THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23112, 10 August 1938, Page 21

THE LEAGUE CODE

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP MARtST LIKELY WINNERS TWO OUTSTANDING PLAYERS ; With only one further match likely to bo played in the senior championship of the Auckland Rugby League, Marist appears certain to win the final honours. Marist, owing to its win over Richmond last Saturday ami the defeat of Mount Albert, is now leading by four points. It will meet Ponsonby in the curtain-raiser to the representative fixture between Canterbury and Auckland next Saturday and if it is successful tho championship will be closed. It is seven years since Marist won the championship and its success would be both popular and fully earned. Tho team has shown improvement throughout tho season and is a well-balanced side. It possesses two fine players whose experience and all-round ability* have meant much to the,thirteen. These are Woods, forward, and Haslam, centrethreequarter. Marist has won the championship ,on two previous occasions—--1924 and 1031. Tho form of Richmond last Saturday was very disappointing in spite of the fact that it was unable to field its best team. Somo of the efforts of the backs were very feeble, allowing the opposition to score simple tries. Their form was far below the fine standard set by Richmond teams in the past. Manukau was responsible for one of the best displays this season in inflicting such a heavy defeat on Mount Albert. This caused a surprise' among many keen followers of both clubs. For fifteen minutes prior to the time Mount Albert lost players from injuries the Manukau backs gave a display of the true type of league football. Perfectunderstanding between Mahima and T. 'Chase gave .R. Chase a chance to show his brilliance* on attack. The clever manner in which R. Chase stepped inside a tackle made tries look easy, although there was a lot of merit in his three tries. The Mount Albert roar division played a very disappointing game, but was clearly outclassed in every department by clever attacking back*. The failure was due to a large extent to the, insido backs standing flat-footed. Brimble played a brilliant game for Manukau and has rarely been seen to better advantage. He showed great speed for 15 yards- and always made an extra man on attack. The Manukau forwards showed greatly improved form and the team should bo hard to beat in tho Roope Rooster competition. REPRESENTATIVE GAME AUCKLAND AND CANTERBURY ATTRACTION NEXT SATURDAY Auckland enthusiasts will have tho opportunity of witnessing the first interprovincial match of the season next Saturday, when the local team will play Canterbury. The southern side is reported to be a strong one. Eighteen players will make tho trip, as matches will also be played in Wellington and Huntly. Messrs. H. B. Rogers and R. A. Drury will bp managers and Mr. J. Amos, the former international player, will accompany tho team as coach. The eighteen Canterbury players are as follows: — Fullback. —W. Bonnifaco. Threequarters.—C. Davison, I. Rope, R. Whitley, W r . Guy. Five-eighths. —R. Brown, L. Young, J. O'Connor. Halfbacks. —L. Brown, N. Bourtrey. Forwards. —R. Barnard, 11. Price, J. Clarke, J. Airey (hooker), G. Bellamy, E. Grimes, F. Laing, W r . Dunn. Auckland will field a good all-round combination against tho visitors and if conditions are favourable a fast exhibition of the code should result. Tho Auckland team is as follows: — Fullback. —Hemi. Threequarters. —T. Chase, 11. Chase, Bra m ley. Five-eighths.—Brimble, W. Tittleton. Halfback. —Mahima. Forwards,; —McLeod, Satherley, Gault, Ririnui, Brodrick, Devine. Reserves. —Fogarty, Bickerton, Watkins. •