THE LEAGUE CODE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20859, 29 April 1931, Page 14

THE LEAGUE CODE.

PROSPECTS FOR NEW SEASON. BETTER STANDARD EXPECTED. STRENGTH OF VARIOUS CLUBS. Under an almost new control the prospects of the Auckland Rugby League appear bright for a successful season which is to be opened on Saturday next. During the off season the management committee decided to confine the senior grade to seven clubs, with reserve teams to each. The wisdom of this step is to bo proved on the field of play, but it is anticipated that the standard will show a marked improvement on that of last season. Club officials arc particularly busy at present organising their forces for the opening matches and few vacancies occur in senior teams. The fact that senior A clubs can draw on last, year's senior B teams without any formalities has been the means of strengthening the grade. The Marist Club has been distinctly fortunate in securing the best of Kingsland's players and is already the popular choice for the senior championship honours under the new conditions. The backs of last season who arc availablo include Gregory, Brisbane, Campbell, Batchelor, Hassan, Brady and Young. The lastnamed has shown form at practice and Brady and Hassan should improve still further this season. List as Porward. r. 1 , The Kingsland players to assist Marist are List, Carter and Herring. The firstn«nv?d, who is an Auckland representative back, is likely to play back row forward, a position to which he should easily accustom himself. Simms, one of the "best all-round players in the game, is also likely lo play for Marist. It has also been stated that Sininis was offered a position as back row forward with City. Railey, Btimm and Carter, a trio of useful forwards, are available from the now defunct club. Webberley, Campbell and McKay will assist their old club. In a recent practice game J.. Cassidy, a tall youth, was given a trial in the forwards. Cassidy shaped really well and displayed more than average speed. He played Rugby football in the Waikato and is likely to find a place in the Marist thirteen. The Newton team comprised chiefly' of colts last season gave several good displays, but lacked knowledge in the finer points of the game. Although its ranks will again comprise young players, the team is likely to play a prominent part in the competition. A fast set of backs is available and with propei» coaching they should do well against more experienced players. Prominent Fullback.

Dempsey, the fullback, becairj piominent at the latter,end of last season and has only to retain his form to he heard of a good deal in the future. The loss of E. Brimble, who now plays for.the Merivale Rugby Club in Christchurch, will weaken the rear division, as the clever five-eighths was a fine player. His brother, C. Brimble, will again assist the team and have -support from Hill and Beattie. The forwards include Francis and I'erguson, who showed up well last season. Additions to the team include Moore and Kindly, of Mount Albert and Point Chevalier respectively. Ponsonby, last season's champions, has had some 'good practice games, although few seniors participated. The thirteen is likely to be much the same as that last season. It has been definitely stated that Delgrosso will again lead Ponsonby. When in form Delgrosso is one of the finest players in the. code. The backs will include Schofield. Winters, Wilson and Skelton, .ill of last season's successful team. Friend, a third grade threequarter with a splendid record, is likely to get a trial. Thompson, who was Ponsonby's most improved fiveeighths, is again available Stevens, Fagan, Lunn and McCleay will be included in the forwards. There is a doubt whether Riley and Gardiner, both representative players, will take the field. Loss of Hadloy. City will have the services of most of last season's team. Led by B. David-, son, the hacks will include Watene, Barchard. Perry and Iverson. Shorthand, the clever New Zealand Maori halfback, is at present .in the Whangarei district and it is not likely he will be available. Reynolds,is the substitute halfback. It has been mentioned that a Manuka 11 Rugbv- back is to play with City. W. Hadley, who was the most improved forward in "the code, will play for the Marisfc Rugbv Club and his place will be hard to fill. ' Len Barchard and Clarke, the New Zealand representatives, are assisting the pack. An endeavour is beinc made to get Mita Watene back to Auckland. This forward is a dashing player who is likely to go a long way in the game. . The Parnell Club has amalgamated with City, and the B section team is certain to strengthen the City ranks. Some of its players may find a placo in the A team.

Richmond's thirteen will comprise manv young players. The policy of the club io promote juniors is again in evidence. this season and already numerous players have taken keen interest in training." The club has, however. lost the services of Mincham and Taylor, two clever attacking backs. R. Stallworthy. a speedy wing, is also .unavailable lor the opening matches. The backs include Dunn. Pell and Agnew, a trio of young players who performed well in the third grade. Prentice will again don the. jersey. Telford, who stood down last season, has been training. This forward had a succesful season in 1929 w.th «i Sydney League club. McLean, a prominent amateur boxer, is a hard-working forward. The pack will lack weight, but possesses plenty of pace and keenness, f Well Organised Club. Devonport is one of the best Organised senior clubs and a strong team is "S----sured Seagar. Rhodes, O'Donnell and Smith are quickly getting into their best form. The club will have the services of Robertson, a promising Northcote fullback. It is stated that A. Scott is likely to play and and' his knowledge should benefit the younger '/orwards. Devonport,'s supporters will be pleased to hear that Len Scott and Symons are back in Auckland. The pair intend lo play with their old club. Symons represented North Island as a fullback. t Little is known of the Ellerslie team s personnel, but its ranks v»ill » >pstrengthened by the inclusion of playeis from Otahuhu ' and Mangere. The reserve grade is creating a lot of interest, and most of the clubs are l.kely to obtain good young players who will, in the near future, build up the senior A teams. Reserve teams will play the early matches prior to the senior A teams. Any player in r reserve team can play for the A thirteeen without being regraded. , , The Auckland Rugby League Referees Association has decided that its grading and appointments committeo should consist of two of its members and a representative of the Auckland Rugby League. The two referees elected by ballot on Monday were Messrs. A. Sanders and F. Thompson. .There were four nominees.