THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22774, 7 July 1937, Page 20

THE LEAGUE CODE

INTER-ISLAND MATCH CANCELLATION OF FIXTURE AUSTRALIAN TEAM'S VISIT Keen disappointment will bo felt at the decision of the New Zealand Hugby League to cancel the North-South Island match this year. A suitable date for the fixture could not be arranged with the Auckland Rugby League. Jn view of the visit of the Australian team next month every effort should be made to play the inter-island match. The Australians are sure to give a great impetus to the code and players iu the South Island should have the best possible opportunity to make good. Inter-island matches in the past have shown that the southern players are improving and it is only by higher experience that young, promising talent can have reasonable chances for selection in the New Zealand team. The decision to cancel this year's fixture is therefore likely to meet with disapproval bv southern Leagues as test matches will be played at Carlaw Park against the Australians on August 7 and August M. MANTJKAIT BACKS GOOD FORM DISPLAYED Manukau gave one of the best exhibitions of league football seen at Carlaw Park this, season when the team easily defeated North Shore. The decisive manner in which the .Manukau backs outplayed the opposition was greatly admired. North Shore has several good performances to its credit on heavy grounds, but on Saturday was no m: itdi for Manukau, which received more of the ball from the scrums than usual.

A feature of the game was the ex-

rollout support the forwards gave the backs in passing bouts. Many timos when the progress of the hacks was held up a forward was on hand to receive a pass. The Manukau backs ljave improved considerably. A lot of credit is due to the Chase brothers and Hoini for some spectacular football. The try scored by llemi was full of merit and he was backed up perfectly by Broderick and lvawe, who showed great dash in passing bouts. STRONG POSITION RICHMOND'S TEAM PLAY By defeating Mount Albert last Saturday Richmond has increased its lead in the senior championship to four points and seems assured of the honours on its present form. Jn strong contrast to the weak efforts of Mount Albert the team plav of Richmond was a treat to watch and it will take a very strong team to lower the colours of the leaders. At present Manukau, which gave Richmond a thrilling and close j game in the first round, seems the most j likely team to bo successful. I Some splendid football was given by the Richmond rearguard, which was most unfortunate to lose Biekerton, first five-eighths, in the first spell. Biekerton was playing brilliantly and liis try was a. fine effort, lie completely ! beat the opposing fullback with a j dazzling side-step when racing at top. Two players who stood out for fine all-round games were W. Tittleton, second five-eighths, who also played centre at times, and R. Powell, halfback. Both were prominent on attack, while their strong defence was a great asset to the side. G. Tittleton and H. Tetley proved utility players and did well in various positions. The latter was right back to Lis best form and was seen in sonic very clever work when playing in the forwards. One of the outstanding players on the field was J. McLeod, tfie ! Richmond forward. A fast, brainy I player and sure handler, he made several spectacular breakaways which left most of the opposition standing. ATTRACTIVE PLAY CITY INCONSISTENT Ponso'nbv gave an attractive display against the inconsistent team. City, es- j pecially the rearguard. The backs j showed excellent positional play and } some nice movements resulted in good j tries being scored. Both Stockley and | Halloran, at five-eighths, played sound football without doing anything unorthodox. This enabled Kay to make full use of his speed and he was frequently a thorn in the side of the opposition. A feature of the Ponsonbv backs' play was the disinclination of the man in possession to go too far, thus giving each player plenty of time to handle. In past matches many of the Ponsonby backs have been caught in possession too often. City was generally disappointing. especially the backs, whose defence was very poor.