LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19093, 11 August 1925, Page 16

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. ' ROOPE ROOSTER MATCHES. DEVONPORT AND MARIST. The season's matches in the Ttoope's Rooster competition, played annually for charity, by senior League teams were commenced on Saturday, but as most of the grounds were in a sodden condition, brilliant football was out of the question. However, the game at Cat'law Park, between Marist arid Devonport, was very exciting, and the closeness of the scores made it very interesting. Some fine play was witnessed.

For Devonport, Godick, at fullback, was hardly a success. Ho made few mistakes, but his kicking was very weak. The wings, Johnston and Julian, played well when chances came their way. The former showed improved form. K. Scott was perhaps the best of tho backs, getting through his work in good style. Cleaver, too, played an excellent game, both on attack and defence.

Tho Devonport forwards again gave a finished display, and their relentless following of the ball spoiled many of the Marist movements. All were keen in the loose, and fought hard in tho scrums. A. Scott is a versatile footballer who has filled many positions in the Devonport team. Against Marist ha showed up well, and was responsible for scoring nine points out of the fifteen gained. J. O'Brien was in tho thick of the play, his deadly tackling being a feature of the game. Douglas and Veart also played well.

Singe in Tine Form.

Singe, (Marist) stood out as the best player on tho ground. He is a great worker, and never lets up. On the form displayed this season Singe should be one of tho first considered when the team for the South is selected. Johnston and Storniont. were the pick of the other Marist fc wards, all of whom played well. • Marist's best back was Lenihan, who gave a good display, particularly in attack. The centre, Cooke, showed improved form and should develop into a useful player. It is unusual to see Gallagher play in the scrum,- but the Marist winger, on his game against Devonport, should turn out useful

Many of tho incidents in the- match bordering on rough play escaped the notice of the referee, who, in most of the cases, referred to, could not be expected to observe them. It is a long time since so much adverse comment has been heard regarding the tactics of several of the playen engaged, and the line umpire should see that these glaring breaches do not go by unchallenged. Tripping was very common.

Ponsonby and Athletic.

Ponsonbv gave Athletic a day out chasing their speedy backs, particularly the big centre three-quarter, G. Gardiner. The winners have put up some heavy scores this season, and their record takes a lot of beating. The opposition may have been •weak, but it is in games of this sort that good combination can bo worked up, and the best team training obtained. Gardiner was the outstanding player, running through the Athletic defence al most whenever he handled the ball. Riley and God'ey. too, greatly assisted the winners, both scoring, several fine tries. Herewini, at fullback, is not showing the form ho displayed earlier in tho season. T. Feckham, at halfback, was tricky and elusive.

Among the Ponsonby forwards McNeill was perhaps the best. Moore and Payne were two good workers. The Atheltic team is certainly experiencing a lean season, but its four representatives with the New Zealand team should again place the- side in a sound position.. Three players who can always be depended upon to give- of their best are Mason, Te Whata and Hadley. They have few superiors in the League code.

City v, Richmond. r

The ground at the Domain was very elinnery for the match between City and Richmond, but the adverse conditions did ont prevent the teams showing good form. City beat Richmond by better tram work and superior pace among the bark division. However, Richmond's thirteen did not play the same game as against Marist the previous week, tha jbad ground being solely responsible for braking down many promising movements.

For the dinners Davidson and Crewther wore the best of a consistent rear division. The former opened up the pn:ne in his usual good style. G. Paki played on the wing and shaped well. Among the forwards . Reid, Hawkes and R.iby did plenty of useful work. For Pichmond Hanlon, at fullback, was Bound, making no mistakes. Hyland and Russell were the best of the other backs an ! stood up to their more experienced opponents in good style. Th" forwards on the whole played solid football, Duane and Avery being the b^it.

Devonport, City, Ponsonby and Newton compete in the second round of' the Rnope's Rooster competition. The draw will take place at to-jnorrow night's meeting of the Management Committee. Dominion Touring Team.

In view of the report that many of the lest rlavers in the New Zealand team were suffering from injuries and the best thirteen would therefore not. be available against Queensland on Saturday the result of the game was not looked forward to with any pleasant thoughts. However, the Dominion team put up'a great fight, and the scores, 29 to 20, speak volumes for the closeness of. the match. The superior pace of the Queensland wings gave the crack State team the victory. Aynsley, who scored four' tries for Queensland, is claimed to be one of the fastest footballers ever seen in, Australia.

Although New Zealand has been defeated in the majority of the matches played there is no denying tho fact that the gams in New Zealand has mado considerable progress during the past few seasons, and the future is very ing-To-morrow the New Zealand team meet Toowoomba, the crack team in the State of Queensland. No fewer than Eeven of the Queensland representatives come from Toowoomba, whose side last season defeated the Englishmen, and quite recently won from Ipswich by 50 points to 12.

Change in Constitution.

Will the proposed alteration to the constitution of the Auckland Rugby Leaguo have any marked benefit upon the future of the game? Since introduced by the delegates this question has not met with too much favour. It is true that those responsible for the proposed alteration have in mind only the best interest of the game, but many are asking why the present regime should be changed when the Auckland League has made such great progress. Under the able guidance of Mr. W. J Hammill the came in Auckland has gene ahead by leaps and bounds, and tho delegates should pause to listen to the chairman's advice. No official of the League knows better than Mr. Hammill of the exact positjon in regard to Carl aw Park, and credit must be given to him for the responsibility he has borne in all matters of finance. Mr. Hammill's judgment may have been at fault when he would not agree to the proposal to vote the sum of £l5O toward Otago's visit, but his action was guided by the heavy expense the League will be called upon to meet. The chairman's proposal was to secure £SOOO as a loan from the League's "bank. The proposal to raise £IO,OOO by debentures has caused many officials to give the matter more than a passing thought. A grandstand to cost £SOOO would be nroplo to meet the requirements at Carlaw Park.