LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21020, 8 May 1930, Page 4

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

By Forward.

SATURDAY'S MATCHES. The conditions were quite favourable for the opening of the Rugby League’s competitions, on Saturday, the weather -being quite mild, and the wind not,strong enough to interfere with good football The condition of the grounds left nothing to be desired. Kaitangata, who made the trip to Dunedin to meet City, suffered defeat by 19 points to 3 after a game that was quite interesting, considering that it was the first of the season. The game, which was open and fairly fast, was not so one-sided as the scores would indicate. The country players made several promising attacks pn. The City line, but they lacked the ability to bring the movements to a successful issue, whereas the City backs, most of whom have had considerable experience, knew exactly how to make the most of their opportunities. City had a big advantage owing to the fact that, their forwards were superior in the scrums, securing possession of the ball on a big majority of occasions, with the result that their backs had numerous opportunities, wnich did not fall .to the lot of the Kaitangata rearguard, who had to make openings for themselves. The ■ country players lacked the combination possessed by City, whose backs, including M’Cabe, B. Eckhoff. Clydesdale, and L. Eckhoff. showed that they had lost none of their old dash and cleverness. Townsend again proved his ability as a hooker. Though .Kaitangata were decisively beaten they never lost heart, and their play indicated that a few more games should lead to a decided improvement in their form. They are certainly keen, and all supporters of the code will, I am sure, wish them suc°i ess °? the outstanding players on the Kaitangata side was Gilmour, who was responsible for a lot of really good play, turning defence into attack on several occasions, and showing good judgment throughout. Unfortunately R, Oliver was suffering from an injured foot, and was unable to turn out, but.be hopes to be able to play. again very shortly. His next appearance will be awaited with interest, and if he can reproduce The form which he showed previously he will strengthen Kaitangata considerably The game was controlled by Mr F. Sims, who carried out hie duties very satisfactorily. Christian Brothers made a fine showing gainst Pacific on the Oval. The Greens fielded a very strong side, especially in the back division, and some sparkling play _ was seen. IT would be hard to mention any man in particular, but the outstanding playere were undoubtedly Pearce, Woodhouse. O’Malley. Wills. Pollock, M'Kewen, and M'Cormack. Pearce was in great form, and his fast runs electrified the onlookers. He rah through the opposition repeatedly,-and was mainly responsible for most of the points scored by his side. The boy who attracted most attention, however, was M'Cormack. His work behind the scrum was a treat to watch, and could not have been bettered by any seasoned player. M'Cormack. who is a very light lad. made his first appearance in Senior Grade football; but he is worth his place in any Team. He was very smart in getting the ball ■■ away to his supports on almost every occasion, and when smothered, which seldom occurred. he knew exactly what to. do. He fed his backs like clock-work all 'through; the game, and clearly demonstrated that he has a thorough knowledge of the code as it should be played. Christian Brothers certainly have a fine- asset in M'Cormack. Among- the forwards, B O’Connor, B. O'Connor, Holloway, and Culling put in a lot of hard work. The outstanding feature of the match was the splendid combination of the back division. Pacific fielded what may be termed a fairly good side, and the team made its presence felt in ’ the early stages. Under the able leadership of Blazey, the Greens were kept, at bay for some time..Blazey put in some solid work, and his Tackling was. all that could be desired.. He brought his opponents down Time and again after other Pacific players had let them slip through their hands. Blazey was most unfortunate, as he injured his left knee rather severely as the result' of a hard tackle. He was carried off the field, and his absence seemed to settle Pacific’s chances, as the side became demoralised afterwards. The seaside team lacked combination in any case, and the passing movements were entirely lacking in finish. The forwards put in some solid worki Among The backs the outstanding players were Barker. Mattingly. Bryan. Davis, and Lliskie, , , COMING OF AGE. ' The wonderful progress of The Rugby League game in New Zealand was referred to by members at the conclusion of the annual general, meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Football League last week (says the Auckland Sun). It was noted that the report presented was the twenty-first of the, series. At the_ present time the code had five-grounds of its own _ in the Dominion—at Auckland Whangarei, Canterbury, West Coast, ana Otago. That, as one member