THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21475, 26 April 1933, Page 17

THE LEAGUE CODE

PROSPECTS FOR NEW SEASON KEEN MATCHES ANTICIPATED STRONG MAR IST THIRTEEN Prospects for the Rugby League season which opens next Saturday arc considered particularly bright. Clubs have been busy organising their forces and some keen games are anticipated. Tho visit, of the English team last season has given a great stimulus to tho code and players aro expected to be better versed in tho finer points of tho game. As a result the standard must necessarily bo higher and more attractive.

It is expected that Marist will play another prominent part in tho championship. Last Saturday Marist defeated Devonpcrt in an exhibition game at Onelninga and displayed good form. On paper the rear division looks a formidable combination and with the exception of N. Campbell, fullback, tho backs will bo tho same as last year. Cornthwaite, who played with Marist late last season, may not be available this season, owing to business reasons. Brisbane, Dunn and List will again bo associated. Much is expected of B. Schultz, who is the most improved back in the code. Hassan, the representative halfback, is quickly recovering from his broken hand, and will probably take his place in the second match. Young is a good substitute meanwhile. L. Schultz, a junior, is to be given an opportunity at five-eighths. G. Campbell, the hooker, is again available. A trio of promising Herring, lveson and Elanagan, will assist the vanguard.

Fit Devonport Team Devonport will field perhaps the bestconditioned team in the competition. For some weeks past extensive training lias been undertaken by at least 17 seniors, and as was the case last season, Devonport will be hard to beat in the first round. The club played a prominent part in last year's competition, and it was only City's good form that prevented Devonport from having a record season. Last year's champions will be strengthened in the forwards by J. Donald, a player from the Rugby Union code. Donald is a type of forward likely to show up prominently in fast, open play. L. Barchard, who toured Australia in 1931 with the New Zealand team, has secured his transfer from City and is certain to be included in the Devonport pack. Barchard is also a good centre threequarter, having played in that position as a junior. These two players will replace Casey and Ruby, who have retired after fine service for the club. Sowter, who showed good promise late last season, is again available, while Simpson, Leatlaerbarrow, Masefield and E. Scott will most likely be in the pack. T. O'Learv has again decided to play with Devonport. Still young O'Leary was a really clever five-eighths in 1931, and his tricky running will give the rear division plenty of opportunities. The backs will have a lot of pace and include Smith and Laing, both New Zealand representatives, and Olliff, Rhodes and O'Donnell. A new recruit, Conte, is said to be a good scoring wing three-quarter. He played with Oxford University. Seagar, last year's captain, is to coach the team.

Young Players Promoted Newton had a good practice on Saturday and there is plenty of promising material to choose from. The policy of giving young players a chance proved successful last season, when the colts caused several surprises, besides treating spectators to fine exhibitions of the code. This season's team will include several new players. Paton, Meyrick, Quirke, Kelso and Nathan have como over from Rugby Union. The lastnamed is a forward of considerable promise! from the Pukekohe district. Quirke played last season with the Marist l?ugbv team. The rear division will include Brimble, the five-eighths who won a place in the last test against England, Dempsey, Cameron, and the Pope brothers. White is the halfback. He played with Ponsonbv recently. Friend, Shearer and Crook are also available. The forwards will bo led by T. Hall, whose English experience will considerably assist a voting side. Kirkup, Ferguson, Dally and Middlcton are likely to gain places in the forwards.

City will be handicapped without a good'hooker. On Saturday, City's backs showed good form in an A and B trial. The prospective seniors played on one side, and the rear division showed all the cleverness of last season. Wayne, an ex-Waitaki High School bov, gave an impressive display on tho wing. His speed is above the average. Perry played cleverly at five-eighths with It. Puirdy. This pair have strong claims for a place. If a reliable fullback can bo found, Watene may be tried further up. Davidson will again lead the Thistle Cup winners. Drew, Axeman, Mays, Alderton and F. Herring showed up well on Saturday. It is understood Turei will play Rugby for Manukau. City expected much from Turpi, who played splendid football in his three games of League last season. Strong Vanguard

City's vanguard will bo strong, and includes S. Clarke, J. Herring, Pierce, McLaughlin, all of last year, while Ruri, a big Maori forward, and Bolton, a country player, have claims for selcctiou. . Ponsonby's officials are finding it difficult to get together a team of its usual strength. F. Delgrosso has been induced to turn out again. Delgrosso played some good games last season, and will be an asset if ho reproduces that form. The rear division may not bo strong. Mills, Thompson, and Push have senior grade qualifications. McLcay, who showed good form in who forwards last season, is at present in Taranaki, but is expected to return soon. It is not certain that Hutt will be playing. Pagan, Stevens and lirown will be included in the forwards. Richmond hopes to have A. E. Cooke to assist it. The ex-All Black is at present in tho country. Tho backs will include Ellis, Marshall and Lee, all of whom showed promise last year. Ellis is a dangerous scoring centre. If required, T. Ilanlon, who returned from England recently, will again assist his old club. An acquisition is Mitchel, a powerful centre, with country representative honours. It will cause no surprise to see Prentice play as third row forward. He is well suited to this position. The forwards include Lawless and Telford, while recruits from the Rugby code are expected.