LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19929, 24 April 1928, Page 16

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

THE STACK BENEFIT GAMES. FAULTS IN FIVE-EIGHTHS LINE. SOME EVENLY-MATCHED TEAMS. The Stack benefit matches on Saturday marked the opening of the Rugby League season in Auckland and the official opening will he held next Saturday with- the -commencement of club competitions. Several new players were included in the ranks of the various teams on Saturday and altogether the form displayed was distinctly pleasing. Although early season mistakes were clearly evident, they were not so large in number as might have been expected. The forty minutes played by each pair of teams gave ample opportunity for the club selectors to find any new talent, of promise. A walk round Carlaw Park on Saturday left but the one impression—that there are going to be sonw fine club games this season. The teams appear to be very evenly matched and Newton will certainly have to look to its laurels to maintain the premier position. Ponsonby gave last year's champions no chance, outclassing them in the rear division, Marist is a distinct possibility this season, while Devonport, with youth in its favour, can be expected to extend all opposition later on. Wing-threequarters crowded. Tho chief fault with the majority of the teams on Saturday was in the fiveeighths line. Players were much too selfish, with the result that the outside men were practically starved. Then again the five-eighths persisted in running across the field with the always inevitable result—the wing-threequarters were crowded and at times had no room to work in at. all.

The sooner one or two of the inside backs realise there are other players on the .side, the better it. will be for their teams. However, as the games were only in the nature of practice ones, an improvement can be expected next Saturday, but at the same time the fact must not be lost sight of that mistakes m practice develop into mistaKes m mate! e? Ponsonbv showed glimpses of fine form in the game against Newton, and should ta»'.e a lot of beating in the competition. The present champions had plenty of opportunities, but after sucessfully getting the ball from the scrum, their five-eighths ran across the ground, and neither ran straight. Hales hung on altogether too much, a habit that will have to be remedied before Newton can hope to win matches. Hardgrave played soundly at centre and should be a success if played regularly in this position. Poison turned out again after a season's absence. Should the ex-Auckland halfback strike form, his experience will prove an acquisition to Newtou. Dufty's Powerful Kicking. Dufty was a tower of strength, his powerful kicking being of considerable assistance to Newton's threequarter line. Dufty will in all probability captain Newton this season. Newton appeared to again have a solid pack. The big forwards packed well on the hooker, and it will take a good scrum to beat Newton for possession of the ball Clarke is already in good form, and showed a fine turn of speed on one occasion. He should, however, pass the ball more often. Twice Clarke held up promising movements by attempting to beat the defence when support was offering. Rhodes was prominent in the tight, and Somers again showed the value of a clean hooker to a team.

Ponsonby showed surprisingly good combination and gave evidence of having done plenty of training. Cammick is a new player, who played a sound game. Near the end of the match he made a really clever opening, which resulted in Gardiner scoring. Usher showed a lot of pace, and the club's selectors would do well to play him at centre, a position which suits his style admirably. Gardiner has plenty of pace and, if played on the wing, he should get plenty of opportunities from Usher. Peckham did some smart work behind the scrum. Two Good Thirteens.

Devonport fielded a strong team against Marist, which gave a number of new players a try-out. The match was closely contested, and a simple try by Kirkland gave Marist the game. Still Devonport should be one of the hardest teams to beat when the best thirteen is selected. Saxon is a likely wing-three-quarter. He is a fast, strong runner, and handles tne ball well. L. Scott, last year's wing, was played in the second half, in place of Saxon, and although he displayed plenty of speed, he lacked the scoring ability when he had to beat an opponent. Wells made mistakes playing behind the scrum, but he did better at five-eighths. Beattie was the best, of the threequarters, and is a centre full of possibilities. Perry's weak handling robbed Devonport of a couple of likely tries. Seagar and Cleaver were in good form.

The Devonport forwards are the heaviest in the competition. Ruby is not suitable as a second low forward as his height completely upsets the scrum formation. Rule played a fine game and stood out as the best "forward. Casey and Dixon were also prominent. Newcomer Makes Good.

Batchelor made a successful debut into senior football and he should strengthen the Marist threequarter line. Deteriniryition in going for the line was a feature of his display. O'Sullivan. the bantam boxing champion, made several brilliant openings. Although small, he may do well in big football. Hassan was clearly concerned by the big crowd, and although his handling was weak, his tackling was particularly effective. Cronin did a lot of good work behind (ha scrum, while Gregory played well at. five-eighths. Marist's new forwards, McKay, Campbell and Kirkland, gave good displays. Campbell played at the early part of last season for Richmond and is a reliable hooker.

City took the opportunity of trying out a number of new players, no fewer than eight being included in the team against Richmond. Crouch was the most successful and his work behind the scrum was very effective. Iveson, with limited opportunities. played fairly well at fiveeighths. Ryan, an ex-Thames back, was good in patches. Reynolds, a junior, played really well at five-eighths, and both Faton and Barcbard showed improvement. City will need the services of a good hooker to be successful.

Richmond has a well-balanced team, possessing the essential pace in both the back and forward divisions. The Roope Rooster winners, who play a consistent game, can lie expected to again cause some surprises. The playing of Hanlon at five-eighths is a good move, as lie and Prentice will greatly improve the attack. Ellerslie, which was defeated by Athletic, made a bad start in the A section. If the form displayed by the losers on Saturday is an indication of what may be expfected during the season, then the B section champions will find it hard to win matches in the senior grade.