THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21861, 25 July 1934, Page 17

THE LEAGUE CODE

RICHMOND'S CLOSE CALL IMPRESSIVE THREEQUARTER MAORI SHIELD COMPETITION Considering the conditions last Saturday all the games at Carlaw Park were fast and interesting. Teams throw the ball about well and the handling throughout was generally clean and accurate. The surprise of the series was the close call Richmond had at the hands of Marist, the leading team prevailing by three points after being seven points down at one stage. Thus Richmond narrowly avoided three successive defeats.

The better team play of Newton carried it to victory in the chief match with City. Newton was without the services of Hardgrave, but the backs throw the ball about better and more accurately than they did the previous Saturday against Richmond. While Newton, City and Marist are improving the other teams seem to be showing signs of a little staleness. However, there are sure to bo some fine struggles before the end of the season. Another impressive game was played for Newton by Stephens, on the wing. He is. easily one of the most promising players seen in this position for a few years, and while showing great determination in going for the line he is also, developing a tricky and elusive swerve which makes him difficult to bring -down. Dempsey and Watene had a good tussle for the fullback honours. The former's more accurate kicking gave him the advantage. Watene does not drop _ the ball accurately for a punt but just throws it at random in the air. '. Promising Five-eighths City has a very promising five-eighths in Johnson, who should develop well. At present, however, he is inclined to do too much individually. Brimble, for Newton, is playing in his best form at present and he frequently made gaps •in the defence on Saturday by nippy and penetrating runs. He quickly seized his chance when he slipped over for a nice try. The positional play of the City backs was poor, but with an improvement in this direction the team will be a good match for other thirteens. Hall, the Newton forward, is still playing a clever and heady game. _He is always with the play and besides doing good work on attack he is one of the best defensive forwards in the code. The game between Ponsonby and Devonport would have done credit to fine-day football. In spite of the heavy ground and greasy ball, both teams did well in opening up the game. The second half was evenly contested, and Ponsonby had a slight advantage. With any luck at all, Devonport might easily have maintained its lead of two points. Stockley's spectacular try, a great feat of dribbling for a back, roused the crowd to excitement. The fiveeighths used good judgment in not attempting to pick up the ball, which he first kicked near half-way. The splendid all-round play of Halloran, behind the Ponsonby scrum, was a feature of the game. His passes were well directed, and he ran straight, giving' the inside backs room to work. Halloran was given a lot of support from Hutt, who protected the half from fast-breaking forwards. Brilliance of Cooke Although Richmond was not up to full strength, Marist can be credited with playing a good game, and, had it not been for the individual brilliance of A. E. Cooke, Marist may have won. The Marist forwards dominated play in the first half, and gave Richmond some anxious moments. On turning round, however, Cooke was moved up to five-eighths, and play soon swung in favour of Richmond. Cooke was all over the ground and showed uncanny anticipation in receiving the ball kicked by Campbell. His try was the gem of the "match. At five-eighths Cooke undoubtedly proved himself to be a match winner. , . , , T The three Richmond players, flicNeil, Mitchell and Satherley, who were injured in the game against Newton two weeks ago, are progressing favourably The two first-named are in hospital. It is still doubtful if Satherley will be well: enough to play next Satur- ' recently-formed Lower Waikato League will play the Taupiri Club at Tuakau this afternoon;' The game should be an interesting test of the standard of play in Tuakau, as Taupiri is the strongest team in the boutii Auckland • , Nominations for the North Island team will be received until to-morrow evening, when the New Zealand Councill will meet to finalise arrangements in connection with the playing of the fixture against the South Island. The question of expense in assembling the South Island team is still a matter to be decided. Followers of the code are looking forward to a fine match.