THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21921, 3 October 1934, Page 17

THE LEAGUE CODE

WESTERN SUBURBS' DEFEAT A BRILLIANT FIVE-EIGHTHS IMPROVEMENT OF POWELL The defeat of Western Suburbs, champion Rugby League club of Sydney, by Richmond, Auckland champions, the drawn game played by Newton against the visitors, and tlse close game given them by Marist, shows that the standard in Auckland is high and much better than was conceded in some quarters. After Western Suburbs had been seen in action twice it was expected Richmond would fully extend it and the success of the local champions was anticipated by many. It was a great pity that Western Suburbs lost Fairall, the hooker, just after the second spell commenced, and this took some of the glamour from Richmond's win. Nevertheless, it is still very open to doubt whether the visiting team would have gained the honours with a full quota of players in the second sjiell. It was fairly obvious that when the visitors were three men short for a few minutes in the second half the local players were not all out. There is no doubt that Western Suburbs is a fine combination, being especially dangerous if given the slightest, opportunity on attack. There is a good understanding between the players, who have speed and ability to sum up the position 'in a flash. All the bucks are clever, but on the exhibitions to date the palm must be handed to Hey, a brilliant and elusive five-eighths. His clever screwing, sidestepping and quick change of pace often takes him past several defenders and only by watching him very cilosely on Saturday did Richmond succeed. In spite of being so closely watched Fey played a fine game. Besides iscoring n splendid try he was directly responsible for the excellent movement from which Tailored scored after several players h.-,d handled. Unlike one or two of the other backs, Hey is also a sound defender. Fine Threequarter Ridley, the captain and big threequarter, is another fine pkyer with plenty of speed, a determined runner, safe handler and also good on defence. Tailored and Hines also impress, but the former is inclined to do too much alone after clever attacking work. Among the forwards McConnell has played fine football, being equally effective in both the open and tight play. Sponberg is a nice type of breakaway, and, like McConnell, handles well, is fast and can make openings which would do credit to u back. 11. Powell, the Richmond halfback, is the most improved player in the code in Auckland. He has shown great promise for the past two seasons and was always very solid on defence. He i,s now very clever on attack and scored a fine try against Western Suburbs on Saturday. On present form he bids fair to rival the best halfbacks of the past. E. McNeill came righ + in.o his own on the wing and scored two tries. He has. pace well above the average and gave his best exhibition for some time. E. Fletcher, a former Rugby player, is another fast-improving player. Besides being dangerous 011 attack his fine tackling was a feature of his plav on Saturday. Great improvement on attack was also shown by J. Satherley, while his defence was as sound as ever. The display of Lawless, who was in practically everything, made ''him stand out as one of the best forwards on the ground. To-day's Match Western Suburbs will play Ponsonby this afternoon at Carlaw Park and as the latter team has sieveiral young players they should benefit greatly by the experience gained. The return match with Richmond next Saturday should prove another fine attraction. All enthusiasts will regret to hear of the sudden illness of E. T. Minoham, the Richmond threequarter, who has been in good form throughout the seasen. His defection next Saturday will weaken the local champions.. The impressions gained by the visiting players will be a matter of interest to-morrow evening, when Mr. J. J. White, manager of Western Suburbs team, will submit a report to the New Zealand Rugby League. Each tour to Auckland of a Sydney club side finds a new supporter of the code, who will endeavour to convince ttie Australian Board of Control that ths time' is now opportune for an all-Australian team to visit New Zealand. As s.n alternative, an invitation should be sought for a New Zealand team to visit Australia. The New Zealand Rugby League cannot be expected to carry out organisation plans without financial aid, and it is only through international tours that monev is derived. ,11 Mr. White's opinion of the standard of plav in Auckland has not been made known but it is understood he was im-pressed-on Saturday .last. Like previous managers, Mr. White can be a good ambassador in the interest of the code in the Dominion. On his return to Australia the report will he closely examined by the authorities in Sydney. There is no doubt the .standard of plav in ~nd and elsewhere has improved considerably, and in the near future the form of the clubs here should com-1 nee the Australian Board of Control that New Zealand can field a team worthy to test Australia.