said, was the attainment of a proud thing in the history of the game. Mr C. A. Snedden, the president, said he hoped That another 21-years would sec the code with a ground in every city and. town of any importance throughout the length and breadth of the Dominion. Mr Snedden said that he had been absolutely unbiassed when he took up League. He had watched both the Rugby games, but he was convinced that League was the game. The code had to fight hard at times. It had to fight not only prejudice, but more than that —tradition. Mr E. Stallworthy also considered that wonderful progress had been made in a short time. There was no doubt that League was the game the public appreciated, he said. - It was recalled that throe of the present members of the League, Mr James Carlaw, Mr D. VV, M'Lean, and Mr Arch; Ferguson, had been on the council ever since its foundation. DEFECTIONS FROM CODE. Six or seven of the leading League players of Canterbury have changed over to the Rugby Union code in the last few weeks, and are now eligible to play in the Canterbury Rugby Union’s competitions (says the Christchurch' ’Times). Though it is possible that some of these players would have changed over in any -ease, the exodus of these “ stars ” from the League code has undoubtedly been due to the recent trouble between the trustees of Monica Park, a section of the players, and the Canterbury Rugby League. . The . following six ex-League players have definitely decided to play Rugby this year:—P. Burns (Marist), N. Gillespie (Marist). G. H.‘ Brittenden (Marist). F. Growcott (Marist), A, O’Connor (Waimairi), H. A.-Vivian (Hornby). ft is understood that at least one other Marist senior. player of last year has applied for reinstatement to Rugby. . Of the six players mentioned, all but Growcott have boon Canterbury League representatives. SYDNEY UNIVERSITY TEaM. There will be no visit of an Australian Universities’ Rugby League side to New. Zealand early this season. This decision was reached at the annual meeting of the. New Zealand Rugby Football League (says the Auckland Sun). The universities had offered to. send a team to New Zealand during the first term vacation, and had suggested May 28, May 31. and June 3 as dates for matches in New Zealand. . ■ As the South Sydney side had played in Auckland last season, the New Zealand League Council communicated the otter of the universities to the Canterbury and Otago Rugby League’s asking if each could guarantee a £250 gate for matches with the Australians. Canterbury, owing to recent happenings, was not prepared to undertake any risk, and Otago could not guarantee more than £250. Thus it was impossible to include a visit to the South Island, and it appeared to be the feeling of the meeting that a visit so early in the season to Auckland would unduly interfere with the club programme, especially in view of the trial, matches for The, selection of New Zealand’s team to. tour Australia, which also come early in the season.' Mr A. Ferguson (Otago) stressed tne great value the visit of the Australian University side would have on the game and public opinion in Now Zealand. Eventually it was decided to write to

(the Australian Universities regretting § that New Zealand could not at present J receive a visit, as the dates suggested wore not suitable, but suggesting that arI rangements might be made for a tour at the end of the second. university term in August, which would be a more suitable time. PIONEER RETIRES. Mr D. W. M'Lean, who was the first chairman of the Auckland Rugby League and first- president of the New Zealand League, has retired from office (says the Auckland Star). He , formed the first club, the North Shore Albion, at Devonpbrt, and also took a prominent part in the starting of Newton Rangers, Ponsohby, and .the Northern. Ramblers. The first club match in 1909 was. between- Shore and a / combined side. Mr M'Lean is one of the two remaining of the-founda-tion, Management Committee of the League, which consisted of Messrs W. T. Wynyard (still in Auckland), John J-mdean, jun., Horace Jones, Mr Morton, of Onehunga, and E. W. Watts (secretary). Going - through New .Zealand in 1912, Mr M'Lean was instrumental in creating the formation ;of .the Canterbury, League, but found that conditions were not so favourable in He has continued ever since to promote the welfare of the code in an official capacity, and is a life member of the New Zealand League. With Mr. Snedden two years ago Mr M Lean, represented the Dominion at a conference with the Australian Board of Control. Mr M'Lean was a trustee .of the New Zealand League, and the vacancy created by his-retirement has been filled by Mr James Carlaw, the patron. With the expression of keenest regret, coupled with the recording of full appreciation of his services, the New Zealand Council received the. resignation. NOTES. . • Mr L. Marlow has been appointed to represent the Referees’ Association on the Dtago Rugby League Executive. ; Nominations from Leagues for the posttion of manager of the New Zealand team which will leave for Australia from Auckland on Friday, June 27, are' being invited. ■ ■ 1 ■ The knee injury which G. Blazey sustained on Saturday may keep him out of the. game for the rest of the season. If this proves to be the case it will be very unfortunate for the Pacific Club and also for Blazey, who must have had a great l»?T«ralif ' or ,h? “ the Christchurch Press), G. Falgar. formerly of the Kaikorai Club, saw an opening in some loOse play and flashed'in for a very clever try, which he converted. t mki. 1 R,.T et V nR on Monday night the Otago Rugby_ League Executive decided un tl | e . referees to’ keep teams up to the mark in regard To the time for L^iiD^iß^b 168 ' Thi f iB a wise decision. -j m I ? rcBe l lt some teams have I „ !