THE LEAGUE GAME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20623, 23 July 1930, Page 19

THE LEAGUE GAME.

PONSONBY'S GOOD POSITION.

CUT TEAM DISAPPOINTS.

QUEENSLAND SIDE EXTENDED.

Tho Auckland Rugby League's senior grade competition has reached an interesting stage, owing to tho defeat of City, which until Saturday had held tho lead since the third match in tho first round. Ponsonby has good prospects of retaining its position at tho top of tho championship table, as it has somo easy games ahead. Richmond is tho team most likely to defeat Ponsonby. But for tho loss of a gamo on a protest Marist would bo le\fl with City iu second placo. City and Marist are set clown to play next Saturday week and tho result will have a bearing on the championship. City has earned a reputation for inconsistency and its form is hard to follow. Against Newton City gave a fino exhibition of tho codo. Tho backs daring on attack and supported tho forwards with excellent judgment Against Ponsonby, however, with tho exception of 15 minutes in tho eecond half, City was outclassed Weak tackling and bad mistakes by the backs gave Ponsonby three easy tries. City's form was too bad to bo true, but nevertheless several changes in tho rear division arc necessary if the team's present position in the championship is to be maintained. The Ponsonby backs infused more dash into their play than has been the case i'l recent matches. Good passing and speed from the scrum enabled the threequarters to make play for tho wings. Many limes tho ball travelled to the wing and back to tho centres. Richmond Improves. Richmond showed improved form by defeating Dcvonport and the result came as a surprise. In two successive matches Richmond has defeated strong teams which hold prominent places in the championship. Until tho second round commenced Richmond had won but one game. Better combination has been developed in tho last few games and it will not bo surprising to see Richmond retain an unbeaten • record in tho second round. Tho Richmond pack includes the youngest players in the senior grade and several I of the forwards show great promise.

After playing close games against teams higher up in the championship, Kingsland was successful in defeating Newton. There is nothing outstanding about tho play of Kingsland, although both divisions are well balanced. The forwards have speed in the looso and pack a good scrum. Ull Saturday the backs showed more enterprise and combined in some fine movements Coaciied 011 sound lines Kingsland is a "team likely to cause surprises as tho competition continues. Marist lias secured the services of two promising juniors in P Young and Schultz. Young gavo a good display against Ellerslic and paved the way lor two tries. lie has only to gain experience to become a good senior. SchulU 13 a five-eighths likely to improve. Loss of Hooker. When the New Zealand team for Australia was made known much comment was passed over the selection of only one hooker and tho policy was not favoured. Against Bathurst Stephenson received a had eye injury and could not play against New South Wales in the second game. Eckoff took the booker's place and from reports received the New Zealand backs I rarely saw the ball from set scrums. Private advico received in Auckland I states that Wctherill's injury in tho first i match of tho torn- was caused through I mud being forced in the ear, on which lan abscess formed. Although the cabled I team selected to plav against Aimidale I did not include Wetherill, it is understood he played. B Davidson is making .1 good recovery from the injury received four weeks ago, i and there is every prospect of the ex- ! Wit;an player assisting City next Saturday i The New Zealand Rugby League team ! must have made a good showing against I Queensland on Saturday. The Dominion representatives were defeated by a tiy scored in the last few minutes. IJIO ! Queensland team included seven members I of the Australian combination winch recently toured England. The tourists have failed vet to show good combined movements and tho work of the individual is more noticeable. For a touring team New Zealand has been unlucky 011 the score ot injuries, no fewer than seven players being laid aside. Dobbs, the South Island forward, was badly hurt, and is on his way back to New Zealand.