THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22828, 8 September 1937, Page 22

THE LEAGUE CODE

SURPRISE BY CITY CHAMPION TEAM OUTPLAYED HALFBACK'S FINE DISPLAY The surprise by City, which defeated Richmond at Carlaw Park 011 Saturday, has given the Roope Rooster competition added interest. In past seasons the championship winners have usually played an important part in the Roope Rooster final. Few expected City to show up so prominently and the general opinion was that Richmond would win very easily. The lact that City fielded three juniors did not appear to enhance its prospects, but these players were grea% responsible for City's victory. The failure of Richmond was duo to the bustling tactics of tlio City backs, which played right up 011 the Richmond line and rarely gave tlio champions room in which to move, boon after the start it was apparent that Richmond was not going to have matters all its own way. Ihe City forwards broke fast from the scrum and checked the usually brilliant combination between Powell, Bickerton and W. Tittleton. The City tackling was very effective just before half-time. On changing over City set out with definite tactics in view. Hutchinson, at halfback, successfully exploited the grubber kick, and he had the Richmond backs turning round and chasing the ball. From this stage onward Uty took complete charge of the play, much to the surprise of the crowd. Attacking movements were started from all positions, and in this respect City's backs showed moro initiative than those of Richmond. It was also surprising to see City win the ball in the second half from set scrums. Wehner, the former South Island forward, was the successful hooker. ' A lot of credit is due to J. Hutchinson, the City halfback, who played a fine' game throughout. He sent splendid passes from the scrum and showed excellent judgment in grubber kicking, which is almost a lost art these days. Many times in beating the defence, Hutchinson kicked just past the Richmond five-eighths and gave Furnell, at fullback, no chance of reaching the ball. It was these tactics that beat Richmond. The City forwards stood up splendidly to " the Richmond set, and throughout the second half completely dominated the game. Mataira, who was suffering from an injury to his shoulder, will be fit by next Saturday and he should strengthen the scrum. Richmond was unfortunate to Jose W. Tittleton, who suffered a broken collarbone.

INTERPROVINOIAL MATCHES DOMINION BODY'S SCHEME A proposal v to stago a complete series of interprovincial matches next season, put forward last week by Mr, J. l?edwood, president of the New Zealand Rugby League, calls for support from all affiliated leagues. It is many years since interprovincial matches have been played in Auckland, while tho local controlling body is against southern tours owing to the big expense incurred and the frequent losses suffered. However, this view is not in the best interests of the. game, as patrons of the code, not only in Auckland, but also in other centres, like to see the best players of other provinces. The question of selection of a,. New Zealand team to visit Australia next season is a vital factor in support of the proposed provincial fixtures. In the past too much faith has been placed in the policy of finding the representative players by means of trial matches. A much more satisfactory scheme is to judge the performances of players m a series of intpr-proviricial games. _ The presence of the Northern Union Cup, one of the most valuable trophies in New Zealand football, should stir the various leagues to action. The trophy lias been played for only twice in the past eight years, and this does not reflect credit on the, code. As one delegate on the New Zealand League remarked, challenge matches should be forced on affiliated leagues. When next season's programme is being discussed, it is to be hoped that the New Zealand League will seek the co-operation of all leagues, particularly the Auckland body, which, with its wealth of promising talent, is in the host position to further the project. Seeing that the New Zealand League received good financial returns from the visit of the Australian team, it should be able to make the inter-provincial scheme attractive by granting assistance to the weaker leagues with regard to travelling expenses.