THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22513, 2 September 1936, Page 18

THE LEAGUE CODE

SUCCESS OF MANUKAU POPULAR VICTORY GAINED ASSISTANCE OF MAORI PLAYERS The success of Manukau in the Auckland Rugby League's senior championship was very popular. The competition throughout provided the closest and most interesting games seen for many years. It is interesting to recall that JManukau came into the senior competition only after a series of lengthy discussions between the Board of Control and Mr. A. Cowan, whose tragic death at Carlaw Park after organising the team was regretted by all enthusiasts. It took the late Mr. Cowan many weeks to impress the Auckland Rugby League with the possibilities of the codo in the Onehunga district. Players from all over the Dominion were assembled and soon after the first round commenced Manukau had a good team. Eventually three New Zealand Maori All Blacks, besides six Rugby Union players, formed a fine combination. In the early games in the first round Manukau played a type of game rarely seen at Carlaw Park. It was orthodox Rugby football, but these methods were successful. Later the team won many matches with fast, open football. Keen play and attention to training have greatly assisted Manukau in its success.

NEW PLAYERS OUTSTANDING FORWARDS The Manuknu Club has introduced to followers of the League code players like J. Henii, Kawe, and Broderick, all members of the last New Zealand Maori team to tour Australia. In Pickrang and Gault, Manukau has two of the best forwards seen in Auckland for some vears, and players likely to gain high honours next season. Pickrang has already made a good impression and was the outstanding forward for New Zealand in the matches against England. To S. Watene. who also captained the New Zealand team, Manukau owes a lot of its success. Richmond, which was runner-up, experienced bad luck on wet days, and was perhaps the most attractive team playing the code this season. Two drawn games cost Richmond the championship. Splendid back play has been a feature of the competition, and the good standard of last season was maintained by Richmond. It was a little unfortunate that Richmond did not have the opportunity of playing off with Manukau. Perhaps this niav come about in the Roope Rooster competition, which will be oommenced next Saturday, and is sure to attract a lot of interest. In the 14 matches decided Devonport played four drawn games and was three points behind Manukau and two behind Richmond in the championship. Devonport played consistently well, especially on wet days, when it was a formidable side. Although the backs did not compare favourably with some of the other teams Devonport never failed to field a good forward line.

INJURIES TO PLAYERS MOUNT ALBERT UNLUCKY Mount Albert, which started off well, played good football and was beaten only twice by narrow margins. No team in the competition suffered moro on the score of injuries, and at one stage Herring, Schultz, Flanagan and Halliwell were out of action. The Mount Albert forwards proved a formidable set and always took a lot of beating. It was only in general allround back play that Mount Albert failed to take higher honours. Ponsonby played with excellent combination early in the competition and gave better displays than any team in the championship. Its form, however, was not consistent, especially when opposed by teams not considered too strong. Ponsonby has several young players likely to be at the top of their form next season.

Both Marist and City gained reputations for erratic football. City caused several surprises when Mount Albert, Devonport and Richmond were numbered among well-deserved victories. On these occasions the City backs played attractive football. Marist played a similar typo of football, although its forwards did more effective work. Newton was a disappointing team, although individually it compared favourably with the others. With sound leadership and more attention to training better results would have been achieved.