LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Observer, Volume XXXV, Issue 36, 15 May 1915, Page 10

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

The championship competitions under the control of the Auckland League started last Saturday. The principal match was played at Victoria Park, andl resulted in Graf ton defeating last year's runnersi-up, Ponisonby, by 11 points to 2. Newton Rangers met the City Rovers at the Domain, and suffered a reverse by 15 point® to nil. North Shore Albions journeyed to Otahuhu, and just eecured a win from the suburban representatives by the odd point in seven.

For the past fortnight rumours have been current that prominent Rugby players would figure in the

League competitions. Speculation has been keen as to the probable players, and, as the Grafton Athletic took the field on Saturday, included in their ranks were D. McGregor, the Auckland andl New Zealand rep. and his brother A. McGregor.

There was nothing to enthuse over in. the standard of play in the North Shore-Otahuhu match. It was a ragged' display, and the players of the marine suburb can be counted as fortunate in securing a win.

The Shore pack were aa even set, without any player particularly brilliant to call "for special mention. The team's weakness was the back division, and this must . cause the selectors some thought. Miller's full-back display is worthy of mention. J. Paul woni the day with a couple of splendid exhibitions of goal kicking.

For Otahuhu, Hadgreaves, fullback, andl McManus, three-qu&rter, stood out most prominently.

The margin of points in favour of City over Newton Rangers can be taken, as a criterion, of the respective teams' merits. It was City's combination that won the day. Of course, Newton Rangers is practically a new team, but it possesses the necessary material that, once welded into shape, will take a power of destroying. One very noticeable fault with the rearguard was the inclination to play either too close or too open. They seemed unable to strike the happy medium. With this portion of play their rivals set a splendid example, and should Newton avail themselves of the lessons their keenest critics will have little cause for complaint.

City has yet room for improvement in their methods. These remarks are simply the result of comparison between the two teams.

In mentioning the players a big list of Cityites 'appear, but the absence of many Newton names is caused , through the players not being known. That will be remedied as the season progresses.

At full-back for City Mincham filled the bill admirabry. He was very safe in taking the ball, and kicked well with both feet. He is a decided 'acquisition to City. Some were inclined to consider him weak in tackling, but he could hardly be judged that way as he was not overburdened in that department.

Boylan, wing three-quarter, seemed nervous in the first spell, but improvedl as the game advanced. He and Minchany worked well together in a few passing bouts up the line. His taking of the ball was a feature of tine match.

The same remarks can apply to Brooks and, Davidson, centre and first five-<eighth6. Brooks, however, redeemed himself by fine tackling and following up.

Davidson is hardly up to senior form. "When it ie taken into consideration that he is only a promoted fourth grade player he shaped very well.

Vie Barchard', the second fiveedghths, is a recruit from the Rugby Union, and 1 the best back on the ground—very fast, makes some fine openings, and is a sure tackier. He eavedi one ti*y at least when he chased the speedy Williams the length of the field and) threw the Newtonite into touch at the corner flag. City are indeed 1 fortunate in securing this player.

E. Asfher, at half, played well. So did "Opai" Asher. The combined! iplay of the brothers along the line was exceptionally good. "Ernie" seems to be taking the ball safer than in previous seasons and getting it away from the scrum better. "Opai" is iosing the habit of hanging on against all-coroere, and is feeding his backe in good style. His ini-pase to Brook® that enabled that player to score was very unselfish, as he could undoubtedly have added the points himself.

Among the forwards. Bright, a new man, Denize andl Rukatai were the best. No fault could be found with Sam Magee or Barchard, but Avery, although working hard in

the pack, did not show out to advantage in the loose. Still, he will no doubt improve under the tuition of Rukatai and' company.

One fault that can be found with the City vanguard l is the off-side play of Denize. It seems a pity such a good! forward does not attend more to the rule, as 'he will let his team down if not careful.

A word of praise is due the City team for the manner in which they took the field. All were neatly attired in the club uniform. Everything matched well, it being only too evident pride is taken in appearance as well as football.

Newton were offenders in this rebut probably the lesson set will be accepted.

