THE LEAGUE CODE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20883, 27 May 1931, Page 13

THE LEAGUE CODE.

APPEAL OF RICHMOND CLUB.

PENALTIES AGAINST BREACHES. LEADING TEAMS TO MEET. The appeal of the Richmond Club against the decision of the Auckland Rugby League to replay its match with Marist has been forwarded to the NewZealand Rugbv League, and the decision of the controlling body is awaited with more than passing interest. Richmond

met Marist 111 the first match of the season and was defeated by 11 points to 10. The losers protested on the grounds that Marist scored the winning try after overtime had been [.laved. After going fully into the matter the Auckland Rugby League decided to replay the match. The form of the City team against Marist last Saturday must have surprised even the club's most enthusiastic supporters. It was a great reversal of the form shown by the team *in previous matches. There were occasions previously this season, however, when City gave glimpses of its capabilities, and then fell away below the mediocre standard. On Saturday the thirteen players combined more as a team and the pack hunted together. This, with the splendid all-round tackling of the team, kept the Marist players at bay. It speaks volumes for the defence of City when its opponents failed to cross its line—a very unusual occurrence in League football, especially when two good teams meet.

Possession of the ball from the scrums, especially in the first spell, meant a great deal to tho City team. Had Marist been able to get the ball from the earlier scrums the backs may have worked up a combination which would have made the result much closer and possibly won the game. The Marist rearguard was called on to do so much work that when opportunities came its way later the combination necessary for sue'eess was sadly lacking. Frequent Penalties. The referee, Mr. F. Thompson, was very strict on playing the ball and scrum breaches. Marist was frequently penalised, and the penalties seemed to have a detrimental effect on the team's play. Nevertheless, players should know the rules, and the official in charge of the game was justified in bringing promptly to a stop breaches which have been too frequently passed over in earlier games this season.

Too much reliance need not be placed on the defeat; of the Marist team on Saturday, as it was a day when nothing seemed to go right for it. It was most unusual to see experienced players in the rearguard making bad errors. The Marist thirteen is likely to profit a good deal by Saturday's experience in regard to penalties, and the team should still play a very important part in the championship honours. Providing the Richmond match is replayed Marist lias a good chance of winning the grade. Another good match is anticipated next Saturday at Carlaw Park when the leading teams, Devonport and Richmond, will meet. Devonport is an improving combination, while Richmond in its last two matches has fallen away a little. Each side is sure to make strenuous endeavours to retain the lead, and as the teams adopt the open style of play some bright football should result. It was pleasing to see* Alderton prove a success when given his first chance behind the City pack 011 Saturday. Aiderton first played for City in the sixth grade and two years ago joined up with Akarana juniors. v Last season he was halfback for Parnell in the senior B grade, rejoining City on the introduction of the reserve grade this year. On his form on Saturday Alderton is likely to retain a place in the senior team. Players in England.

Writing from Wigan, Mason, the exAucklander, mentions that E. Spillane, the Christchurch player, -made a satisfactory debut as halfback for the Wigan Club. Spillane plays regularly in this position. A. Falwasser, says Mason, is playing splendid football for Wigan and is * very popular with the spectators. Mason's term of four years recently expired, and it will occasion _ 110 surprise to see him soon return to New Zealand. The feat of E. Harris, the ex-Sydney threequarter. in scoring 50 tries this season for Leeds is a remarkable performance, savs an English writer. Hains missed tiie first six matches, otherwise the Australian may have eclipsed all previous English records. It is interesting to note that the rafcord is held by nno'lier Australian, Arthur Posenfeld. of Eastern Surburbs, who scor*' 80 tries in the MS--14 season, while jilting for Huddersfield. T Hall tlie er x ewton forward, who nlavs with St. Helens, has experienced a run of bad luck this season, injuries having kept him out of the game for some weeks. Hall broke a jaw bone in the fourth match of the season and later received a knock which required hospita treatment. Hardgrave, Hutt and Hall are all talking of returning to JNew Zealand. The trio intend to ask foi better terms before sisrning on again.