At an Interesting Stage

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 367, 30 May 1928, Page 11

At an Interesting Stage

RUGBY LEAGUE COMPETITION Gossip from the Club Rooms SURPRISING, even sensational were the results of two of the senior Rugby League games played last Saturday, but although the perhaps unexpected and meteoric rise to form of the Ponsonby and City teams has meant giving Devonport a still greater lead in the championship competition, it leaves room to indicate that the XIII. from over the water has yet its hardest struggles to come.

Although the defeat of Newton by City was undoubtedly one of the most unexpected happenings of the day, it is not likely that it will be looked upon by the shrewder and closer followers of the code as quite as important an incident as the sensational defeat of the youthful Richmond leaguers by Ponsonby. For Richmond at least, it seems to spell disaster. Of course, to some the result of this clash no doubt makes the position appear clearcut and glorious for Shore. On the other hand the Ponies appear to have hit form and are rapidly gaining that stride of seasons gone by, and, leaving a little room for improvement which is likely to be made, there is every possibility that the 13 huskies from over the water will find Ponsonby one of the hardest nuts to crack when the competition enters the final stages. Then there are the Marists. These players have not yet settled down, but on paper they have the goods and when every player has found his place and the team gains that much-needed combination it is sure to have a show of knocking Shore from the pedestal. Ponsonby is fixed to meet Shore next Saturday, and of course it seems a certainty that the game will be played on the main area. Both teams have proved their w'orth and a keen, open display of the code will no doubt be witnessed. It looks a good thing for Devonport, but it is well known that these sea-siders are real “iffers,” and something sensational may happen again this week. # * « “Dooley” Moore and Cupid Another good Leaguer has gone wrong—this time it is “Dooley” Moore, wiio turned out as halfback for Ponsonby last Saturday. Looking as pleased as Punch, perhaps a little shy, “Dooley” turns up during a meeting of the Ponies’ Club on Monday night, and with a pleasing gleam in his eye remarked that he had just dropped in to announce that he had been married. Loud cheers were given for the plucky halfback. "Dooley” did not stop long —he had just dropped in to break the news—but he informed the meeting that he would be O.K. for next Saturday.

Eric Wheeler has been appointed coach to the Ponsonby Rugby League third grade team. Eric is a brother-in-law of that club’s crack threequarter, Eelgrosso. Evidently “Eelly” is roping in all his relations. * * * Since Eelgrosos stepped on to the field for Ponsonby this season the blue-and-blacks have been a different team altogether. He is a good coach and excels as a captain. Last Saturday he was the shining light of the day and a trick move which he brought off with Thompson the full-back was one of the prettiest seen at headquarters this season.“Eelly” certainly had the Richmondites thinking. Newton’s Luck Newton’s luck is likely to become proverbial in Auckland Rugby League circles. Twice so far this season victory has been snatched from the red and whites in a ludicrously simple manner. First against Shore, and then last Saturday, fickle Fortune let the Newtonians down badly. It is a queer coincidence that Little was involved in each incident. On Saturday he raced over at the corner against the City team, and then made for the posts with not only a try but a conversion in view. He grounded the ball in a lackadaisical manner, and the referee justly held that it had not been forced. That try alone would have made Newrton equal with City, and the almost certain extra points would have given it victory. Capable of Dashing Displays The same Little, however, is a back capable of the most dashing play. Luck seems to have dogged him this season, but it is quite on the cards that he will do something really sensational before long. He is on e of the fastest backs in Auckland. In spite of unexpected defeat last week, things are looking up for last year’s champions. The ex-Papakura Rugby man, and Auckland B rep. Wilson, played a great game for the Rangers as a last line of defence. When Dufty Returns Without the veteran Eufty to lead

them on Saturday the Newton backs were like a ship without a captain. When he recovers from his injury, and Herewini, Hales and Murray return, the Rangers will be able to field a c.rack-a-jack back line, which, supported by a solid band of forwards, may yet go far in the senior competition. Clark fully lived up to his reputation as the best forward playing the game in Auckland, against City, and the veteran hooker, Somers, seems to have become rejuvenated. He dashed about in the open with the best of them last week.

Cammick Impresses The Newton selectors were very much impressed with the performance of the youthful ex-Ponsonby player, Cammick, on Saturday. He showed that he has brains arid ability for the job behind the scrum, and did not always receive credit, for this because Hales and McEeod in the five-eighths line were unable to turn his openings to account. He is practically sure to be given another try-out when Newton meets Tvkes on Saturday week. Another new player in the red and white jersey was Rutterworth, formerly an Ellerslie junior. He shows signs of developing into a very fine centre three-quarter. Stack Out of Hospital After nearly 12 months in hospital, Dick Stack, who had his leg injured in a Newton-Richmond game last season, and subsequently had to have it amputated below the knee, was discharged recently. In another 12 months, with a wooden one on, he will be. pretty well his old self again. It may interest readers to know that the total amount paid out in expenses in connection with the organising and staging of his benefit was only £33 !2s 6d. Of this sum all save 19s was spent on advertising. As there are I still some 800 tickets to come in it i is yet uncertain what the total sum 1 realised will be, but it is stated to be (considerably in excess of £SOO. Odds and Ends City are reported to have signed on a “speed merchant” three-quarter I named Williams, from Gisborne He is | new to the code. The Versatile Moisley The versatile Moisley, of Marists, played a great-game in the three-quar-ter line. He has played in pretty well every place in the field of late, but it seems that at last he has found his nick in the team. A valuable man anywhere, he shines best where he played last week, however. * * * “They Close at Six” The Marist-Ellerslie game was prolonged over 10 minutes on Saturday by injuries, and as the Tykes had a safe lead spectators from No. 1 ground were not attracted to the second match. The rain was coming down, and the j heavens darkening, but that was not j the only worry. “Massa” Jock John- | son, the burly green forward, was heard j bemoaning the fact ‘ that they close i at six.” Massa’s thoughts were evi- ; dently elsewhere, with th© result that i he played with greater devil than e\er ] in an attempt to end the game.