THE LEAGUE CODE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20991, 30 September 1931, Page 14

THE LEAGUE CODE.

NORTHLAND TEAM RECOVERS. CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS GAME. MARIST VERSUS DEVONPORT. A splendid recovery bv Northland in the second half was a feature of the special match against an Auckland Rugby League representative team on Saturday. The visitors rose to the occasion when defeat seemed certain and for a time outplayed tho local side. The Auckland selectors took an opportunity of trving young players and the team was not really a representative combination. Both teams played below form in the first half and play was generally disappointing. Coinbined movements, however, by Northland's backs made tho game attractive, Auckland being frequently beaten by superior pace. The visitors' vanguard outclassed the six local forwards and gave the backs surprisingly good support. The try scored by O'Callaghan which made the score level resulted from a splendid piece of play. Shorthand started the movement in Auckland's twenty-five and five forwards handled prior to Meyer improving the position. The Auckland backs were not a happy combination. Difficulty in securing an inside five-eighths left the selectors in a quandary, and finally Laing, a Devonport reserve grade player, was obtained. Laing played fairly well, but. could not make play for his threequarters. Shortland and Meyer outclassed Auckland's inside backs. It will be no easy task for the selectors to find two colts for the five-eighths position capable of good enough football to oppose Eastern Suburbs. It is the intention of the controlling body to match an Auckland colts team against the visitors.

Centre Disappointing. After his brilliant game against South Auckland R. Hamilton was a disappointment. The Northland centre could do nothing right, although he got plenty of chances. It was stated afterwards that Hamilton was not fit. Shortland was superior to Hassan behind the scrum, the ex-New Zealand Maori Rugby representative playing a heady game. Meyer was prominent on attack, although , inclined to kick too much. C. Hamilton played a sound game, but Cunningham was below form. The Northland forwards gave a dashing display. O'Callaghan, Payne and Hirtzell are a trio of likely representatives. The best Auckland backs were Smith and Seagar, the former making several nice runs. Mee'nan was not so prominent as usual. Iveson was outstanding in the Auckland forwards, while Ruby and Clarke did useful work. The much discussed meeting of Marist and Devonport in the champion of champions match will take place next Saturday at Carlaw Park. The teams have met on three occasions, Marist winning two games, both in the championship, while Devonport was successful in the Roope Rooster competition. Should the teams field their best thirteens a closelycontested game is expected.

Sydney critics credit South Sydney with playing brilliant football to defeat Eastern Suburbs in the New South Wales Rugby League championship. Seven players of the winning team played at Carlaw Park against Marist last season. The defeat of Eastern Suburbs will in no way detract from interest in the team's visit to Auckland next month. Eastern Suburbs has proved little, if at all, inferior to South Sydney. Player's Untimely Death. Wide sympathy is expressed in the tintimely death in Sydney of G. Holmes, a successful member of the last Australian team which toured England. Holmes, who played brilliant football this season, was operated on for appendicitis. Complications followed and he died two days later. An impressive and feeling tribute was paid to the memory of Holmes prior to the championship final between Eastern Suburbs and South Sydney. Both teams stood on the half-way mark and 27,000 people bared their heads for one minute. Holmes ivas married in England during the tour of the Kangaroos. Although in the veteran stage B. Wearing, the South Sydney and State representative, retains his form in a wonderful manner. He came into prominence in 1922' and since then has found a place each season in the New South Wales team. Wearing scored 109 points this season. Aucklanders will remember Wearing for his splendid football for South Sydney against Marist.