UNDER LEAGUE RULES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18489, 28 August 1923, Page 4

UNDER LEAGUE RULES.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL The following table shows the position of the League senior grade teams at the conclusion of the club championship competition:— v. ■ Ch. P. W. L. D. Pts. City -V.i *. 13 11 2—22 Athletio . .. 13 10 3 — 20 Marist Old Boys 12 9 3 — 18 Devonport ~. •■■ 12 6 6 — 12 Ponsonby .. 12 4 8 — 8 Newton . ... 12 2 10 — 4 Richmond ... 12 , 1 11 — 2 The tabla gives some indication of the struggle for the championship, City and Athietio having to play off an extra game to determine the issue. Marist Old Boys with only. one loss more than City wore bidding strongly for the honours.; Great Championship final. Tho game between City and Athletic on Saturday will long be rbmemutsred by League supporters. . It was a grim lor Uxe season's club premiership i a atting climax to a successiul and keemy contested competition. Trie one point advantage in the scores held by City at the contusion of the game, just about represented the merits of the teams on the play.' The City attacks were more persistent, and better sustained than those of Athletic. It says much ; for the tackling and general defence of the vanquished, that only : once was the Athletic line crossed, as a result of combined back play. . Of the individual players, Crewther the City fullback, was not quite : up to the standard of the other backs of the side. He did much good work, out was weak in fielding at times. Play of City Backs. "' . : < The City threequarter line operated well, though the handling of the ball was not as good as it should have been. This does not apply to Wilson, who gave a finished display. and added to his prestige as a. threequarter. G. Davidson was well marked, but used his pace judiciously. City's first try came from a run started by him and he was unfortunate in bein<* obstructed when racing for the ball after he had kicked it past the Athletic fullback. B. Davidson lost a try through getting out of line in a passing run, but otherwise did excellent work. Wetherill at five-eighths > was at his best, both in attack and. defence. He did an immense amount of work and his try was a fine piece of play. Mitchell as usual was in the thick of the work in all departments. The forwards held their own with the opposing pack, McDonald being particularly prominent. They all gave their best. Athletic's Great Defence. Of the Athletio backs, J. McGregor played a good game at fullback. He was bustled once or twice by the pace of the City players, and kicked full into touch, but on the whole, his work was sound. The threequarter line was better in defence than attack, though Dufty and Timmins were dangerous at times.. Lonergan sustained a knock early in the game, and may not have been quite at his best subsequently. Hall. Yardley and Nicholson, played hard games and tackled like Trojans. ; ' ■..-;-, l , : , -The forwards played with great dash to a man. Avery was a tower of strength in the open, and scored a fine try. He also supported the backs in fine stylo. The cup final on Saturday was an excellent try out for aspirants to representative "hououro this season. On tho.

form displayed in his first two games: for City McDonald is worthy of consideration '( by the League selectors. ■< -~ '*" ,;•' ; There was - a tense moment on ; Saturday when ; the' game ; between CSty 'and: Athletic hung in the balance as Dufty shot for a goal.' It was a good kick, but the ; ball went to the wrong dde of the post. The sigh of relief from the City supporters was audible. • W. Davidson was not as sure as usual with his place-kicking :' : on • Saturday. 'He succeeded with one. fine effort,; however, and kicked a poster from Wetherall's try. A little gust of cross-wind would have been welcome to City as the ball went sailing toward the post. . ?■..;•:;;/ •'■■ The referee in the cup : final between City and Athletic, Mr. Gallagher, was responsible for an excellent performance with the, whistle. His control of the game was very firm, with , the, result that breaches in the serums were fewer than usual. ■'.■"-...'/,,--'"'''•,';;■■■■.." * "' League's ' Knock-out ■■■: Competition. ; The Roope Rooster competition, which will begin next Saturday, should provide pome great football this season. In the openinc games Athletic will meet Devonport, and if the North Shore players reveal the form shown in some of their games in the second round for the club championship the contest will not be at all one sided. Newton and Marist Old Boys also meet in the opening round, and Richmond will try conclusions; with Pon : sonby. City obtained a bye in the open-' ing round, and are thus assured of being in the semi-finals. ; Matches in the knockout competition are always of a highlystirring order. • Teams that have been dp; feated in the club championship have the opportunity of getting even with their, conquerors, and frequently rise to the occasion. The semi-finals and final i are sure to attract large crowds to Carlaw Park. ' ' •- ■ .The challenge match between Auckland and South Auckland for the Northern Union Challenge Cup has been tentatively fixed for September 22. The game will be played at Hamilton, the headquarters of South Auckland, and should provide a great contest. The only line that can be obtained regarding South Auckland form this season is from the match against Wellington. South Auckland had a fairly easy win, but when the Wellington players met Auckland they were overwhelmed!. It is not always safe to draw conclusions from comparisons of this nature, and South Auckland may be depended upon to fight hard to retain possession of the coveted trophy.'' South Sydney Team Coming. The news that the ' South Sydney Club had accepted the invitation of tho Auckland League to visit Auckland this season would be widely welcomed by League supporters. It is a high-class team, and includes many brilliant players. The visitors can be assured of a warm welcome, and that they will be thoroughly extended on the field. The standard of the game in Auckland has improved this season, and with a few more games with a dry ball the players should show still better, team work. Backs that possess such pace as the Auckland representatives can exhibit only require to be sure in their handling of the ball to be dangerous to any opponents. They are not quite sure enough in this respect yet, but much may bo accomplished before they are called on to meet the Australian tourists. There should be some stirring games at Carlaw Park on September 29 and October 6, when the chosen of the Auckland League will meet South Sydney. It is to be hoped that arrangements can be made for the Canterbury League representatives to visit Auckland this season. The Southern players are said to be showing excellent form this season, and a game between Canterbury and Auckland would give the New Zealand League selectors an opportunity of " judging the form' of aspirants for r representative honours against the English touring team . next season. , The . present season is rather a bare one for League football, as far as representative games are concerned. Fine club games have more or loss compensated for the lack of outside matches, and the visit of South Sydney should provide a fitting wind-up to a memorable season. •