THE LEAGUE CODE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20259, 20 May 1929, Page 14

THE LEAGUE CODE.

CITY MAKES GAME EXCITING.

KEEN PLAY WITH DEVONPORT.

PONSONBY SHOWS IMPROVEMENT. The great struggle between Devonport and City at Carlaw Park on ■ Saturday will bo long remembered as one of the most stirring games seen in the Auckland Rugby League's senior competition. The game lacked good combined play and was well below the standard expected of two teams so capable of playing the best footbell. In the first spell Devonport's backs played attractively while the game generally was open, but in the second half City was most aggressive, and was unlucky to be beaten. Territorially City had much the better of the game, but Devonport excelled in wonderful delencc ; seldom seen at headquarters. Only once in the second half did Devonport cross into City's territory.

The new play-the-ball rule, which was introduced for the first time, had a lot to do with the play being confined to the forwards. Both packs were timid within tlie five yards' area, and were afraid of infringing the new law. Naturally the interpretation needed careful ruling from the referee.

City won the ball repeatedly from the scrum, but its backs failed to make use of the advantage. In the early stages Reynolds exploited a short punt to advantage, and a repetition of these tactics may have given City a victory. A rearrangement of the rear division, by shifting Watene to centre and Barchard back to fullback, would have given City a better opportunity of forcing home its advantage in the scrum. Battle Between Forwards. The last 20 minutes proved a most exciting battle between the rival forwards. City's pack forced Devonport to defend its line throughout that period and on several occasions City was unlucky not to score. •

For Devonport Seagar stood out as the best back on the ground. His defence was an object lesson, and on attack ho paved the way for both Devonport's tries. Without Seagar Devonport would have had a much " harder struggle to keep its line intact. Simonds played a reliable game at fullback. His fielding was accurate at all times, and he kicked with good judgment. L. Scott, who scored both tries, had few opportunities, but his pace is a great acquisition. Beattie played well at centre with limited opportunities. He made several good runs early in the game. Tait was splendid on defence, and Rhodes behind the scrum also played well. Rule and Ruby were perhaps the pick of Devonport's forwards, although A. Scott was often prominent. McCarthny did a lot of spoiling round the scrum.

City's forwards can be credited with a high-class display in more than holding their own against a set much heavier. No fault could be found with the way the pack worked, and it was not the forwards' play that lost the game. Watene Plays '.Tell.

Watene was easily City's best back. His defence was* particularly sound, and lie kicked powerfully with both feet. His run through the Devonport team in the final stages wa»s a brilliant effort, and but for a slip he may have scored. Reynolds was not up to form behind the scrum. His passing was badly directed, and at times too slow. Barchard was not a success at five-eighth. The Perry brothers did good work on defence, and Iverson was prominent on attack. The game between Ponsonby and Richmond was well contested, and the former deserved its win. Since its defeat, by Devonport Ponsonby has improved considerably, and will be one of the hardest teams .to beat.. Well balanced in both divisions Ponsonby had too much combination for Richmond, and the winners gave a bright display. The inclusion of Mclntyro behind Ponsonby's scrum made a noticeable difference, and the ex-Newton player scored three tries. Richmond's threequarters failed on occasions when chances were made by the inside backs. Several times Prentice opened play only to find the threenuarters mishandle. Hanlon was an offender. Mclntyre showed fine anticipation, which resulted in his three tries. Belgrosso played a good game, as did Riley, who showed a return to his best form. Revell was a little hesitant at fullback and many times was caught in possession. Skelton was Ponsonbv's best forward, while Payne and Gardiner played good games. Good Forwards in Loose. Richmond's forwards did a lot of good work, particularly in the loose, .Tenkinson and Telford being the best. Prentice played a fine game at fiveeighth, being well fed bv Davis behind the scrum. The wings, Mincham and Cooke, were good on attack. The latter is a promising player. Weak fielding by McKinnon got Richmond into difficulties. The commencement of the NewtonEllerslie game gave promise of a stirring contest, and such proved the case, although Ellerslie was a beaten team long before the final whistle sounded. Bright individual efforts were the order of the day. The Newton backs received the ball from the majority of the scrums in the first spell, but the defence of the Ellerslie rearguard held, and lack of combination aione prevented an effective retaliation. The game marked the first appearance of C. Duffy in club football this season. He played in the' centre-threequarter position, but as such he was not a success; being unable to penetrate the opposing back line. Several times the ball travelled out along the backs to stop at Duftv, who was usually checked before he could get going properly. His linekicking, however, was a feature of his play and aided his side considerably. Among the other backs Hardgrave and Little were the best, Hard grave's try shortly before half-time being a magnificent" effort and easily the best piece of individual work in the match. No Outstanding Back. The meeting of Marist and Kingsland as a curtain-raiser on No. 2 ground provided a very close contest. After halftime plav slackened considerably, and it was evident somo of the members of botli teams were not up to their form. For Marist Hassan, at halfback, played well, being particularly noticeable in the loose. The five-eighth line was anything but strong, and could make no impression on the defence of the opposing rearguard. Brisbane had plenty of opportunities, but lacked his customary brilliance. He was invariably downed before he could make use of the boll. Of tho two wings Batchelor was outstanding, while N. Campbell, at fullback, although sound on defence, was not impressive. Of a hard-working pack Graham was perhaps the most prominent, others to stand out being O'Brien, Moislcy and Campbell. Of the Kingsland thirteen, Longville was always to the fore. He is a fine forward, who can make every use of an opportunity. Besides kicking several goals he was always on tho ball and proved, a trial to the Marist defence. Lucas, .J. Carter and McLoughlan were others among the forwards to attract attention. R. Carter, on the wing, performed well, his several dashing runs being well executed, while his try in the second spell .was a pretty piece of work. The inside backs were very solid on defence, but did not liven up the game by the dash which has marked some of their earlier games this season. Haydon, the fullback, was not consistently reliable. List, Christmas and Angelo were the best of the remainder of the back division.