallied and Miller got *»?' and gave a 12-point lead to his side.: Alter a Maritime attack play returned to tho centre Straggling play gov© Newton another chance, H«enan scoring. Newton 18. Maritime 3. A sudden rush by David- i son advanced the yellows' score another' three points. After a long open spell, Mari-1 timo mado another spirited effort, Lunn pass-' ins to a fivo-eiehth, to Sutton, who dived over. Davidson took a difficult pass, and I went through to the posts. Newton 18., Maritime. 14. As time drew on enthusiasm | became intense. Play settled in tho centre. Williams made a good attack along the line ! but (ell to Robinson. Davidson, however,' Seized the ball 011 tho quarter, and after : neat pJuy. scored near tho posts. The effort I temporarily put him out of play, but ho booh revived and kicked a goal amid chccrs. alio game endxl:— Maritime t 19 Nowtoa ) 11 jy

Mr. A. Ferguson was referee.

MARIST OLD BOYS V. GRAFTON. i The , Marist Bros. 0.8.-Grafton gamo i opened with rapid work on both sides Ifscored for Grafton almost a', oaco. ' pnortly, after 1111 interval of interesting work by Simpson and McDovitt, Ifwerjon scored 1 | again »nd converted. Graiton 8, Marist 0. 1 boon after the drop out tho same player I once more scored Marist then took up. and I through in opening from scrum. McDevitt got over, Grafton 11. Marist 3. Grafton bad a hard task m keeping the attackore from tlio line. Ghent, however, pushed forward, passed to jfwerson, to Mitchell, who crossed. 1 llworson converted. Grafton 10. Marist 3.' 1 After good combined work Cotny scored 3 points for Marist Through Herring Mitchell took the ball, and again scored for Grafton Ifwersou attain scowl, sod also converted after the Pna] try in the game, made by Oeborne, The gamo thus resulted: Grafton og Marist ~ ~ , t J, "a CITY V. NORTH SHORE. The teams in the City-North Shore match wore: — City: O. Paki, W. Davidson, R. Clarke, P.- up. J. Hugan, G. Asher, J. Stewart, Mitchell. Haddon, l'rancis, Rtiku'ai, Wynne, and Reed. North Shore: Pioberts. MeAnejny. W. Wynyard, Seagar, Boon, Mstiheiva, Waters, lisvgan. Bailey, Pullen, Wad del I, Griffin, and Nelson. Fast, open play characterised the game. 1 lay centred in midfie'.d at first, until Jtjaki made .1 fino run to Shore's twenty-five, Ilia .ball came from the corner to Stewart. 1 but .North Shore took play into the op- | potion ts territory. Davidson thou uiad© & show, taking the ball again to Shore's twenty-five. Roberts knocked the leather across the line, and Wynne scored: City, 5; North Shore, 0. A City rush was broken by Davidson. After a epell to North Shore, City caiuo again, Haddon crossing he line. Ihe welt faiiod: City, 8; Morth Shore, 0. North Shore rallied, but a good kick by Davidson placed City in North Shore's ground. Boon worked well for North Shore, but tho City forwards ca.lllo agniu, lUxxl running round and touching down. Davidson converted: City, 13; .N'orui Shore, 0. North Shore then seemed to go to pieces under City's onslaught. After 0. spell, bowever, North Shore rallied, Boon sprinting and scoring heir first try at tho corner: Citv. 13: North Shore, 3. Cily lost do time in bringing the ball back. Boon again played well, but Pnki placed his side in tli<} opponents' territory. Fast play ensued, and ft lone pass from tho ruck vm handed by Lang to Clarke, who outpaced North Shore and scored. Davidson failed with the kick tho gtmo thus ending; 1 CitT ~ ~ 16 North Shore . . . ~ .. 3 Mr. Eddof.'es was referee. ' SECOND GRADE. Sunnyeidc beat Maricts by default. rjorth Shore 17 points, boat Maritime, 0. Utaiuibu wat Isowton by default. THIRp GRADE. Otahuhu beat Suunysido by default, FOURTH GRADE. Otohuhu, 19 points, beat Manukau, 3 City, 'Jl ixiint.s, beat Grafton, ? Richmond, 3G points, beat Newton B 0 bunnysidc, 1) points, beat Nortbcole, I), FIFTH GRADE. City bent Sunnysido by default cote t U UP " d J ■ iovt ' r:, ' 22 5 " 11 '. Beat NorthTHE INTERSTATE MATCH. TRIAL THIRTEEXS SELECTED. Two teams from Auckland Northern Union players have been selected by the official selectors. Messrs. Best, Powell, and Wynyard, m view of the forthcoming New in-land-Australian match early in June. A trial gamo will be played on the Victoria lark ground oil Wednesday aftornoou Ibis representative team will bo finally chosen on Hundoy next, when Mr. Mayer iWi:!""' 1 ""■» I lie Uial teams are: loiV"~y "''A 0 ' 1 "'i E ' a K'r threo-quar-7. 'tt Davidson 'Mantling;, Ilwersnu w'r'lok 1, ( x' P a V d r D (Cl ! yl; fivo -eighths. W'l i Hi Newton). Lamg (City); half-back, Walsh I ronsonby); forwards, Rukutai fCityi Walters ii,orei, Ilitddon (City). Wiiddell tor? J. Clark (Ponsonby), Williams (New--8.-Full-back, McAnemy (Shore)- threequarters, G. lies (Newton), Matthews (Shrre) A. llao (Poii9on.bvl; tive-eighljis, McClymcnt (I'ousonbyi, Stewart (.City;; half-back Koenan (Newton); forwards, Ilcrriii" (Graftout, Francis 'City Nelson (Shore)' Pullen 'Shore), bonier;) (Newton), V. Mitchell (Grafton). " Reserves for both Forwards, Owen (Grafton), Cast Irs Wowton), Uuderwood i Ponsonby); haH backa. Hing (Marist), and Boon (Shore), backs, Sutton (Maritime) and G. Asher (City).

