THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22708, 21 April 1937, Page 21

THE LEAGUE CODE

SEASON OPENS ON MAY 1 BRIGHT PRELIMINARY GAMES STRENGTH OF VARIOUS CLUBS Judging by the standard witnessed at Carlaw Park* last Saturday, the Auckland Rugby League seems assured of a very successful season. The championship will be commenced on May 1. Clubs are building up their ranks after the successful preliminary games and a keen competition, with well-balanced teams, is promised. It was not expected that serious football would be indulged in wl]en the Auckland Rugby League arranged these matches, but last Saturday clubs turned out in full muster and there is a wealth of new players available. The game between Manukau, last year's champion team, and Richmond, runners-up, was followed with more than usual interest. Manukau turned out in a complete new uniform of blue and white instead of the black and white as worn last season. The champions looked a much bigger team all round than Richmond, which was really dwarfed in comparison. With the exception of three new players, Manukau fielded the same team as that last year. Its forwards included Brodcriek. Kawe, Whye, Gault, and new players in Phillips and Meredith, a hooker. The Manukau vanguard this season looks a formidable set, and with the -experience gained last year Brodcriek, Kawe and Gault should develop into outstanding League forwards. Wateno will again lend the team and his form at fullback last Saturday was excellent. Watene, however, may play in the forwards when the competition starts.

It was pleasing to see Hemi in brilliant form, and he appeared to show 110 signs of his leg injury which kept him out of the game for a time. Hemi is likely to play at fullback. Shalfoon, a newcomer to the team, showed a fine burst of speed on the wing. Hollis is a rugged type of five-eighths, and should get plenty of opportunities from Ma hi ma, who will be the halfback. Other backs include Broughton, an exWairarapa representative threequarter. It is not expected that T. Trevathan, the former Dunedin player, will be playing this season in Auckland.

RICHMOND STRONG SEVERAL NEW PLAYERS Richmond will field a very strong thirteen, particularly in the forwards, which will easily be the best to represent the club. New players with fine representative records, and forwards who have narrowly missed All Black Rugby honours, include G. Mitchell, aged 23. who weighs list. I.olb. He played Rugby Union for the Feilding High School,' and in 1932 represented Manawheriua and later Manawatu. Mitchell is of splendid physique and very fast. Richmond is fortunate in securing the services of J. McLeod, who has represented Taranaki at Rugby Union. He is very fast and sure to be an attractive player. J. Satherley will lie the hooker, and the backs can depend upon a good share of the ball. Telford, Tetley and Broadhead are also available, whilo Metcalfe showed good form last Saturday and may remain in the senior team. Davis is another promising forward.

The announcement that A. E. Cooke would bo found at fullback is welcomed by all followers of the game. His reappearance will be interesting and very beneficial to Richmond. The threequartors will be G. Tittleton, E. Minuham and Wilkie. The former is an

excellent goal-kicker and showed good form last Saturday. Wilkie was not available for the first match, but when fit promises this season to develop into a splendid scoring wing-threequarter. N. Bickerton, five-eighths, and R. Powell, halfback, are again available.

MARIST AND MOUNT ALBERT IMPRESSIVE FORM The form of Marist against City was very impressive and it is expected that a strong team will be fielded when the competition starts seriously. The forwards are likely to be very strong, although players of experience are missing from the backs. Much is expected of Donovan, a promoted junior, who showed fine form in the lower grades. He is clever on attack, and has a good knowledge of five-eighths play. Crocker, the halfback, also showed good form against City and has a nice style. Glover will again be the fullback, and with experience is capable of holding his own with the best in Auckland. There are few better defensive players than Glover. Haslam played on the wing last Saturday, but may be found at centre beside Fitzgerald, Murdock and Bakalich.

The Marist forwards will lack nothing on the score of condition. Of last year's team, Anderson, Breed, Finlayson and McGreal are available. Two forwards, Bogle and Donaldson, from H.M.S. Philomel, gave promise against City and will be included among the pack. After reviewing last Saturday's trials, Mount Albert gave the impression of being the fittest team, and it is evident the players have been in training for some weeks. Like Manukau, Mount Albert will be very strong in the forwards, and on heavy grounds the set is likely to take a lot of beating. It is stated that Peterson, the ex-Hawke's Bay forward, has been transferred to Ponsonby, and his place filled by E. Satherlev, of Richmond. Satherley should add strength to an already solid pack, besides being a reliable goal kick. Hanson, a reserve grade forward, did well in the third row of the scrum and is a promising player. Herring, Shad bolt, Bickerton and Allen will be available.

Mount Albert backs are solid more than brilliant, but good combination is possible. It will occasion no surprise to see Watkins, halfback, and Halsey, wing threequarter, do well this season. Hassan, fullback, and the three Schultz brothers should give the three-quarters numerous opportunities from a scrum capable of getting the ball.

THE OTHER CLUBS CITY LOSES L. BROWN City has good prospects, particularly if the forwards can be strengthened. The loss of L. Brown, who is now in France, will be a severe one, but the rear division should reap the benefit of his tactics last season, An addition to the team is J. Hapi. a clever attacking threequarter, with a dangerous sidestep and a powerful runner. The promotion of Hutchinson from the third grade will considerably improve the play round the scrum, as he is a halfback of more than average ability. Lynch, five-eighths, is a new player and good on attack. He comes from Matamata. The threequarters include McLaughlin, Tawhai and Rata. Wiberg may be the fullback and many will remember his excellent form in this position last season. The forwards include Spiro, Johnson, McCarthy and Moody, a recruit from Rugby. The form of Raymond. an ex-Poverty Bay forward, will bo followed with interest, as he is fast and a splendid handler. The club has secured the services of J. Webner, Addington Club, Christchurch, who represented the South Island in 1935. Devonport has changed its name to North Shore, and a young team is likely to wear the black jerseys. In the trial game against Newton, Vanich and Sterling, five-eighths, played splendid football. The former is a young player of promise. J. Smith is another promoted player, likely to bo given __ a chance. Hp. lias speed and is clever on attack. The wings will be L. and V. Scott, and the halfback Cowan. The forwards will be light but lack nothing in experience. Simpson, Hunt, Hollows, 10. Scott., Rogers and Barnett are included in the vanguard. Newton has not had a really good muster at its training games, and the club may not be as strong as in past years. However, the team is likely to be strengthened prior to the start of the season. Of last year's team, Dempsey, Sissons, Young and Brimble arc available. The forwards are light but very keen, and include Ellis, Cairns, Proctor, Surtees, Beatty and Cinders. Several younger players are likely to be given a chance. Ponsonby will again field a young team which is likely to cause a surprise. The greatest loss is B. Riley, the representative five-eighths, who may play Rugby. Among those available are full-back, and Black, half-back, who has shown good form in the lower grades. Stocklev, Kay, Halloran and .Tones are playing again. New forwards include D. Koane, Blackmail and Fade.