THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22786, 21 July 1937, Page 19

THE LEAGUE CODE

VISIT OF KANGAKOUS TWO TESTS AT CARLAW PARK MATCH AGAINST MAORI TEAM Considerable interest is being taken in the forthcoming visit of the Kangaroos, who will play two test matches against New Zealand next month at Carlaw Park and also a mid-week game against a Maori representative side. New Zealand should be able to field a, strong sido for the test games, especially in the forwards, while the visit of the English team last season has improved the general standard of back play. A splendid match should also result between the Kangaroos and the Maoris, who will bo able to field a powerful all-round team. It is likely that G. Nepia will be asked to tako part in this match and should lie accept ho will probably be given the centre-three-quarter position. Hemi has been playing good football at fullback recently and if lie maintains his form he should fill this berth in the three matches against the Kangaroos. Test matches will be played at Carlaw Park 011 August 7 and August 14. Hie match against the Maoris will be staged on Wednesday, August 11. The personnel of the Australian team is a« follows: — Fullbacks.—L. Ward (New South .Wales), G. W. Whittle (Queensland). Wing-threoquarters. (Queensland), F. Tottcy (New South titles), C. Haxelton (New South Wales), L. Dawson (New South Wales). Centre-threequarters. J. Reardon (Queensland), J. Beaton (Now South Wales'), li. MoKinnon (New South Wales), P. Williams (New South Wales), B. Williams (New South Wales.). . i Five-eighths. E. Norman (New South Wales). Halfbacks. —F. Gilbert (Queensland), P. Williams (New South Wales), It. Thompson (New South Wales).

Forwards. —It. Stehr (New South Wales), J. Gibbs (New South Wales), F. Curran (New South Wales), F. Griffiths (New South Wales), S. Pearco (New South Wales), E. Lewis (New South Wales), L. Ileidke (Queensland), H. Pierce (New South Wales), G. MacLennan (New South Wales), W. Prigg (New South Wales). E. Collins (Queensland), A.- Norval (New South Wales), P. Fairall (New South Wales). F.- South Wales). Tho hookers "are Fairall and Nolan.

DEFEAT OF RICHMOND - PONSONBY'S GREAT DEFENCE The defeat of Richmond, the leading team in the Auckland Rugby League's senior championship, at the hands of Ponsonby last Saturday lias added more interest to the competition. In spite of its loss Richmond still leads by three points from Ponsonby and Manukan. The match between Manukan and Richmond is sure to attract groat attention and the latter should have good prospects of gaining a victory. The Richmond team appears to have gone a little stale. It lacked its usual dash and team work against Ponsonby and there was not the support given to players in possession, which has been one of the features of the team's successes. However, Ponsonby was the better team on the day and its magnificent defence proved too big a hurdle for tho Richmond backs. An outstanding game was played by Halloran. Ponsonbv's first' five-eighths. His tackling and covering on defence saved his side repeatedly, while ho showed cleverness on. attack and was responsible for Ponsonbv's second try. TWO CLOSE GAMES MARIST'S GOOD PERFORMANCE Two splendidly contested games resulted between' Marist and -Mount Albert, and City and North Shore. The result of both was,in doubt until the final bell and a drawn game in each case would have been a good indica- j tion of the play. Marist put up a good j performance in beating Mount Albert, | although the margin was only two • points, and six goals were included in I Marist's score. j

The Mount Albert backs played belter football than usual, especially tho inside players, who often threatened tho Marisirliiie. At one stage of the game Mount Albert looked the winning team, so impressive was their play. However, Marist made fewer mistakes and there was better finish to the play of the backs. Ten minutes before time the Mount Albert forwards dominated the "amo and only over-eagerness cost one try near the posts. Herring was unlucky to miss the ball in a race to touch down. The value of a reliable place-kick was shown by Anderson, who sent oyer six goals from eight attempts. He is perhaps the most consistent goal kicker in the competition. North Shore and City fought out a stern game in which more solid than brilliant plav was a feature. North Slioio again proved a good defensive team, and successfully checked persistent attacks by the Citv backs. In tho concluding' stages, City had much tho better of the gamo, but did everything but score. The City rearguard lacked penetration. although the heavy ground was against clever back play. Ihe North Shore forwards met strong opposition from the City pack, which is a greatly improved set. City will play Richmond next Saturday.