Coming to the Newton players, Williams has yet to learn, that speed does not count for all. A little mixing of football will place him in a higher flight of players.

Clark, three-Cjfuairterj was shaping in a most promising manner until he received a kick on the jaw. It was was purely accidental, but was severe enough to necessitate the player's retirement.

In Thomas, Newton have a back of exceptional promise. He requires more play in senior company, andl will be heard of before the season is far advanced.

Biggs was the best of the Newton rearguard, and his efforts deserved a better reward.

Farrant, as half, has not lost any of his dash, and' catered well for his backs.

The forwards worked with a will, and! perhaps Bennett calls for special mention.

Visitors to the Grafton-Ponsonby match were greatly struck with the neatly uniformed players, and League officials should feel proud of the manner in which the playere turned out. Out of respect to the late Lieut. Dawson, a former member of the club, who met his death with the Australasian forces at the Dardanelles, the Grafton team wore a black band on the left arm.

It was a very fast game, yet the play was ragged, the outstanding feature being the solid tackling. Although Grafton gained a victory by a wide margin, of (points, it cannot be claimed that difference existed' between the two teams. Probably a converted try would have sufficed, but the remaining points show the value of a goal-kicking asset like Ifwersen. Neither team is really in form, and this was most apparent to Ponsonby, although they stuck to it so stubbornly.

Trouble existed 1 in Graf ton, owing to their inability to get the ball away from the scrums. The hookers did their work well, but then the leather hung, with the result that the opposition overewept the advantage grained by Grafton. It also prevented the team from being on the move. The passing rune werei started with the players standing still. The life and l dash so essential in opening attack was absent.

McQuirter and Manning were the best of the Ponsonby pack.

McOlymontt etood out in the threequarter line for all round useful work.

Webb has yet too much avoirdupois, andi requires plenty of work to get into form.

Of the Grafton forwards, all worked hard. Collins i& raw at the game, and, like Bull, inclined too m<uch to Rugby tactics. Both should remember the backs behind them, and not incline so much to booting the ball upfield l .

lifwerson's sojourn in Samoa has not interfered with his play. His work was first claes.

McDonald, as half, was good but must work, faster in getting the ball away to his backs.

The grothers D. and A. McGregor miadiei a. prolmlising aptpearanjce ,m League football aoid little exception can be taken to their work.

The Sunnyside forward C. Wheeler had the misfortune to get a bone in his hand broken on Saturday. Hie absence will prove a big loss to the team,

The Auckland Centre has been very busy in matters pertaining to the game's welfare. New players are throwing in their lot to the Northern Union code, and two clubs, Newton Rangers and Thames Old Boys, recently registered' 55 players. The recruiting policy adopted by Newton Rangers has proved very profitable. Mr H. Strong is the organiser, and, having assumed that position, he was compelled to resign his seat on the Auckland. Centre. Mr H. Fellowes was elected in his place, and welcomed to hie new office last week.

The Bawke's Bay representative A. Richardson applied for registration with Otahuhu. Thi® was granted, subject to the player showing his clearances with the East Coast "Union.

Quite a number of fresh transfers have been granted. Sheehan of Ponsonby United to City Rovers, L. Newman from Newton Rangers to Thames Old Boys, J. R. Simpson, City Rovers, to Newton Rangers. The applications of F. Collins and C. Orano were held over pending any objection by the Remuera Club.

D. Young and 0. Grubb were regraded from second to thirdl grade, upon the application of North Shore Albion, and C. Davis, of the same club, from fourth to fifth.

The following clubs registered players:— Newton Rangers 66, Thames Old Boys 26, Manukau Rovers 14, and North Shore Albion 41.

It will be remembered the Auckland Centre recently received applications 1 for removal of the disqualifications upon Messrs Barker, Knox and Child. The question was referred to the New Zealand League without any recommendation. The governing bodty, however, required some recommendation. The Auckland Centre unanimously decided to oppose the removal of the disqualification. The same decision was arrived at in the case of B. Brigham. the chairman of the old Auckland League. The application came from the Waikato League.

The request from the Waikato League for a match with the Auckland representatives has been' deferred until later in the season.