THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21511, 7 June 1933, Page 17

THE LEAGUE CODE

POSITIONS IN CHAMPIONSHIP DEVONPORT'S GOOD PROSPECTS REPRESENTATIVE PLAYERS The defeat of Marisb at the hands of City last Saturday was responsible for an unexpected change in the championship of the Auckland Rugby League. Devonport, which had a close call by Ponsonby, is now four points in the lead, followed by Newton, Marist and City, which are all equal in second place.

Devonport should again annex the honours, as it will have to be beaten three times to be out of tho running. There seems only the remotest possibility of this happening, but Devonport has still to contend with Marist, City, Richmond and Newton. The first three mentioned clubs are all capable of lowering the colours of the leaders, but Newton, on its present form, has not such bright prospects. There should, therefore, be some keen contests before the championship is finalised. All three of Saturday's matches were evenly contested and it was not until the latter stages that the games were decided. In the principal fixture many thought Ponsonby deserved to win. The Devonport backs did not display a very high standard. Too much is left to Laing, who has been playing brilliant football at fullback. Against Ponsonby, the inside backs, perhaps with O'Donnell excepted, did not have any thrust in their attack. Both Oliff and Smith ran across the ground too much and neither varied his play. Smith anticipated well, but does not display enough initiative in running. This is the weakness in Devonport's team work. Ponsonby Backs Improve

Little fault can be found with the forwards, all of whom ' battled well against Ponsonby. The Ponsonby forwards did well against a formidable sot and were not disgraced. Much credit is due to tho Ponsonby backs for a highclass performance. The rear division never lost an opportunity of opening up the play. With more experience Ponsonby is likely to develop into a fine attacking combination. The Richmond forwards revelled in the 'Conditions against Newton. The team gained a well-deserved win and honours were with the vanguard. The Auckland selectors paid their compliment to the pack by choosing Lawless and Satherley among the Auckland players selected to practise for the match against Taranaki next Saturday. Telford can be considered unlucky, for he has been playing well this season. Newton does not appear to be suited by wet weather conditions. The backs failed to make any impression against the Richmond forwards, whose bustling tactics often routed the usual good formation. While its present form is disappointing, Newton can be expected to make amends on a dry ground. City showed a return to form by defeating Marist. The backs, usually erratic, rose to the occasion in the second half and executed many fine movements. The re-arrangement of the rear division by playing McLaughlin halfback and Turei and Watene at fiveeighths had much to do with sharpening up the attack. H. Wayne, an exWaitaki High School pupil, played an impressive game at centre-threequarter for City. He has plenty of pace and uses a nice side-step. Players for Practice

With the big representative programme arranged this season followers of the code were interested to see the' likely personnel of the Auckland team. There are not many surprise inclusions in the players selected for practice, although several younger players are worthy of consideration. List, Marist, seems to have lost all form and is lucky to gain a place. Last season the Marist centre was an outstanding success against the Englishmen. It is evident the selectors are relying upon- past form. This also applies to the selection of R. Smith, Devonport. Bright has played but two games this season. Radonich (Devonport; could have been given a chance, although new to senior ranks. Bennett (Richmond), Marshall (Richmond) and A. Smith (Devonport), one of the most prolific scorers this season, have also been passed over. The forwards are formidable and well-balanced. Simpson (Devonport), McLaughlin „(City) and Donald (Devonport), however, are worthy of consideration. In an attempt to improve the scrums the Referees' Association decided from Saturday last that the referee place the ball in the scrum. This experiment was tried five years ago in England and Australia and also in New Zealand. Before one season' was over the practice reverted to the halfback, conforming to the laws of the game. On Saturday, it was only partially successful. Everything depends upon the official in charge to make or mar the new ruling. In the curtain-raiser between Richmond and Newton everything went oft smoothlv and both sets of forwards had equal opportunities. In the two latter games, however, there was much to be desired. Repeatedly the ball came out of the scrum the way it was put in with the result that the halfbacks rarely retired, and not once was the ball hooked through the scrum to the halfback.