LEAGUE & LEAGUERS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1758, 24 May 1913, Page 12

LEAGUE & LEAGUERS.

[Bt "Flmtfoot."! EVERY WEEK A LITTLE BETTER. Capital Weather; Capital Play. Tho League games on Saturday last were about the best that have been played this season, from a spectacular standpoint, and it is safe 'to say that if a few more games like last Saturday's exhibition happen along, tho public will not debate very long as to where they will spend their Saturday afternoons. The weather was on its beat behaviour, and that alone is a great advantage to the leaguer.. Tho players had everything in their favour, and tho large crowd —about 700 people—who turjicd out expecting to seo something out of the ordinary in the way of football, were not disappointed— in fact the opinion was expressed b.v more than one old footballer on the bank that the exhibition of back play given, especially bv the Petone rearguard, was something to enthuse oveT. Tho League game, with only thirteen men aside, is, of course, conducive to open play, and now that tho players are getting into tho idea of tho game, and are mastering the fine points, and, above all, are getting into condition by rolling up to tho "gym," they are bound to give a good exhibition. As the season progresses tho combination of tho various teams will also improve, and both players and. the public know that, if you have good combination, you will have good football.

Looking on at Newtown Park. Two games were played on the park on Saturday. The reason for putting them there was to give the visiting selectors for the New Zealand 'team an opportunity of seeing Wellington's best in action. Newtown and Athletic provided a very close gamo, and it was not until the last minute or so that Newtown headed their opponents by one point, and won. It was very exciting. The Athletic team were considered to hare the best chance of winning, but the "glorious uncertainty" was exemplified. Newtown's success was mainly due to their forwards, who played a dashing game, although (it must be added in fairness) their backs did all 'that was asked of them. , ~ In tho forward division Les Campbell and "Jack" Spencer were always, to the fore, "Les" Campbell especially being conspicuous. He followed up and tacKled splendidly, and, all through, played _ a good clean game. Sullivan is coming along fast, and is really a fine forward. The remaining forwards combined well, and, at times, passed and handled the ball, as well as the backs. Among tho backs it would bo hard to pick who were really best. All played well. Strickland shone at times, but should play wing three-quarter. M'Guire was very dashy. Russell was not playing up to form, and the same can be said of George. Murdoch is "one of the best, and, on Saturday, made some nice openings. M'Cardell, at full-back, was safe.

Jottings on Athletic Players. The Athletic team started off well, and looked like putting up a big score, but they seemed to fade away'at tho finish. Bradley was fair, but will need to improve if he is to be of much assistance to the team' in Australia. Kelly went better than ho did in earlier matches, but why,kick so much? He is a fino attacking player, but he cannot be patted on the back for his defensive abilities. Ryan might' bo better. Ho did some great 'tilings, but then there wero some poat tilings which lie didn't do. He has plenty of pace, and, if played on the wing, with his pace and weight (providing ho used it and it is not often that ho does) he would take a lot of stopping. Casey does not get much better. Wilson, as a half-back, seems to bo a failure. Ho has no idea of making an opening, and is prone to run across tho field. Ho follows up like a racehorse, however, and occasionally makes a good flying tackle. As a back, "Billy" is a "frost"; as a .forward, 0110 of the best The remaining backs, were good.

Petone Men Out for Scalps. The other game was between Petone and Hutt. Petono wero ont to avenge the defeat inflicted in the first round, and they made no mistake about doing it either—37 to 2 was severe. I't was one ot tho best matches that have been played sinco the League game started here, and tli(> football was of the, high order. The Petone team were strengthened by the inclusion of "Con" Byrne, late ot Huddersfiold. "Con" is a burly forward. He did not play up to expectations, but it may bo montioned that he received a kick while playing against Nelson on tli« previous Saturday, and this coupled with a rough trip from Nelson did not make Mm too fit. But ho mil take a lot of watcliing next Saturday. Ho lias a habit of scoring tries; lie is always dangerous, and especially so when near the goal-line. The best forward on the Petone side was Parker, and ho is one of the very best. His tackling is deadly, and moreover, he uses his head.

Leaving Old Rugby Devices Behind. ShaTdlow played his best game to date, and is leaving his old Rugby tricks behind. Too inucli boot is no good in the League game, and I am pleased to see tint "Dicky" is recognising the fact. Childs is always a trier, and on Saturday he has playing right up to form. .Tenser uses Ins weight to advantage, and Ashton promised to Rive a good exhibition, but met withan accident to his knee, and had to retire. Best Backs in the Competition.

The Petone backs are tho'best in tho competition, and it is hard to class one player above another. Tho secret of thei'. 1 success is combination. Barber works his serum splendidly. Whiteley mado some brilliant dashes, but "Bsn" cuts in too much, and starves his centre. He should pass oftenor than he does. Vary your play moro "Ben"! ..Piobstel was not playing too well, but lie was starved. Whiteley should have given him the ball oftcner. Miller played a nice heady game, and made some fine openings. His showing strongly impressed tho visiting selectors. Tin lay sou showed improved form, and Albert House displayed a lot of pace and trickiness on the wing. Wright, at fullback, was merely ordinary, and should wako up.

Fighting a Warm Proposition. Tlw Hutt boys, considering that tlicy wore against such a warm proposition, did w.;ll for .1 time. Buckland and Anderson tried hard to keep their opponents out, and Auckland's stopping was splendid. Andersen took tho ball well, and tackled surely. Collett did not pay up to previous form. . The two Maori boys showed marked improvement,and will "make good." Pole, on the wing, is very fast, and would hare scored on one occasion iia.i he kept going. M'Grath, another Union Tecruit, made one or two dashy runs on the other wing, while M'llvride, at full, did fairly well.

Rattling Forward from Motueka. Tho forwards were improved by the inclusion of a new man—Sparrow, from Motueka—and he played a great game. In fact, I would say that he was the best forward playing on the Park. Ho is a fine, strapping player, about 13st. 61b., and has gained distinction on the running track. And can't he tackle? "Tom" Turner was playing well in the first spell, but went off his game after that. Tho display of tho other forwards does not call for any comment. They did their best.

Waiting to Hear from City Council. Thn local Lqague aro awaiting a reply from the City Council regarding the use of tho Basin Reserve for Wednesday, May 28.

They have been offered a match against tho N.cw Zealand team on that date, and, given fine weather, a fino game will be seen. If tho game is to come off, it will be announced in duo time. Keen disappointment is felt in Wellington at the exclusion of "Les" Campbell and Buckland from the New Zoaand (cam. Campbell is a fine forward, but there are many fine i'orwads to pick from, and no doubt tho selectors had great difficulty in selecting the best. However, Campbell is young, and ho is suro to got there. A

trij> to England nest year wouldn't be Match at Wanganui. The Wellington team will probably play Wanganui at Palmerston on June 3. Another Club Formed Here. A now club has been formed in Wellington, with a membership of 25. It contains several prominent Union players. The club intend entering a senior and a junior team for the competitions.