THE LEAGUE CODE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20241, 29 April 1929, Page 14

THE LEAGUE CODE.

OPENING SERIES OF GAMES.

SOME INTERESTING CONTESTS.

DEVONPORT EARLY IN FORM.

Under ideal conditions tlio Auckland Rugby League commenced its club competition at Carl aw Park on Saturday. The opening matches provided some interesting play and the competition is likely to create more keenness as it progresses. Dcvonport, last season's champions, and Ponsonby provided the crowd with a splendid exhibition of the code. It was only in the concluding stages that Dcvonport showed superiority. Well into iho second half, Ponsonby stubbornly kept tlio champions from scoring, but Devonport's backs combined more effectively and two fine tries were scored as a result.

Newton and Marist showed good form and thero was little to choose between the teams. Both are likely to show improvement later in tho season. City and Kingsland played an interesting game as a curtain-raiser to tho big fixture. City's backs gave a promising display and will probably win moro matches against tlio stronger teams. Richmond visited Ellerslie, and the local team at, one stage looked likely to causo a surprise, but its condition failed and Richmond scored several easy tries. Tho main fixture between Dcvonport and Ponsonby was one of tho best games seen for the opening of the season. Tho champions owo their success to better training, and it is evident Devon port will again take a lot of beating. Halfway through the second spell Ponsonby made a great bid to retrieve the position and got within three points of the champions. Tho effort lasted 15 minutes, during which time Ponsonby looked certain to win. Speed and "sure passing turned the tide in Devonport's favour and in quick succession Beattio and Ruby scored, both tries being converted by A. Scott.

Beattie in Form. For (lie winners Simons played a sound game. Ho fielded well and kicked with splendid judgment. The Devonport fullback could, however, improve his play by running with the ball. The threequarters, L. Scott, Beattio and O'Leary, showed excellent combination. Beattie made an ideal centre. He opened up the play with straight running and sent out some fine passes. He scored a beautiful try. L. Scott is undoubtedly the fastest wing in the code. Time and again he turned defence into attack with his pace. O'Leary showed plenty of dash and was unlucky not to score on two occasions. Seagar, at five-eighths, was nob prominent until the second half, when he stood out for some really clever plav. Rhodes played soundly at fiveeighths, but lacks size. Coghlan did a lot of stopping behind the scrum, but his passes were badly directed on occasions. Devonport's forwards did not show the dash of last year's pack, although the set may do better later. They failed' to get the hall from the scrum. TucCarthny and Ruby were the most prominent. The former was always on the ball and tackled well. Ruby's pace rewarded Deyonport with a try. A. Scott ably led the team and gave the hacks excellent support. Rule and Casey did good work in the loose. Delgrosso Uncertain.

Delgrosso was very uncertain in fielding and several times got Ponsonby into difficulties. His defence, however, was good. Revell gave an impressive display at centre. Schofield played a good game on the wing and his fry was a splendid effort. Tho five-eighths, Winter and Riley, were uncertain in passing. The latter, however, was Ponsonbv's best back. Thompson, at halfback, played a fine game. He is likely to be a success in this position. Ponsonby's forwards held the opposition in the scrums and were superior in tho loose. Hutt was the best and was ably supported by Payne and Fagan. Stevens hooked with success.

The closely contested game between Marist and New ton on the No. 2 ground at Carlaw Park was productive of some sparkling football, although lack of training was. apparent with some players. Mishandling of the ball, especially among the inside hacks of both teams, was a common fault. Both sides were well matched, the score of 21 to 20 in Newton's favour giving a reliable indication of the run of play. Although in the first half Newton did most of the scoring, being at one stage 11 points ahead of its rivals, the Marist team was not subdued, and for the greater part of the tirno held play in Newton territory. On more than one occasion it was unlucky not to cross tho line. In the latter half of the game Marist made up most of the deficiency and withstood a series of determined Newton attacks on its own line. For the losers, Brisbane played a good game, excelling both on attack and defence. Duane, a very fast forward, who last year played in Sydney, was conspicuous, being in the forefront of all offensive movements. Graham notched two tries and was responsible for some fine work. O'Brien, who played cent ro-threequarter, was obviously out of position, but, nevertheless, gave a good display. Little Outstanding.

Little, on tho wing for Newton, was one of tho outstanding backs on the field and his two tries were well deserved. Brimble, at five-eighths, played an excellent game. Although not expert in handling the ball he was very sound on defence and was seen in some fine individual efforts. Newton was unfortunate in losing tho services of Hardgravo through injury shortly before half-time. Prominent among the remainder of Newton's backs were C'ammiek and Butlerworth. Of the forwards, ITaIJ, Rhodes, Sherman and Francis wcro conspicuous for clever plnv.

V/cIl-contested Game. Tho game between Richmond and Kllerslie was well contested throughout. Ellerslio appeared to lack training as it went to pieces in tho concluding stages. I.i the first half, Kllerslie adopted bustling tactics with a great deal of success. The forwards outplayed Richmond while their condition lasted. Fif'.een minutes before time, Kllerslie had Richmond defending, but better combination won tho day. Several of Richmond's attacks were smartly carried out, and two fine tries were negistered.

For the winners, Lnng played a sound game at fullback. Miricham. a junior, fully justified his inclusion. He is fast and clever on attack. Hanlon was the pivot of the, team, and made somo nice openings. Hamilton and Davis were excellent, on defence. Telford and .Icnkinson played splendid games among the forwards. Ooote, who replaced Hamilton, scored two good tries. Littlewood and U. Crewther were the liest of Kllerslio's hacks, whilo Roxborough, lfobbs and Paul did good work in the forwards. City's Young Players.

City gave an impressive display against tho recently amalgamated clubs representing Athletic and Kingsland, which were first and second respectively in last season's senior B competition. Included in City's thirteen are many young players of promise, likely to form the nucleus of a good (earn. Tho winners' backs were superior in all departments, and f.hoy showed fine combination on occasions. Kingsland may do better after a few more games. Most of tho team wero playing together for the first time.

For City, Barchard gave a good display at fullback. Ilis fielding and kicking wero very accurate. Cox was the best of the threequarters, his fry being a splendid individual effort. Tho five-eighths, Perry and Ivorson, were excellent on attack and showed perfect understanding. Reynolds, at halfback, cleverly opened up (he game. His defence was very sound. Hadley was tho best of City's forwards, which, although light, played well. For Kingsland, List was below form and passed wildly at times. Longvillo and Lucas did good work. Sims was Kingsland's best forward.