League Rugby

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 651, 1 May 1929, Page 13

League Rugby

Notes and Comment.

Next Saturday's fixtures: Newton v. Ponsonby. M. 0.8. v. Richmond. Kingsiand v. Devonport. Ellerslie v. City. A FEATURE of last Saturday’s play was the remarkably fine form shown bv the Shore thirteen in its match against Ponsonby. It was not that usual first-of-season sort of play which lacks dash and combination, but ’was of a high standard. • It is evident that the Shore Leaguers have spent time preparing for the season, and the fine start they have made reflects considerable credit on the club. Ponsonby, which had a number of new faces showing up in its ranks, was anything but a trained team. But, according to a few brilliant turns which it managed to “pull-off,” and numerous fine solo efforts made, it is evident that it has the goods for a firstclass side, which should figure as one of the crack teams this season. The weighing-in process is now in full swing among the juniors, and the competitions for the lower grades, will kick-off next Saturday, urday. No “Free Show” The Kingsiand-Shore match which is fixed to be played at Devonport next Saturday will not be a “free show,” as has been the case with previous games on that ground. The Auckland League has decided to arrange to charge a small gate. Australian Tour Although nothing official and definite lias been received by the council of the New Zealand Rugby League from the controlling body of the game in Australia concerning the proposed tour of a New Zealand side of the Commonwealth this year, it is generally held that the trip is off. An Australian representative side is making a tour of England this year and, apart from the fact that they may not be disposed to take the risk of being beaten by an All Black side previous to their departure for the Homeland, they will have sufficient on their hands with the sending away of their own team. Transfers There has been a deal of shuffling going on in the Ponsonby Club lately, most of it being to a good advantage. Tim Peckham, the ex-Auckland and ex-New Zealand representative player, has made a bid for an open transfer, and from what can be gathered, he will be set for it providing he complies with the necessary conditions. And Letton (with the smiling face), who turned out on the wing for the

Ponies last year, will not be seen in ! the blue-and-black jersey this season. At tlie last meeting of the Ponsonby ► Club he was granted a transfer to Newton, in which club he has been promised a game regularly. 1 j “Spot" Riley turned out for the Ponies again last Saturday. He intends to play throughout this season. Team Tn the Making The Newton team, on paper, is not ; the team of yore. No team can lose ■ the presiding genius of a Dufty, and find his prototype in a day. The pack also must feel the absence of Clark. But nevertheless, the team which defeated Marist on Saturday, although at a big handicap as far as weight was concerned, gives every promise of quickly developing a worthy successor of all the great teams that have worn 1 the red and white jersey in the past. 1 Newton infused plenty of vigour into the game, which, as was only to be expected for the first of the season, was not conspicuous for combined movement. Newton’s Backs With a little more experience as captain, there is no reason why Jlardgrave should not develop into a capable leader of the Newtonians. The back line, has gained, too. in the inclusion of Brimble, who, on Saturday. gave a very promising performance. What he lacked in avoirdupois he made up in enthusiasm. Little, on the wing, a former Auckland representative, was seen to advantage on Saturday, and if he continues in the form of a season or two back, will be a very dangerous scoring man. Bast year, for some unaccountable reason, he was never seen for long in his true role as a brilliant winger. Combined Team’s Prospects Tho display of the new combined team. Ivingsland-Athletic, against City

on Saturday was. if anything, a little disappointing. The forwards seemed to lack that extra nip which characterised the display of the red and black vanguard, and thus from the beginning the Kingsiand backs were set it big hurdle. The repeated penetrating thrusts of the Perry-Iveson-Reynolds trio was too much for the combined side’s inner men. and thus the whole back line was thrown out of gear. the powerful runner with a hurdling style, showed glimpses of brilliance, and when associated with R. Carter, another strong runner, the side should not lack the scoring men when the ball gets that far. There is plenty of time yet 3’or Kingsiand to settle down in its real stride, however. City’s Promise City ended last season with colours flying, and its display on Saturday indicates that that enthusiasm is still burning. Barchurd, ut. fullback, gave a very confident display, although he did not have to run the gauntlet as Herring, of Kingsiand. did. Lawrence on the wring played as well as ever, but the real strength of the division lay in Iverson, Perry and Reynolds. Among the forwards Hamilton and J. lladley, brother of the “All Black' hooker, led the way. They were ably supported by Townsend and Pascoe. Gregory and Moisley The two men Atari si missed most on Saturday were “Pope ’ Gregory and Aloisley. The latter has gone feourh, and “Pope’s” absence seems to indicate that he has at last given the game up. At his best he was probably second only to Dufty as Auckland’s premier fullback, but being of lighter build than his rival, a.ud susceptible to recurring knee trouble, spent a good part of his time on the ‘missing” list. 1-lis work for Alarist last season was invaluable. With a safe pair of hands, an accurate pair of boots, and what is more, a genius for strategic moves, Gregory’s place will be hard to fill. Cronin, formerly half, played fullback on Saturday. * * m Tn our comment on the KingsiandAthletic versus City game in Monday’s issue, it inadvertently appeared that Cox was a forward. He really played threequarter, giving one of the best individual displays of the afternoon.