THE LEAGUE CODE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20243, 1 May 1929, Page 18

THE LEAGUE CODE.

OPENING OF THE SEASON.

WELL-CONTESTED MATCHES. POSSIBLE NEW PLAYERS. < The successful opening cvf iho Auckland Rugby .League's season augurs well for an interesting club competition. Saturday's matches were well contested, and most of tho teams are up to the strength of last season.

A noticeable feature of tho matches was the keen spirit displayed by players* particularly in the DevooportJ?onsonby game, whero the play was clean throughout. Numerous minor casualties occurred, and several players were taken to the hospital for treatment. In most cases tho lack of proper, training had a lot to do with tho mislicps.

Playing for City, McLonghlin, a promising centre tihreequarfer, had his nose badly broken, anil his loss, probably for some weeks, will be a serious ono to City. Reynolds, City's halfback, received a kick on the head, -but he is expactcd to play again next Saturday r ilardgravo and. Rhodes, both of Newton, were removed from tlio field with slight concussion. Rhodes was, admitted to hospital, but later proceed**! 'to his holme. At Ellerslao, Hamilton, tJie North Auckland player, received injuries while playing for Richmond. Hamilton, until he retired, gave a fine display, and with more experience should make a tine attacking back. Devonport in Form. The early success of Devonport was well recicivejd by its supporters, who came across in big numbers to see the champions in action. Devonport gave a highclass display. The backs supported one another in good style, and soifue really clever movements were executed. Halfway through tho second half/ Bcattie, So'agar,. and O'Learv combined effectively and their clever reverse passing was a feature of tilie game. The Devonport forwards have only to command ;i good share o! the ball to give their side decided advantage. Delgrosso (Ponsonby) and Simons (Devonport), tho respective fullbacks, provided spectators with several interesting duels. At times, however, they could have open < I up the game for the threequarters instead of kicking leisurely with no apparent objective. Delgrosao is not yet in form, but" Simons is ;i fullback oi' possibilities.

In tho game against Kingslajid City's team work pronounced, aaid somo clever attacking movements were launched. Tho backs are speedy and their passing is crisp and accurate. They have to refrain from kicking in passing rushes, a bad fault noticeable on Saturday L. Barchard gave promise kite last season of developing into a fine fullback 2? g i n ;°, a fi '?° display against Kingsland. His fielding is excellent, and he is always on the look-oct for a chance to open up play .for his threequarters. When he : ias <ho ability to kick with"either foot lie will l:, c equal to the best in Auckland. A Powerful Runner. Nevrton has secured the services of a promising player in Brimble, who played a great game against Marist, His powerful runs paved the way for several tries. Little, Newtou's speedy wing threequarter, is a nracli improved player, and is likely to he td the list of "scorers this season. Marist was without the services of E Moisley and C. Gregory for the opening match, and their absence was sorely feltT The Roope Booster winners will in all probability have, several additions to their team on Saturday. It i s stated that Gregory, who previously announced his retirement, will turn out again to assist his club. In form, Gregory is one of the finest fullbacks in Auckland. It is reported t'hait Newton will soon be strengthened by the inclusion of C. McItrtyre, a clever halfback who has been in Sydney for a couple >of seasons. In 1927, Mcliityre played fine football for Newton, and eventually won a place in the representative team. With additional experience received in Australia, Mclntyrc should be a decided acquisition to New-, ton.

City has been fortunate in securing the services of A. Wilson-Hall, a representative 1 centre threequairtcr from the Waikato.. Wilson-Hall played a great game for South Auckland against the local representatives last season. lie arrived in time to play last Saturday, but permission to play was refused as his clearance was not in order. Speculation is rife over Duftv's intentions. For some weeks it has been rumoured that the New Zealand fullback will eventually play for Ellarslie. Until now, Uufty has made no application for a transfer, and it would occasion 110 surprise to see him included in Newton's team next Saturday. • Time Limit for Senior Games. The decision of the Auckland Rugby League to 'limit senior' matches to two spells of 40 minutes each will bo generally appreciated. The, usual 45 minutes for each half was considered too long for the beginning of the season and tho change is likely to inako tho matches more attractive. \ Tho question of interruptions in play owing to injuries to players was another matter attended to, and referees have been requested not to hold up the game where injured players can be attended on the sideline. Followers of the code in Auckland will be interested to know that tho Wigan Rugby League team which includes tho ex-Aucklanders, L. Brown, 13. Davidson, and L. Mason, has reached tho final of the English Rugby League championship. Tho match, which is .to be played at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday, is attracting a great deal of interest, and a large attendance is expected, Wigan's opponents will be Dewsbury, a Yorkshire club, which lias met with a good deal of success. Wigan has already won the Lancashire Cup and if it, wins against Dewsbury may win the three important trophies.