THE LEAGUE CODE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20925, 15 July 1931, Page 16

THE LEAGUE CODE.

IMPROVEMENT BY ELLERSLIE. i _ •'% ' • ' ' APPOINTMENT OF SELECTOR. TROUBLE AT WESTERN SPRINGS. The improved form of Ellerslie was ono of tho surprises of last Saturday's Rugby League matches. Ponsonby was a little fortunate to secure victory by a margin of three points. Jfhere is some, good individual material among tho Ellerslie players and more combination and better understanding in tho back line would make the team harder to beat. The City Club had an enjoyable trip to Huntly last Saturday and defeated a Maori combination by 25 points to 5. Matches against local clubs arc welcomed in the Waikato, where tho game is popular. Mr. A. McClymont, Auckland, has, been appointed sole selector for tho North Island team. Tho appointment of tho South Island selector has been deferred. Marist is unfortunate in losing the services of Brady at a stage in the competition when his absence will bo felt. Against Nowlon last Saturday Brady twisted his knee badly and he may take a few weeks' rest beforo playing again. Against City next Saturday Schultz is ljkely to replace Brady. Arrangements are well in hand for the Marist team's visit to Wellington. The team will leave for the South on Thursday week. It is expected that a good crowd will turn out to sec tho Marist team in action., Marist and City. More than ordinary interest is being taken in tlio meeting next Saturday of Marist and City. The latter was the only team to lower Marist's colours in the first round, but of late City's form has been inconsistent. It will occasion no surprise, however, to see City again put up a good fight. The team is training hard with the intention of repeating its performance of the first round. Changes made necessary in the Devonport team at a vital stage in the competition have somewhat upset tho combination. Devonport is not such a formidable thirteen as that which took the field in the first round and an improvement in form will be necessary if tho team is to maintain its present position in the championship. Last ' Saturday against Richmond the player in possession did not receive the usual support and the following up was usually left to ono forward who, after tackling his man, saw all tho advantage lost through no support.. Frequently, on account' of this, Richmond commenced many counter-moves by . passing rushes which should have been frustrated in the early stages. The selection of the representative fullback becomes more complicated as the season progresses. S. Watene, City, has not been in good form and Simons, Devonport, seems to be- following in his footsteps by becoming rather uncertain. Simons has a habit of taking matters too casually, and a fullback of his standard and tackling ability should never have been so badly beaten as he was by Prentice last Saturday. Encroaching by Spectators. More protection will have to be given players and referees in matches played at Western Springs. On Saturday last a crowd of fully one thousand considerably interfered with the play and several times the game was held up to clear the line. In other matches, played at Western Springs this season the encroachment of spectators on the sidelines has caused considerable annoyance and the matter is ono which requires the urgent attention of the controlling body. Leeds, one of England's leading clubs, has secured the services of another representative Australian player. J. Kingston, one of the best State forwards, recently sailed for England to join Moores and , O'Rorke, the Australians who also signed on with Leeds. The much-debated question of "poaching " Australian players by English clubs is again being discussed at Home. Recently the English Council made certain modifications of the present rule, but it is doubtful whether Australia will agree. It has been suggested that English clubs signing on players should, pay £2OO to the Australian club concerned. The authorities in England deny that'the clubs " poach " Australian or New Zealand players. On the other hand they state they are being pestered with applications for engagements from overseas players.