THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22241, 16 October 1935, Page 20

THE LEAGUE CODE

SUCCESSFUL SEASON J RICHMOND CHAMPION TEAM ROOPE ROOSTER TO NEWTON Tho Rugby League season in Auckland, which has just closed, must rank as one of the most successful in the history of the code. A very keen senior championship was fought out and there was little between any of the teams on the general run oi the play throughout the season. Jn some matches a few of the teams went down fairly easily, but were capable of showing good form against the leading sides. Richmond again won the senior championship and its success was well deserved, although it had a much harder task than that in the previous season. A great deal of i?hc credit for Richmond's success can he attributed to A. E. Cooke, who played in the fullback position for most of the season. This fine player has announced his retirement and his place will be hard to fill. When lie had to stand down owing to an injury Richmond did not look the same side. Some of the Richmond forwards are now bordering on the veteran stage and younger players will be neces sary if Richmond is to maintain its line record during the past three seasons. The champions had to bow to Newton in the Roope Rooster competition, but made amends on the following Saturday hv easily accounting for the same team in the champion of champions contest. At the time these finals were played both teams had players away on the southern tour, but Richmond was the greater sufferer in this respect. In the championship scries Richmond suffered two defeats, Marist and Mount Albert being the successful teams. NEW TEAM PROMINENT SOME PROMISING PLAYERS •••In its first season in the senior championship Mount Albert, strengthened by several former Marist players, put up a splendid performance and finished as runner-up. This young club should play a prominent part in the League code in the future and the fact that it finished only two points in arrears or Richmond shows tho promising material it has to call upon; Devonport, thircl on the list and nine points behind the champions, did not play with the same team work as that in former years. The backs failed +o settle down as a dangerous attacking combination, while the forwards were not so strong as an all-round set. THE OTHER CLUBS PONSONBY'S YOUNG TALENT Newton was a team capable of extending any side in the competition and on occasions it played really fine football. With a little more luck in some of its matches Newton would have finished much higher in the championship. It has many promising young players and should do well in the future. Marist was too erratic in its form to win a high place and the only occasion 011 which it appeared to have any prospects was when it lowered Richmond's colours. Ponsonbv, although outweighted in the forwards, is probably the most promising combination in the competition. The side has a young back line of great promise and two of its members, Kay and Riley, gained tost status against the Australians and did well. As in previous seasons City showed out prominently in some matches, but played just as badly in others. L. Brown played outstanding football throughout, but badly lacked the necessary support. REPRESENTATIVE GAMES AUCKLAND'S SUCCESSES Auckland again enjoyed a most successful representative season and proved easily superior to any province it met. At Carlaw Park it had wins over South Auckland and Taranaki. The representative team toured the South Island for the first time for several seasons and was successful against West Coast and Canterbury. On its way south Auckland also beat a Wellington team. The code has been revived in Wellington and several Rugby players have already changed over. The inter-Island match at Carlaw Park again proved highly successful and after a great game in which the South forwards were particularly prominent, North won by the narrow margin of one point. AUSTRALIANS' TOUR LESSONS FOR PLAYERS A fitting climax to the season was the visit of an all-Australian team, which proved too good for New Zealand, in spite of losing the first test match. Tho tour will undoubtedly be of great benefit to the code, as New Zealand players have still much to lc-tirn regarding the finer points of the game. Tho Australians clearly proved the benefit to be derived from team play, hacking up, positional play and tho art of retaining possession. It was also shown that New Zealand has something to learn in hooking, but generally tho all-round scrummaging proved disappointing. It is very evident that changes are necessary before tho scrums can prove satisfactory.