THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22139, 19 June 1935, Page 16

THE LEAGUE CODE

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP RICHMOND'S GOOD CHANCES SOME INCONSISTENT RULINGS Richmond has made a good start in the second round of the Auckland Rugby League's senior championship and with a two points lead from Mount Albert the champions are in a good position to repeat their success of last season. On the form shown -Richmond is entitled to hold the leading position. Some of the teams lower down have so far shown inconsistent form, notably Marist and Ponsonby. Mount Albert has suffered only one defeat, and is improving each match. Mount Albert will play Richmond next Saturday.

It was generally held that if Newton were to win its forwards would have to beat Richmond in all departments. Until the Newton forwards' condition gave out they had Richmond beaten. The latter, however, finished too strongly and showed good training. The Richmond inside backs had more penetration than seen previously, while the backs generally tackled more soundly. Tho outstanding game played by N. Bickerton, the Richmond five-eighths, was a feature of the match. When the game was going against Richmond, Bickerton showed rare initative and clever thrust. Twice, ho made fine runs and showed a lot of speed off the mark. Bickerton is the typo of five-eighths the code badly needs. The Advantage Rule Some inconsistent rulings were given by the referees in both matches at Carlaw Park. On two occasions in the curtain-raiser, players in front of the ball in passing bouts were ruled off side instead of the enforcement of a pass forward, when a srrum is ordered. Too much notice was taken of a breach when the advantage rule could have been applied. The Mount Albert backs got more opportunities on attack when Hassan was played behind the pack. Hassan has not been a success at five-eighths. His work behind the pack had mudh to do with the defeat of City. The suggestion made in these columns that Addington, the champion Canterbury senior team, should be matched against Richmond is being talked of in Christehurch. Mr. V. Simpson, chairman of the Wellington League, is keen on arranging the game as a exhibition at Wellington. It should prove a fine attraction.

As the result of consistent demands made by the Australian Board of Control, a recent report from England states _ that the much-discussed residential ban is likely to be again placed on future engagements of Australian and New Zealand players. The present agreement, which permits open trading of overseas players, expires in August next season. Prior to 1928 players had to reside three years in England before taking part in matches under the control of the English League. The matter is to be discussed when the English team tours Australia. A cancellation of the present signed agreement will provent players from going to England.

Innes Plays lor England G. D. Innes, the former Sydenham and Canterbury representative Rugby player, who won his All Black cap in 1932, has been in England for the past two yeai'3 under engagement to the Wigan League Club. His form has been so good this season that ho won a place in the English representative League team which played France. The match took place at Leeds on King's Jubilee Day, May 6, and England won by 26 points to 18. Subsequently Innes, who is a five-eighths, took part in an exhibition League match in Dublin. The newly appointed treasurer of Wellington Rugby League football is Mr. G. Elliott, one time well-known as a player of the code in Auckland. As a member of the old Fire Brigade Club he was associated with K. Ifwersen, and C. Woolley, the trio forming a very bright spot in Auckland representative League. As a matter of fact Ifwersen first saw possibilities in Elliott when he was playing fourth grade football, and it was through the agency of the former that he was promoted to senior status and made good. Later he won Rugby Union representative honours for Thames, and then in 1927 engaged in one of the trials preliminary to the selection of the New Zealand League team which toured England.