THE LEAGUE CODE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20985, 23 September 1931, Page 14

THE LEAGUE CODE.

FINAL OF ROOPE ROOSTER. DEVONPORT TEAM'S SUCCESS. IMPORTATION OF PLAYERS. Devonport played splendid football in the final of tho Roope Rooster competition of tho Auckland Rugby Leaguo on Saturday and easily defeated Ponsonby, whose form was disappointing." Many followers of the code expected Ponsonby to put up a good game, but .1 good crowd for an off-day was disappointed. Tho Devonport backs scored tries almost at leisure and the score could have been larger. Both backs and forwards supported each other well, this being in strong contrast to Ponsonby's individual efforts. It has often been stated that Delgrosso has only to have a day off and his team plays similarly. On Saturday the Ponsonby captain could do nothiug right, except in line-kicking, and the rear division in ( consequcnce played much below form. However, Devonport deserved its success and 011 this form a great game is expected with Marist when the teams meet in the Stormont Shield competition, to be played next Saturday week. Simons played an improved game at fullback for Devonport. He, however, failed to show his form of earlier in tho season. Smith, at second five-eighths, played a perfect game. He showed great cleverness on attack and revealed a lot of pace. It was a pity the selectors did not give Smith an opportunity of playing as five-eighths with Davidson and List for Auckland against Northland. Rhodes was a little awkward at fiveeighths, being too slow for tho other backs. Rhodes' position is undoubtedly at halfback. Seagar played well, taking the ball accurately and going resolutely for tho line. His try was a clever effort. L. Scott played a good game 011 the wing. Casey and Leatherbarrow played fino football among the forwards, while Ruby did useful spoiling work. The Ponsonby backs wero below form, Winter, 011 the wing, and lliley, at fiveeighths, being the pick. Delgrosso handled indifferently, although his line-kicking was good. White was prominent 011 occasions behind the scrum. Tho forwards cannot be blamed for the team's defeat. MeLeav, Goodwin and Lunn all played excellent games. The decision of the Auckland Rugby League to postpone for one week the champion of champions match between Marist and Devonport will bo appreciated by both clubs. Injuries to their best players would have prevented cither side from being at full strength next Saturday. With a fortnight's spell Marist will again have Meehan's services, while Simpson, and possibly O'Donnell, will assist Devonport. ' Writing to followers of the League code in Auckland, S. Blair, who captained South Sydney against Marist in 1929, predicted Eastern Suburbs' defeat a fortnight ago. Blair said South ,Sydney had improved while Eastern Suburbs had gone oft" a little, tho result of early training and strenuous matches. Blair is of tho opinion, however, that Eastern Suburbs is one of the finest club teams seen in Sydney for many years. A suggestion was made that an Auckland representative team should meet Eastern Suburbs in tho first game to bo played at Auckland. According to a message last week the Australian and New Zealand Leagues were partially successful in a strong protest against tho importation of League players by English clubs. The lifting of the residential ban was defeated, but the message states that clubs must in future' pay the sum of £2OO to the affected parties. Details are not known, but it is certain that sum will go to the club losing the player. This was the text of an Australian remit forwarded to the English council some months ago.