LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16739, 22 May 1922, Page 2

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY’S CAMEB. ADDINCTON’S SUCCESS. I The termination of the fifth round of the fixtures for the M’Leod Cup in the j Senior premiership has established the loading position in favour of Adding- ! ton, and on form the western suburbs | players are fully entitled to that posi- ! tion. The game they played against Sydenham on Saturday showed marked ability. In both teams the energy and 1 stamina of youth were prominent, and i it is pleasing to be able to write that I am-ongst the twenty-six players there was not a sluggard, and all were playing the game for the game’s sake. Football is healthy recreation and makes for quick thought and quick action, so that in future years the players will profit from association with a game which demands speed in thought and deed. The three-quarter line of the Addington team comprises three members who ; havo proved their ability on the locaf athletic tracks, and added to this is a j cohesion which is a leading factor in ; their success. The Addington backs, with one exception, have been long as -ociated. and £ove rome up from the lower grades, and this has had much to do in placing the club in its present high position. Sydenham hare always encouraged youth. Tn all sports taken up in the south suburbs there has always been a seeking for the youth with promise, and it is pleasing to see in the League j team such hefty youths with pace. A j Prominent feature is their abilitv to ! * a fkle. and they had plenty to do in i this direction on Saturday. j ADDINGTON (14) V. SYDENHAM (P>. The attendance at Sydenham Park j was the largest for a club match since j the introduction of the Code here, ■ though there was the strong counter | attraction of the New Brighton trots. . Those present, and there was probably 1500. had the satisfaction of seeing a. ; fi«« spectacular display of clean, fast Rugby, with many bright incidents, I the playing going up and down the field alternately, with both teams eager for success. That training has been con- •“ ’stent was apparent as both sides maintained the pace to the end. It was early apparent that the issue lay between the Addington backs and the Sydenham forwards. The latter were assisted by a willing set of backs hut their tactics were to Addington’s advantage as they were kicking too t high and too often, whereas had the | grubber kick been in vogue and placed | to gaps offering their forwards would have been better supported. One of the special features of the game was that the forwards on both sjdes have learned to act up to the five yard rule. This enabled them to keep control and will improve and smarten up the game, especially by the centre backs. In the first halfi the Sydenham forwards harassed the opposing backs all | the time and the south-end team made | some desperate efforts to score. A ! ddiing run by F. King saw him cut i through the opposition and a try seein;ed assured. "With only M’Kenzie bei tween him and the goal line and S. Trudgeon galloping alongside, the Sydenham centre gave a good p»es which if taken meant a score, but Trudgeon, usually a sure handler, dropped the ball to a loud chorus of Oh’s. A similar incident befell Addington. "Watts broke away and sent fast to W. Green, who transferred to J. Sanders. The latter ran Smith into position and passed, but Smith mulled the transfer. J. Sanders regained possession and shot over at the corner, with Rowe and Cromber round him. It was a fine effort that deserved to succeed. In the second spell the Sydenhamites rushed their opponents’ goal line, and Matthews, kicking to the centre from a penalty effort. Young shot through and as he was dragged down transferred to King, who was over like a flash for a try. Matthews missed an easy goal, and then came the tit-bit of the game. The Addington forwards, who were now getting on top of their opponents, heeled fast to Watts. who sped round, giving W. Green the ball, who, side-stepping at top speed, shook King off. and sent to J. Sander*, who ran Smith into position, gave him the ball Rnd'the Addington centre 6hot over to the delight of the Addington portersFor the winners J. Sanders was the best back on the ground and was ablv supported by Watts. Green, F. Sanders and M'Kenzde. Bench played a great game in the forwards and M’Leod, M’Gibbon and A. Green were al#o prominent. J. Young was the best of the Sydenham backs with King, Rowe, Coomber and Matthews doing their share well. Trudgeon. M'Alpine, Heard and Southam did fine work in the wardsWOOLSTOX (14) v. LINWOOD (9). Though eclipsed by the Sydenham Park game, a. fair amount of interest was taken in the contest at Woolston botirocn Woolston and Linwood. Woolston had been showing promising form of late, but it must be admitted that on Saturday they had an off day, as had Linwood. The game was disap. pointing, keenness being missing and interest at a lew ebb. There was nob one really good, exciting, combined dash during the whole game, and the tackling and general strategy were very weak. The first half was all in Woolston's favour, and the score during these thirty-five minutes was 12 points to 3 After that Linwood took on a new lease of life and made an even fight of it, Woolston being able to add only two more points to their total-

‘végvera! timn when they were in desperate straits foolish play by Lin. wood brought about additional traubla-

For instance, on two outstanding occasions a back fielded, punted and did not even trouble to follow up and put bis men on-side. The try AA’oolston secured just on the half-time call would never have been scored if the Tun wood backs bad been doing their best. The leather was kicked by a AVoolston plaver and a Green three-quarter mulled. TTe collected, and when he saw Stapley coming he slung it wildly away, with the result that Stapley snapped up and got over under the posts. The rest of the team was as surprised as Stapley- At the time, this try was secured Gregory, who was playing at. full-back for Linwood, was not at band. Gregory was the mainstay of bis side, but the way be wards off vould-be tacklers could lie improved

P. Smith at wing three-quarter for AVoolston was always in the picture. TTe and Main broke up a number of Green sorties. Ferris in the forwards set a good example by keen following up.

