THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21553, 26 July 1933, Page 14

THE LEAGUE CODE

RQOPE ROOSTER MATCHES j RICHMOND TEAM STRENGTHENED | SEASON'S PROFITS IN ENGLAND For the first time this season weather conditions caused a postponement' of all matches under tho control of the Auckland Rugby League. Tho first round of tho RoOpe Rooster knock-out competition was to have boon decided, and-this will now bo played next Saturday. . ' Tho principal match is between Richmond and Newton and interest will be centred on tho reappearance of the former All Black, A. E. Co'oko. Although bo has not played any competition matches sinco last season, Cooke has kept in form, .and he will greatly strengthen tho Richmond team, in the senior championship matches Richmond improved a good deal as the season progressed, being narrowly beaten 011 more than one occasion. The club is, therefore, expected to do well in Roope Rooster contests. Tho curtain-raiser match will bo between Devonport, championship winners, and City. The latter failed badly in tho final series of championship games against Devonport, but is expected to reveal better form 011 Saturday. . it was fortunate lor both City and Devonport that tho matches wero postponed last Saturday. Laing was not included in tho team to play, while E. Scott was also 011 the injured list. City would have played without Wayne, the centre, and Ragg, who hooked so well against Devonport in tho championship third match is the Maris_t-Pon-sonbv contest and on form the former should take the honours. Marist is much favoured as the team likely to win tho trophy. The majority of clubs arc evenly matched and some fine games arc anticipated before tho competition is finalised. R. Smith, the Devonport five-eighths, who broke, a small bono in his lcg,_ is about with tho aid of crutches. Smith met with his accident at a stage in the championship when Devonport missed his services. He will not play again this season. , , The New South Wales Rugby League was called upon recently to allot the Bu:ai of £2OO as payment under the new arrangement between England and Australia for a transfer fee. R. Markham, who is now playing with Hudderstield. winner of tho English Rugby League championship, was the player transferred. £75 was-allotted to the Wollongong Club, .which lost Markham's services. It is not stated what became of the balance,-but probably the board of control would reap tho benefit. In tho first round of the Canterbury Rugby Football League's Thacker Shield competition players had tlieir first try-out in tho mud. Tho conditions were all against open play, and as a consequence tho scoring was low. Addington and Sydenham had an even tussle with one try each, a penalty goal turning the scale in favour of the former. New Brighton forwards went well against Riccarton, tho latter team just getting home by one point. Pirates beat Hornby in tlio first round for the McKeon Cup and set off so briskly again that at the interval the scores were level. After that, however, Hornby showed its superiority and had tho best win of the day bv 16 points to 7. The English Rugby League made a profit of £5)85 0s 3d on tho 1932-33 season, £llO7 5s lOd of this coming from the Australian tour. Tho league has total assets of £34,076 7s 3}d. of which £15,859 is in Government securities and cash in bank and £10,093 in loans.