LEAGUE NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1461, 8 June 1912, Page 12

LEAGUE NOTES.

[Br Ajiatedb.] THE GOOD START THIS WEEK, Monday's Game. The exhibition of League football given on Anderson Park on King's Birthday w as a display pleasing in the extreme. There wore about 1200 people present, and everyone of them seemed to enjoy tho game. It was so bright, so lively, and so lost. Putting all bias aside, it is quite clear that the gome "took on," and there reed bo little surprise if the next good gi me ante Northern Union rules draws a verylarge crowd. And'there is little use endeavouring to hido the fact that thero are surprises in storo as to tho Uuion players who arc likely to go over to the League. There were surprises last week, there will be more thip v;cek unless certain players go back on their intentions. Phases of the Game. To one used to Eugby the exhibition came as a irclcome relief to the averago Rugby garnet There was no long-drawn-out jumble oalled a scrum—a thing which happens nearly all the time in "bad Rugby matches and begins and ends in r-ctliing in particular. The writer also liked tho absence of line-outs. Tlr-ero could be no tw;o opinions of tho absence of play which was likely to lead to accident. Players are prohibited from handling their opponents who are down, and that provision certainly works in tho interests of clean play.

How the League Backs Shaped. Several of the players seemed to have considerable adaptability for the geme. Bradley, who. was the chief back of tho Southern team last season,' and this season as far as ih has gone, played a dash-, ing game in thie three-quarter line. He apneared well able to gallop from start to "finish, and thnt is one of the best qualifications a player can have. Kelly, recently .Athletic five-eighths, was in Ms element. His coolness made him prominent throughout in creating openings, and ho seemed far faster 'than ever he appeared to be on tho Rugby field. K. George, the one-time Auckland cen-tre-three-quarter, played a good full-hack «amo. Running, not'kicking, is tho best defenco for a full-back under League rules. P.'O'Sullivan showed that he was c-x----ceptionallv clever at tho game, but he shone more in tho first spell than in tho second. The League Forwards. Of the forwards dt was interesting to see John Spencer, once a Wellington representative of note, in the field again. Spencer lasted well, hut is hardly the type of man for this game. C. King (St. James senior and Wellington representative) signalised his entry into the g£..me by scoring five tries. 'He is .the kind of forward the gamo suits, so long 'as his condition lasts. Irvine, as lock, was very successful; and Wright, though cut of condition, w.as clever at making openings.

What's Ado in the Hu'tt Valley? With the establishment of the League gamo in Wellington, corno items of interest touching Hutt and Petone. Both meetings to form clubs were largely attended and many of those present (Rugby Union men) only wanted the assurance of a gamo every Saturday to bring them over. The public, on ' tho other hand, seem prepared to give tho new game a fair chance. It is understood from informants such as Cross, Barber, Ramsden, and Wright that once the game is put on tho market with nlayci-s in form tho public will be satisfied. Just at present nothing but training has been gone on with in Ilutt and Petniie. This is in preparation for club matches, which will commence next Saturday. The grounds (now the property.of the League) aro situated just over the stopbank, and parallel with White's Line. They kill bo ready for playing on next week. Up till the present time there areinany rumours of Rugby Union players embracing League rules, hut both secretaries of the' suburban clubs, whilst they do net deny this allegation, will not admit that it is the case. To-day's Fixture, This afternoon Wellington f,nd Nelson play at Duppa Street.