THE LEAGUE CODE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19975, 18 June 1928, Page 12

THE LEAGUE CODE.

REPRESENTATIVE FIXTURE. SOUTH AUCKLAND BEATEN. VISITORS' FINE FORWARDS. Followers of the League code in Auckland were greatly disappointed on Saturday with regard to the weather conditions for the first representative game of the season between Auckland and South Auckland. Those who braved the elements. however, were rewarded with a very bright exhibition under the circumstances. The manner in which the local backs handled the greasy ball with treacherous underfoot conditions was indeed remarkable, and it is sale to assume that on a dry day some great football would have been provided. Auckland has its backs to thank for its somewhat easy victory. There was little to choose between the two sets of forwards, the visitors, if anything, having a slight advantage in this department on the day. Auckland scored all its points in the first half, but the visitors rallied splendidly in the second spell, only lack of combination among their backs throwing away some easy opportunities. As a matter of fact, enough chances were missed to win the game. The chango made by the South Auckland team in tho second spell, when Raytier and Paki moved in, was one in the right direction, as it considerably strengthened tho defence in the liveeighths line, which revealed weaknesses in the first half. These two players made the play for their forwards, who staged some thrilling dribbling rushes which swept tho defence aside on many occasions. Time and again in the second half only wild passing robbed the visitors of several tries. Dufty's sound defence also saved Auckland when its line was endangered at critical moments. Weakness on Defence. Although Auckland won by 22 points to 3, supporters do not want to be carried away too much by the success. Especially in the second half, the defensive play of one or two of the Auckland backs left something to be desired. Some did not relish the forward rushes of the opposition and would not go down to them. Peckham, at half, although playing finely .on attack, repeatedly got his side in trouble through persisting with a foot pass. This made a good deal of extra work for Prentice, who played a sound all-round game at first five-eighths, and was prominent in checking many forward rushes. Seagar did some brilliant work on attack, being much better suited to the second five-eighths position than to centre. List is a player who caught the eye. He played centre-threequarter and received some bad passes on occasions, which ho gathered with the ability of a finished player. liis strong running was a feature. L. Scott was good on attack, but spoiled an otherwise sound game by repeatedly tackling high. Hardgreave was prominent for some bright dashes and made the best of any opportunities which came his way. Dufty, at fullback, played a great game. His sound defence and powerful kicking checked many dangerous rushes. He showed fine anticipation of the play by joining in several rearguard passing movements, but when his side got well ahead on points he was rather prone to overdo the practice. This caused trouble a few times and against a superior combination would have spelt disaster. A. Scott's Fine Game. For a good, honest exhibition of allround forward play tho Auckland captain, A. Scott, set his confreres a great example. He shone in the loose, in the tight and in supporting his backs both on attack and defence. Payne, Somers and Hutt were the best of the others. Ruby shone in the loose in the first half, but was not prominent in the closer play in the second spell. The South Auckland team possesses some fine forwards, and it was a creditable effort on their part to ably deal with the fast Auckland attack. Keeping together splendidly they were superior to the local vanguard in the second spell, their fine dribbling rushes taking a lot of stopping. Often these thrusts swept everything before them, and it only needed a little combination in the backs t-o turn tho attack to advantage. Jones played a fine game throughout and led tho pack capably. lie was well supported by Timms and Stephenson. Among the backs Paki and S. Rayner wore the pick. They did not receive any opportunities in the first half, but on moving in close in the next half they held up the Auckland backs by solid tackling. It was poor tackling on the part of South Auckland in the first spell which enabled the local team to score more points than should have been tho case. Teams Entertained. After the match both teams were entertained at dinner by the Auckland Rugby League. In proposing the toast of the New Zealand Rugby League, Mr. W. J. Hammill said the game had been placed on a sound footing in the Dominion, but the co-operation of every player, supporter and official was wanted to improve the position still further. They had had a hard fight against a strong opposition, and ho hoped the day would not be far distant when New Zealand would hold again the "Ashes" of the Rugby League world. Mr. C. A. Sneddon, chairman of the Now Zealand Rugby League Council, in responding, said his body hoped to establish the game throughout the Dominion on tho same basis as it was in Auckland. The code was flourishing in Dunedin, where record gates were being taken In Christcburch new players were joining up, while on the West Coast the success of the game was unparalleled. It seemed this year would be the best since the inauguration of the code. Responding to the toast of tho Auckland Rugby League, Mr. J. Carlaw traced the history of tho code since the first game was played on Alexandra Park in 1908. He said it spoke well for the code that it had advanced so much. The Auckland League commenced with a debit of £B7, and when Mr. Hammill retired from the chairmanship its assets were £10,600. Complimentary references were made by several speakers to the efficient manner in which Mr. L. P»ull controlled Sat urday's match. Mr. Snedden presented the Northern Union Cup to Mr. Carlaw, who received the trophy on behalf of the Auckland League. Tho chairman of the New Zealand Council congratulated both teams on the fine sporting spirit in which the game was played. Mr. Harlock, manager of the visiting team, said the better side had won on the day and added his congratulations to the exhibition given by the referee.