- edl? . ,aj 11l this matter, and hTio Practicei of appearing on the field stopped 10 ” d bG promptly aild definitely , ; ope of the- vice-presidents 0 f the Wellington Rugby League is Mrs E, Ivory A special meeting of the Otago Rugby League will be held to-night, when a report by the trustees of- the new ground Question .relating to organisation and tdiscuid. 0 10 LeagUe generally wiU . For Newton on Saturday-week (says the Auckland Sun) the Dunedin Pacific Club, men, Lagan, wing-three-quarter, and Butally reasona bty well, espeoi- _ Twelve, schoolboys’ teams are playing League football in -Christchurch this season. The Canterbury League has nominated Messrs' VFotrall, Sheahan. and Cox for the positions of selectors of the South Island team. ’ South Sydney .Team which visited Auckland last season has commenced- well m the Sydney competition, and is already considered certain wihner 'of the club championship. An' early tour of .Queensland is to be made by South Sydney. . The Wellington Rugby League is still seeking a city ground for its matches, and the matter was brought up, at the annual meeting last week Tsays the Post) . After a lengthy discussion it was decided to wait upon the City Council and endeavopr to impress upon ,it the necessity for the' code having o groupd, ' • . ■ There is ,a possibility (says the-Auck-land Sun) That a Kangaroo team ; will visit Now Zealand at the close of: the present season, after the New Zealand team has completed its tour. - At the annual meeting of the New Zealand League the West Coast League applied for a: match, if the team, came'; The question was- left in The hands of the incoming council. . , At the annual meeting of the Wellington Rugby. League it was reported that Wellington would be well’ supplied with players this season, owing to . transfers in some of the Government services. An offer of training quarters had been ’ received, and loyalty to . the code continued to be’ shown by the players. On the motion, of Mr W. Corcoran, it was decided to write to the New Zealand Rugby League asking for representation on the Selection Committee for the team to go to. Australia. : At tlie annual meeting of the New, Zea*. land Rugby League a - proposal by the Northland League that a fund lie established and maintained for fostering the League code in outside centres, and that a small percentage of gate takings of all affiliated leagues be earmarked ! for this purpose, was rejected by six votes to four. A motion by Mr R. Doble (Auckland) that w,hen a.-new league was formed it be given one. delegate on the New Zealand Council, and that when it. has a minimum of 12 tennis playing under it it be granted a further representative on the council, was. discussed. at the annual meeting, of the’ New Zealand Rugby League, and was. referred to tlie incoming council for consideration as it ih,volved the altering of the constitution of the council. At present, all leagues have two representatives on the council.. The Leeds Rugby League Club in’England has secured ; the: services of Buscn, the Sydney half-back, who made a big impression playing with the Australian team on its recent tour. Busch is claimed oy many Australian writers as the finest half-back the code has, produced. Ti. i® reported’ That Leeds paid £IOOO ■ for Busch’s services. Tlie Leeds team is captained- by J. Moores, the Queenslander, who went , to England three years .ago. For the start of the season the standard of football in Auckland .(says, the Sun) was exceptionally good. There was a razor-edged keenness about. the play which augurs well for the success-of the club-competition., A gratifying ’feature was the fine displays given by the Ellerslie and Kingslnnd teams,. which had a lean time of - it last season. , ” At a special meeting of tlie New Zealand Rugby League the application of the City Club (Auckland) for. permission, to | plav B. Davidson was granted. It is understood (says the New Zealand. Herald) the only objection to .Davidson playing was on the grounds that- a two years residential qualification was necessary. The suspension of Davidson bv the \\ igan Club w.as also a matter introduced by Mr 0. Carlaw. The chairman (Mr C. A. Snedden) said the New Zealand League was admitting Davidson when his position at Homo was indefinite. After Considerable discussion, the application was granted.