The League Game.

Observer, Volume XXXVI, Issue 43, 1 July 1916, Page 10

The League Game.

The second round of the Auckland League's competitions under the Northern Union code was commenced on Saturday afternoon ■ last. The grounds were in fair order, considering the recent heavy rain. The surprise of the afternoon was the defeat of Grafton at the hands of Newton, Rangers, the latter up to Saturday last having failed to record a win.

North Shore easily accounted for Otahuhu on the Devonport ground, the country team again being unable to get a full muster of players.

City Rovers and Ponsonby United met at Victoria Park, and, after a fairly even game, City were returned the winners by a fair margin of points.

The positions of the teams, as regards championship points, ac the result of Saturday's contests, again undergo a change, Grafton dropping from first to third place (8 points), while City and North Shore are again on top with 9 points each. Otahuhu 5, Ponsonby 3, and Newton 2 are the respective points held by the other three senior teams.

The following are the results of the senior games played last week-end: —Newton Rangers (8 points) defeated Grafton Athletic (3 points).. The unexpected happened in tliis match, especially after Graf ton's showing in their previous match -with City Rovers. It is to be hoped that Newton's win will be the forerunner of others now the ice has been broken. North Shore (30 points) easily defeated Otahuhu (nil) at Devonport. The latter team were without the services of several players, and found the handicap too big a proposition. City Rovers (15 points) defeated Ponsomby United (8 points).

City Rovers met Ponsonby United on Victoria Park last Saturday in. cold, boisterous weather, City notching another win by 15 points to 8. The game was not a good exposition of the League code, but still was exciting and at times brilliant. Ponsonby supporters made no secret during the week that they anticipated a victory, and when the teams lined out a number of last year's men were noticed for the first time this season, and on the whole the blue and blapks. were consider-

ably strengthened by their inclusion. Fitzgerald, a returned soldier, and lato of City Rugby Union fame, made his first appearance in League football. He played full-back for City, and although he has not yet mastered the different type of play, he proved himself a decided acquisition to the red and blacks. He is a cool, determined player, a good line kick, and his effort when he dropped a goal from the field, deserved all the applause received, as it was undoubtedly some kick.

E. Asher, who was siiffering with a weak ankle received in the Grafton match, was not up to hie usual goal-kicking form, but played one of his best games. His run down the line when'McAubrey scored was very fine, and showed he has not yet lost his cleverness as a wing threequarter.

W. Davidson played well, but is developing a tendency for selfishness. Repeatedly on Saturday he was collared with the ball, which is not excusable when two of his men were waiting to receive his pass with a clear field ahead of them. A word from his skipper might alter this fault.

J. Sutton played as well as usual, which, is all that is necessary. He is one of the most consistent players in the League game seen out this season.

R. Clarke played his best game to date. His tackling and passing was tip top. He seems to have that happy knack of getting rid of the ball at the right time, a point which is essential to good five-eighth play.

Mitchell, who wae playing fiveeighth, was not a success in the position. He does not seem to set his hacks going as he should, thereby spoiling spectacular play. He is for his weight one of the best forwards City has, and one cannot understand why he is not kept in the forwards.

Lunn at half is improving considerably, and must be complimented on his latter two games. At the commencement of the season he would not open up the game, but now his play leaves little to be desired. McAubrey and Rukatai were , the best amongst the City forwards, with Sheehan and Duggan very good seconds. Sheehan's try from half way was a good one. The ball came from Mitchell to Sheehan, who cleared out from the field. He certainly has a lot of pace for a forward.

An incident in connection with Rukatai should be mentioned, so as the fans on the line, etc., will be understood. Rukatai had followed up fast to the fullback, but the ball was returned, and as "Ruk" was coining back City kicked down field again. Rukatai took the ball a good 30 yards offside,' which caused quite a lot of jeering, etc., from the public. Now for the point. Had that ball touched a Ponsonby man in its flight Rukatai was perfectly right, and although from the press stand it looked a clean there are hundreds who were standing on the line who say that it hit McClymont. Consequently it is a pity that the public, before hooting a man, (I i<l not make themselves fully conversant with'the rules.

Wilson, fullback for Ponsonby, was not a success. He was often collared with tlie ball, and was none too .safe. Still it may have been one of bis off daj r s, ne up to this match liis play has been very creditable.

Norgrove played a nice neat game and scored a pretty try on the wing. He was considerably better than his partner on the other wing, Innes, who was out of his place, and consequently was not a success. He cprtainly showed a clean pair of hells to City when he scored under the posts, which made up somewhat for his poor, showing generally.

McClymont, who wae injured near the start, did not play up to his usual standard.

Jones, centre three-quarter, and Walsh, behind the pack, Avere a tower of strength to their side, and got them out of numerous difficulties.

Pip Webbe, playing five-eighths, was the best back for Ponsonby. He played with good judgment, and was unfortunate on. many occasions in not being instrumental in scoring. His tackling was a treat to watch, and Ponsonby are to be congratulated on getting him out again this season.

