THE LEAGUE CODE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20955, 19 August 1931, Page 14

THE LEAGUE CODE.

INTER-ISLAND CONTEST

DISAPPOINTING EXHIBITION

SOUTHERNERS FAIL BADLY,

The inter-island Rugby League match last Saturday was extremely disappointing, especially after the splendid form shown last season by the southern players. On that occasion the south team was a well-balanced combination and was superior all round to the North Island. Prior to Saturday's fixture good reports came from the South and it was expected that, owing to the visitors having a better knowledge of the code, they would prove 3. formidable side. lhe North team played up to its host form and the rear division outclassed the opposition. It was expected that the South Island would win the ball from the scrums, but Campbell enjoyed considerable success. The home team, therefore, had a feast, of the ball and some excellent passing was witnessed.

South Island made an impressive start and for ten minutes looked really dangerous. Trouble, however, came from the halfback and five-eighths. Masters sent out badly-directed passes, many being yards from Dodds and McKewen. The two last-named knew little of positional play and were too slow in getting up to defend. It was a simple matter for Brisbane and Hassan to beat the visitors' fiveeighths. South's forwards maintained the standard set in previous years and were especially good in the loose. The set, however, can be held responsible for Townsend's failure to hook the ball. With the advantage of weight, it was expected North would have difficulty in getting the ball, but the visitors did not push enough and the second and back-row forwards were breaking - fast in an endeavour to check the North five-eighths.

Almost in one season South's style of play has altered. Instead of packing a solid scrum, the visitors had a loose formation and as a consequence failed in their objective—getting the ball.

The North backs niado few mistakes and combined really well. Campbell played a sound game at fullback. In the second half, particularly, Campbell showed good judgment in racing with his threequarters. List was perhaps the best of the threequarters. Powerful, straight running makes List a dangerous back. Median made the most of his opportunities. His defence, however, could be improved. Abbott, the other wing, showed a lot of pace and justified his inclusion. BrisIjane was in good form and his try between the posts was a beauty. It was pleasing to see Dunn do well and the Richmond colt made several nice runs. Hassan over-shadowed Masters behind the scrum. The horns forwards put up a good fight, and their passing was a feature of the game. Clarke was outstanding, while Timms and Stephenson worked well.

South was let down a lot by its fullback, Palamountain. His fielding was very uncertain and his tackling poor. Last year Palamountain showed promise, • but his display on Saturday was very unimpressive. The wings, Falgar and Jorgensen, had few opportunities. The latter is possessed of more pace than most wings. Amos suffered by the indifferent play of the five-eighths. The Canterbury back would have assisted the team better at five-eighths. After their good football last season Dodds and McKewen were disappointing. At times the pair were at a loss to know where to stand and were frequently caught out of position. The West Coast forwards, Griffiths, Calder and O'Brien, played splendid games. The first-named did some effective tackling. Eckoff was not as good as usual. Smith and Townsend figured prominently in the loose.