RICHMOND’S VICTORY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 655, 6 May 1929, Page 6

RICHMOND’S VICTORY

Promotion of Young Leaguers will Not Affect Standard of Senior Play

A LESSON FROM SATURDAY'S GAME

WHEN the youthful Kichmond Leaguers defeated Marists ou Saturday, in a game flavoured with the best club football played, it proved conclusively that the number of new and younger faces appearing in the senior ranks will by no means mean a decline in the general standard of play. The promoted members on both sides played stirring football and well earned the praise dealt out to them by the large crowd present.

MANY League code critics anticipated that 1929 would see a slight decline in the standard of play. This, it was assumed, would be the result of the retiring of older players and the entering to the senior ranks of a quota of junior exponents, yet to attain experience in big football. These changes do take place, but as a rule are of a most gradual nature, the effects not being noticed to any great extent. There has been, however, an abnormally large change this season, and well could it be expected that the code would suffer, not a falling away in numbers of followers, but a slight yet unavoidable decline in the general standard of play. But Saturday’s games, especially the Richmond-Marist contest, exploded this assumption. The Richmond side was indeed a youthful one, and in clinching a victory from the stalwart Marist Leaguers played clever football, marking them as one of the most promising teams in the senior competition. Other teams in the senior grade have also their fair share of young players who are showing considerable promise, and if a New Zealand representative team does happen to tour Australia this year it would be bound to consist mostly of a younger set of players well capable of upholding the traditions of Maoriland football. Richmond was perhaps the more popular side on Saturday with the fans, and it is indeed seldom that an ordinary inter-club game, played so early in the season when the competition is not exactly imbued with intense interest, is attended by such scenes of excitement and prolonged turns of cheering as was the case on Saturday, when the younger set of Leaguers were forced to play as men inspired right until the last minute to clinch a victory by a mere one point margin. Better exhibitions of the code are not frequently seen, even at the height of the season or in representative fixtures. Although worried considerably by Marist’s stalwart and hefty band of forwards and occasional tricky back movements, Richmond, with all its vim, dash and versatility, was the better side on the day. When the bell sounded for the spell Richmond led 7-0. But on taking the field again they faced a glaring sun and were baffled by short up-and-under kicks which saw Marist go through to score two tries, one of which was converted. But later the time came when Richmond was no longer blinded by the rays of the sun and the Tykes’ policy of up-and-under kicking, which had been the key to their success in obtaining the lead, lost its effect. Richmond immediately tore into things and more than held its own in a dour struggle. The persistent Richmond attacks were trying to the patience of the Tykes, many of whom gave vent to their feelings by booting indiscriminately and tackling unnecessarily hard. Moisley is a tower of strength to Marist and could possibly be ranked as the best forward on the ground, but he was the chief offender on Saturday, and unless he can at least show evidence of a small degree of better sportsmanship, trouble is looming up ahead to meet him. But Maritt really brought defeat upon themselves. Referee Bull found it necessary to penalise one of their players for an offence (a type to be deplored)* and Prentice stepped out to kick a wonderful goal, which won the game. While the Tykes may have claimed one of the finest forwards on the ground in Moisley, Richmond undoubtedly had the pick of the rearguard men in Hanlon. This elusive and brilliant five-eighth (he played fullback last year—reason not known) was the pivotal point in the Richmond back line, for on innumerable occasions he would change the direction of an attach and jazz and swerve away to make beautiful openings. Accompanied by men of the calibre of Prentice, Davis, Coote and Minchairi. who is the makings of a real scoring machine, Hanlon looks to become the star of or.e of the finest set of backs in the competition. The veteran Leaguer “Pope” Gregory played fullback for Marist aiid gave a line exhibition, scoring a most brilliant try. He was worked hard compared with Leng, who had rather an easy day but found the line very neatly on various occasions. Brisbane did not appear to be up to his usual form at centre, although at times accompanied with Batchelor on the wing, he gave dazzling displays. Duane, the new man, on the other wing appears to lack confidence for such an important position in the back line, and would possibly go well among the forwards. Brady and McDonald were fair, but of course could not be compared with Hanlon and Prentice. As for the Marist forwards, with the inclusion of Clarke. the ex-Newton Leaguer, Moisley, Graham and Co., they are a very solid bunch, but even so, did not have it all their own way against Richmond’s pack, which featured Lennie, Telford, Stewart and Colebrook, a much lighter quartet.

CITY AGAIN

ELLERSLIE GOES UNDER A GREAT HALF-BACK Lining out a team which was destined to give a much better performance than the wearers of the red, white apd blue, jersey did last season. Ellerslie was still not quite strong enough to turn the tables against City on the No. 2 ground at Carlaw Park on Saturday. City included in its threequarter line Wilson Hall, of Huntly, a younger brother of Wilson Hall, the former New Zealand representative, who is now playing in England. Ellerslie opened its account first, when Hemingway landed a penalty goal, but the red and blacks were not long in retaliating. Hadley forced his way over and Barchard converted. Another try by R. Crewther (of Ellerslie) saw the half-time score 5 all. The game was not conspicuous for fast back play. Two hard working packs seemed to break up such movements before they went far, and at times play was inclined to become a little ragged. The second half saw the contest deepen in intensity, and when Hobbs scrambled across from the loose, Ellerslie led 8-5. Two further tries for City by Lawrence and G. Perry later in the game gave City its three-point win. The City forwards were mainly responsible for the side's victory, as the

