THE LEAGUE CODE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20297, 3 July 1929, Page 15

THE LEAGUE CODE.

MARIST'S IMPROVED FORM. LEADING MEN FOR ENGLAND. RESIDENTIAL QUALIFICATION. . Tho first hoa\y grounds of tho season were experienced on Saturday and players had some difficulty in adapting themselves to the; conditions. It was a pleasant surprise to witness such a good exhibition of thn code in the principal match between Ponsonby and Marist. A draw was a fitting end to a well-contested game, although the honours were a little with Marist.

Tho Roopo Rooster holders have improved their team work considerably and the backs played fino foothill agaiust Ponsonby. Tho Hassau-Gregory-Brisbane combination proved vciy effective. Brisbane is back to his best form and should again find a place in tho representative team. Few centres run so straight as Brisbane, and when moving ho is difficult to stop. Gregory was also at his best Ho showed excellent judgiuont as staud-off halfback, beating tho opposition by being in a position to run on either side of tho scrum Tho Offside Suie. iho Marist forwards certainly bavo tho offside rule down to a fino art, but fow breaches were awarded against the offenders. This stylo of play has tho effect ol placing - tho opposing backs out of position.

Tho try scored ■by Kiley which mado a drawn game was a particularly brilliant effort. Credit is due to Winters tmd Skeiton for excellent support, but Riley's clever cut-in and sidestep finalised the movement.

The splendid combination of Devouport's inside backs proved too good for Ellerslio, which was unable to repel the champions' persistent attacks. Rhodes, Seagar and O'Leary wero iu good form. The firstnamed is a much-improved player. A. Scott, after an absence of three weeks owing to a leg injury, again captained Devonport on Saturday. Scott is a capable leader and his presence vrill restore confidence in tho younger members of tho team.

Since joining I'ousouby Skclton is the most improved forward playing this season. Against Marist he gave a great display, using -his weight iu tho scrum and continually taking ■ part in passing bouts with, tho backs. Tho Ponsonby forward has strong claims for selection in the representative team. L. Hutt has in his last two games adopted a tendency oi running in front of tho player in possession and calling for the ball. Once ou Saturday it certain try was thus lost. The Thistle Gup. So far Devonport and City arc tho only undefeated teams in the second round and therefore aro equal for tho Thistle Cup donated as a special trophy to the team scoring tho most championship point,s in this round. Kingsland c«u be credited with an improved display agaiust Newton, who=o combination was weakened by the absence of Hardgrave and Hall. The Kingsland backs thrav/ the ball about in good style, and aided by fine individual efforts three nice tries wero . registered. List had little difficulty in beating Brimble, whose defence was weak. ' The Kingsland centre played his best game this season but will find it difficult to obtain a place ;i:i centre in tho representative .team With good inside backs List, as a wing, is one of tho most dangerous scoring backs in the code.

Tho departure for England of three of Auckland's most prominent players lias claimed tlie attention of the Auckland Rugby League and an interesting discussion arose at last week's meeting of the management committee. It is evident tho officials in Auckland do not blarut* the players for accepting tho geunrous terms offered, but it cannot bo denied that the lifting of tho residential rjualification on Colonial players has been far reaching. What action New Zealand can take is at present a difficult problem to solve. Although, nothing officially i 3 known the suggestion that the New Zoa land Council may penalise players ou their return to Auckland will not lessen tho difficulties surrounding tho question. Tho disqualifica'ion of players by tho New Zealand Couucil will not prevent them going abroad. A disqualification seems a most unreasonable attitude to adopt seeing the experience gained by players at Homo would be invaluable to club toams on their return to Auckland. The Now Zealand Council should, with Australia, make a united effort, to bring about the happy conditions with the English League which existed prior to 1926 when the residential ban was lifted. In tho interests of the game it is to be hoped a more broadminded view will'be taken by tho English authorities when Australia makes its protest at. a conference to bo ' held during tho team's tour in' England. Attraction to Game. Tho possibility of a visit from a leading Sydney club team is being discussed by the New Zealand Council. Several Southern leagues have made strong representations for the proposal, which, it is understood, is generally favoured. An effort was mado to induce tho Australian universities to send a team, but dif iiculties arose, and the idea was abandoned. Any ol Iho Sydney clubs would prove an attraction to tho cods throughout New Zealand.

Tho brilliant football of K. M. _Kinnear, the ex-Scottish Rugby Union international, was a. feature of Wigan's win against Dcwsbury in tho Rugby League final. Kinnear came over to tho League code 12 months ago, but it took him all that time to strike his best form. Ho was a member of the British Rugby Union team which toured South Africa in 191'4. Throughout the season ho waa an outstanding success at cc'ntro-threc-quartei for Wigan. The approximate attendance in the Rugby League final at Loudon was 41,500. The >;ate receipts were £5600, which total £2150 moro than have yet been taken at a League final in tho North of England