THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21281, 7 September 1932, Page 14

THE LEAGUE CODE

ROOPE ROOSTER COMPETITION BETTER STANDARD DISPLAYED CITY AND MARIST IN FINAL Close and exciting football was witnessed at Carlaw Park last Saturday in tiie second round of the Auckland Rugby League's Eoope Rooster competition. The standard was higher than that on tlio previous Saturday, and the close scoring maintained interest in both matches until the final whistle.

As a result of their success, City and Marist will now meet in the final and the match should provide one of the most interesting contests of tho season. City has shown more improvement than any other team in the competition. It came through the second round of the championship undefeated and in that competition was the only team to defeat Devonport, which won the honours. Judging on Saturday's matches, tho City forwards should prove superior to the Marist set, and a good deal will depend on tho City rearguard. If on form the City backs play fine football, but several times this season they have been rather erratic.

At one stage of the game between Marist and Devonport on Saturday it seemed that Marist would win easily, but Devonport made a fine rally in the last ten minutes and almost succeeded in notching the honours. Marist appeared to tire during this period. Backs Superior The Marist backs proved superior on attack, while their defence was at all times sound. The ball frequently travelled along the whole line, and the play of the wings, List and Schultz, was a feature of the match. The Devonport forwards bore the brunt of tho attack. Marist was beaten in the loose, but in the scrums Campbell was the outstanding hooker. His success in this department gave the Marist backs plenty of opportunities. The appearance of Cornthwaite, the Auckland Rugby Union representative, with Marist was awaited with interest. Cornthwaite made a good impression with limited opportunities. lie scored a nice try and tackled well. Brisbane was easily the best back. Dunne played better than usual, being in all the movements from which tries were scored. Hassan played well at halfback.

List was frequently in the picture on the wing. He proved a difficult man to stop .near the line. Schultz justified his inclusion on the other wing. Campbell played only fairly at fullback. He appeared to take undue risks in supporting the threequarters. Iveson and Laird were the best Marist forwards, the first-named playing a particularly good game. Campbell also was a good worker. None of the Devonport backs was outstanding. The rear division was too slow in moving to counter Marist attacks. Smith, who scored three tries, was perhaps the best back, although he was inclined to kick too much. Both Rhodes and Scott, on the wings, showed pace, Scott's try being a really good effort. Laing played a sound game at fullback, while O'Donnell did useful work on defence. The forwards were an even set, with Simpson, Leatherbarrow and Iluby outstanding. Davidson in Form The curtain-raiser between City and Ponsonby provided some fine football, especially in the second spell. On the play City was more than three points a ' better side, Ponsonby being weak on the wings. Had the threequarters been up to standard the result might quite easily have been reversed. Delgrosso, Hiompson and Mclntyre were the best Ponsonby backs. Of the forwards, McLeay played an outstanding game. For City, Davidson was in his best form and on several occasions he cut through the defence to make splendid openings in determined and fast dashes. McLaughlin is one of the most improved forwards in the competition, his pace and handling making him a dangerous scoring player. He scored two good tries against Ponsonby. The New Zealand Rugby League Council has decided to send Devonport and Ponsonby to New Plymouth next Saturday to play an exhibition game. The Ponsonby team will be strengthened by the inclusion of several prominent club players.