THE LEAGUE CODE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20887, 1 June 1931, Page 12

THE LEAGUE CODE.

RICHMOND'S LOST CHANCES.

UNNECESSARY ROUGH PLAY. FINE TRY BY L. SCOTT. In spite of the conditions being unfavourable for fast play a good pace was maintained throughout the match between Devoriport and Richmond staged as the chief attraction of the Auckland Rugby Leaguo on Saturday. As was to bo expected both sides made mistakes, but owing to the superior speed of its rearguard Devoriport was the quicker to save dangerous situations. 1 here were only flashes of really good combined play when half the • team handled the ball in passing rushes and from oijo of these Richmond was unlucky not to score. Had Richmond been able to tako advantage of its opportunities the result might quite easily have been reversed. Nevertheless, Devonport thoroughly deserved its victory and on the day was the better team. It is safe to assume that under fine conditions the winners would luavo had a much larger margin in their favour at the finish. The game was marred to a certain extent by unnecessary roughness, which was apparent when some players were tackled. 1 here is not the slightest excuse for players when tackled to swing (heir fists at the tackier. Again a certain Richmond back repeatedly tackled late and unnecessarily hard. It is a pity that the referee did not issue a general warning early as such incidents are no good to any game. Richmond was the worst offender, while some members of the Devonport team were not slow in retaliating. The Devonport backs did not show the samo combination as in previous games and were much too inclined to overdo tlie scissors pass. Sengar played a solid all-round game and Rhodes, at half, gave his backs every opportunity by smart passes from the scrum. The early loss of O'Donnell somewhat upset the usual combination and it was hard on Harding to go through another game after playing in the reserve grade. Simons Plays Well.

Simons, at fullback for Devonport, overshadowed Lee on the day and his sure handling and accurate kicking meant a good deal to his team. Lee, too, often misjudged his kicking, was badly beaten by L. Scott, and misfielded badly when Casey scored. The Devonport forwards all played wei! with A. Scott, E. Scott, Casey and Simpson always in the picture. A. Scott's leadership and experience repeatedly saved the team.

The Richmond backs did not combine too well and Prentice overdid the short punt. C. Dunne proved very elusive at five-eighths, and G. Davis did some good defensive work. One of the outstanding backs was Pell, who was prominent throughout for excellent low tackling. Of the forwards Ragg, Telford and Lawless were perhaps the best, while Jones and Lennie gave good support. L, Scott did not get many opportunities and was always safoly lowered by Pell. However, when his chance came he scored a brilliant try. Intercepting a lob pass in his own twenty-five ne outpaced the opposition. In doing so he cleverly beat Lee with a change of pace. Lee did the right thing in driving his man to the touchline, but when he had Scott in this position the wing-threequar-ter should never have scored.

Making the most of Newton's mistakes the Marist rear division was able to turn eacli attacking movement into a try. Marist's success, however, can bo attributed to the backs. The game proved as in other matches that Marist is weak in the forwards. Newton more than held a heavier set and actually outclassed the winners in the loose. Good coaching is likely to improve the Newton team. Splendid Understanding. Campbell made his reappearance with Marat and hooked the ball successfully. The splendid understanding between Gregory and Brisbane which was lacking against City was a feature of the match. The Marist rear division has plenty of pace, but the ball must come quickly from the scrum. Newton's rear division did not play close enough to Brisbane and Gregory, who were allowed plenty of room to move. On a dry day the score would probably have been larger. For the winners Brisbane and Gregory proved a happy combination. The latter is quickly getting back to his best form. Brady ran straight on attack and tackled well. Hassan was always clever behind the scrum. He sent out beautiful passes and paved the way for two t ries. 'J he forwards were beaten by a keener set. Young, Simms and Johnson were prominent in ihe loose.

Drimble, who scored three tries for Newton, showed a lot of pace. _ Pone made a good impression at five-eighths and is likely to prove a dangerous attacking player. With better handling Harris may have scored two tries. He has pace but lacks experience. At fullback Dempsey was most successful, kicking with Rood judgment. Although Newton's forwards lack weight they are good in the loose. Francis and Emanuel stood out prominently. Middleton and Kirk up also played well. Superior Combination. A large attendance of spectators witnessed the match between Ponsonby and Ellerslie at Ellerslie, the game being full of intorest and closely contested until the final stages, when Ponsonby's superior combination among the backs told its tale. The Ellerslie forwards were superior to their opponents on the day, hut a weakness in handling among the backs was the deciding factor in the team's defeat. The Ponsonby side was well balanced, Gardiner, Stevens and Fagan showing up prominently in the forwards, while Skelton and Winters wero the best of the backs. Skclton. especially, initiated sev eral very pretty movements during the game. Duftv played his usual heady game in the Ellerslie rear division and received good support from Ilickey and Oliff. Hickey spoiled many promising movements, however, by holding on too long. The outstanding forwards were Quirk and Hobbs.