THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22816, 25 August 1937, Page 20

THE LEAGUE CODE

YALUABLE COACHING AUSTRALIAN GIVES HINTS TWO CENTRES SUGGESTED Several clubs in Auckland wore fortunate to receive valuable coaching from Mr. F. Burge, who travelled as coach of the Australian team. In his talks, which were very interesting, the coach impressed on members of the Ponsonby team tho value of two ccntrethreequarters, a type of play not adopted in New Zealand football. In a series of moves Mr. Burge showed how tries could bo scored by working more in the middle of tho field with not so Juuch orthodox play to the wings. A splendid knowledge of scrum-work was shown by Mr. Burgo, who corrected many faults in packing. Those who listened to his lectures were impressed with his thorough knowledge of the laws of the game. Many followers of tho code in Auckland expressed the hope that tho services of Mr. Burge would bo 'sought whon the New Zealand team visited Australia next season. A month of coaching for the New Zealand team prior to its departure from the Dominion is worthy of the fullest consideration, by the New Zealand League. In his hey-day Mr. Burgo was claimed the greatest lock forward in the code, and his record of 500 tries in first-class football is ft wonderful ono. A sudden breakdown in health oansed Mr. Burgo to leave the Australian team at Auckland and ho returned to Sydney last Friday.

MARIST IMPROVES CENTRE-KICK TROUBLESOME The improved form shown by Marist in recent club games was reflected by its defeat of Richmond, the leading team in the senior championship, in the principal attraction at Carlaw Park last Saturday. Marist adopted bustling tactics_ from the start with success and maintained them throughout. Richmond was troubled greatly by the centre-kick and it was surprising that a team of its experience did not try to counter this successful move much earlier in the game. The competition is now decidedly interesting with Marist and Mount Albert equal in second position, one point behind Richmond. The game between Manukau and Mount Albert, in which the latter took the honours by a point, proved disappointing in. good team play. A win to Manukau would have placed it in the lead for the championship. Although the team attacked strongly in the final stages the Mount Albert defence held well.

NEWTON'S SUCCESS

CIT? OUTCLASSED The success of Newton against City has enhanced its prospects of beating Richmond next Saturday, when the final series of matches in the championship will be played. Newton failed to win a match until a week before the visit of £he.Australian, eleven successive defeats having been registered against the team. A general improvement, however, was noticed against North Shore, which suffered a surprise defeat at the hands of Newton. U&der good ground conditions the Newton backs gave a splendid display and- outclassed City, although the latter tried out several juniors. A feature of the game was the clever play of the Brimble brothers, who frequently cut the defence to ribbons with a variety of speedy attacks. Against Richmond, however, the Newton pair will be opposed by Powell and Bickerton, two very experienced players. Possession of the ball from' the scrums will play a big part in : the result. Quirke, the Newton hooker, is very experienced, having previously represented Auckland. Against City Quirke .got the ball'from almost every scrum and he only needs support from the other forwards to give the Richmond front- row a lot of trouble. McNeight, the-ex-South Island: representative, is an acquisition to the forwards and is fast getting into good form.

PONSONBY'S FORWARDS MORGAN. OUTSTANDING The Ponsonby forwards gave a good display against North. Shore and tho team's > victory was due to a large extent'to their fine, play-in . the looso. A feature of the-game-was the form of Morgan, who was outstanding. He was in ; nearly every movement and handled the ball with the ability'of a back. His form ■'•must'be equal to anything seen in the best matches, and his exclusion from the New Zealand team is difficult to understand

Another outstanding player was V. Scott, usually, a threequarter for North Shore. Scott played in place of Kerr at fullback and he gave a finished display. He made some nice openings and tackled soundly.