THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21849, 11 July 1934, Page 18

THE LEAGUE CODE

RICHMOND'S FIRST DEFEAT LAING PLAYS FINE GAME INTER-ISLAND 4 FIXTURE The first defeat of Richmond in the Auckland Rugby League's senior championship lends added interest to the competition, and the matches to follow should attract increased patronage to Car law Park. Dovonport's victory, while it was well deserved, was a surprise to many. Even in the heavy ground conditions, Richmond's chance was all the more favoured. Superior tactics by Dcvonport had much to do with the result. The play was confined to the forwards, who have often displayed high-class football under any conditions. Richmond backs had a good deal of the ball, but there was a tendency to kick too much to Laing who was right on his game. Had Prentice, the Richmond captain, elected to exploit the short punt more and allow his forwards to regain possession, the result may have been different. However,, Dcvonport on tho day was the better team.

The meeting next Saturday of Richmond and Newton should be a close game. Newton, with the inclusion of Hardgrave and Brady, is a much stronger combination than formerly and is -likely to be the second team to register a win against Richmond.

Early in the season it was re nor ted that the Auckland League intended playing three rounds in the senior competition, and counting championship points to only tho four leading teams in the third round. This will mean that both .City and Marist have no incentive to beat the teams higher tip the championship ladder. Marist. has improved considerably of late, and deserves every consideration. It would be an interesting competition if Richmond's lead was reduced in the third round. Followers of the game are looking forward to much closer games during the next few weeks. Frequent Penalties

For apparent breaches in the scrum Richmond was penalised seven times in succession in the second half on Saturday, and some of its players seemed puzzled by the rulings. Twice Veri'all was caught not retiring, but on the other hand lie was given a lot of latitude in the first half. In fact, it has been noticeable of late that several halfbacks fail to retire. This is a decidedly unfair advantage, and should be more freely penalised by referees. Lifting by tho hooker before the ball was placed in the scrum was also noticed 011 Saturday. This offence cost Richmond a penalty goal. The brilliant game by Laing at fullback for Dcvonport went a long way in the defeat of Richmond. At 110 stage of the game was Laing unduly bustled and his defence withstood all the Richmond forwards' efforts* to break through. The Dcvonport fullback was more deliberate than usual and, as a result, kicked with better judgment. R. Hardgrave, who made his reappearance with Newton, after an absence of nearly five years in England, did not get many opportunities on attack. Brady, who played eeutrethreequarter, was inclined to be a little selfish. Twice he ran Hardgrave into good scoring positions, only to hold on. Hardgrave, however, revealed a lot of pace, and under better conditions will undoubtedly sharpen up the Newton attack.

City's victory 011 Saturday was popular, after such disappointing form. The backs played greatly improved football, chiefly owing to the clever work of Johnson, at five-eighths. Johnson mad? several nice openings, and this enabled the threequarters to penetrate. The rear division got much more of the ball than usual, and each try scored was made by speedy, straight running. POll- - did not play with its usual dash. The ground conditions were 110 doubt against a much lighter team. Auckland Nominations As the result of encouraging reports received from Southern leagues, it is now probable the annual North v. South Island match will be played at Auckland this season. The New Zealand Council realises the attraction the fixture has for players from Southern leagues, but tho question of raising finance to bring the players to Auckland is a difficult problem. Already one South Island league has expressed its willingness to assist financially in paying the cost of assembling the team. Another league cannot assist toward the cost, and holds the opinion that the match should bo played as an incentive to its best players. It is to be hoped, therefore, that the question of finance will be satisfactorily settled, as 011 a fine day the match should draw a good crowd to Carlaw Park. The Auckland Rugby League selectors have nominated the following players for the North Island team:—Backs: Campbell (Marist). Stephens (Newton), Wavno (City). Hardgrave (Newton), Miiicham, Cooke, Powell . (Richmond), Forwards: Stevens (Dcvonport), Clarke (City), Telford, Lawless, Satherley (Richmond), Hutt (Ponsonby). Nominations from other North Island leagues are expected to be announced at to-morrow night's meeting of the Now Zealand Council. Leading League Team Hornby, tho leading team in the Christchurch competition, owes , a good deal of its success to the consistent allround play of W. Palamountain, M. Standevin and J. McCarthy in tho backs, and W. Woodgate and W. Vivian in the forwards. Standevin is an all-weather fullback. Conditions seldom worry him, and lie kicks and handles with unfailing accuracy. Palamountain is a determined runner, very fast and solid, and is probably the best Lcaguo back in Canterbury, this season. Tho following League team has been selected to represent Canterbury in the match against Inangahua at Monica Park, Christchurch, on Sunday, July 15: —Backs: 11. Davis, W. Palamountain, B. Ayres, J. Raistrick, L. Young, J. Amos (captain), J. McCarthy. Forwards: R. Waghorn, R. Ward, E. Hamburger, M. Smith, E. Barbarel.