THE LEAGUE CODE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21213, 20 June 1932, Page 11

THE LEAGUE CODE.

•a? DEVONPORT INCREASES LEAD, BRIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP CHANCE, PLAYER ORDERED OFF FIELD. As the result of Saturday's games, Devonport established a lead of two points in the Auckland Rugby League's senior grade championship. City, by playing a drawn game with Marist, was chiefly responsible for the alteration. Prior to Saturday, Marist was in a good positron to gain the lead, but Devonport will now have to be beaten twice for its championship prospects to be threatened. However, three more games remain to be played, and anything is likely to happen, bub Devonport's chances must be considered bright. ~ It is interesting to note that for the past three seasons Devonport has led at (he conclusion of the first round, only to occupy a minor position when the championship was decided. In the next three matches Devonport will meet Newton, Marist and City, all of which are capable of causing a surprise. Spectators can therefore expect good games at Carlaw Park. The worst conditions this season prevailed at Carlaw Park, when heavy rain and muddy grounds made both players and spectators feel very uncomfortable. Teams which were able to adapt themselves better to the conditions were most successful. This applied particularly to Devonport, which gave a high-class display of clever footwork. Dribbling by forwards is a lost art in League football these days, but Devonport's work was a feature of its success. Ponsonby's Combination.

In the principal game Ponsonby had too much combination for Newton and on the run of play the score should have been larger. It was only for a brief period in the second half that Newton was really dangerous. In patches its play was impressive, but Ponsonby was always superior under the conditions. Credit is due to the vanguard for dashing football. In ball control and even passing the Ponsonby pack was outstanding. The forwards were ably led by Hutt, who captained the winners owing to Riley's absence. Hutt played a fine allround game, being particularly good on defence, while his footwork was high class. McLeay, Lunn and Fagan also did useful work. Fleming was another to shape well. It was unfortunate that the refeffea had reason to order Stevens off. The Ponsonby hooker is one of the most successful in the competition, but he has only himself to blame for questioning decisions. The Ponsonby backs played really better football than i:he result shows. Many times the rear division essayed passing bouts and only bad luck checked movements. Behind the scrum, Mclntyre played a grand game. He was in every movement and never once let an opportunity go by to assist the backs. The five-eighths, Mills and Friend, played useful games. Thompson was the best of the threequarl.ers and was unlucky not to score after brilliantly beating the defence. Shera and Winters got fsw opportunities and Delgrosso played his usual sound game, kicking at times with fine judgment.

Sound Fullback. Dempsey, at fullback, was Newton's best back. His fielding was good and at times he ran with good judgment. Crooks and Brimble played good games on attach The first-named is still an improving threequarter. Cameron was often prominent, while Porteous got through some useful work behind the pack. Newton's forwards met a stronger set, but nevertheless battled hard. Allen, Emanuel and Pope were the pick. Richmond was defeated by the superior tactics of Devonport, which revealed something unusual in the way of clever dribbling. The three tries scored for tha winners came as the- result of footwork instead of the usual passing. On one occasion R. Smith actually toed the ball five times past opponents and finally scored between the posts. The fiveeighths was also responsible for Simpson's try. Most of the rear division resorted to this method of attack, which proved most successful. Richmond attempted the passing game with fatal results. Only for a brief period in the second half was Richmond dangerous. Its forwards made valiant efforts to break through, but usually found Laing in a position to stem the offensive. The Devonport custodian again came through a trying game with honours. His accurate fielding was a thorn in the side of Richmond. Time and again Laing snapped up the ball from the feet of the Richmond pack and usually got in art effective return kick. R. Smith played a heady game, while Seagar made some clever runs on attack. O'Donnell played much better than previously. The wings, Harding and L. Scott, lacked opportunities. Both however revealed pace above the ordinary. Oliff played a plucky game behind a solid pack. The vanguard played fine, all-round football, witli Simpson, Ruby and Casey outstanding. Johns was easily Richmond's best back. The boxing champion did brilliant work on defence, while his try was a great effort. Until lie retired Powell played a good game at fullback. Turner and Angelo did well against powerful opposition. Jenkinson and Lawless were outstanding among an even set of forwards. Stern Forward Battle. With No. 2 ground a quagmire, which nullified combination among the backs, the game between Marist and City provided a stern foward battle. The Marist pack was superior iir> the first half, but after the interval the City forwards tnrned the tables, the final score, 13 all, fairly reflecting the play. \ Although conditions rhilitated against spectacular play, List essayed several sparkling runs, in he showed "an elusive side-step. The 1 -: City defence seemed reluctant to tackle low and the Marist threequater took advantage of this to exploit a powerful fend with good effect. Davidson was the inspiration of the Citv rearguard. His was reflected in the facility with which he adapted his play to the heavy conditions while his generalship wasT a thorn in tha side of the opposition. g In a game which was essentially a forward battle dribbling seemed a lost art. Greater facility in this department would have clinched a victory for either sids. Iveson played a fine spoiling game in the ; Marist van.. Useful in the ruck, he excelled in open plav, his handling of the greasy ball being clean and sure.