LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1752, 17 May 1913, Page 12

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

[Bx "Fleeti?oot."l FOUR SELECTORS? OR THREE? Too Many Cooks Spml tho Broth.

The selectors for the New Zealand team will be in Wellington to-day watching the senior games, and the team to visit New South Wales will fce selected in tho evening. Wellington Leaguers are not of tho idea of four selectors. They consider three sufficient—one from each centre. They fail to see why the council should appoint a fourth, who has a deliberative as well as a easting vote. Tho fourth man is "Billy" Wynyard. While no one doubts his fitness, there is the old feeling which has existed in previous selections—too much Auckland. Another bad move on the part of the New Zealand Council is the method of selection. Personally, I am at a loss to understand how the best team is to be selected when the selectors have not seen tho players in action. The Auckland men do not know the form of the Wellington and Canterbury men, and the Wellington and Canterbury selectors have no idea of the calibre of Auckland men. And what about the country leagues, they must have consideration. Tho only possible way to select the best team was the way suggested by tho local League—select a team comprising Canterbury, Wellington, Marlborough, and Hawke's Bay, and play it against • Auckland, _ Wanganui, and Auckland districts, say in Auckland. The gate would have heen largo enough to enable tho New Zealand body to pay the expenses of the men travelling to Auckland. If New Zealand is to have any chande against Now South Wales they must send their best team, and, above all, the, players who are in tho pink of condition.

Tho Hutt-Newtown Game. Tho weather last Saturday was very unfavourable for tho Leaguo game. Rain started about midday, and continued unceasingly all tho afternoon. The game on tho Hutt ground between tho Newtown and Hutt teams produced some exciting football, but, althougji Newtown won, they did not have things all their own way. Tho Hutt team were minus Harnett and James in the backs, and Ireland in tho forwards. It is safe to say that had these men been in thoir places the result of the game might havo been altered. To criticiso the backs on such a day would not be fair, but certainly one or two of tho players who took part did not display a great amount of pluck, especially in rush-stopping. The Newtown team were strengthened by the inclusion of Russell, who 'has played half-back for the Ponoke seniors. I teliovo that ho is also well known in Petone, having played behind the scrum for the suburban juniors. Russell is just tho man that Newtown havo been looking for—ho is an ideal half at tho League game, and, for his first game, ho gavo a great display. Ho is undoubtedly an acquisition to'the League ranks, and to tho Newtown team in particular. Newtown's forwards were also built np by a U-stone player from AucklandWarren, ty name. He shaped very well, and showed considcrablo skill in handling the greasy ball. ... In tho Newtown rear division Strickland played a solid game. His speed is a great asset, and ho got his side out of many tight, corners. . M'Guiro played very soundly, and is improving tvery match. Murdoch also showed an improvement on his initial games. x Tho vetoran George -was always handy, and when scoring his try showed considerable dash. | Russell was probably the best back on 1 the side. He was very nippy. The forwards are about the strongest in tho competition. They are all fast, and havo plenty of weight. "Jack Spencer played a fine game, and is m great form—tho result of hard work m tho gymnasium. There is no denying the fact that, when in form, Spencer is a great forward, and, personally, I rtm pleased to seo "Jack" is taking tho game seriously, and sets tho example by ' rolling up" to tho gymnasium Tegularlv. At tho present timo I should say that ho is as good a forward as thero is playing in tho city. Another improvement I noticed too—"jack" did not talk so much as usual. "Les" Campbell is another player who is going great guns, and is in fine form. Ho played a good gamo on Saturday. He should, however, curb Ms tendency to get off-sido.. Another player who played a good, consistent gamo was Sullivan, a brother of "Con," tho Now South Wales representative. Ho takes tho ball well, and lines up in the passing-runs in great style. His tackling is also good. Tho rest of the pack all did their share, playing good, \ | open football.

"These Hutt CHaps" Summed Up. A remark I overheard from ono of tho Newtown players before tho match just about suras up tho Hutt team. He said: "These Hutt clmps are a willing lot, and when they master a few of tho fine points of tho game, will take a power of beat--IDNow, these Hutt cliaps just are willing, and in great condition. They hammered away at tho Newtown defence from start to finish, and it was only bad luck that prevented tlicm scoring on. two or tlireo occasions. Their forwards are good, and all young players. Players Reviewed One by One. "Tom" Turner was about tho best. Ho is well known as the old Kia Ura player. Jn Rugbv, Turner never got his dues. He always was a lino forward-a forward who can do the right thing at tho right lime. "Tom" is always oil the look-out for open ins?, #"d whenever lie gets the ball can be depended on lo make tho best tisn of it. i ._ Allan is auother good forward. lie i> very fast, and it was through his fast Mlnwiiur ud that enabled liuckwnd rfl

score. The other forwards all worked hard to avoid defeat.

