THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22187, 14 August 1935, Page 19

THE LEAGUE CODE

CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL RICHMOND'S CONSISTENCY FINE FORM OF A. E. COOKE £ A high standard of football has been shown in the senior championship of tho Auckland Rugby League, and tho success of "Richmond, which defeated Mount Albert in the play-off is a fitting reward for consistent play. Richmond showed early in the season that it would tako a good team to lower its colours. Tho match on Saturday was followed with more than usual interest, as it is many years since a play-off was necessary, and tho strength of the two finalists so equal. It was disappointing to the laige crowd that the standard of play did not reach that seen in earlier matches, but tho players were keen, and this no doubt accounted for many of tho mistakes. Much of tho team work fell on the Mount Albert insido backs, and Richmond was equally sure that the play would be checked there. The fast forwards successfully bottled up any attempt Morrissey or Dunn made to pass the ball along the line. The game then developed into a test of two different styles of play. Mount Albert was content to let its forwards control the game, while in the second half tho Richmond backs did aU that was possible to open up the play. After Richmond had gained a nine points lead, Mount Albert did well to reduce the margin by two points at half-time Rarely have so many penalties been awarded for scrum breaches. Richmond has now won the senior grade championship two years in succession, while Mount Albert*was only admitted to the senior competition this season. Outstanding Display

Many of the games won by Richmond can bo' attributed to tho splendid football of A. E. Cooke, who on Saturday gave a display rarely seen at Carlaw Park. Mount Albert must be accounted unlucky to have to contend with such brilliant form. Cooke was an inspiration in the second half, and made soine beautiful openings for his backs, being careful to keep tho ball away from the Mount Albert forwards. His accurate li.ue-kicking was a feature of the game. After his promising form at fiveeighths, it was surprising to see N. Bickerton played at centre and on tho wing for Richmond. Bickerton should develop into a good attacking back if played as second five-eighths to Prentice, whose experience would be useful to tho colt \ The New Zealand selectors present paid a lot of attention to the play of the rival halfbacks, Powell and Hassan Although Powell has been chosen as the North Island halfback, Hassan is in one of the trial teams to play a curtain-raiser to the inter-island fixture next Saturday. On the run of the play last Saturday, Powell got more opportunities than Hassan, who was handicapped by the failure of his inside backs. The South Island halfback, McCarthy, will need to show good form to win a place in the New Zealand team. Fourteen of the 30 aggregate points scored in the final came from penalty goals. Both Sathorley and Morrissey kicked several beautiful goals. but failed from easier positions. Each adopts tho same style of kicking, with the ball straight up and down. Inter-Island Matcb The annual inter-island fixture to be played at Carlaw Park next Saturday is creating more than usual interest, owing to the selection after the game ol a New Zealand team to pla.v the Australians early in September. " The South [sland team includes several prominent former Hugby players. The South Island forwards in past years have impressed by their rugged play in sciums, and tireless work in the loose. The Southern backs, however, are reported to be vastly improved on any previous teams, and in tho recent match between Canterbury and West Coast spectacular football by the rear divisions was a feature of the game. The North Island team is not as strong as was generally expected, and there is indication that attention lias been paid to provincial representation. Several outstanding Auckland forwards have been omitted, and the North pack does not look so formidable as the South vanguard. The inclusion of Timms (South Auckland) as back row forward in preference to Tetley or Lawless comes as a surprise. Tetley has had considerable experience as a five-eighths, and since playing with Richmond in the scrum he has given fine displays Lawless, too, has often filled that position ably. Large, a forward from Napier, lias to be taken on trust, but his form must have been good to secure a. place before Herring, Keane, Woods. Shadbolt, Simpson or Donald.

New Scrum Suggested A suggestion recently placed before the English Rugby League to eliminate a forward from the front row arid play a 2—3 formation has been taken up with a lot of interest by leading English clubs. Mr Lance Todd, the exNew Zealand player, prominent in both codes a decade back, is behind the suggestion and he is receiving good support from well-informed club directors. It is claimed that two forwards in the front row and three in the second must work smoothly and effectively, and be a definite check against the monotonous scrum broaches. An English paper states that the Rev. F. Chambers, the noted test match referee, supports the reorganised 6crum With to the correct ruling from a drop-out from halfway, Mr. J. G McCbwatt, of the Auckland Rugby League Referees' Association, writes as follows: "A drop-out must be taken from within the twenty-five yards lino after the ball has boon made dead by the attacking side or from within the halfway line after a try has beon scored. The opposite side may come right up to either line and the ball when kicked must reach either line, as the case may be—not 10 yards. Tho only case where a ball must reach 10 yards is from a place-kick at halfway after a-goal has been kicked."