NOTES.

The Linwood team missed the services of C. and N. Moulen against AVoolston, and this disorganised their backs. The brothers were resting for the box - ing contests at night, and as both were successful their victories were popular with the green and blacks.

The fixtures this week are Addington v. Federal and Sydenham v. Woolston, Linwood having a bye. The Linwood team are endeavouring to make arrangements to play a "Wellington team on June 3. The visit of a Maori team to Sydney is creating a lot of interest in League circles in New South Wales, and the success of the Native team against an

Auckland representative side will give pleasure to the New South Wales officials. The members of the team are undergoing a special course of training tor their fixtures, and are due to play in Sydney on June 5. M. Flynn, the diminutive Auckland full-back, is playing for the Athletic team in the northern capital. This club was previously the Maritime Clun. Others well known in boxing circles in New Zealand, in L. Cadnian and Keenan, are also playing.

The following paragraph is taken from the Rugby League “ News”*’ : —As showing how some people are prepared to push home the old saw, that there can he nothing good in a game that makes provision for out-of-pocket expenses t-o its exponents, the following action cf a well-known firm speaks for itself : -A , certain player who had been in their j employ for three weeks only was iclected to tour New Zealand with the | Union team, and asked for leave. The chief said it could not be done, but asked the man what code he played under, and, learning it was, as he termsd t. the “ amateur” game, he consented, and when the player returned lie .e----ceived a rise in his pay envelope. Contrast this with the treatment accorded tx League player who had worked for j this firm for nine or ten years. When , he was included in the team for England he asked for leave, hut was re fused and told that he must resign. And this in such a sport-loving community as ours. The new playing rules adopted by the New South Wales executive will he of interest to local supporters. They are as follow : SCRUM FORMATION. 1. The front row forwards to form in a straight line so as to provide a clearly defined opening or tunnel in which to insert the hall. 2. The two front row forwards on that side of the scrum nearest to the half-back putting in the hall may lift their outside feet after the hall ha.% been placed in the scrum, but must not lift either foot whilst the hall is being placed into the scrum, or the inside foot whilst the ball is in the scrum. 3. The two front row forwards on the other side of the scrum to be allowed to put their outside foot across the tunnel to prevent the ball going through the scrum. 4. The half-back to put the ball into the scrum without delay by rolling the hall by an underhand movement from the level of the knee. 5. Immediately the half-hack has put the hall into the scrum he must etire behind the pack and not wait to see which aide gets possession of th« hall. PLAYING THE BALL. When a player is tackled by an opponent, and both players go down to the ground, the tackier must immediately get up and must not use the body of his opponent to assist him 41 doing so. The man tackled must regain possession of the ball until he has gained his feet, which he should 1° without delay, when he must at once put. the ball down on the ground *n front of him, and between himself and his opponents’ goal. It is not compulsory to actually place the ball on the ground ; it may be dropped from the hands so long as it is allowed to reach the ground, and is then next played with the foot. N\ hilst the man tackled is playing the ball all players must keep clear of him. Mr W. J. Heselhurst. who has been refereeing in local fixtures, leaves lor the north eii route to Sydney th** week, iie intends returning in July, and ex

poets to bring hack with him all th’ latest rulings in vogue in New South j Wales. . 1 The Sydney University team that w.:l visit New Zealand next month includes | four doctors. Sydney exchanges •-»; hand report that the students are show- ! ing good football and are being coach led bv the ex-New Zealand centre, W Kelly. ! The Rugby League “News" id discussing the team states: University have secured a find ” in ('. Evatt late of Duntroon. Of stocky build j weighing 12st Mb. he is a lifeless ruekei | and a first-class rake. Sandy Pearo* I (who should know something of rasing) considers Evatt one of the he-. 1 rakes in grade football to-day. He -s a brother of the 'Varsity president. 11 V. Evatt, a well-known figure in tlv. legal world. A. Pooley. who was here last weel to contest the heavy-weight boxin; | championship, informed me that .lie ; game is progressing very rapidly in th i Auckland districts, and mentioned the i at Hamilton they have some promisin ! players. The Auckland representative I i- giving up placing, hut intends to jon [ the ranks of the referees.

The folio-wing 1 table shows the positions of the senior teams:— Matches Points Cup Club. P. W. L. For. Ag«t. Pts. >ddington .4 4 — 69 1ft ft Sydenham .4 3 1 76 22 6 W oolston • 4 3 2 46 4ft 4 Linwood . s 4 1 3 40 47 2 Federal . . 4 — 4 16 312 —