THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22441, 10 June 1936, Page 21

THE LEAGUE CODE

ENGLISH SIDE'S TOUR INTEREST IN AUCKLAND REPRESENTATIVE TEAMS CHOSEN Interest in tlie forthcoming matches against the English Rugby League team has been heightened by the selection of two Auckland representative teams to play against the Maoris and Wellington respectively. Many of the . players will no doubt eventually win a place in the Auckland team to play England at Carlaw Park on Saturday, July 25. The selector, Mr. H. Avery, has had a very difficult task, but he appears to have chosen a good type of player, although in some cases the for-, wards selected could havo been more solid. Only six are required but the pack will need to be rugged as the English vanguard is composed of some of the biggest forwards in the League code. The selector appears to be experimenting with the three front row forwards. The hooking of the ball is very essential and England is certain to fight hard in the front row to gain mastery. It is doubtful at present whether Auckland will be strong enough in this department to stand up to the visitors. There are many excellent looso forwards to choose from but it seems unlikely that they will be rugged enough in the set scrums. The omission of R. Hollows, Devonport, and S. Clark, City, comes as a surprise. Hollows has shown good form,' while Clark has been well tried previously and few forwards in the code appear better suited to the front-row position. Clark plays his best football in big matches. Flanagan, Mount Albert, has earned his place as hooker, and is also a good forward in the loose. Hutt has been chosen in the front row, but he now appears past his best, although ho is capable of a great game on his day. The inclusion of Anderson, Marist, and Morgan, Ponsonby, was a foregone conclusion, although the former could use his weight to better advantage in the tight play. It is pleasing to note that A. Gault, Manukau, has been given an opportunity in one of the matches. He is the most-improved forward in Auckland, being fast and a good handler, and his work in the rucks is of a high standard. The backs chosen represent the best class, and the difficulty will be to place them in their correct positions. No attempt should be made to play B. I Hi ley at first five-eighths. He is far more effective with more room in which to' work and undoubtedly stands out as the best attacking second fiveeighths in Auckland. Trevathan, on his form last Saturday, was an ideal type of first five-eighths. His defence was very sound and he was clever on attack. A. Kay, usually a centre, has been chosen as second five-eighths. Kay, like Riley, plays his best football further out, and should prove to better advantage as a centre against the Englishmen. Powell, Richmond, and Halloran, Ponsonby, are the best halfbacks. The former, however, has proved very sturdy on defence, and this may be the deciding factor in his favour when the final Auckland team is chosen. The selector no doubt has in mind some of the outstanding Maori players and it will occasion no surprise to see at least three of them in the Auckland team —Heini, Brown and Pickering.

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP LEADING TEAMS TO MEET Tho senior championship of the Auckland Rugby League still remains most interesting after six series of matches have been decided in the first round. By playing a drawn game with Richmond, Dcvonport maintains its lead by one point from Ponsonby. The meeting of the leading teams next Saturday is sure to create considerable interest, and under dry ground conditions the game should be fought at a fast pace. It was disappointing to see several instances of weak tackling in the match between Richmond and Devonport. Players going high were brushed aside and easily evaded by the man in possession. E. Scott, Dcvonport, gave an outstanding exhibition of tackling, and his example could have well been followed by some players of both teams. Two players who are now in their best form are E. Mincham and W. Tittleton, of the Richmond thirteen. Both made some nice openings against Dcvonport. Richmond made a vital mistake on Saturday when Mincham cut through and, frith tho defence beaten, tho scissors pass was unaccountably introduced. This method of attack, although spectacular, was quite unnecessary under the circumstances and a certain try was thrown away. The time lost through players cutting across instead of going straight for the line enabled the defence to save the situation.

BACKS IN FORM PONSONBY'S GOOD DISPLAY Tho Ponsonby backs gave one of their best displays to beat Newton in a fast, open game. Ponsonby excelled in positional play and often caught tho Newton backs out of place. In the first half the Newton forwards played with plenty of dash, and it appeared for a time that tho Ponsonby backs would be bustled into making; mistakes. However, the centre-three-quarters, Kay and Riley, well served from tho scrum, played a little deeper than usual and these tactics gave the wings plenty of chances. Payne, who scored three tries on the wing, handled the ball many times in the second half as the result of Kay's speed after Riley had drawn tho defence. Clean handling and unselfish play were features of Ponsonby's success. Halloran gave a fine .display behind tho scrum and worked tho open side cleverly when possible.