LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19325, 12 May 1926, Page 16

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. SATURDAY'S PLAY REVIEWED. THE DEFEAT OF DEVONPORT. Dominating play by tho forwards deprived tho Marist and Devonport backs of frequent opportunities to shine in the League match at Carlavv Park on Saturday afternoon. Devonport certainly havo been unlucky this season. On Saturday their lot was little improved and tho score 19 to 16, was about a true indication of tho run of the play. In tho first spell Devonport generally had the bettor of the game and if their backs had handled tho ball better a larger score would have resulted. In tho second spell the gamo became much moro interesting and many exciting movements were witnessed. Marist won owing to better combination, backs and forwards giving good support to tho player with tho ball. For the winners, Singo, the Marist forward, was perhaps the most outstanding player on tho field. He gavo a brilliant display. Ho is an excellent typo of League forward and should have a great chanco of filling a place when the Zealand team is chosen to tour England. Stormorit, too, played a fine gamo and gave his backs plenty of support. O'Brien was a great worker, very solid in tho scrums and frequently prominent in tho open. Brady and Matmix also played ably. Play o! Marist Backs.

Marist's best back was Kirwan, who played an excellent game. On attack Kirwan is very clever. His tricky runs were a thorn in tho side of Devonport, and with better support, his openings would have produced at least two tries. C. Gregory, who played both at fiveeighths and full-back, was very sound, particularly in his old position at fullback, whero he saved his sido on many occasions.

Nicholson, behind tho scrum, made sonio good openings, but has yet to show his best form. Cooke, on the wing, was a very reliable player who got few opportunities. For Devonport. Perry, at fullback, gave a faultless exhibition and was reliable when pressed by the opposition. Until he retired Cleaver was the best of Devonport's backs and showed much cleverness at five-eighths. He bore the brunt of some solid defence. If Seagar sharpened up his pace ho would make an ideal centre but at present, although young, he moves very sluggishly. I;. Scott has lots of pace and uses it to good advantage.

A. Scott again stamped himself as a fine forward arid he was in every scoring movement, his pace being a valuable asset. O'Brien was rugged and solid, his tackling being a feature of the game. Dixon and Douglas were most prominent in leading the forward rushes. Richmond's Good Stand. It did not take the large crowd long to realise that on No. 2 ground Richmond were putting up a great fight against City and soon the fences round tho ground were thickly lined with spectators urging the promising Richmond team on. Each atta'ck that was launched met with defence seldom seen at Carlaw Park, and in this department, Richmond excelled. Play was fast and open throughout and it was not until the last few minutes that City gained the upper hand by reason of the speed of their backs. To Richmond credit must be given for a splendid game for they severely tested the champions. Coaching along the right lines has placed the Richmond team well in the limelight and the players' good education as juniors will in the near future havo its effect. Any success that comes their way is well-deserved. For City, Crewther, at fullback, was not reliable. His fielding was excellent, but he is not sound and on Saturday his injured arm plainly handicapped his game. L. Brown was again responsible for a brilliant exhibition and in each match ho shows improvement in his defence. Thanks to his pace, he is perhaps tho best scoring wing playing League. Wade, on the other wing, was also a great success and his try was the result of determined running. E. Brown, who played his first game this season, showed promise and combined well with Wetherall whose defence was a tower of strength to City. City Pack Rearranged. The winners' best back was Lewis, who was really responsible for turning the game in his team's favour. He has a strong fend and is a dangerous man to stop. II is football is very impressive. Ghent, from behind the scrum, gave his sido plenty to do and worked hard. By an alteration in their scrum City have found a remedy that will at least improve the pack formation. Tho inclusion of Thomas and Cargill in the front row is a wise move for with their experience, Townsend will bo better able to control the ball from the scrum. Thomas was the best of City's front division. His weight and strength proved troublesome to Richmond. Mackie and Mitchell were tireless workers and Townsend and Hawkes wero prominent in the open. Cargill was always in the picture Hanlon, at fullback was Richmond's outstanding player. His cool judgment and splendid fielding were very impressivo and his consistent good form classes him with the best fullbacks playing tho code.

Hyland, on tho wing proved to bo a very elusive player with a fine turn of speed. With a little moro confidence ho should make a good name as a scoring wing. Parkos was not, at his best and hung on too long after he ran his supports into position. Prentice and Davis arc a pair of promising inside backs capable of showing great improvement. Both lads havo a sound knowledge of the game, they show speed from the scrum and are ever ready to whip out a pass to their supports. Besides, <m Saturday, they rarely kicked the ball. Prentice was particularly good on attack. Richmond's forwards wero not overshadowed by their opponents and fought until tho end. Avery was perhaps tho best of a good even scrum and played a sound game. Redwood, who replaced Campbell, proved to bo a capable forward. Crewther is of tho bustling typo, very keen in tho loose and strong in the ruck. Jenkinson, Stevenson and Carroll were all good workers. Carroll is a lino goal kicker. Ponsonby's Runaway Victory.

At tho Domain Pottsonby scored a runaway victory over Newton who were no match for their speedy opponents. Most of (lie 46 points scored were the result of splendid team work in which, Peckham, Riley, Cole, Dclgrosso and Ilutt were most prominent. Although defeated in both games played this season Grafton have now a really good side which should bo capable of extending tho best thirteons. Tho two llaynor brothers, well-known in the Waikato, are reported to be included in next 'Saturday's team and they should strengthen the rear division. With a view to assisting tho family of tho late S. Ryan, who was a wellknown Otahnhu player, an effort is being made to arrange a charity match between City and Ponsonby to bo played in the morning of Juno 3. Tho case is a deserving one and should tho two clubs agree to play, their action will meet with the approval of all League followers. An application for permission to arrango tho game will bo made at tho meeting of tho Auckland League this evening. Advice that tho League game is established at Rotorna is welcome. Just before tho war Ilotorua could boast a very strong representative team and such well-known players as F. Woodward, R. Papakura and T. Rogers gained their New Zealand caps while playing in the district.