THE LEAGUE CODE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20279, 12 June 1929, Page 15

THE LEAGUE CODE.

PONSONBY AND DEVONPORT.

KEEN CONTEST ANTICIPATED,

LACK OF GOOD HALFBACKS

Ponsonby's success against Citv has strengthened its prospects against Devonport next Saturday. The final matches in the first round were played last Saturday, Devonport now being one point ahead of Ponsouby. When the teams met in the first match Ponsouby put up a great fight and was only narrowly defeated in the closing stages. Since then Ponsouby has improved considerably. Devonport, however, has been very consistent and provided tlieii full strength is available the champions will be hard to defeat.

.Marist made a creditable showing against Devonport and its form was pleasing seeing it has not had the best of luck this season. With a lead of 13 points at one stage Marist was iri a strong "position and seemed likely to win. A few mistakes bv the forwards, however, allowed Simons to kick three goals. Marist can be expected to improve further and should win more matches in the second round.

Devonport was without the services of Seagai- and A. Scott against Marist. Seagar is suffering from influenza,, yvhile Scott badly strained a ligament m his against Newton. The Devonport captain hopes lo be (it to play against Ponson'oy.

Gregory Plays Again. The reappearance ol Gregory after an absence of four weeks greatly strengthened Marist. Gregory played a fine game at five-eighth, where he did some great work on defence. In McDonald Marist has a wmg likely to do better with experience. Ho has a lot of pace and is a determined runner. Reliable .goal-kicking is always an acquisition to any team and some splendid individual efforts have been recorded this season at Carlaw Park. Delgrosso has been very successful, while on Saturday Simons kicked well for Devonport. City's disappointing display will most likely cause the club's selectors to re-ar-range the positions of the backs. Watene was not at all successful at five-eighth, as he was too slow in moving His position is undoubtedly at fullback. Lawrence on the wing has shown a disinclination to tackle and this has proved costly to the team. Little fault can be found with City's scrum, but McLoughlin would be better placed in the third row position. McLo.ughlin is one of the fastest forwards in the code and he should capably fill the position, which is really that of an extra back. Players Show Hastiness. The referee in the match between Devonport and Marist appeared to take a firm attitude when lie ordered off Ruby, Devonport.. and Courtney, Marist. No blows were seen from the line, although the players showed a little hastiness in coming to holds. Both players are noted ior their clean play. J. Clarke, who was ordered off the field last Saturday week, stood out of the Marist team. His case will be heard this evening. There have been no' outstanding halfbacks in the senior competition this season and the selectors may be inclined to place a player in the representative team m that position who is filling a different role in club football. In Hassan Marist has a halfback capable of improvement. He is fast from the scrum and sends out a nice pass. Hassan's form on Saturday was very impressive. Reynolds, City's halfback, has shown good foim at times, but McTntyre has tailed to maintain a reputation gained in when he represented Auckland.

The splendid display at fullback bv C. Moore, of Ponsonby. was a feature of Saturday's big match. Moore was taken from the scrum lo replace Foss, who retired with injuries. His return kicks were perfectly placed and Bare-hard had no easy task to reach the ball. It is safe to say that no player in the code has so successfully filled positions in the scrum and tear division. Last season Moore showed great promise at halfback. Share of Hard Knocks. T. Prentice continues to have his share of hard knocks'and on Saturday left the field with an injury, which subsequently proved to be a. dislocated finger. Ponsonby appears to have made a successful experiment in playing Hutt as hooker. The Auckland representative got the ball a lot from Pascoe, who is one of the best, hookers in the game. Hutt is in splendid form this season, and his weight is an acquisition at centre-forward. The Richmond team speaks highly of the treatment it received at Hikurangi, where in a seven-a-side tournament the Auckland club was successful. Each member of the winning team received a fine miniature cup. It is officially stated that both South Auckland and Northland "ill play Auckland for Hit'! Northern Union Cup this season. The dates of the matches have yet lo be arranged by the Auckland League. The positions of the teams in the Auckland Rugby League's primary schools' competition are as follows:—Newton, 9 points; Otahuhu, Newmarket. 6; Richmond, Mangere. 5; Onehunga Devonport, 3: Pamell, Papatoetoe, 2; Mount Albert, Ellerslie, 1.