Shore Leaguers Supreme

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 373, 6 June 1928, Page 13

Shore Leaguers Supreme

WILL THEY SUFFER DEFEAT ?

Gossip from Club Rooms

THE year 1928 shows every indication of being a record season for the Auckland Rugby League and the burning question among enthusiasts at the present time is:—“Will Devonport go through undefeated.”

On the last two Saturdays, League enthusiasts have been treated to as spectacular and interesting displays of the code as could possibly be expected from the best club football played. Both clashes have had an international flavour about them, especially the one last Saturday, when Ponsonby went so near to knocking Devonport from the championship pedestal—it was the finest game seen this season. When given such games to witness, it is no wonder that large crowds of enthusiasts roll up week after week at League headquarters as they do. The game gains a heap of popularity as each season passes. Even last Saturday, when the Auckland Rugby League had to face such a strong counter-attrac-tion as a race meeting at Ellerslie, over 6,000 saw the game. Everything points to another bumper season, and with a visit of the English League team to break the monotony of club games, 1928 will in all probability prove a record.

Can They? A rather daring question is the chief gossip among leaguers at the present time. It is: “Will ’Shore «o right through the season without suffering defeat?” It is rather a touchy argument just yet, although to give the seasiders their dues they play great League football, and to date have been, easily the smartest team seen in action. But Devonport never was a lucky team, and if it came to a tossup they would in all probability lose. So it can be quite understood that if the team does clinch the championship honours this year it will be a popular victory. Brilliant Back Line Shore’s back line, which is so capable of producing those dashing passing bouts, is a rearguard second to none in the competition. It is well fed by a hard-working and solid pack, which fully realises the strength of its back division: while St. George, that invincible hooker, can always be relied upon to secure the ball from the majority of the scrums. Next Saturday Shore will meet Ellerslie, but this team should give them no trouble and the coast seems clear for a good* and perhaps uninterrupted, run for the big championship.

On the other hand, both Ponsonby and Marist, and also Newton, are likely to clinch a victory from the Shore thirteen. Ponsonby has already shown what it is made of, while Marist is on the improve every game,

and Newton, slowly but surely hitting its old form, is bound to prove a hard nut to crack, and will not allow any victories to go begging.

Although Snowy Dixon showed plenty of “pep” throughout the ShorePonsonby game on Saturday, he found on the following morning that he had suffered an injury

to his ribs. Snowy is feeling the real effects of the injury now, and it is not likely that he will be ready to take the field next Saturday in the game against Ellerslie. Ponsonby Leaguers who have played really hard football on the last two Saturdays will

be given a day off this week. They have a bye. Newton-Marist Clash Newtonians are looking forward with confidence to their game with Marists on Saturday. The scores the Tykes have been putting up of late against other teams in the competition indicate that they will be a hard team to beat. They rely chiefly on a hot band of forwards, who know their job, and are well supported by keen and enterprising backs, deadly on defence. The Rangers will find the three-quarters most troublesome if they are allowed to get the ball, and will do well to keep the shiny cranium of Brisbane well marked.

Rangers Ready With the guiding brain of the veteran Dufty again in their midst, the Newton backs should give a good account of themselves. Herewini, Hales and Murray, who have spent a week or more on the injured list, will also probably be back again in the Rangers’ ranks. Cammick is almost sure to turn out again as half-back, and, taken all round, Newton looks to have the nucleus of a particularly fine back division in the making. Should they combine effectively, they must prove the equals of ths wearers of the green jersey behind the scrum.

Swinging the Boot The Marist vanguard is without doubt one of the hottest packs playing. It has been noticeable, however, during the last two matches that it has played

the game a little harder than is necessary. Jock Graham, who is as capable of giving hard knocks as he is of taking them, was seen swinging a boot in mid-air in last Saturday’s match which would have sent an intervening cranium into another world, temporarily, at any rate, had the two clashed. Most of the aimless kicking which goes on is not meant to do damage, and it would be well if it were cut out. out. One Way of Doing St Some of the Ponsonby thirteen seem to have a weird way of showing dissatisfaction, in fact, temper. Quite recently Usher got annoyed during a game and gave the ball a hard boot, sending it over the fence, never to be found again. Anyhow, that little trouble has blown over now, but on Saturday another Ponsonbyite, r#> one else but half-back “Dooley” Moore, got the “huff” over something, and with a hefty kick sent the ball into the stand. It was quite evident that the incident was caused through a little templr on “Dooley’s” part, and it might be said that the other players and officials of the Ponies’ club did not altogether regard the affair as a joke. It certainly does seem a very harmless way of disposing of one’s temper, but it is not the kind of thing fans appreciate. “Play the game. ‘Dooley’ Moore.” The real holiday atmosphere seemed to surround the Richmond-Ellerslie game played at Carlaw Park on Monday morning last. Richmond, which had its team changed about considerably, lacked its usual combination and, in fact, were lucky to win.

Putting It On Crewther, skipper of the Ellerslie senior thirteen, is a very tricky fiveeighth player, but it is hard to believe that he would make a good captain. As far as Monday morning’s game is concerned, he certainly likes the limelight, but if he had just a little less to say to his men, and say what is necessary at the right moment and in the right manner, he would certainly obtaip better results, and would not have fans singing out from the stand: “Oh, shut up, Crewther!”

Tykes’ Chances With the promising tennis champion, L. G. Knott, replacing Batchelor in their three-quarter

line, Marists backs should maintain the steadily rising standard of combined play which has been so noticeable in their recent matches. W i t h Cronin now playing in great form behind the scrum, and Hassan and Brady doing as good work as ever in the five-eighths, the green jerseys

will take some keeping out. Newtonians will also find Pope Gregory a thorn in their side should they have occasion to meet him.

Cupid Again Len Ward, who was a prominent front-row man for Ponsonby last season, is going over to Australia in the near future. Len is not crossing the Tasman for the sole purpose of playing the thirteen-a-side game, although,

of course, it can only be expected that he will do well in this direction, as he is a gpod, solid, hard-working forward; Dut his idea is to join the ranks of the benedicts and settle down in the Commonwealth. Another good Leaguer gone .

Munce, who plays on the wing for Akarana fifths, has scored no fewer than 14 tries in the last three games. This team has registered 128 points without having a single one put up against them. Struth!

It must take a crackajack player of brilliant qualities to break the ranks of the Devonport seniors at the present time and obtain a place in the team. Devonport could not place Hemingway, so he secured his transfer, and was last Monday seen on the field as wing three-quarter for Ellerslie. Hemingway is not the only one, others have had a similar experience.

Shor« missed the services of St. George last Saturday. The previous week, when ho played in a match against Richmond, he received a painful kick which has resulted in his being off colour ever since. * * * Odds and Ends The Otago team will make a north-

ern tour this season. In all probability matches will be played in Christchurch, on the West Coast, in Wellington, Auckland, and the "Waikato district.

You can never judge by appearances. Brisbane’s bald cranium does not necessarily’ mean that he has reached the sere and yellow leaf stage, says the A.R.L. “Gazette.” He Mas just beginning to toddle when Dave Gallagher’s All Black team made the trip to England in 1905. The Crewther Trio R. Crewther, who has been playing for Newtown (Wellington), signalised his return to the city by scoring Kllerslie’s opening try' on Saturday'reek last. Robert turned out for the local Marist thirteen in past seasons, and has two brothers also in the Ellerslie seniors. S. Crewther has created a good impression by his displays behind the scrum this season.