THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21577, 23 August 1933, Page 14

THE LEAGUE CODE

northern union cup game WEST COAST'S WIN POPULAR EXTENSIVE TOUR UNDERTAKEN The success of the West Coast team in lifting tho Northern Union Challenge Cup from South Auckland last Saturday will prove popular generally with followers of the code. It is the first occasion on which a South Island league has won the trophy and West Coast's victory will do a great deal of good to the code in these quarters. In tho meantime other South Island leagues will now have an opportunity of playing for tho cup without the extra expense of travelling north. Judged on the result of the South Auckland match the Auckland representatives will be faced with strong opposition at Carlaw Park next Saturday. Several players of tho touring team are well known in Auckland, notably Calder, O'Brien, Hart, Dobbs, Masters and O'Connor. Auckland will bo represented by a strong all-round team. Three changes have been made, all in the rearguard, from tho sido which defeated Northland. Wayne, L. Schultz and Hassan replace Turei, Brisbane and Axeman. Cooke will play second five-eighths and it is pleasing to see Wayno have an opportunity outside him. Both Wayno and L. Schultz are very promising young players, while there is little doubt that Hassan is a better all-round halfback than Axeman. Champion oi Champions .By defeatiug City in the Roopo Booster final on Saturday Richmond has earned tho right to play off with Devonport in the champions of champions match. Tho winners of tho senior championship will bo faced with a difficult problem to take the honours from a vastly improved combination and tho match is being keenly awaited by supporters of tho code. The schoolboys' soven-a-side matches played at Carlaw Park each Saturday during the interval in the principal fixture ai-o proving very popular with spectators. One of tho most pleasing features is tho smart manner in which tho boys take and leave the field. The tour of the West Coast team is the most extensive taken by a Rugby League provincial combination for some years. Tho visitors defeated Wellington easily and on Saturday also defeated South Auckland. West Coast will play Northland at Whangarei tomorrow, and Auckland on Saturday. The special challenge round for senior clubs now in progress is proving popular with patrons and tho games staged on Saturday produced a good standard of football. Richmond and Newton aro strongly fancied for the play-off, while Devonport's chances must bo considered. Tho winning team is to receive a special prize. The competition is to be carried 6n in conjunction with tho representative fixture next Saturday. . Illegal Tactics Tho transfer of C. Whyte from Northland to the Marist Club is certain to displease the Northern League, and the question of a residential qualification may cause the New Zealand Rugby League to take action. Soveral seasons ago many South Auckland players wero approached and the South Auckland Leaguo was strong in its protest against "poaching" players. Instances of illegal tactics have been noted at Carlaw Park of late. If the referee is not in a position to see the incidents they should be detected by the line umpires. Last Saturday two players in tho principal fixture, ono on each side, were deliberately charged after getting rid of the ball, and in each case wore temporarily knocked out. Offenders should bo severely dealt with as such tactics are quite unnecessary and not in the true spirit of sportsmanship. In tho club championship in Sydney St. George, which is coming to Auckland early next month, holds a prominent position, being equal two other teams for first place. Last Saturday week St. George defeated Eastern Suburbs, which then had tho lead £or championship honours.