THE LEAGUE CODE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20369, 25 September 1929, Page 15

THE LEAGUE CODE.

FINAL FOR ROOPE ROOSTER.

MARISTS' SPLENDID RECORD.

SOUTH SYDNEY TEAM'S VISIT.

la one of the brightest club matches seen this season Marist succeeded in retaining the Rixjpe Rooster trophy against Ponsonby, which won the senior grade championship of the Auckland Rugby League. Use victory of Marist was the outcome of splendid combination between the vanguard and rear division, whose work was tipped with brilliancy. Marists' success is ail the more creditable owing to Stevens winning {he ball for Ponsonby on almost every occasion. His hooking must have caused a surprise, as Campbell has met with endle.ss success of late in this department. With the advantage of gaining the ball the Ponsonby backs failed So make good. Tho bail came cleanly to Moore at halfback, bat the Marist forwards broke quickly and checked each attempt to open up the game.

The combination of Hassan, Gregory and Brisbane on attack proved Ponsonby's undoing. The trio looked for the ball in tie loose, and were dangerous each time a movement was commenced. Tba inside backs did their work so well that individuals excelled Ponsonbv has often been noted for its fast open play, bat ou Saturday Marist beat the champions in every department, and actually outpaced the opposition. Ponsonby Defence Tested.

Pcmsonby's defence was severely tested, particularly in tie early stages, when Marist launched some lightning a trucks. There were times when Ponsonby looked like running over its opponents, but always the winners succeeded in turning defence into at,tank and farcing Ponsonby to adopt defensive measures.

Ma rim laas had a remarkable ran of successes, as it has not sustained a defeat since City" narrowly won a competition game against it late in the first round of lhe championship. Marist will only need to trin the Storm ant Shield next Saturday to repeat its performance of last season.

Gregory's play at S re-eighths a feature o£ tie match, and lew better exhibitions than that given by him have been seen at Carlaw Park. He -was everywhere the ball was kicked and started passing bonis from every possible position. He defended ably and backed ap the forwards to take the last pass. Gregory is in better form now than at any stage of his career. Brisbane gave a most spectacular display at csntre-tnreequarter. He has more pace than most backs off the mark and uses his weight to advantage. Brisbane's try w;is a- beautiful effort. Brady Plays Wall. Brady played his best game this season and was actually as good as any Marisi back. Should be retain his form Brady is a possible Auckland representative. Hassan, behind the som aid some smart work. He combined egecti-rely with the forwards when the backs were oat of position. Batcheksr and McDonald piavod good games on the wine. Campbell, at fullback, was as reliable as usuaL The Marist, forwards rase to the occa- i sion in good style and each of the set j piaved fine football. O'Brien was easijy j the best forward cn the .ground. He ! handled the ball with the ability of a tiireeqoart.er and supported the rear divi- ; sion with -splendid judgment. Clarke fol- ; lowed up his good gams against City with an even better onß on Sstnrfiay. He possesses anticipation above the average forward. Graham played bis best earns this season. Mcisley'and Dnane were also prominent. __ . Delgrosso was below form at rulibacK. The Ponsonbv captain seemed uncertain in fielding, and kicked with poor judgment. The five-eighths, Thompson and Skelian, were overshadowed by their opponents. Moor 6 played a good game at halfback. Schoneld made_ the best of limited opportunities, while Winters on the other wing lacked opportunities. Payne was outstanding among Ponsonbv's forwards, while Peckham also dia good work. Stevens could not be blamed for his team's" defeat, as he hooked the ball from almost every scrum. A Eacord Performance.

Hie visit of the champion South Sydney Club shonld prove a splendid attraction to followers of all branches of sport. The South Sydney team has been largely responsible for the large crowds which witness dab games in Sydney. A tew weeks ago South' Sydney won the New Soutn Wales championship tor the fifth successive occasion—a performance which has never been equalled m Australia. One of the most discussed players in the combination is B. Wearing, wbo is claimed bv English and Australian cntacs as the finest wdng-threequarter Learnt; football has seen. Wearing is a big man, faster than Harold Harder, and has a brilliant record for points sconce. His non-inelusion in the Australian team now in England caused a miH sensation ;n Australia. c ~ Ihe matches to be arranged lor bontii Svdney are causing much controversy with officials in League circles. The New Zealand Council "trill have to aecide which would be good matches, and the matter deserves more than passing consideration. It is almost certain that at least one clab t-eam will oppose the visitors. Claims have been made for both Ponsonby ana Maris! The latter, although beaten m the championship, is undoubtedly the better balanced side and strong enough to put up a splendid showing. Such a match would give a.n indication of the standard of club form in Auckland. A game against Aucklssnd can be expected, while a combined team from South Auckland and Northland wo aid prove a good attraction. PRESENT-DAY GOLF. OLD-FASHIONED METHODS. Harry Vardon, the well-known golfer, writes as follows to a South African paper:—"l am one of those people who believe that, with the possible exception of Mr. Bobbv Jones, the golfers of today have established no higher a standard of skill than those of former generations. Indeed, I sometimes think that even Mr. Jones has made himself the world's outstanding player at the present era by adopting, in a large degree, oldfashioned methods—especially the pure swing as distinct from the snappy hit—in the face of what bis rivals regard as advanced principles." UNIVERSITY BOXER. EX -A U C KLAN D Eft'S F HOW ESS. An ex-Sacred Heart College bay, Rupert Keeirnn. who is a medical student at the Otago University,, secured both the feather-weight and light-weight crowns at the Otago University interfactilfcy busing tournament. .The Ancklander's contribution of two wins to the medical section put its chances beyond doubt as winners of the Benham Cup. Keenan will very probably represent Otago at the New Zealand University boxing championships to be held in Auckland next Easter.