LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19355, 16 June 1926, Page 16

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

: THE AUCKLAND TEAM. SELECTION ON SATURDAY. SOUTH AUCKLAND MATCH. The personnel of the first Auckland representative League team to take part fn the trial games will be announced oh Saturday. Followers of the code are awaiting the announcement of the team with considerable interest. The selectors, Messrs. Fox, McClymont and Asher, have no easy task. The form shown by many young players is very encouraging, and it will occasion no surprise to see many of those who usually gain places passed over in favour of younger men. This particularly applies to the forwards. Although only six are required, the claims of Clarke (Newton), A. Scott (Devonport), and Payne (Ponsonby) have already been discussed. It is understood that 17 players will be chosen to train, and the actual team will not be selected until a few days prior to the game against South Auckland. -

| Advice from the South credits Wilson- ; Hall with playing a brilliant game in the Otago-Canterbury match. In the second spell he was the life and soul of the Canterbury attack. He made some wonderful runs, and his all-round display was excellent. One of the selectors, writing to Auckland, praised Wilson-Hall's football, and his inclusion in the New Zealand team appears to be a certainty. Form in Trial Games. L. Peterson, of Canterbury, whom Aucklanders well remember for his dashing forward display for Marist against City a few ' seasons ago, was the most outstanding for--1 ward in the Otago-Canterbury game. Peterson had a fine record as a Rugby representative footballer, and since joining the League code he has met with equally great success. As forwards go, Peterson is still a comparatively "young player. He is very fast and a great tackier, while he handles a ball with the ability of a three- ■ quarter. Another player to attract attention was the Otago five-eighths, Eckhoff, who was the best of the backs on his' side, his work being very impressive. The second trial game for the selection of the New Zealand team was played at Greymouth on Saturday, when the West Coast team defeated Otago by 11 points to 8. The form of the players is being closely : watched in Auckland, and- the chances of many are discussed. For Otago, Hickey ' and Eckoff followed up their good game against Canterbury by being prominent against the West Coast. Hickey scored two fine tries and showed himself to be a rare opportunist. Mouatt was the best of the" forwards, and it is evident .the giant from the West Coast is in his best form. When the South Island team, is chosen it is almost certain that Hickey, Eckoff and Mouatt will bo seen in action at Carlaw Park.. Selection of a Hooker.

Tho selection of a hooker for the New Zealand touring team is a matter that must bo given serious attention when the Selection Committee is called upon to pick the 26 players to tour England. Men are wanted who possess outstanding ability in getting for their side a good share of the ball from the scrum, a factor so vital in League football. Little is known of tho men who hook in the Soutii Island, but in Australia last year, when touring with the New Zealand team, Carroll, trie Wellington forward, was tried in this position, and he proved very, successful.

Among the local players there is no outstanding hooker, but several get their share of the ball every Saturday. • St. George (Devonport) has represented New Zealand in this position on' several occasions, and has often met with success. Sonjers (Newton) is perhaps the best hooker in tho code, but his play is not up to representative standard.

No forward, however, has greater claims than Towhsend (City), whose success against Queensland last season is readily recalled. ToWnsend is easily the best player among the hookers under review, and his stamina and condition are assets that few footballers can boast. In the open Townsend is a fine forward. He handles the ball well and shows plenty of pace. Tho Club Competition. Saturday saw the completion of the first round of the club competition, and the result;;still bears a very open, appearance. Ponsonby went very close to defeat on Saturday, but, with Marist, they still hold the lead in championship points City are next, having sustained two defeats in 'the first round. With the other teams showing improved form, it is just possible several unexpected reverses will be recorded in the second round. Marist and Richmond fought out a stirring game at Carlaw Park. Richmond went, down to a team with more experience. The losers have the nucleus of a strong attacking side, ' and when their players get more experience and are prepared to take more risks, Richmond will develop into a very strong side. Kirwan was again in good form and played very soundly. Crewther at fiveeighths showed up well. Since leaving City Crewther has improved in his football and shows good promise. ,Singe was again the best of the Marist forwards. There are few forwards in the code who handle a ball better. Richmond's best player was F. Bass, whose display stamped him as a forward with a bright future. He was always in the thick of the game and made some wonderful runs. Grafton's Best Display,

Grafton can be credited with their best display in nearly bringing about the de-. feat of Ponsonby. On Saturday .Grafton fielded a very strong team and they should upset the calculations of the teams higher up the ladder. Cole (Ponsonby) made his appearance and played very well, Littlewood on. the wing played a dashing game and Riley and Peckham were associated in some bright play. Ponsonby's forwards met a solid opposition and had to work hard to win. Grafton's best back was Dufty, whose recent form has been disappointing. On Saturday, however, he played a splendid game. Devonport had a day out at the- expense of Newton, whose form was too bad to take much notice of. Their defeat by such a large score is hard to account for, as it was generally anticipated that Newton would beat more teams than would lower their colours.

CHIEF LEAGUE SCORERS.

L. BROWN HEADS THE LIST.

L. Brown, the Gity wing-threeqnarter, has been the highest scorer of points in this season's League cijib competitions. With 10 tries Brown heads the list with 30 points. Second to him is the promising Newton player, A. Mansill, who has 1 scored five tries and converted seveo goals, making his total 29 points, binge, the Marist forward, who is a consistently good scorer, is third with 28 points, having scored four tries and converted eight goals. ' L. Scott, the improving Devonport wing-threequarter, lias scored nine tries, giving him i-, total of 27 points. Delgrosso, Ponsonby, with eight converted goals and two tries, has obtained 22 points, G. Wade, City, seven trie's 21 points, and Riley. (Ponsonby), six tries, 18 points.

Other players to gain double figures are •J. Kirwan f Marist), with five tries, 15 points; B. Davidson (City), four tries, 12 points, and N. Bass (City), one try and four goals. 11- points. Others to score are: Clarke (Newton) and Hutt- (Ponsonby), three tries eachp and A. Scott, one tsy and four goals.