LEAGUE NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1467, 15 June 1912, Page 12

LEAGUE NOTES.

[Bγ Amateur.]

DAMAGING GAME LAST WEEK,

Last Saturday's representative match between Wellington and Nelson did some damage to tire standing of the League game, and it will depend a good deal on whether or not tho next big Leaguo match tho public are asked to see is a good one, whether this damage is to be temporary or permanent. It hnd been claimed by enthusiastic Bnpporters of the new Rugby that it was _ always interesting, if not always brilliant, but last Saturday's match gave tho lie direct to these statements. From end to end the game was a disorganised rabble. No ono, not even the men who played so well against Hawke's Bay, rose above mediocre, and at no stage could the few spectators 1)6 roused to enthusiasm. Tho real trouble appeared to be that a number of tho visitors, and a few ol tho local forwards, did not know the game. The brisk League scrum was missing, the majority oi the scrums being of the set Ruel>y order, the forwards insisting on holding the ball instead of letting it out nud so opening up the game. Passing was almost unknown (luring the game, and when cither side did report to this mode of attack they performed like a bevy of novices. The oiih bright spot in Ihe afternoon's dreariness was tho tackling, which was sound, hard, and generally ell'culivc. Poor Hugby is bad, but a poor l.t'ajruo match is as bad, if not worse, because the league has so far no competitive interest, and the new code will liavo lo take care not to ronoat last Saturday's display too oflen, nr the mucli-drcpisQu old Hugby will laugh loud and lons. Potone reckon on being a bio lo place n, really good loam in Hie Hold for their match against Athletic on the local ground to-day!