The backs were rather disorganised by tho absence of James and Harnett. Buckland is playing vorj; solidly, but did not get any opportunities, being too well watched by the opposition. Nevertheless, ho played a fine game, and in defence ho is "just the thing." Jasper Andersen is another player who does a lot of defensive work for his side. I can say without fear of contradiction that Anderson is in a class by himself at thfcing a ball. I cannot recall him missing it onco 011 Saturday, and it was all done like an cel. Collett is improving every match, and on! Saturday put in some nice, dashj runs, Like "Opae" Asher. The two Maori boys also caused some excitement among the spectators by their circus tricks'. One of them, Waka, re-, minds ono of "Opae" Asher. Ho is tho makings of a good man. This was his | first game of League football. Tho remaining backs did all that was asked of them. The game was played in the best of spirit, and the rclereo (Mr. Brice) hud little difficulty in controlling. Notes on tho Chief Game. Tho principal game set down for last Saturday (and ono which would have drawn a good crowd had tho weather been fine) was the meeting of Athletic and FStone. Tho convincing ground was jNowtown Park, and tho match resulted in a win for the boys from the suburbs by 11 to 7. Athletics had an unbeaten record, while (the Petono team had not won a match; but, as predicted in this column, it only required the Petono Selection Committee to put their best available team in. tho held, to make them capable of beating anything. On Saturday Petone were, as a matter of fact, able to put their best team in, but even their most ardent supporters dill not expect them to defeat tho strong Athletic combination by a margin of 5 points. The Petono team were strengthened by the incTiision of Barber, Einlayson, and Probstel in the backs, and Ashton in the forwards. The game (while the ball and the ground were dry) was at times brilliant, tliQ passing of the backs was a treat, and itie tackling deadly. Tho Petone skipper put Albert House full-back, and he played a good game. Kis taking was sure, and his kicking suic-ir.d'.d. Hse did indeed let one man score easily, but on that occasion _ he slipped and could not recover in time. Still, taking things all round, his display was capital. Glading and Finlnyson, as wing-three- . quarters, wore rather wteak, and both let the ba.ll bomnco when, by a little energy, they could have got it on tins full. Whitley played a. fair game, and handled tho wet ball well.

Miller was also in good form, and made some nice openings. A collision with Whitley put him out of action for a time, and left liim ivith a damaged eye.. "Whitley escaped with a slight -cut on th 6 head.

A Coining Champion. Probstel fully bore out the prediction in tliis column Inst week. H» is indeed a coming champion,' and his display on Saturday was brilliant. He really something more than an "acquisition" to tho Petono team. On a dry day ho will take quite a lot of stopping. "Jimmy" Barber turnied out and played half; and, considering that ho las not had the time to train, his display was sound. His knowledge of the gamo helped liis side considerably. ' lii-t!h]e forwards Ashton shone, and, when properly wound up, will be a good scoring forward. ) Not Afraid of the "Thick Stuff." Parker is an ideal forward, and gets into the "thick stuff." His tackling is low, and lie is sure to bring his man down. He can side-step with tho best of them, too. / - . Childs is another silent worker. He is always in the thick, and, above all, plays a good clean game. Guthrie was playing well, but unfortunately collided with Wilson, and liurt his shoulder, and had to go off. .This was indeed unfortunate, as Guthrie is a player of promise, and. he was just getting into his stride at the League game. , Siiardlow is a good worker, but his methods are not always tho best. He should play the ball all the time, and lie I could also use his feet with better discretion. Carried 13st. With Dash. prase>T carried his 13st. round the paddock with much dash from start to finish. Ho i 3 a bit slow at playing the ball'after being tackled, but can remedy that. Notes on the Athletic Men. The Athletic team are good, but I think that a dry day would suit them better. In the back division Kelly and Bradley were the best. Kelly scored a good try, but his defence was not as good as usual. Bradley put in >si lot of work, and tackled well. He handled the greasy ball splendidly. His kicking was also good. Ryan has not as yet struck form—he appears to hesitate. He has, however, pspntv of dash, and is a strong runner. Hardie and Wilson did not do badly. Wilson is fast, and follows up well; but (just liko Sh'ardlow)-lie must "go easy.

Workers, Talkers, Etc. Tiio forwards are a weighty lot. "Johnny" Weaver gave a good exhibition, and played a line game. Brooke9 did a lot of following up, but (unfortunately) also a lot of talking. _ Ho has plsfyed the League game in New South Wales, and should know that there is nothing to be gained by continually talking. Chapman is going well this y.eav, nnd uses his weight to advantage. M'Callion is also playing "well, and. lilco Brookes, is talking well —take a pull "Mao!" Tho other forwards all toiled hard. Tho game was exciting from start to finish, but the best team won on tho dav. Mr. AVrny was referee, and carried out liis duties to the satisfaction ol both teams. Junior Grade Notes. A junior match was played on tho Hutt ground between Petone and Hutt, and ended in a draw. ' The game was keen and exciting, and produced some good football. Good form was shown by Davis, M'Gregor, Massin, Epworth, and Langridgo 011 tho Potone side; and by Isherwood, Collett, Lang, and Hay on tho Hutt side. Mr. King was referes?. Answer to Correspondent. Tho remarks which you make re certain plavers whom you think should be in the team for Australia may be all very true and well justified, but tho practice of hinting to selectors who they should or should not select—whether in League, Hugby, or any other game—is one which The Dominion desires its various contributors to avoid as far as possible. Selectors in all branches of sport havo a sufficiently onerous task without outsulo suggestion, hints, etc., being showered on them.