THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22465, 8 July 1936, Page 20

THE LEAGUE CODE

INTER-ISLAND MATCH FIXTURE FOR NEXT SATURDAY GREAT INTEREST IN GAME Considerable interest is being centred in the inter-Island Rugby League match which will be played at Carl aw Park on Saturday in view of tho coming tour of tho English team. Tho form of the players likely to gain New Zealand honours will bo keenly followed and it is certain there will bo great competition for tho final selection. Tho match on Saturday will be the eleventh to be played between the two islands. North has easily taken the honours in the results, having won eight to South's one, while one match has been drawn. Last season North narrowly won by a single point after a splendid contest, and the match on Saturday is expected to be equally as thrilling. Mr. H. Avery, selector of tho North Island side, is evidently experimenting with a few players in view of tho Englishmen's tour. His selection of Dempsey at fullback in preference to Kerr has caused a surprise. On his day Dempsey plays well in the position, but Kerr's magnificent defence and allround play this season have made him an outstanding figure in the Devonport team. The choice of the two wings, Bright and Brown, was practically a foregone conclusion, and both are very dangerous scoring men. Haslam, former Rugby representative, has fully justified his inclusion at centre, and he will give thrust to the attack as well as strength to the defence. Staples. Napier, is said to be a very promising five-eighths, and much interest wijl centre in his play. W. Tittleton is one of the best all-round backs in the code and his place in the New Zealand side seems assured. It would appear that Coman, tho Wellington halfback, is being given a further chance to show his prowess. Although a fine attacking player he is faced with a difficult task to beat Powell for his place in the New Zealand team. The forward line appears to be fairly strong, but it will be necessary for some of the players to give their full weight in the tight if the vanguard hopes to hold the southern pack. Coutts, Wellington, played a splendid game here in the recent match against Auckland. Fast, a good handler and a harder worker, he then appealed as an ideal type for the New Zealand team. All the other forwards have played promineutlv in club football in Auckland this season. As far as the back line is concerned the South Island is an unknown quantity, and it remains for the match to decide whether it contains talent worthy of higher honours. Davison is considered a most promising player with speed well above the average. J". McCarthy is the only back who took part in last year's match. Many of the South Island forwards are well known to Aucklanders and their thrilling rushes in last year's match will not readily be forgotten. Calder, Ward, McNeight, Glynn and J. Beban have previously represented tho South Island. The South pack must be a very strong one when Serra, a former Canterbury Rugby representative, failed to gain inclusion. The teams selected for the match are as follows: — NORTH ISLAND Fullback. —C. Dempsey (Auckland). Threequarters. —R- Bright (Auckland), R. Haslam (Auckland), L. Brown (Auckland). Five-eighths.—W. Tittleton (Auckland), E. Staples (Napier). Halfback.—J. Coman (Wellington). Forwards. —F. Pickrang (Auckland), J. Satherley (Auckland), J. Coutts (Wellington), E. Morgan (Auckland) t J. Anderson (Auckland), H. Tetlev (Auckland). Reserves. —A. Kay (Auckland), and J. Petersen (Auckland). SOUTH ISLAND Fullback. —W Ritchie (West Coast). Threequarters.—C. Davison (Canterbury), N. Kiely (Ileefton), E. Hendry (Canterbury). Five-eighths.—J. Garrett (Canterbury), W. Vincent (Reefton). Halfback.—J. McCarthy (Canterbury). Forwards. —J. Calder (West Coast), R, Ward (Canterbury), W. McNeight (West Coast), W. Glynn (West Coast), M. Smith (Canterbury), J. Beban (West Coast). Reserves. —T. O'Connor (West Coast) and P. Serra (Canterbury). Mr. P. Rogers will be referee. AUCKLAND CHAMPIONSHIP •TEAMS OF EQUAL STRENGTH it is many years since the senior championship of the Auckland Rugby League has been so interesting. With 10 matches decided there is only three points between the first six teams. Tho ultimate winner is still difficult to choose, but Richmond and Mount Albert appear to have the best chances at present. Mount Albert is one point ahead of Richmond and then Devonport, Marist and Manukau follow equal one point behind Richmond. Ponsonby is three point in arrears of the leaders. City is a team which appears certain to upset. calculations in future matches. SUCCESS OF CITY SECOND ROUND IMPROVEMENT The continued success of City is ono of the features of the second round of tho championship and good all-round form was again shown against Newton on Saturday. City, it is interesting to note, has beaten Riehmond, Mount Albert and' Ponsonby. Tho backs continue to play fast, open football, and in the first half against Newton it was a treat to watch some of the passiug bouts. Rata at eentre-thrcequartej-, has been the pivot of attack. His quick changing of direction gives the speedy wings. Brown and McLoughlin, plenty of opportunities. Uncertain defence, however, is the most noticeable weakness with some of the backs. - The City forwards have played a prominent part in the moro recent successes of the side and the vanguard has vastly improved in all-round football. The forwards are perhaps the heaviest in the competition. Following aro the weights. of the players:—S. Clark, 14st. 41b.; W. Johnson, 13st 51b.; F. McCarthy. 13st. 121b.; J. Herring, 12st. 101b.; T. Raymond, 13st. 101b.; G. Spiro, 12st. 101b.