LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21714, 4 August 1932, Page 10

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

' By Forward..;.,.. . :■.. ■ , v: In the first round of the Maxwell'Cup competition, played last Saturday, a close game was provided by City and Pacific at the . Stadium. They served up good football, the backs on both sides showing lip in some sparkling movements. Pacific again showed that it is a greatly improved side, and City was extended until the final whistle. The trip made by the Athletic team to the West Coast early in June has not proved beneficial in any way, as the team appears to be very, haphazard in its methods of late. On Saturday only nine players put in an appearance, but the side was strengthened hv the inclusion of Townsend, who was there to referee the match,' and one of the Christian Brothers' surplus players. ■Tho GreensdidMOt exert themselves, and had they done so they would have piled up, a much larger score than 51 points. The delay in starting the game annoving. The players were in attendance before 3 p.m., but it was nearly 3.30 p.m. before the stragglers walked from , the dressing rooms to the field. The same remark applies to the City-Pacific match, where everything was in readiness, tor the game to start at the appointed 'time, but for some reason it was nearly 3.30 p.m. before the players were assembled on the field. These methods would not be tolerated in most centres, and the sooner the Otago League officials enforce the rules the better it will be for the code herd The improved football of the South' Island team in this year's interisland fixture wtts a pleasing feature of the play at Auckland on July 23. Prior to the game North Island were strong and many expected a one-sided contest. Cooke had much to do with North's success. Not only did he score three tries, but he also repeatedly drove back South's attacks by splendid defence. , ■■> ■-.-. ■■■ ' Advice has been received in Auckland that W. R. Irvine, the All Black hooker in the first test against the British, team in 1930, has registered to play Rugby League in Wellington. Irvine,, previously a Wairarapa representative in the I\UZ English tour, is reported to have played brilliantly this season for the Hutt Uijb. Stan Francis, the ex-Newton player, _who has been playing Rugby Union in Wellington, has returned to the fold, and many other converts are expected. The new half time rule is one or tne reasons why T. Preston, former captain of the Albion senior Rugby side, went over to League and played for Riccarton in that code on July-23. According to his story he caught a cold through having to stay on the field at half time, and .missed a week's work. Further discontent is said to be in evidence in the Albion ranks, and colour is lent to that story by the transfer of nine members to the Addington League Club, which has thus been able to form a new Third Grade side. The international Rugby League forces of England and New Zealand, after a lapse of four years, came to grips again at Auckland last Sturday, when New Zealand suffered defeat by-24 points to 9. According to the reports, it was a fast and open game, and the crowd of over 25 000 had the privilege of witnessing a high standard of football. The reports state that Cooke played a great game, and those who have stated that Cooke was a player of the past may have to revise their opinions. The the New Zealand team undoubtedly caused several surprises, but, on the whole, it. may : be said the side was constructed on sound lines. An analysis reveals a find blend of players of. the type capable of being welded into a combination that should worthily uphold the football prestige of this country. There were retained—apart from emergencies—eight internationals, and Cooke, the ex-Rugby Union All Black, and four newcomers. Whilst the interisland clash did not rise to the rousing heights of some of the six previous contests, it denoted that the southern Leagues are cultivating good players in their provinces. The fact that no fewer than two backs and two forwards were selected from the. West. Const, and a forward reserve from Canterbury, for the first test team, is ample testimony to substantial progress. '.■•..■ ■ ' - ,' . •-.