League Rugby.

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 759, 4 September 1929, Page 13

League Rugby.

Notes and Comment.

The pick ot New Zealand Leaguers will be seen in action at Carlaw Park next Saturday, when the North v. South Island game, the most important representative fixture of the season, will be staged. For All Black Honours ■With an All Black tour of Australia j in view for next season, more than usual interest will be taken in Saturday’s representative game. The majority of next season’s trippers are bound to be selected frcrr the Auckland Province, but there are some positions which must be tilled by Southerners. For one thing it is well on the cards that the selectors will choose a fullback from the other Island, and. c o n s e q uently Blazey, the crack custodian fron: Otago, Who startled me iaus uy me fine duel which he carried out with Dufty in the inter-island game last season, will be watched closely, lie is reported to be playing as well as ever and if this is so. his chances of clinching New Zealand honours next year are bright. The South Island team will arrive in Auckland on Friday morning. A dinner will be held after the match on Saturday, and the team will depart for South on Sunday evening. Whowell’s Debut Whowell, the ex-Soccer player, who made his debut in the thirteen a-side game last Saturday a-s a forward for Richmond, was watched with some interest. Some of the fans, no doubt, expected him to forget himself and shoot at the goal, or knock the leather on with his head. If they did, they were disappointed. He played just an ordinary sort of game, but did sufficient to show that his play features plenty of dash and vim. and these qualities, together with plenty of avoirdupois will make him a very handy packman once he lias gained experience. It’s easy enough to change over from one Rugby game to another, but to make a change from Soccer is apt to be puzzling. Considering this, Whowell made a very fair showing.

Tim Peckham Again After having faded into a sort of I oblivion for a long period, Tim Beckham. the ex-Ponsonbv and interna- ' tional halfback, took the field last Sat- ! urdav for Richmond. He produced all j of his old characteristic elusiveness. ’ and when properly fit should be a handy man for the Richmond ranks. Roope Rooster Games Some indication of the popularity j of the Roope Rooster competition may j be gathered from the attendance at Cariaw Park last Saturday, which was very fair considering the other big counter-attractions. And some bright football was witnessed. The Marist rearguarders came to light in very racy and spectacular style against Kingsland in the feature game, and their victory was not unexpected. But Kingsland is a much improved side, and with better combining efforts would have proved serious opponents for the Tykes Richmond’s defeat of Shore was not altogether surprising, when it is taken into consideration that the seasiders j were without the services of a strong j trio in Alf Scott, Ruby and McCarth- j Although hampered by a series of ! injuries which gave them good cause to ease up a little in the second spell,] Ponsonby had a good win over NewP. Skelton Shines It is not long since Pat Skelton, the Ponsonby live-eighth, made his debut in the League code, but his performances must be counted as highly satisfactory. Associated with Delgross. he is an important link in an effective line of attack, which should do well in a knock-out competition such as the “Rooster.” In addition. Ponies can depend on Mclntyre, half, and Winters and Scliolfield, the wingers. What may damage the backs is the loss of White, fullback, who had a collarbone broken on Saturday. The versatile “Dooley” Moore went from centre to Whle’s place, and had a knee dislocated. He may be ready to play in the next Roope , Rooster round. "Hoodoo” Ground Cariaw Park No. 2 ground continues to earn its name as the “hoodoo” League area. It bettered its worst record on Saturday, however, with three men taken to the hospital from one match alone. There was no lack of minor injuries cither. But of all the mishaps there was not one that was 1 1 lie result of deliberately* rough play so those who glory at having it blazen board that “this game they call League is very rough” can return to their shell. N.l. Forwards With such a supply of Northland and South Auckland forwards, notably Bergan, Timms and Trautvetter, in the Northern pack in the inter-island game next Saturday, attention will turn to the city’s sole packman, Francis. The Newton man’s selection is still being debated. Last Saturday he scored two fine tries against Ponies, but there is still much doubt whether his inclusion in the North Island team is quite justified. Ponsonby was without the services of two good men on Saturday in “Spot” Riley and Thompson. Riley is still suffering an injury to his leg, but it is expected that he will be ready to take the field next Saturday week, j when the second round of the Roope I Rooster will be played. Thompson is j on the sick list with an attack of flu. j and is also expected to be ready for Saturday week. Newton More Solid Newton’s forwards have lately been ; playing much improved games, and. against Ponies on Saturday, a good showing was made. Middleton, Ham- ! mond, Harper, Page and Ferguson, apart from their leader, Francis, are a solid five and are especially useful in close play. Newton’s backs combined somewhat better, and, with easier play by Ponies in the second spell, managed some excellent scoring movements. The side has been more unfortunate than other League clubs this season in losses of prominent players, such as C. Dufty, W. Somers, Hardgrave and Hall, and it is encouraging to its officials to see an improvement among the younger players.