THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21825, 13 June 1934, Page 17

THE LEAGUE CODE

RICHMOND INCREASES LEAD OBSTRUCTION BY PLAYERS REPRESENTATIVE FIXTURE Tn spite of flic fact that the I?ieliinond team is not playing so well as earlier in the season, it still remains unbeaten in the Auckland Rugby League's senior championship. As, a result of Ponsonby's defeat Richmond now leads by four points from Ponsonby and these teams arc drawn to meet next Saturday. Ponsonby ' will have to show greatly improved form to have a chance of success against championship loaders. Dcvonport at present is showing form more in keeping with that of last season and, with Newton, appears to bo the only team which has prospects of heating Richmond. A feature of Saturday's game was the fine exhibition given by A. JO. Cooke, the. Richmond fullback. His uncanny anticipation and speed enabled him to score two tries, an uncommon feat for a fullback these days. Although of great value to the team in his present position, Cooke would he ft greater asset as five-eighths. The Auckland selectors will no doubt appreciate this when selecting the representative team. Powell, the Richmond halfback, continues to play a good all-round game and again his clever play round the scrum resulted in a try last Saturday. Besides improving on attack Powell does a lot of defensive work, which repeatedly. gets his side out of trouble. On his present form there should be no doubt about his inclusion as representative half. Duty of Referees Obstruction was very noticeable in at least two of the matches on Saturday and although some of it was detected a good deal escaped the notice of the referees. Such tactics as holding players' jerseys and deliberately touching the foot of a forward with the ball nt too cannot be too severely dealt with. Another bad feature was the shielding of a player fielding the ball. One of his own side would run tho same way in front of the attackers, thus committing deliberate obstruction. Jn future some referees would do well to watch for these breaches and also for .some players who have adopted the habit of late tackling. Playing Offside The young Ponsonby team could not adapt itself to the greasy conditions last Saturday against Devonport and was clearly overshadowed. The Devonport pack played its best game this season and by keeping together well and smothering quickly completely nonplussed the Ponsonby inside backs, who failed to sum up the position.. These backs persisted in kicking practically throughout and tho kicking was by no means well directed. The uso of the. grubber kick under the prevailing conditions seems to be a forgotten art at the present time. In spite of fielding an erratic rearguard Marist made a good showing against Richmond, due chieflv to the good play of its forwards. The Marist backs need a good deal of tuition in passing correctly in order to obtain a semblance of combination. Match With Taranaki With the representative fixture against Taranaki close at hand the selectors will soon be choosing the Auckland players. There is plenty of good material to choose from and some good forwards will be omitted. A team such as the following should acquit itself well: — Fullback. —Campbell (Marist). ' Threcquartevs.—Stephens (Newton), Kay (Ponsonby), Mincham (Richmond) . Five-eighths.—Prentice (Richmond), Cooke (Richmond). Halfback. —Powell (Richmond). Forwards.—Hutt (Ponsonby), Quirke (Newton), Clarke (City), Satherley (Richmond), Laird (Marist), Hall (Newton). Kay is such a promising young centre that he should be given an opportunity in higher football with more experienced players. Mincham, on his present form, would fill tho wing position well and there is no doubt about the capabilities of Stephens. The back lino as chosen would have every opportunity behind a very solid set of forwards. The new drop out rule after a force, down was brought into operation last Saturday. Some good tactics can be worked provided a reliable drop-kick starts the game again.Good progress is being made in the Lower Waikato district where the code was commenced a few weeks ago. Four clubs have been formed, and a combined team will play a match at Carlaw Park on June 30. Citj r missed the services of McLaughlin last Saturday. He will not be able to play for some weeks. The City player is suffering from a bad leg injury which turned septic. The Newton forwards were strengthened last Saturday by tho inclusion of Nathan, who was outstanding last season. Nathan played a good game against City and should take a prominent part in future club games. GAME ON THE LAWN AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS GRIMMETT VERSUS BRADMAN One of the early engagements of the i Australian cricketers in England was a golf match at Bickley in West Kent. This was noc the first time the Australians had played golf on tho West Kent course, nor enjoyed the hospitality of tho captain of the club, Mr. F. J. McGloin, at Barfield, which adjoins tho course. On their last visit an impromptu game of cricket was played on the lawn. Clarric Grimmett was attracted by a game which young members of the family wore playing. The bat had cost sixpence, the wickets were about two feet high, and the ball was of tho variety used on tho links. Grimmett was itching to bowl. Soon he was at the bowler's cud. Archie Jackson established himself as wicketkeeper, and one by one tho test players of 1930 joined in. If Grimmett cannot resist a ball, a bat is a magnet to Don Bradman, and he challenged the "googl.y" merchant to a duel —sixpenny bat versus golf ball —Grimmett accepted the challenge —and the golf ball won. It was fascinating to watch theso great players in opposition in such circumstances. Grimmett used every wile to get the ball past Bradman's defence. Tho other test players were by now in tho "field," fielding as if tho Ashes depended on their efforts. Bradman was in defiant mood. He flattered neither bowler nor fielders until a wily one from the South Australian beat the bat and put down the-middle stump. Test cricket is a serious business, but it is well to realise that the Aussies can bo boys—just boys. ft . J