THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23130, 31 August 1938, Page 20

THE LEAGUE CODE

ROOPE ROOSTER GAMES

CITY TEAM'S IMPROVEMENT SURPRISE FOR MOUNT ALBERT It was unfortunate that heavy grounds and rain marred the first series of matches in the Auckland Rugby League's Roopo Rooster competition, but this knock-out contest always has its surprises and one was recorded last Saturday. City was not considered to have much chance of success against .Mount Albert, but actually outplayed its heavier opponents, and although the margin was only six points, it should have been greater

City has experienced many lean years, but an improvement has been noticed of late and the club's officials have slowly built up a fairly strong side. The allocation of the Australian playercoach, R. Banham, to City has done much to place the team on a better footing. Banhani's influence on the playing field was apparent against Mount Albert, and in the second half ho was noticed repeatedly rallying the team, it was due to his inspiring leadership that the forwards gave such a dashing display. In the loose, City beat Mount Albert and tackled splendidly. 'Better ball control has not been seen at Carlaw Park this season. Good dribbling gave the pack chances to keep the ball away from the Mount Albert backs, and Jackson, Wehner and Thompson did effective work in this direction. Only the splendid defence of McLachlan, fullback for Mount Albert, kept the score down. Mount Albert hacks were strengthened by the inclusion of L. Schultz, who has not played since last season. He showed good form on occasions, and his experience at fiveeighths should bo the means of linking up the threequarters with the forwards.

HUNTLY'S DEBUT

AN OUTSTANDING FORWARD

The action of the Auckland Rugby League in admitting Huntly, the champion South Auckland club team, to the lioope Rooster competition is commended by followers of the code. Jt was 110 disgrace to be beaten by Marist, which was the successful team in the local championship. In fact, Huntly was a little unlucky to draw such a formidable combination in the first series. However, the visitors impressed, especially the forwards, which for most of the game beat Marist in the scrums and in the loose, it was only in the last ].") minutes that Huntly tired and Marist forwards dominated the game. There was a lack ot finish by the Huntly backs. Several nice movements from the scrum broke down when either Short or Harlock, the outside centres, failed to link up with the wings when they had scoring chances. A lot of good cover-defence came from Haslam, the Marist centre, who knew too much for the opposition. With more experience in similar games the Huntly backs should improve. No forward on the ground impressed more than .Beadle, the Huntly backrow man, who was in the thick of every movement. He is a splendid type of forward, fast and a good handler, and, unlike most third-row forwards, he puts every ounce into the pack. In better company Beadle would show up to even greater advantage, and lie has undoubtedly a promising future. A lot of credit is also due to Brooks, the booker, who won the ball successfully from Leatherbarrow, probably the most efficient centre-forward in Auckland.

Although beaten by Richmond in the final of the senior reserve grade championship, Mount Albert registered what must be a reoord so far as points scored

:irc concerned. Altogether 406 points lin vi' been scored by .Mount Albert, while uiilil last Saturday only V2 points had been scored against the team. Henlon, one of the live-eighths, scored 107 of this total. It was'interesting to nolo that opposed to each other were two former New Zealand representatives, C. List (.Mount Albert) and G. Tittleton (Richmond). Although the status of the reserve grade and the senior grade is the same, it was never the intention when the reserve grade was formed to provide for other than young players likely to develop into good seniors. Reserve grade foothall should he the recruiting ground for first-grade teams, and until that spirit is developed the competition can never be expected to prove an attraction to young players. The question of playing Sunday football was an interesting part of the report, on the New Zealand team's tour of Australia, and reference was made to the prospect of better gate receipts on future tours. An extract from the report states that Sunday football was very well attended in some of the country centres, and if the matches had been nlayed on the Sabbath and not Saturdays the profits would have been greater. The suggestion that consideration be given to playing on Sundays, however, did not receive the support of several delegates to the New Zealand League Council. However, as one delegate pointed out, the matter will have to he faced in the near future. It was even suggested from an Australian source that should teams visit New Zealand this season they would he prepared to play on Sundays. The official point of view in New Zealand does not favour Sunday football in competition form, but it will occasion no surprise to see future New Zealand teams to Australia playing most of their country games ou a Sunday.