THE LEAGUE CODE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20997, 7 October 1931, Page 16

THE LEAGUE CODE.

STORMONT SHIELD MATCH. SUPERIORITY OF DEVONPORT. MARIST TEAM BELOW FORM. The Devon port ieam demonstrated its superiority over Marist in tlie Stormont Memorial Shield match last Saturday, and spectators were surprised at the easy win. Marist did not play up to the form which won tho team the Rugby League championship this Season: The loss of Brady through .an injury has considerably weakened the side, and robbed Auckland of one of the best five-eighths in the cede. When the teams met in the second round of the championship, Marist narrowly won after scoring two doubtful tries. Since then Devonport has defeated Marist in both the Roope Rooster knockout competition and the champion of champions match. Each team has there, fore won two of the four games played this season. The Devonport youthful players rose well to the occasion on Saturday, and actually outclassed the champions. Devon port's superiority can be more easily understood when the fact is known that Marist wen the ball consistently from the scrum. Each time Campbell hooked cleanly, but the Marist backs handled with uncertainty. It is a pity Campbell cannot test himself against the Eastern Suburbs hooker, as the Marist forward is in a class by himself. Even against this advantage, Devonport was undaunted and its backs looked for the ball off each Marist attack. Smith and Seagar showed splendid judgment in snapping up in the loose. Mistakes in handling proved very costly to Marist, Smith scoring on two occasions after Schultz had dropped Hassan's pass. Goocl Forwards. The Devonport, forwards had a great day. Their tactics and cohesion completely unbalanced Marist. Almost every movement by the backs was well supported by the vanguard. The Devonport forwards may lack experience when opposed to Eastern Suburbs, but tlie local vanguard's play in the loose makes it, a formidable combination. The splendid form of L. Seagar was a feature of the game. The Devonport captain scored two tries and kicked five goals out of six attempts, scoring 16 points in all. Smith and Seagar were outstanding 011 attack. Smith showed splendid uiticipation and revealed a lot of pace in passing bouts. Rhodes was tried on the wing, and the halfback did well. L. Scott showed improved form, although his handling was a little uncertain. Laing and E. Scott played gcod games. Simons, at fullback, improved as (.he game progressed. His return kicks, however, were too often delayed. Ruby, Simpson and Ilawkes played well among a good, even scrum. ■ • Brisbane and Young Were the pick of the Marist backs. Meehan was much below form, and seems to have lost confidence.

The «New South Wales League club season which: has just closed was much better financially than expected. The depression seems to havo had little effect on the attendances. The recent matches between Eastern Suburbs and South Sydney attracted great interest, and over 50,000 spectators paid for admission to seo the two games. The English Rugby League's decision that Homo clubs must pay £2OO to Australia and New Zealand for each player engaged to play in England is likely to cause considerable discussion among club officials..-The question of the allocation of the £2OO will need careful consideration. The opinion l was expressed in England that the club losing the player should receive tho money, but some New Zealand officials hold other views. Rastern Suburbs Team. Considerable interest is being taken in the approaching matches with Eastern Suburbs against local teams. This is the second occasion on. which an Australian club team has visited Auckland, South Sydney having played here in 1929-. The present combination comprises some of tho finest exponents of the League code in Sydney, and the majority of the players are young. It if. said that few teams have played morei attractive football than Eastern Suburbs, which is compared in Australia with the great club sides in 191011. The visitors won the minor club championship of two rounds, although they were later defeated twice by iSoutli Sydney. It is interesting to note that seven players of the Eastern Suburbs team have represented New South Wales. They are Brown, Pearce, Nixon, Stehr, Pope, Norman and Hong. F. Tottey, who spent his boyhood in Hamilton., is considered one of the mast promising players in Australia. Tottey has a lot of speed and has been a prolific scorer in diis season's football. The visitors are particularly strong in the inside positions. Pope, the usual halfback, is a clever player, who is likely to represent Australia against England next season. Aucklanders will look forward to seeing V. Thicknesse in action. In some quarters Thicknesse was considered better than Malcolm, the Australian Rugby Union captain, and his omission from tlieteam which toured New Zealand recently caused considerable comment. Thicknesse has since turned over to the League, code and has made good during his short experience.