THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21795, 9 May 1934, Page 14

THE LEAGUE CODE

FORM OF PONSONBY TEAM PROMISING YOUNG HALFBACK ■ v. OPENING OF NEW GRANDSTAND The type of football played by the young Ponsonbv team against Devonport last Saturday greatly appealed to followers of the Lenguo code and the side received a fino reception for its clever play. It is some time since such clever team play has been witnessed at Carlnw Park and the splendid combined attack and defence of the side proved that it will be hard to beat. If these young players can stand up to gruelling matches in the second round their prospects for the championship are bright. The team is being coached by a for* mer Auckland and New Zealand representative, F. Delgrosso. It is a tribute to his ability that the thirteen has displayed such good form in its first two matches. In his time Delgrosso was a fine a?l-round player who could fill any place in the backs with -credit.

j The. Auckland Rugby League could j. not, have had a better attraction for : next Saturday than the match between , the'two unbeaten teams, Richmond and Ponsonby. The Richmond players have had much more, experience all round, and it will be interesting to see how Ponsonby fares against them. The j new grandstand will vbe opened next Saturday by Lord Bledisloo at 2.45 p.m., so the contest will prove a greater attraction on this account. The plav of Halloran, the Ponsonby halfback, against Devonport last Saturday stamps him as a coming repre- ' sentative player. His tactics were reminiscent of leading halfbacks of the past. One pleasing feature of his play was that he got the ball away splendidly from the scrums and the loose, thus giving his outside men plenty of scope. He did not attempt too much alone and never ran too far with the ball. / . Speedy Five-eighths In W. Stockley, first five-eighths, Ponsonby has. another very promising player. His understanding with Hailoran was very good and his speed otf the mark and trickiness 1 gave him tho opportunity of penetrating the defence on several occasions. Ponsonbv has a fast threequarter line, which was' well m the picture last Saturday, and- Kay is a nice type of centre. Littlewood is playing as well as ever, while Shera is a clover little player. The work of Riley, second five-eighths, and Jones, fullback, cannot be overlooked, as both played good'games against Devonport. Although-Richmond lias a strong set of forwards they will be faced with a difficult task next Saturday to overcome tho Ponsonby opposition. As a set the Ponsonby vanguard plays clever football and proved hard to stop in tho loose against Devonport. while being equally at homo in the tight play. MeLeay proved a fine leader, his speed and safe-handling enabling him to . make good openings. With Brown, Why, Hutt, J. Stockley and Davis in support the vanguard will trouble any opposition. - , Devonport is not yet playing as the team which won the championship last season. It seems unable'to settle down to correct team play and 011 this account lost three great scoring chances on Saturday. In two of these failure by Leatherbarrow to take his pass lost, tries. The absence of Seagar from the centre position weakened the team's allround play.

City's form on Saturday was disappointing after a good game against Devonport on the opening day. Newton completely demoralised the City backs who played with poor combination. With perhaps White and Turei excepted. the rear division was below form. The City backs were handicapped when Axeman repeatedly held on. or nsed the blind side when opportunities presented themselves on the open side. The five-eighths. Wh.vberg and Clarke, were too slow, but did not get the ball quick enough from the base of the scrum. , i It was surprising to see the City forwards outplayed. The pack played as iijdividuals and lacked dash in tho loose. Little weight was put in the scrums. i Maori Competition Although defeated comfortably in the two matches already played, Marist has a good reserve grade team to select from, and some of these players may be given a chance soon. It is likely that G. Campbell will turn out against City 1 on Saturday. It is also reported that a five-eighths from the Kaipara district will be an acquisition; The inauguration of a provincial Maori competition, which has already been discussed by the New Zealand Rugby League, is likely to take definite shape in the near future. Both the Taranaki and Hawke's Bay Leagues have officially accepted a request to organise teams in their districts. The policy is getting good support in the Waikatrt and a shield has been presented for competition. England's defeat of France in Paris recently by 31 points to 21 indicates a fast, open game. J. Sullivan, captain of the visiting team, kicked six goals. The game was played on a Sunday and was the first between England and France.

The first game, of R ugbv League football to be" played in Ireland is set down for next Saturday at.Dublin. Warrington and Wigan are the clubs selected by the English Rugby League to stage the exhibition match. A keen competition is expected in Taranaki this season. A new club has been formed at Stratford, which now brings the number up to six senior clubs.