LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19463, 20 October 1926, Page 16

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

NEW ZEALAND'S FINE WIN.

STRONG HULL TEAM BEATEN. CLOSE OF LOCAL SEASON. The victory of the New Zealand League team over Hull by 15 points to 13 on Saturday provides just cause for rejoicing. Hull is well known as one of England's most prominent teams, and it occupies fourth place in the Northern Union table, being only headed by Swinton, Wigan and Warrington. Hull's record of winning 35 successive matches on its own ground makes New Zealand's win a meritorious one and easily tho most impressive to date of the present tour. The victory, which was gained in the last minute, will tend to place the visiting team in a better light with some of- the critics, whose opinion on the merits of the Dominion team havo been most inconsistent.

From tho cabled details it is evident that Iho scrummaging of the New Zealanders has now improved, as they controlled the ball, and this enabled the backs to attack more consistently. 1 - A review of the players reveals that Gardiner, who was selected, as a wing-threequarter, is now playing in the pack, a position that is not strange to the Aucklander. In 1921 Gardiner toured Australia with the New Zealand Maori team and was a success in this position. Just how the other forwards are faring is not known, but it is interesting to notice that Singe, Thomas and Menzies have played only ono game, and Wright two. Mouatt has not taken part in the last three games, but whether ho is on tho injured list is not known. Gregory is still playing at fullback, and, as previously mentioned in these notes, it will not be surprising to see Dufty stood down in preference to Gregory when the nest test team is selected.

The second test match against England will bo played a 4 Hull on November 13. To-day tho New Zealand team will play Bradford North. Eoope Rooster Final. In the past the stronger teams, City and Ponsonby, have on most occasions been tho contesting teams in the final of the Roope Rooster competition, and it is pleasing to sec Richmond and Devonport take their places this year. Both teams have shown consistently good form and fully deserved the honour of playing in this game. In the club competition Richmond was always a hard team to dispose of, and Devonport gave Ponsonby, the champions, several close games, besides winning once from City. Richmond's • win over Devonport on Saturday is a triumph for youth and keenness. No team in tho competition has shown a better spirit, and for the past three weeks tho winning team lias trained judiciously. Riciimond will need only to strengthen its fofward division to become a formidable combination next season.

Devonport was. on the run oi the play, a little unlucky, and an alteration in the five-eighths would probably have brought victory. Tho weakness of Stewart in handling the ball was so marked that it was surprising that ho was not shifted to the wing and the backs moved in. Two Brilliant Players. A feature of the game was the brilliant football of the veteran, B. Laing, and tho young Auckland representative, Prentice. Both pitted their football brains against one another and many clever moves were witnessed. Laing has had a long career, but his game 011 Saturday was excellent and right up to his best form. On defence Laing was superb. He tackled his opponents hard—but not unnecessarily so —and many Richmond players will have cause to remember tho Devonport fiveeighths. Prentice is without doubt the "find" of the season and he gave his best display against Devonport. Brilliant on attack, he made some sensational openings /ind his senso of anticipation was wonderful. Great things were expected of Jenkinson earlier in tho season, but the Richmond man has been very inconsistent. On Saturday, however, he played a splendid game and was not far behind Prentice as Ridimond's best back. Jenkinson made several beautiful openings and on one occasion cooJd havo scored had he elected to go on instead of passing when only a few feet from the goal line. Davis, behind Richmond's scrum, has improved considerably and should soon develop into a clever halfback. Richmond is fortunate in possessing three particularly _ promising young players—Prentice, Jenkinson and Davis —all of whom are first year seniors. Richmond's best forward was Stewart, who gave a high-class display. Although not a big man, the ex-Grafton Rugby player is an acquisition to Richmond. Crowther was a tireless worker and was solid in tho scrums, while Bass was most prominent in the fast, open play. Devonport Forwards Lose Dash.

Next to Laing, Seagar was Devonport's best plavor and ho combined well with the former, showing a good knowledge of the reverse pass, which he operated successfully on many occasions. At halfback Cleaver played a fi.no game, and showed plenty of speed in opening tho attack. Tho wings, K. and L, Scott, showed up well. The former was particularly good. Perry was solid at fullback, anil gave his backs plenty of opportunities by running with the ball. Devonport still has a fine scrum, but its forwards do not possess that aggressive spirit shown in earlier games. Three of their number—Scott, O'Brien and Douglas—have borne the brunt of tho play in representative as well as club football, and this may account for the defect mentioned.

It must have been disappointing to Dovonport's supporters to see Ruby jam in a promising movement, only to gain possession and spoil the movement by holding on. Twice he threw away certain tries, and ho should remember tfiat looking for support is essential in good teamwork. Kingsland's Good Performance. The handsome Stallard Cup was won by the consistent Kingsland team, whoso victory over Parncll was well deserved. Kingsland has a well-balanced team, and with careful coaching more improvement should be noticed. It WiU not bo long before Kingsland will find a place in tho A section. Against Parnell, Kingsland's back division excelled. The attack was full of enterprise, and some of the tactics were daring. McManus behind the scrum was at his best and ran swiftly with the ball. There is a wealth of yonng players in the winning team, and Herring, List, Carter and Simms havo been consistently good. Herring is the type of five-eighths wanted in big football. He is a strong runner with a splendid idea of the position, besides being an excellent goal-kicker. List was again in first-class form. He has shown considerable improvement since gaining a place in the Auckland team. Season Ends on Saturday. Next Saturday will mark the close of a most successful season. The match for the Stormont Shield, emblematic of the champion of champions, will be played, the teams to meet being Ponsonby," winners of tho club championship, and 'Richmond, winners of tho Roope Rooster competition. Richmond has already a win over Ponsonby, and Saturday's game should bo full of interest. The Otago Rugby League is one of the most progressive bodies attached to the League code, and its efforts to establish the game in Central Otago have been successful. Already visiting club teams have given exhibition games at Milton, and Balclutha, where League centres havo been formed.' It is the intention of the Otago League to endeavour to re-establish the game in Southland, where League football was placed in JL2KX, ?