POSSIBLE SELECTION'S. Assuming that tbo best team available will be choaju for the Australian tour, irrespective of residential consideration, tho prospoct of t|>o best 13 selected ranking equal with previous league fauna is net rosy, but as a aot-ofl ajimat this it, can ha declared that the opposition to be met also will not coinpare faroyrablj- with the ffiantg of tho put. Tho drain on Australian youth for war purposes has been reflected in the deterioration of tho standard of the league game in both New South Wales and Queensland, awl, whilo New Zfiiland (cams operating tinder Northern Union rules in Australia have never achieved tbo success flu I attended the rifforts of their Rupby Union brethren. liin m?xt touring team should not faro any wcrso than their prcuccosMM. A? to the probablo personnel of the team, ' Auckland should provide tho bull; of players, with Canterbury supplying a. fair quota, with a. few players drawn (mm scattered points to complete the combination. New Zealand is tnoro likely to place an evenly balanced team in the field than, one I with backs of mora prominence limn forwards, or vice versa.. There are limitations of choice in the positions to be filled, on at least two points—New Zealand's fullback and halftackiv In G. I'aki Auckland posseMaa the beau-ideal fullback. This player ha? thjo j

Qualification of p&ca usually lacking in this department, His previous Australian expertenco with _ the Maori Rugby team should (land him m good stead, .Recruits to tho league game might solro the problem of halfback, but at present the popular choice would fall on W. Walsh„of Auckland, who 15 nippy in attack and open# up the game to his Iweks woll, besides beintf sound in defence. With this the paucity of talent disappears. A review of candidates for the three. quarters and five-oisuwis nnds sufficient ottering to form iho iry-gotting division ot ttio t«»in. Jtieta Auckiaau wouid be 10 the fois Wim K. itwersou, D. McGregor, \Y. J. David--1 son, u. Davidson, trnd a. AtcCiymom. I). Mciiregor has given evidence 01 continued brilliancy. im the exception. ot 0110 game jV> J. Davidson was not seen in local loot- ' bill last season, as he was in. camp, whero ; lie was one 01 the mainstays ot the 'ircnttiain team. With the experience 01 lengthy associations with players of the calibre of K. ilouerts, the famous Wellington back, and his already croditabip record in Auckland club 1 ana intcrprovmcial games, he should command the attention of the selectors. His brother electrified the spectators at the Auck-land-Canterbury fixture last season by his sprints round the Southern backs. A deficiency of weight has always placed iicLlymont at a disadvantage, and in tuo selection of a touring team a player cannot; afford 10 concede this important advantage. In these departments ttu selectors couiti draw upon the South to some extent. W. J. Mitchell, of Canterbury, is no stranger to intpr-State football, and, wliilo not locking | 'nt attacking powers, would BtiSen up the defenco. Another New Zealand representative back, U. Bradley, of Wellington, baa resumed playing, and a first-class back would be invaluable to a touring team whore a, displacement of backs is often necessary. The whereabouts of W. Manning, Hawto's Bay, the brilliant captain of the 1912 league town, are uncertain, but no doubt visions of «V-l .Australian tour will draw him from liii ' hiding-place. _ After making bis mark in Northern Union football in England with the famous Wigan team W. Curran roturned to Auckland early last year, but he rooted uri injured Unco in preference to playing- iu a lean season, 110 la now in Christchurch, and it 19 reported that he will don tho jersey there this season. The critics iu Australia regarded him as the star back of tho 1912 Now Zealand League team. A player who last season established a, great club reputation, asi a. flvo-eighths is I Smymc. of Canterbury. At first eight one would desire an exclusively Auckland set of forwards; so weals were tho Soutliera front division tho Northerners tried conclusions with last season. The flight of time has not diminished tha powers of J, Knkutni, who is now tho voteran of New Zealand league football. Even if ho wore on the wane, his generalship would compensate for this. A. Wadded, who played several seasons for St, Helena, England, after gaining his representative cap with the Auckland Rugby Union, is avail- ' able. He turned out for Maritime on ono occasion Inst year, and rendered yeoman lOTvico to his side, la woight and pace he lacks nothing, and plays a consistent game. j It is reported that another .forward of the I solid order, J. Clarke, docs not intend play I ing this season. The younger division of for- ' wards, is sprinkled with many who, with slight improvement, would qualify for inI elusion. Foremost among these are H. Francis, W, William?, E. Herring, Haddon, and S. Lowry, all dashing forwards of the typo that New Zealand football produces. I The selectors, on tho present outlook, have 1 no sinectiro., chiefly on account of the dearth ■ of players in (ho oilier provinces, but the I resumption of unrestricted football through--1 out the Dominion will probably relieve tho situation, whereby may bfe attained the nappy consummation of tho departure from these shores of a combination that will perforin in keeping with tho high traditions of New Zealand football.

