LEAGUE & LEAGUERS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1824, 9 August 1913, Page 12

LEAGUE & LEAGUERS.

fßi ."FLEETroor."l CLUB & OTHER ACTIVITIES, Training Told, Congratulations to Newtown on their double event. By defeating Athletic oil ■Saturday they clearly demonstrated that they liavo the strongest team playing under League rules. Athletic wero'confident of winning, and, whilo their condition lasted, were far too good for Newtown, but in the second spell Newtown's "form" began to tell and they rattled on twenty points in. no time. ' Although this club has now won. both the M'Uuiro Cup and the ICnock-out Competition, one cannot say that their football lias baen good. They have a solid team, and in many of their matches they havo made it a forward game. They do not, however, throw the ball about ns I'etono and Athletic do. They merely depend, on their heavy forward's. This sort of game may be well enough to win matches, but the writer prefers -the open game. At the same time Newtown deserve the congratulation herewith extended to them if oal.v for>one reason—and that is that they train. I hope to see them challenge tlift leading Canterbury team for the Thackor Shield, and on their present form they would win for sure. So keep on training, Newtown, and send in yoiir challenge through the local league as soon as possible! I may say that the shield is the best of its kind in tho Dominion; It will form a fine piece of "household goods" for any club fortunate enough to win it. , The Right Sort of Game, Saturday's match was a good sample of tho League game.T venture to comparo tho League game to cricket. It is said that the charm of cricket lies in the "glorious uncertainty," and, to my mind, tho' same can be said of League football. At half-time Athletic, on Saturday, seemed sure to "win, but Newtown, took advantage of their numerous opportunities and quickly put up a substantial lead which they maintained to the finish. New-full-back, M'Guire, again played a- solid game, and seems to improve every match. "Mac" uses his head, and never fails to run and put his three-quarters into action whenever opportunity' offers. Newtown's three-quarter line is also good. Collins in ' particular showed improved form. Marshall and George, ca outside halves) played up to the standard. George is solid in defence, but lacks pace. Marshall I loolc upon as "one of the best." He uses his .weight to advantage and reminds one of Charlie Manning, tho New Zealand five-eighths. Bussell, at half, is a good attacking player,; quick on his feet, audi gets the ball away nicely, but is very weak in defence. If he.improveil in this department he would 'bo a topnotcher.

Newtown's forwards are good. Every man is keen and they combine well. Jack Spencer ami-King were up with the play all the time on Saturday. Sullivan and Benzinan were resourceful, especially the latter, who was the best forward on the ground, and is probably the best forward in Wellington at thfe present time. Manning and Campbell also played 'well. . The Athletic (team wero a little disappointing. Their fnll-lwck was weak and so were theirs wing-three-quarters. Parker wos only fair and Kelly middling. Utikn, the scrum half, played well. Bradley was the best back on the ground. In the forwards Weaver and Brooks did their best to avert defeat. Severs, a .recruit from the Union ranks; is an acquisition. The other three forwards played up well in tlis first lialf, especially Beere, but condition told its tale in the seoond spell. Athletic have only themselves to'blame for the loss. .You cannot play the Leaguo game—in fact, you cannot play any gamo —unless' you -train, and with the facilities which Athletic have for training 'there-is really no •'excuse. For Trained Men Only. Tlio trial game between the .'A ahd B teams to-day should be worth watching. The selectors intend to pay marked attention to the men or form, and so the game should -be.-very,.fast. The selectors have pur'pb&lj* l 6mttted*such ifell-known players as Barker, Spencer, and Benzman in order to give men like Utiku. (the Athletic scrum half), Chapman (a.-Hutt forward), and Childs (the Petono 1 forward) a chance. Some Coniing Matches. Arrangements are well in hand for tho Canterbury match at Newtown Park on August 10. Canterbury are bringing their best team up, and are confident of extending the best that Wellington can produce. Mr. T. Cunningham, of Auckland, will act as referee. The local team will leavo for 'Auckland on Thursday, August'2l, and play Auckland for the Northern Union Cup on August 23. Thjs contest is creating much interest. Last.year Wellington l\'ere defeated by the holders by IG. pointy but, this time, Wellington are hojiCnil. Matches against Hawke's Bay, Taranaki and Wanganui will bo played after the New South Wales, match, Tho 1-ooal League are now in communication with Wnngonui, Hawke's Bay, and Auckland with a view to playing a junior renresentative match at one of theso centres. Tho junior griido competition is creating a lot of interest. Although Petono A is leading by a useful margin some of the teams lower down are "triers" and the ultimate result is by no means settledl yet. Some very promising players now .figure in the junior ranks, anions: these being "Reg" Parrant, M'Counell, Ilewsori, Puketapu, and France (a recent convert from tlie Hutt Uni<sn team). Next season should see some (or all of them) playing in the senior grade. Every junior player should be sure to see the New South Wales team-in action. They will find it educative. Junior Championship Table,The following table shows the positions of the League teams entered in the junior grade:— i ps ■~~>S 8J iS J P u 5 Cj .CJ h Petone A ........ 4 ' 4 0 0 61 12 8 Petone B i 2 2 0 43 36 4 Petono C 4 2 2 0 '14 20 4 Ilutt 4 2 2 0 21 28 4 City 4 2 2 0 37 58 4 Athletic 1 4 2 2 0 43 14 4