THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21505, 31 May 1933, Page 17

THE LEAGUE CODE

CHAMPIONSHIP LEADERS IMPROVEMENT OF INSURANCE /* FIRST REPRESENTATIVE MATCH With the conclusion of the first round of matches iu tho senior championship of the Auckland Rugby League the competition still bears a very open appearance. Devonport, which lias suffered one defeat, this at tho hands of Newton, is in the lead followed by Marist and Newton, which are two points behind tho leaders. Both Marist and Newton have suffered two defeats. Strangely enough Marist lost its first two matches of tho round to City and Devonport respectively, and New ton its last two games to Marist and Ponsonby. The great surprise of last Saturday's matches was the improved form shown by Ponsonby, which easily accounted for Newton. In spite of the fact that Hall was an absentee from the Newton forwards and Dempyey played in the threequarter line instead of fullback, Ponsonby throw the ball about with such success that the opposition was overshadowed. One of the most pleasing features of the game wits the form shown by the Ponsonby rearguard, which combined very effectively. In previous matches lack of combination in the backs has been the team's chief drawback. The first round has produced some fine contests, and even keener matches can be anticipated in the second round. The form of the lower teams at present shows that any thirteen is capable of springing surprise on teams higher on the championship table. The draw for next Saturday's matches is as follows:—City v. Marist, Devonport v. Ponsonby, Newton v, Richmond. In the first round City beat Marist by 18 points to 14, Devonport won 26 —13, and Newton was successful by 25 to 18. Possession of Ball On form at present Marist should defeat City, which is such an erratic side. However, the team has a happy knack of always coming in to the limelight against Marist. The other two matches should be very closely fought and fast football should result in all games.

Tho value of possession of the ball was never more clearly demonstrated than in the match between Marist and Richmond last Saturday. In the first spell Richmond continued almost monotonously with the high kick and follow tactics, but the Marist defence was too sure. What a difference was seen in the second spell when Richmond maintained possession, usine its backs to advantage, and being unlucky on occasions in not registering tries. For the greater part of the game when Marist obtained possession it kept control, sometimes turning defence into attack right from its own goal-line with clever passing. Two of the finest forwards at present playing the code are included in the Richmond vanguard—Lawless and Satherley. The first-named is now at the top of his form and Satherley has quickly adapted himself to the new code. With a little more experience he should go a long way in the game. Satherley is equally at home whether in tho tight or loose play. Fit Devonport Team Devonport was a Better conditioned team than City last Saturday and this bad much to do with its good win. Luck was against the losers, particularly in the first half, when City should have been the leaders. On three occasions City lost possession when points looked certain. Both vanguards were evenly matched and it was a hard, willing battle. The Devonport backs, however, showed splendid combination and outplayed City in the concluding stages. Splendid backing up was a feature of Devonport's play. The management committee of the Auckland Rugby League is to be commended for its keenness to improve the insurance scheme for married men in the .senior and reserve grades. At last week's meeting a scheme to coyer players all the year round, with +be exception of working hours, was submitted. Half the premiums are to be paid by the league, while players pay the remainder. The insurance scheme has been a costly item to the controlling body in past seasons. The" first representative match of the season is to be played at Carlaw Park on Saturday week when the Taranaki representatives will meet Auckland. The Auckland selectors, Messrs. E. K. Auher, W. Mincham and H. Avery, will jchoose 20 players next Saturday to practise through the following 'week. The club form of players has been good so far and a strong combination can bo selected.