LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Observer, Volume XXXV, Issue 37, 22 May 1915, Page 10

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

The Rugby League championship advanced to the second round, the various matches resulting: Graf ton, 10, v. Otahulra, 0; Noirtli Shore Albion, 24, v. Newton Rangers, 3; Ponisonby, 4, v. City, 0. Graf ton journeyed to Otahuhu, and the suburban outing was appreciated. A fine playing fround, a set of impartial spectators, and a good, fast sporting game were the conditions experienced 1 . The winners were the best team, and, although they have much room for improvement, their condition stood out against the more individual work of the suburbanites. Although the home team failed to score they were unlucky. Still, the absence of concerted movements met its fate. For Otahuhu, Hargreaves at fullback, offered a splendid defence. Brennan, behind the pack, was slow but tricky. The forwards all worked in a willing manner, but Stanaway was most conspicuous. The Graf ton full-back Law showed a lot of improvement over his previous week's work. Loram, a promoted junior, occupies a place in the three-quarter line. He lack© confidence, but perseverance will overcome the trouble. As usual, Ifwersen left little to be desired. His kicking was again of ■a high standard. D. McGregor put in a lot of good work, but at times develops an inclination for individual efforts. J. McGregor was very successful as first five-eighths. Isles took McDonald's , (absent) place behind the scrum, and did well under the circumstances. Roger's absence was felt from the forwards. The pack worked in a willing manner, and Mitchell claims mention. The North Shore-Newton matchenabled the marine suburb's representatives to pile up a big score and add; a couple of more points to their championship list. The Sihoreites showed improved form over the previous week. Newton are weak, but stuck gamely to their task. City tasted defeat through the efforts , of Ponsonby. It was a close go throughout, and, what little advantage tWe wae rested 1 with the victors.

Ameil, the winners' full-back, deserves a word of praise. He ie young, posseses plenty of pluck, and repeatedly got hi® side out of some nasty trouble. McClymont, although a very light player, is very heady, and brought off some nice work. Beecham and Oorby are also two very good three-quarters. left the field at half-time. His work is only fair, and to abandon bullocking tactics will prove more profitable. Walsh; who came on in the second half, gave a fine display of half-back play. Sutton, a last year Rugby player, is a good addition to the western team's ranks. He is very solid 3 and more tuition will prove him a difficult customer to overcome. Manning shone forward, but the brilliant star was McWhirter. He was ever in the thick of the play, while for goal kicking alone he is worth inclusion. A lesson City can adopt is the manner in which Ponsonby played the ball. The work wae clever, andl opened the game splendidly in their favour. This reference to playing the ball must not be mistaken as to infer that the Cityites played the man. It was the dispensing of the hard kicking tactics that threw away advantages gained. Mincham, at full-back, played a good, safe game. His taking was sound, and on the whole his play compared favourably with the beet City has had. A. Asher, on the wing, got the team out of many difficulties, besidles amusing the spectators with his characteristic dashes. He still retains his form of previous years. Kemnedy, at second five-eighths, played a tip-top game, but he would be well advised to follow Barohard more, as one try at least wae thrown away through him not being up with Barchard to take his pass. Brooks, at centre, wjis disappointing. He did not seem at home at any part of the game. His tackling was his only redeeming feature. Boylan was not too sound on the right wing, and the same remarks as above also apply to him. Barohard, first five-eighths, was brilliant at times. Hie tackling was solid', but he had a great tendency not to watch where he sent his passes , , one or two of them being very wild. E. Asher, half-back, played satisfactorily, although the new ball wae going through hie legs too often, but on the day hie play left little to be desired. Magee, in, the forwards, showed out very prominently, and is improving every match. His fast following up and tackling was a feature of the game. He has shown himself on a. par with any Northern Union forward this eeason. Rukatai was also good, but had rather a tendiency to break from the scrum too soon. He would be well advised: to dwell until the ball is out, as on Saturday he cost his side a number of free kicke., Bright wae not so prominent as in the Newton match, but still! his play was satisfactory. The same remarks apply to Barchard, a promoted last year junior, but still we must take inio consideration the Ponsonby forwards are much stronger than Newton. Avery showed a decided improvement on last week's game, and worked very hard in the thick. His weight helped considerably during the game. Tresize, a new member, showed great promise. He ie very fast and a hard grafter, and on the day was on a par with the rest of the forwards. At the last meeting of the Auckland League a letter was received from Mr Brigham stating that he did not authorise the Waikato League to make application to have his suspension' removed. He requested no consideration be given the question unless upon his otto application.

J. Frelan, who will be remembered as secretary of Hobsonville last year, was granted a transfer to Thames Old Boys. His old club is not reforming. Thames Old Boy®' colours: white jersey with black shield, black knickers, black stockings with blue ■facings, have been approved of by the Auckland League. The Richmond Club has granted transfers to W. Bouvaid to Remuera and G. Norman to Ponsonby, and same has been approved of by the League. The Navy Relief League's request for a match to raise fundis for the Women's Navy Relief Funds has been deferred until later in the season. Although Williams was refused a transfer to the Newton Olub he has now made application to gain admission to Thames Old Boys. The request was to have been decided last Wednesday night. The recommendation of the junior advisory board that insteadi of weighing each player in tha fourth and fifth grades the authority be given the captains of teams' to challenge players andi have them weighed met with approval. The question of transfers is one the Auckland League has to give much consideration to, and at the next meeting some solid discussion is expected The old complaint has made itself apparent again, the thieving of valuables , from players' clothes* at Victoria Park. 'Every effort is made to cope with the trouble, but yet the h-neak thief gets in.