Manners, Cadman and Clarke were the pick of the forwards. It was Clarke's first appearance this year, and he most certainly strengthened the blue and blacks' vanguard. Taking the match on the whole, it was Ponsonby'e best effort this season. The Auckland Rugby League are to be commended on the adoption of a firm stand in connection with the conduct of junior teams taking part in the various competitions. At a meeting held last week, the controlling body decided to make an example of one youthful player for using bad language, suspending the offender for one month. At the same time two teams were placed on the carpet for giving similar trouble, and cautioned that, should any further complaints be received from spectators or others complaining of the free use of bad language they would be withdrawn from the competitions. In referring to the above, the policy of the League to have fewer teams of gentlemen players rather than many of a mixed lot is certainly to be commended.

Mr Ben Rutledge, a member of the Grafton senior club, who has just returned from the Islands, again donned the jersey for Grafton on Saturday last. Mr Rutledge was one of a party who did the rounds of the Pacific'islands, gathering in the enemy subjects for internment.

The Auckland Rugby League gratefully accepted the City Band's recent offer to provide music each week end at Victoria Park. The members of the band are keen supporters of the League code, and offered their services to assist the Auckland League. At the same time, the publicity each Saturday will help to make the band more generally known to the music loving public.

Complimentary letters were received by both. Grafton and City Rovers Clubs from the executive of the Auckland Rugby League on the splendid exhibition of League football on Saturday week last. The League -trust that other clubs will endeavour to emulate the" spirit shown by the contending teams by making the game more open and spectacular, as supporters 'of the Northern Union code claim it to be.

A visit was paid to the hospital recently by members of the League to have a chat to one of their returned players from the front—Roy Denise (Roy was one of the cot cases in the last batch of returned soldi ere). He is looking well, and hopes, under the present skilful treatment, to be around and about amongst his old friends very soon. At the same time, the visiting officers looked up two youthful players who were recently injured on the field of play. It is,pleasing to note that both these patients are making satisfactory progress.

Mr J. Huntley, for some time a member of the League's Junior Advisory Board, is on final leave from Trentham. On Saturday afternoon last he was presented with a set of safety razors by members of the A.R.L., as a memento of his past services to the. League game. One and all wish him a safe return.

All returned soldiers and men on final leave are cordially inyited to Victoria Park each Saturday afternoon, as honorary members of the League. The officers controlling the games on the Park will be. pleased to find seating accommodation if same is desired.

The Association Game ,

The Auckland Football Afsociation coniipetition games were contimied on Saturday afternoon last, when several very interesting matches resulted.

The principal "go" was between V.M.C.A. and Everton in the senior division, the former eventually proving the winners by 4 goals to one. In the other senior division game, Richmond had the better of North Shore by two goals to one goal.

The results in the other divisions were as follows:—

Second Division. — Everton (3 goals) defeated Richmond (one goal), Mount Albert (15 goals) easily defeated North Shore (nil). Fifth Division. — Richmond (5 goals) defeated Technical School (1 goal), Devonport Presbyterians (3 goals) defeated Everton (nil).

Sixth Division. — Northcote (2 goals) defeated St. Helier's (one goal). North Shore A (5 goals) defeated North Shore B (nil)., Belmond (3 goals) defeated Devonport

Presbyterians (nil). It is reported that Mr L. Warren, the hon. secretary of the local football association, has been accepted, and will shortly leave for Trenthani to take his place amongst New Zealand's ever-increasing large body of fighting men.

At the last meeting of the Council of the New Zealand Football Association' it was reported that the Canterbury Association had no less than 18 and the Otago Association 25 school teams affiliated this season. The Buller Association advised that all games in that district had been abandoned this year on account of the war. The meeting decided to allow the Buller representative to retain his seat oi the Council. The Council's secretary (Mr B. L. Salmon) was complimented on the energetic manner in which he bad carried put his duties during his several years as secretary. It was decided ibhat a letter of condolence be sent to Mr T. McLaren, delegate for Auckland district, in regard to the death of his father. (The deceased gentleman, Mr David McLaren, was for many years a trustee of the Auckland Football Association, and had proved himself a staunch friend to the Association, game in many ways).

It happened at the Carterton school the other day, when the class was receiving a lesson on turning certain nouns into the feminine gender, by the use of the affix "ess." The teacher gave the words "shepherd," "lion," "tiger," and the answers came quickly and correctly. Then the teacher asked who was the Governor of New Zealand, and the class answered, "Earl of Liverpool." "Quite right," said dominie. "Now, what would you call his wife?" "Earless" and "Governess" were tried, and then silence fell upon the class. Presently a little girl's hand rose proudly. "Wellj what would you call the Earl of Liverpool's wife, my girl?" said the teacher. Sharp came the reply, "Earl of Liverpool's Own, sir," and the wielder of the tawse had to retire to his desk to hide his confusion.

©©■ . ® "You've 'card our William's engaged?" "No. 'Oo to?" "Well, that's a bit of what you might call a romance. There was a chap in 'is regiment 'c didn't know killed alongside of 'im. And William wrote to 'is girl about it, as 'ed a letter from 'er on 'im when 'c died. An' she wrote back again to thank 'im for 'is letter. An' 'c wrote again to say 'ow 'er letter of thanks had cheered 'im, and so they goes on till they gets engaged. 'E's trying to get leave soon, for now 'c's a bit curious to know what she looks like. You can't tell much from them postcards, you know." And the deeply interested passenger® who were listening thought that William, indeed, was one of the heroes of the war,