LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19698, 26 July 1927, Page 13

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

REPRESENTATIVE PROSPECTS

TEAM FOR SOUTHERN TOUR.

HEAVY PROGRAMME ARRANGED

With matches in tho senior grade competition postponed owing to the Soccer test match being played at Carlaw Park, matters in local League circles were very quiet on Saturday. The only match played resulted in an easy win for Devonport over Athletic. The winners gave a pleasing exposition of the code, and their clean handling and speedy running in passing bouts formed the subject of favourable comment. Devonport is a team capable of winning matches against Marist, Ponsonby and Newton, provided good weather conditions are ruling for its coming engagements. Both backs and forwards throw the ball about in a style very different from the general play of other teams" in the competition. The opposition from Athletic was not very strong, and several of the Devonport backs found it easy to make openings. Seagar was in good form and his three tries were the result of splendid individualism. L. Scott showed a rare burst of speed and scored two tries. The veteran New Zealand representative, B. Lanig, turned out to assist Devonport, and made but few mistakes. Should he continue to play, Laing will strengthen his team at fullback. A. Scott showed excellent form among the forwards. Longville was the pick of Athletic backs and his defence throughout was excellent. Lucas made good openings and combined well with Watkins. Avery was always prominent among the forwards and Bryer and Cavanagh worked well. Country Standard Improves. Ponsonby and Newton availed themselves of the opportunity to visit, country towns, the former playing at Rotorua, while Newton journeyed to Ngaruawahia to play Huntly. Ponsonby was fully extended to win a closely-contested match, the losers showing improved knowledge of the League game. An exciting finish eventuated in the Newton-Huntly match, Huntly winning by 14 points to 12. A few minutes before time Newton looked certain to win, but Huntly's backs showed surprising pace and excellent combination, and gained two tries. A fine goal by Raynor placed Huntly in the lead. The code has made good progress in both Rotorua and Huntly this season, and from reports received it is expected the South Auckland team, which is selected from the clubs in Waikato arid Rotorua, will be a fairly strong combination. Further visits from local clubs are being arranged and an immense amount of good should result.

Difficulties of Selectors. Considerable interest is being taken in the visit of the Auckland representatives to the South Island, and the selectors have been instructed to choose eighteen players at the und of the second round. It is safe to assume the team will be a fairly strong combination, and it is going to be a difficult one to select.

The fullback position is the only one that appears easy to fill, and the claims of Gregory are outstanding. The Manst player is undoubtedly the most brilliant, fullback at present in the competition. Brisbane, Dufty, Usher and List have excellent credentials as centrethreequarters, and they may all find a place in the threequarter line of the team. C. Thompson, of Northcote, is an excellent centre, and his form last season for the Auckland Colts was up to representative standard. Both List and Usher, however, may be preferred as wings. In this position the standard in club football in Auckland has not been high, and there is a lack of good scoring backs. Uncertain handling appears to be a common fault with many wings, and several games have been lost through this defect. L. Scott and Little are perhaps the speediest threequarters playing the code, although their football is at times erratic, Littlewood, who is now playing for Ellerslie in the B section, usually finds a place in an Auckland team, but younger players may be preferred. Wade has a lot of pace, and his form is showing improvement. King may also be considered, and Beattie has claims. Delgrosso is perhaps the most dashing back, and his ability to fill any position may give him favour with the selectors.

Talented Five-Eighths Line. The position of. five-eighths will be most difficult to select, so good is the class and so even is the form of at least half-a-dozen players. Riley is a heady player, capable of making openings in the closest of games, and he stands out as Ponsonby's best attacking fiveeighths. Prentice has not produced the high-class form he showed last season, yet he is a polished player, who would ijelight the Southern crowds with his clever running. Kirwan is a solid back, whose splendid defence would be an asset to the team. Seagar is a young back who has played consistently well and his team-mate, Cleaver, has also a chance. Hanlon played a brilliant game in his initial attempt at five-eighths, and is the type of player well-suited to tbe position. Wetherill plays well in big football, but his form at present is not good. The selection of the half-backs was commented upon a few weeks ago, and Peckham, McTntyre and Webb are aspirants. Webb has claims also as a fiveeighths. There are two distinct types of forwards playing the game in Auckland. Many prefer to watch the fast loose forward, who joins in with the backs in opening up the game, while the forward who works hard in the scrum, keen only to gain possession of the ball for his side, appeals to others. Clarke, Payne, O'Brien (2), Hall, Henry, Spencer, Bass, Moisley, Ward and Dixon may be among those selected.

The Game In Australia. Large crowds witnessed the three interState League matches between Queensland and New South Wales, and all records for gate-takings were surpassed. Victory to New South Wales in two matches has placed the Mother State premier once again in League football. The Sydney Cricket Ground was the scene of "the three great battles and although Queensland was defeated it can be safe to assume the Northern State is still to be reckoned with. In not one of the three matches were the Queenslanders outscored in tries, [n each inter-State match, it scored try for try, yet the team lost. In the midweek match it scored three tries to one, and drew. Some fine goals were kicked by both sides. The series of g;ames resulted as follows: —New South Wales, 14, beat Queensland, 10; New South Wales, 11, drew with Queensland, 11; New South Wales, 13, beat Queensland, 11. Points were scored as follow:—New South Wales, six tries, and ten goals; Queensland, eight tries and four goals. The New South Wales team in a return match played on Saturday at Brisbane was defeated by Queensland by 11 points to 7.