THE ASSOCIATION GAME. FIRST ROUND OF MATCHES. BROTHERHOOD V. NORTHCOTE. The Association football season wis openad on Saturday. On the Domain, Brotherhood beat Northcoto by a goal, and other matches provided good sport. Details of tho play ato: — BROTHERHOOD V. NORTHCOTE. In the Brotherhood-Northcoto match tho warns wore: — Brotherhood; Mortimer. Jackson, Pearson, Harrison, Harrison, Williams, P. Bissati, MeEwan, Martin, Harrowoll, G. £>. Smith. Northcoto: Buckraan, Colsou, Corriu, Davidson, Cadman, Metr.o, Cross, Austin, Tremam, Beach, Burford. Brotherhood set. the ball rolling, and Northeote bore down into tho Brotherhood Quarter, until Martin cleared with a good shot. Northcote still attacked, and a good shot by Beach drew first blood. Play was fast, 'and a jfcod piece of work by the Northeote forwards was nullified by W. Harrison- The ball was sent to Williams, who scored (or Brotherhood. Williams after & good dash scored again for Northcote, and noon after Mortimer scored. Hard play was the rule, and Harrison, beating Buckman. scored for Northcoto. Halftime camo with tho scones:— Northcota , < Brotherhood i On resuming tho same, the Brotherhood forwards attacked, and after a good piece of play Tremain scored from a penalty, anil Williams scored soon aftor However. Northcoto attacked, and almost scored, being recalled for infringins. Cadman then scored for Brotherhood. The gamo ended— Brotherhood 4 Northcote .„ 8 SENIOR GRADE. Ponsonby beat Richmond by (i goals to 0. Devonport Presbyterian boat Y.M.C.A- by 5 goals to 0. , North Shore defeated Everton by 6 goals to 0. SECOND DIVISION. Pon=onby, 0 goals (Mavsll 2 and Earle), beat Tabernacle I (Swales). North Short, 6 goals, beat Evsrton, 0. Queens Park, 9 (roils. boat IVvonport, 0. Brotherhood, 1 goal, beat Y.M.C.A., 0. FOURTH DIVISION. W Y.M.1., 3 goals, bent Devonport Presbyterian. 1. Tabernacle, 2 goals, drew with Technical, 1 FIFTH DIVISION. Takapuna. 2 goals, drew with Technical. !2North Shore, 3 goals, beat Technical, 2. SIXTH DIVISION. Belmont A, l goal, drew with North Sbora A. Belmont B drew with North Shore B, no score. Y.M.C.A. BOYS' LEAGUE. Senior Division.Rangers. 3 goals, v. Celts. 4 goals; Hivals, 2 coals, v Spurs, 3 goals; Swifts, 2 goals, v. Hovers, l'goal. Intermediate Division A.—Spurs, no goals, v. Rangers, 3 goals; Rivals, no goals, v. Celts, no goals. Intermediate Division P.—Hovers, no coals. v. Rangers. 3 goals; Rivals, no goals, v. Swifts, 5 goals. Junior Division.-Rovers, 1 goal. v. Swifts, 0 goals; Spurs, no goals, v. Rivals, no goals; Celts, 1 goal. v. Rangers, 2 goals.