LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Observer, Volume XXXV, Issue 44, 10 July 1915, Page 10

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

The opening match of this code was provided by the leading teams of the fourth grade, Manukau and Ponsonby. It proved a very even go, and resulted in a win for Manukau by 8 points to 3.

The leading teams of the first junior competition, City and' Mangere, next attracted' attention, a win going to the town team by 8 points to 5. This proved a good exposition, and was hard fought throughout. City's tries were scored by Hogan and Sheehan, while W. Davidson converted one. Mangere's score was secured by Turner and converted by Brown.

T. Dixon, of City forwards, played a good, hard game, but must learn to play the ball. It is hard! to understand that a player who has been playing the League game for three years should make so many mistakes in this department.

W. Davidson, five-eighths for pity, did not play with his usual judgment. He showed a great tendency to kick or hang on. to- the ball, although, all his backs were waiting for it. He would be well advised! to take notice of this hint, for otherwise his play is almost faultless.

Lunn, City half, was not too sound. He did not feed his backs as well as usual, and his tackling, usually his strong point, was very lax.

Special mention should be made of Home, Ga-Uot and Duggan in City forwards, as their play was worthy of senior football.

Home especially showed out. When one considers that last year it was hard for him to find a place in the fourth grade team, credit for his fine performance is merited.

Harleyo, full-back, is a converted Rugby "Union junior, and City are lucky' in securing such a good man, as his play was tip-top.

Marroll, at full for the Maoris, played his first game in this position, and showed good promise. He is very fast and sound, and proved himself a good try getter.

Watene Brown, five-eighths, was also good, and Tommy Pai, centre three-quarter.

The other players were undoubtedly sound, but do not seem to combine as well -as they should.

Tbe average weight of the team is about 11 stone, and if they learn the finer points of the game will be hard to beat for the junior championship.

The senior game was provided, by City and Grafton. The match aroused exceptional interest, and served to enable Grafton to have their revenge by inflicting a defeat on the red and' blacks by 15 points to 5.

The play was very ragged at times, and looked as if neither team were doing their best.

R. Denize, up from Trentham, took S. Ma gee's (who is suffering from a bad shoulder) place, and H. Child's came on in place of D. Kenneally, who has a weak ankle.

There were a few bright incidents during the 60 minutes play, but on the whole the spectators did not get their moneys worth out of the match.

D. McGregor, for Grafton,, played, a nice, bright game, his first try being scored principally # through his side stepping, ending in a brilliant swervy run, in which he beat H. Childs and E. Asher badly.

Roope, at five-eighths for Grafton, played his best game this season. His first try was a fine effort, as he forced his way through all of City's backs, who seemed to think that his legs were on top of his head, as nobody attempted to get him lower than his neck.

Hadden was good' at wing threequarter, and scored a nice try. His defensive work was solid, and a lesson could l>e learned by City on this man's tackling.

Mitchell, in Grafton forwards, was soirxl, and did a lot of " work. He seems to be getting into last year's form, as bis l earlier games were not up to New Zealand rep. form.

lies, at half, was not as good as McDonald in the same position, and Grafton would be well advised to move him to his old place at fiveeighths.

J. McGregor was weak on the right wing, and did) not seem to relish the hard bumps he was getting in that position.

Ifwerson was not playing in this match, and Grafton seemed lost for a place kick, as five tries unconverted does not say much for the team's goal-getters.

Rukatai and Bright, for City, were the best forwards on the grour.d, and one only hopes that "Ruk." will 1 retain his form and! also keep within the rules of the game, as his off-side play was not as much in evidence as usual.

R. Denize also played l a good forward game for City, and it is a pity that City could not retain him for their match against Ponsonby next Saturday.

E. Asher, behind the scrum, did not appear to be trying very hard. He allowed the ball to slip through his handls on numerous occasions, which, considering the day was dry, is inexcusable for a half-back.

Boylan, at centre, was wretched. He could neither take a ball nor collar a man. His sole aim seemed to be to try and intercept passes amongst his opponents, which ended in him doing nothing. Experienced players like McGregor and Co. db not play to give passe® to their opponents'. It seems a pity that this man, after showing up so- favourably at the start of the season, should go back to such poor football.

Mincham was as bad as Boylan on the wing, and City will have to shake these two players up if they wish to win the coming championship. His play when he kicked the ball behind the line, enabling Roope to score, was shocking for a senior player, as he had ample time to pick the ball up and get rid of it. Kicking at rolling balls is a very bad practice to get into, and sboud be put down, by the Captain of the club playing such offenders.

V. Barchard, and G. Asher, City's five-eighths, played nicely together, although a word of advice to G. Asher would not be -amiss re his selfishness. He should bear in mind that it is hard to beat a team singlehanded, and causes unfavourable comment from the side-line when men are lined out ready to take a pass that doesn't come.

Opai Asher was as good as usual, his gymnastic displays again putting the crowd in a good humour. He was unfortunate at one time, afterjumping Grafton's full-back for a try, to find he was in touch in goal. He showed very heady play when he heat his three-quarter at one part of the game, and gave the ball to G. Asher, enabling him to score. This was one of the few tit-bits of the match.

N. Childs, at full-back, who came on the field late, has not been playing for a couple of seasons, and was very slow, but, taking everything into consideration, comment would be unfair at this juncture.