THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21873, 8 August 1934, Page 17

THE LEAGUE CODE

MATCH AGAINST NORTHLAND YOUNG PLAYERS INCLUDED RICHMOND CLUB CHAMPIONS The second representative match of the season will be played at Carlaw Park next Saturday when the Auckland team will meet Northland. On this occasion the Aucklanders will not be up to full strength as no Richmond players are available. Richmond, which is now assured of championship honours, will be on tour. Nevertheless Auckland will be represented by a good side and should be difficult to defeat. The Richmond team left yesterday and will play a combined club team at Taranaki tomorrow and a fixture in Hawkc's Bay on Saturday. The selectors, owing to tho absence of Richmond players, have taken the opportunity of giving promising young talent a chance. Dempsey has played some fine club games at fullback and he deserves his inclusion for at least one representative match. It is pleasing to see Kay, the young Ponsonby centre, at last included. He is one of tile most promising players in the code and should make a name for himself in higher football. Hardgrave, Newton, who recently returned from England has played in only two club games and is fortunate to be chosen in preference to others who have played throughout the season. Another surprise inclusion is that of Axeman, at halfback* Halloran, the young Ponsonby half, has shown better all-round form during the season and can be accounted unlucky to miss selection.

The forwards are a strong set and Quirke should meet with success in the front row. He has been one of Newton's best forwards during the season. Strong in Forwards Northland always makes a good showing in these contests and as Auckland is below full strength a close result is anticipated. The \isiting forwards are said to be strong, while there are some good individual plaj-ers in the rearguard which also combines effectively. By defeating Ponsonby last Saturday Richmond is assured of championship honours for the season. Jt now has a clear lead of six points from Newton and as there are still many matches ahead, representative and Roope Rooster knock-out, the competition will probably be closed. Richmond was no doubt the best and most consistent side and only toward the end it seemed to go a dittle stale while other teams showed improvement. Richmond always played a solid but attractive game and the fine defensive as well as attacking qualities of the majority of its players stood it in good stead. Although the Richmond forwards were in the first place responsible for the team's good showings a great deal of credit for success must go to A. E. Cooke, who played some brilliant games at fullback and when occasionally brought up to the five-eighths line was always dangerous through his clover and "heady play. His uncanny and accurate kicking repeatedly saved his team throughout the competition.

A Good Record

Richmond's record shows it the best team. It suffered two successive defeats in recent matches, first by Devonport and then by Newton, but otherwise nad an unblemished record. It won 11 matches of the 13 played and scored the most points. 257, while having the least number, 110, registered against it. If the championship is closed Newton will be the runner-up. It won eight matches and lost five and scored 157 points against 110. While playing good football generally Newton fell away on occasions and suffered defeat as a result. The other teams were more or less evenly balanced and all showed to advantage in some matches. Followers of the code will be pleased at th<> decision of the New Zealand Council to play the North-South Island fixture this year. Owing to financial difficulty the match was allowed to lapse last season and there is general satisfaction in the southern centres that the contest will again take place. The South team always fields good forwards and it will be interesting to note how the back standard has fared during the past two seasons. Heavy rain fell at Otahuhu last Saturday, "and the game between Marist and City was disappointing as an exhibition match. Marist was favoured with a strong breeze blowing and City defended throughout the first half. A reorganisation of the City rear division failed to make any impression. Wyberg. who was playing good football at five-eighths, was moved to fullback and Wateno went to centre. Wyberg gave his best display this season and was the best hack on the ground, more so at five-eighths. Newton did not field a strong team against Devonport, being without the services of Hall, Brimble, Demps<vv and Schlesinger. Nevertheless, Devonport's win was full of merit, and it would have taken a good team to bent it under the conditions. The Devonport forwards play good football on heavy grounds. Murray, who played his first senior gamo for Devonport. was a success at five-eighths and justified his inclusion. It is stated that Murray will in future replace O'Donnell, who for business reasons has decided to retire. O'Donnell has been a sound five-eighths for the club during the past few seasons.