THE LEAGUE CODE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20307, 15 July 1929, Page 14

THE LEAGUE CODE.

RICHMOND AGAIN BEATEN. DEVONPORT BACKS SUPERIOR. SHORTLAND PLAYS FINE GAME. Conditions wcro anything but favourable for tbo Auckland Rugby League's matches on Saturday, and for tho first timo this season players experienced particularly heavy grounds. Good football was almost impossible, play being mostly confined to the forwards. In tho principal match, between Dcvonport and Richmond, the game was better than anticipated and the Devonport backs provided spectators with flashes of bright play. Under tho conditions tho Devonport forwards did some good work, but tho Richmond pack was by no means outclassed. In fact, a much lighter scrum held Devonport in tho tight play. Tho first half was well contested, thero being little to choose between the two teams.

Most of Devonport's tries came from really clever back play, and on occasions the rear division handled tho greasy ball with remarkable accuracy. Beattio's try would havo done credit to tho team under porfect conditions, as four players handled in turn prior to tho centro scoring. Richmond had plenty of opportunities in tho first half, but its backs failed to combine effectively, after tho forwards won tho ball. Tho rear division could have exploited the short punt to better advantage instead of attempting to pass. On the run of play, however, Richmond did well to keep the scores so closo. Tho Devonport backs wore always superior. Beattie Plays Again. For Devonport, Simmons, at fullback, played a splendid gamo. Ho fielded tho greasy ball well and kicked with good judgment. The Devonport custodian could improve his play by running moro and passing to his threequarters. Beattie, after an absence of four weeks, made his reappearance and played a fine gamo on attack. He handled the ball particularly well. Segar did some fine work at fiveeighths, although ho kicked too hard on occasions. T. O'Leary was tho best of the Devonport backs. He made some beautiful openings, besides being prominent on defence. Coughlan played splendid football behind tho scrum, his defence being very sound. Tho Devonport forwards shone in the loose. They combined better on attack than Richmond and did somo splendid work in tackling. McCarthny revelled in tho heavy going and was prominent in tho loose. Ruby, Rule, Casey and A. Scott were also prominent.

Prentice Best Back. Hanlon made a few costly mistakes, but the conditions were against clean fielding. He played too close up when Devonport attacked. Prentice was perhaps the best back. Agnow played a useful game behind a beaten pack, but Davis and Noble were not at home in tho conditions, although the former played well in a strange position. Mincham was the best of the threequarters, while Grace, a new player, showed plenty of speed.

Jenkinson stood out as the best forward on the ground. He gave the backs excellent support. Lennio and Dunn were also conspicuous.

The No. 2 ground at Carlaw Park was soon a mud pond when Ponsonby and Kingsland had played a few minutes. Under these trying conditions there was little to choose between the teams. I'onsonby's success was due to individual superiority. Combined back play was out of tho question, but if anything, Kingsland had a big advantage in scrum work. Kingsland with any luck would have scored two tries.

A feature of the game was the splendid play of Lucas, Kingsland's halfback He ivas always in the lead of every movement. Ponsonby was strengthened by tho inclusion of P. Skelton, a Rugby convert, who made a fine impression in his first game. Riley was I'onsonby's best back. He made some great openings and handled the greasy ball well. Delgrosso played a fine game at five-eighths. The conditions suited Gardiner, who stood out prominently among the forwards. Reliable Fullback. Longville played a reliable game at fullback for Kingsland. List was the pick of the three-quarters. Railey, Ranim and H. Carter played good games in the forwards.

Played under wretched conditions with the ground ankle deep in mud, the New ton-City fixture nevertheless eventuated in a bright exhibition. Good passing was out. of the. question although some effective combination, principally among the City bucks, was witnesesd during the match. Tho bulk of the work fell, however, to tho forwards, who played willingly throughout. City early demonstrated its superiority, but later in the first spell play evened up, tho Newton thirteen keeping their ; opponents well in check. The half-time scores of 6-all were in accord with the play, but during the second half Newton j was unfortunate at times in not scoring. City on the day was clearly superior, and j owed its victory in a large measure to the work of th« pack in the scrums, in which it dominated the play. For City Shortland gave a most impressive display at halfback. lie was con tinually in the thick of play and proved u most valuable aid to the City defence. In spite of the bad state of tho field he handled the ball reallv well and fed his backs excellently. He is an adept in stopping forward rushes and several times during the game ho broke up Newton offensives. The Othor Racks. There was plenty of hfo in the remainder of tho rearguard. W. Perry, although not up to tho form of his previous display, performed well. The spectacular play.of former games was not in evidence and on occasions he missed passes. Barehard, on tho wing, gave a consistent display. Wateno did not have much to do, but saved his side in some awkward situations. Ivcson and 0. Perry performed ii lot of solid work, but were nover con spiciious. Had'ey, Clarke, Barehard and Town send were out standing among the City pack. The Newton rearguard gave a rather colourless display and Ihe inside backs were never brilliant. Cammick, at halfback, was always reliable, but was never noticeable on atlnck. Uio tbreequartor line was more consistent, Briniblo on the wing being perhaps tho best. McLeod K»vt» a good exhibition, but Little, on the other wing, never impressed. Hill was not a gioat success in the fullback position, hut performed creditably in the absence of flerewini. l'rancis wns easily Newton's best forward and probably the best on the field He revelled in the soft going and wan continually on attack. The others wore not prominent and were unablo to cope with their opponents.