THE LEAGUE CODE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20863, 4 May 1931, Page 11

THE LEAGUE CODE.

MISHANDLING PROMINENT.

B. DAVIDSON OUTSTANDING. RICHMOND TEAM UNLUCKY. As is generally the case at the com mencement of the season there was a good deal of mishandling in tho three senior Rugby League contests on Saturday. At the same time some clever and at times brilliant movements were executed which givo promise of much better football as the season progresses.

Tho chief match, between City and Devonport, was a game of varying fortunes. Devonport lost enough opportunities in the. first spell to place the issuo well beyond doubt, but with all its mistakes it deserved to leave the field as victors. When properly settled down the backs should develop into a fine combination as they have tho forward talent capable of giving the rearguard plenty of opportunities.

A. Scott proved a good leader for the vanguard and one of tho outstanding features of his play was the manner in which he supported a player in trouble. Ho also proved a reliable place kick, converting one try with a fine kick and just missing another from a similar angle. Devonport was well served by hooking the. ball from the scrums and Rhodes proved a better halfback than Reynolds, always being in position to set his backs in motion. T. O'Leary caught tho eye for somo good individual play and Sea gar, who started off on tho wing and later came in to five-eighths was very sound on defence, besides doing good work on attack. Altogether tho Devonport rearguard is a fast and nippy set and with players like O'Donnell, Harding and L. O'Leary among it good exhibitions can be looked forward to in tho near future. Value of Experience. Although City lost experience counted much in its favour and even with Devonport missing opportunities the team nearly succeeded in saving the day. Among the backs B. Davidson was easily 'outstanding and but for his sound defence and initiative on attack City would have been beaten by a bigger margin.

Davidson finished off two movements in fine style, while his sound tackling and all-round knowledge of the code meant a great deal to his team. A feature of his play was his beautiful passing and his seemingly effortless ability to recommence an attack which had broken down. Had Davidson come into the five-eighths position earlier in the gamo he may have saved the day for City. "lilie City backs showed promise in spasms, but Reynolds, tho half, was too slow in setting them in action. There is good material among the forwards, of whom Ivesou was outstanding for clever play. Iveson received good support from M. Watene and Lcn Barchard. More training is necessary for some of the forwards to take off the required weight. In an exciting finish, which attracted considerable attention, Marist managed to score the winning try against Richmond, actually two minutes after time. Richmond was unfortunate in that two players were off the field at the time due to injuries. Play was confined to Richmond's territory in the last five minutes, during which Richmond put up a wonderful defence. Hard, low tackling subdued tho Marist rear division. Straight Running. In easily the best movement Hassan sent a pass to Young and the benefit of straight running saw Brady give List a clear run in. Richmond's chances of stopping the Marist wing were considerably hampered by excited spectators encroaching on the sideline. There was little to chooso between ijie teams. Lost opportunities by poor passing and uncertain handling were frequent on both sides. The Marist backs were the more frequent offenders, particularly in the first half. The five-eighths, Young and Brisbane, lacked variety. Tha former ran too much across the ground, when a short punt would have placed his threequarters in better position.

Marisfc started the season with a big reputation, but its display was disappointing. Richmond, on the other band, upheld its highest traditions in sound tackling. Both rear and front divisions; did great work on defence. Richmond, should eventually develop into a good allround combination.

The scrums were poorly packed witbi the result the ball came slowly to tliei half. Both teams would assist the backsi by paying attention to correct scrum formation. Marist owes its success to a slightly better rear division, although Richmond was by no means overshadowed. Honours in the forwards! went to Richmond. Tho pack worked hard all the afternoon, but in the loose the forwards passed too slowly. Brady Best Back.

For. the winners, Campbell, at fullback, gave a sound display. List, on tho wing, was never prominent until ho scored the winning try. Brady was perhaps the best back. His straight running gave tho wings plenty of room in which to work. Brisbane dropped several easy passes, but did fine work on defence. Batchelor showed speed on the rare occasions he had opportunities. P. Younjt was not at home at five-eighths and wail tho weak link. Hassan was an effective link between the forwards and backs.

The Marist pack included four of Kingsland's forwards. Young and Simmii worked well, while Campbell was. also prominent. Dunne was the best Richmond back. The ex-third-grade player made sorno really clever openings. Pell and McKin-i non also made a good impression. Telford and Lennic were the pick of a hardworking pack. Although the game between Newton and Ellerslie was very willing both teams, as was to be expected so early in thu season, lacked combination. The Newton pack, ably headed by Francis, put. more vim into the game than the local forwards, but there was little difference, between the rear divisions. For Newton. Hill was perhaps the best back, while Dempsey acquitted himself well at fullback. Newton possessed a. competent half in Porleons,

Ellerslie's custodian, Dufty,. played a reliable game and frequently ran his backs into position. Webb, on the wing, played a dashing game, while Oliff, at half, often initiated passing bouts. ITickoy, Cakler and Hobbs wero prominent among ihe forwards.