THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21293, 21 September 1932, Page 15

THE LEAGUE CODE

STORMONT SHIELD CONTEST WILLING FORWARD EXCHANGES GOOD CURTAIN-RAISER MATCH One of the hardest and keenest matches of the season resulted in the meeting of Marist and Devonport in the Storrnont Shield contest at Carlaw Park last Saturday. Especially in the second spell the forward exchanges were very willing, in fact too willing at times, and on occasions both vanguards seemed to forgot they had rearguards to assist them. So close was the scoring almost to the end that the spectators became greatly excited and toward the close two or three £> hundred rushed one end of the playing area when a try which placed Marist in front had beeji awarded. Many thought the try was doubtful, but the referee, as he was entitled to, referred to the line umpire before giving his decision. On the run of the play, Marist was the better team, although the result might quite easily have gone the other way. In the first spell the Marist forwards were outplayed and as a result the backs had a hard time on defence. When opportunities did come the way of the rearguard, it lost chances through mishandling. At the same time some of the Devonport backs proved fine defenders and anticipated well, Smith and Seagar standing out in this respect. The absence of Campbell, hooker, was a great loss to Marist and in the first spell Devonport repeatedly gained possession of the ball from the scrums. It was evident after the resumption of play in the second spell that the Marist pack had been spoken to, as it took a new lease of life in Ibis half, and, with good support from the backs, had Devonport defending hard practically throughout. In spite of a strenuous time the defence never wilted until near the close, when the Devonport pack tired. During the last 20 minutes Devonport was penned on' its line, but the match was not won until the last five minutes, when eight points were scored by Marist. Young Plays Well Although Hassan was unable to take the field for Marist, the team was -well served at halfback by Young. When Marist was getting more of the ball from the scrums, Young scored a nice individual try and was directly responsible for another. The best back, however, was Brisbane, -who, although he has had a hard season's football, still plays in his best form. He made several clever openings and if he had been better supported tries would have resulted. Dunne was not up to his usual form and in the second half Cornthwaite went to. second fiveeighths. and this improved the combination of the backs. Campbell, at fullback, was very sound and has undoubtedly benefited from his experience in big football this season. Laird was perhaps the best of the forwards, but Herring. Carter and Webberley worked hard in the tight in the second spell. Clark played well in the loose. Although Devonport was handicapped by losing Laing through an injury early in the game, O'Donnell, who replaced him, filled the role with credit. O'Donnell was responsible for starting the best movement of the match, from which Harding scored, although chief credit goes to Seagar, who cleverly beat the opposition. Seagar and Smith were the best backs, both doing fine work on defence and attack. Rhodes, who took up the first fiveeighths position, was responsible for petting bis outside backs on the move owing to his speed off the mark. The whole Devonport pack worked hijrd. E. Scott and Simpson perhaps being the most outstanding. More curtain-raisers of the standard provided by the Northcote and Marist third grade intermediate teams last Saturday would be greatly appreciated by spectators. Both teams played good football and the pace was fast throughout, the result, 13-alI, being a fair indication of the play. At the conclusion ,of the game the players well deserved the applause <C'hich greeted them from all quarters of the ground. Code in America A definite decision to establish League football in America has been made as the outcome of correspondence between England and Australia. It is- suggested •that England and Australia "should each send two teams to play exhibition games against one another, and where possible in conjunction with the American ball game. Delegates from the Australian Board of Control and the English Rugby League Council intend to visit America early next year to carry out a programme of propaganda. The scheme is a big one, but Mr. 11. Sunderland, a member of the Australian Board of Control, who is in America at present, considers it is possible to meet with success.