THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21523, 21 June 1933, Page 14

THE LEAGUE CODE

INTEREST IN CHAMPIONSHIP MARIST TEAM'S GOOD FORM DANGER OF PLAYERS HURDLING The defeat of Devonporfc, the leading team in the senior championship of the Auckland Rugby League, at the hands of Marist on Saturday, has made the championship most interesting and some keen matches should result before the final honours are decided. There are still three more series of matches to be played to complete the championship and there seems every possibility of a play-off being necessary. At present Devon port id leading bv two points from Marist and City which are equal in second_ place. Devon port has yet to play Newton, Richmond and City and will, therelore find difficulty in maintaining its position. Marist has to meet Ponsonbv, Newton and Richmond, while City will play Richmond, Ponsonby and Devonport. It is some time since the championship bore such an open appearance, with four teams all in the running. Newton can bo excluded on its present form, but Richmond still has a chance to be in the final. However, it will not ba surprising to find Marist and City, if the latter maintains present form, fighting out the honours with, perhaps, Devon port. The leaders will have to show much better form than that last Saturday to avoid at least two defeats in tho next three matches. The Marist team came right into its own against Devonport and gave easily its best exhibition of the season. On this form thero is not a better side in the championship than Marist, which has taken seme time to settle down as a team this season. Dunn's Fine Game

The return of Brisbane to the backs made a vast difference and he and Dunn made a very fine combination at five-eighths. Hassan got the ball away very smartly and Brisbane was always quick off the mark, this giving tho outside men every opportunity. They were well on the move when receiving their pass and their sharp passing bouts, intermingled at times with clever reverse movements, were a treat to watch and greatly admired by the spectators Dunn played a fine game for Marist. his cleverness on attack frequently making big gaps in the defence. Besides being a fine attacking player Dunn is good on defence and his return to his best form had a good deal to do with the successful combination of tho Marist backs on Saturday. His display should have impressed tho representative selectors. The Marist forwards also played their best game this season and they will now. prove a match for any vanjzuard in the competition. They played well together as a set, this giving tho backs opportunities which were lacking in many other games. Another important factor in the success of Marist was the splendid hooking of Campbell. , Combination Lacking

The Devonport backs were not a happy combination and most of their work was more or less of an individual nature. Improvement will be necessary in team work in the rearguard if Devonport hopes to maintain the leading position. The forwards are a good set, but much of their work on Saturday went for naught owine to errors by the backs. Leatherbarrow scored a fine opportunist's try when Brisbane had his kick charged. Realising he was on side Leatherbarrow gathered the ball and dashed over in a flash. Tho danger of playei's hurdling opponents or jumping in the air when about to be tackled has been previously mentioned in these columns. It was noticeable on Saturday that three different players in the principal fixture adopted this practice on two or three occasions. They would be well advised once more to discontinue the practice and it is a matter which club coaches and selectors could deal with severely. City gave easily its best display this season by beating Newton so comfortably on Saturday. The backs played clever football and excellent passing and speedy running was a feature or at least five tries. From the base ot the scrum Axeman v who played well, never lost an opportunity of giving Purdy and Watene the ball on the move. Purdy has been showing no speed in past matches, but on Saturday he moved quickly and showed splendid anticipation. It was really the improved of tho five-eighths that enabled the City thrcequarters to do so much damage. The rear division is very fast. City will meet Richmond next Saturday and tho game should be a good attraction at Carlaw Park. Will Extend Auckland A Southern writer is confident that this season's West Coast representatives will fully extend Auckland, and lie savs it will occasion uo surprise to sue tho visitors win. Ihe standard of play on the West Coast is high at present. At the latter end of last year West Coast outclassed Canterbury in the only representative fixture played. On its way to Auckland West Coast will play a game against South Auckland for the Northern Union Challenge Cup. Although it was feared that the annual North v. South Island fixture would not bo played this year, .officials of tho New Zealand Rugby League hope now to arrange the game. The question of expense is to bo considered, particularly in assembling a South Island thirteen. The fact that Taranaki and Hawke'S' Bay are likely to bo represented necessitates extra expense. However, tho Auckland Rugby League is to bo consulted over tho matter, and meanwhile Mr. A. McClymont has been appointed North Island selector. One of tho most improved players in Auckland is McLaughlin, tho City back row forward. His game on Saturday must have impressed the selectors. McLaughlin started passing bouts with tho ability of any threequarter, and on two occasions finished them off by scoring. There was some splendid goal-kick-ing at Carlaw Park on Saturday, and in this department the code can boast several fino exponents. Marshall kicked five goals for Richmond against Ponsonby, two being from near the sideline'and over 40 yards out. Watene was also in good form, and kicked six goals for City against Newton. R. Smith kicked a great penalty goal for Devonport from just inside half-way. For Marist two of Herring's attempts to convert from tho sideline hit tho crossbar.