back line did not work with the ease and precision of the previous week. OMISSION OF COCKS L. Barchard at fullback, was safe, and used a capable boot to advantage when occasion demanded, but the rest of the line, with the exception of Lawrence, was mediocre. Why Cocks had to watch the game from the side-line baffles all understanding. The previous week he was without a doubt the best back of the whole division, and yet on Saturday he was stood down while two new men were brought in. One of them, W. Perry, showed himself to be below standard on the wing, and the other, Wilson Hall, was not the equal of Cocks. After such selection City deserved to lose the game, and they all but did it. G. Perry, the usual brilliant fiveeighth, seems to have caught the field goal mania. On three occasions he endeavoured to drop goals when tries could easily have eventuated. Lawrence, on the wing, made some amends for the failings of his comrades, and thanks to a hard-working pack. City carried the day. Hamilton and Hadley were perhaps the outstanding forwards of a fine crowd, being ably assisted by Webberley and Clark. For Ellerslie, Olliff was the outstanding back, and Hobbs, the best forward. The former, a small fellow of only about 18 years, gave a remarkable exhibition of the halfback’s art, and was never afraid to get into the thick of things. He is one of the most promising men in the code today. Hemingway and Littlewood got through a lot of useful work, and R. Crewther’s try was a great effort. Te Puni, May and Johnston all did well. Hobbs was ably assisted by Crewther, Quirk, Slater, Paul and Campney. Mr. V. Simpson kept the game under firm control.

SHORE SMASHES WEAK KINGSLAND SIDE

MATCH OF FEW INCIDENTS From the spectators’ point of view there were very few thrills in the match, which gave Devonport a runaway victory over Kingsland Athletics. The team work on Doth sides wits patchy, but perhaps perfection, or fpr that matter, excellence, cannot be expected at this stage of the season. There were, however, occasional flashes of play, following enterprise and seized opportunities, but they were rare. In the tijrst spell play was dull, but Kingsland managed to present a reasonably solid defence. In keeping the score down to 8-2 at half-time Kingsland, which was far from being the favourite team, did extremely well. The bulk of the defending had to be done by the forwards, because the Shore backs were repeatedly breaking away. Each scrum saw the b3.1l come out clean to the Shore half, and in a flash he had it out to his backs, who were off at once. O’Leary and L. Scott were prominent in all these attacks, and Segqr, too, was watching always for his chance. The second spell saw Devonport masters from the start. The tide of battle flowed down to Kingsland’s line, and only at rare intervals was there a flow back. Occasional efforts were made to clear, but Kingsland appeared to be incapable of concerted work. There was some sterling individual effort, but that was not enough to make much impression on the persistent attackers. Angelo grafted hard the whole time, and his enterprise was rewarded finally with a brilliant try. He and some of the forwards might have been able to do something if support had been forthcoming. but with that absent, the score total had poor chance of being amended. It was Shore’s game practically from the start, yet on Saturday’s showing there is a good chance of Kingsland doing better later on.

PONSONBY’S TRIUMPH

NEWTON RANGERS BEATEN HARD-FOUGHT GAME After a match in which the winners were seen in attack for at least twothirds of the afternoon, Ponsonby defeated Newton Hangers at Carlaw Park on Saturday in the match which was scheduled to commence at 1.45 p.m. on No. 1 area. It was after two o’clock before the first whistle sounded, Newton having to wait on the field for several minutes before the Blue and Blacks put in an appearance. This early delay resulted in the main game of the afternoon being put off till 3.25 p.m.—25 minutes behind time. Despite the attack with which they were faced continually, the Newtonians, favoured by he sun, threw up a solid defence, which held right till the dying stages of the first half, when Winter took advantage of a bounce of the ball which fooled McLeod, and scored an unconverted try. The second half saw the desperate fight of the earlier stage of the game continued. Now. however, Newton took a more frequent and more effective interest in attacking operations. Hardgrave, Brimble and Little are essentially players who shine best in attack, and on Saturday this trio led the Ponies a merry dance. The fight was too desperate to allow for combined back work, but the game saw some really great solo efforts. On the general run of play, Ponsonby deserved to finish winners by S points to 3, although Fickle Fate did not smile too kindly on the Hed and Whites. WHAT NEWTON NEEDS Newton was up against stiffer stuff j than in the previous week, Marist. Two | more men are required before the I Rangers can hope to pull off much in ! the way of championship honours. } First they need a hooker of class, and !

secondly they need a better last line of defence. The “All Black” hooker, Somers, played for Newton last season, but has now given the game up. Hammond took up his duties on Saturday, but despite gameness and energy on his part Newton saw very little of he ball. With a brilliant back line waiting, It is essential that Newton should get at least a share of the ball. Wilson, at fullback, is safe as fullbacks go, but he lacks the speed and the vein of inspiration necessary in such a position. Brimble was constantly in the limelight, and shone as brightly on defence as in attack. He was engaged in several duo and solo dashes, and his elusiveness was a constant thorn in Ponsonby’s side. Hardgrave was too well watched to do anything really sensational. although he overshadowed slightly his brilliant confrere on the other wing, Little. Butterworth, Cammick and McLeod were Hall was again the leader of the van, here, there and everywhere, where* the fray was thickest. Francis added to his fine previous week’s reputation, and Rhodes, Sherman, Middleton and Hammond worked well in the loose. Lelgrosso commenced as fullback for Ponsonby, but such a brilliant attacking back was wasted there. After halftime he came up to five-eighth, and with a brilliant run, jazzed his way over right through the Newton pack to score the winning try for his side. Kimberley on one wing is a most promising man of solid build. He put in some splendid runs on Saturday. Moore, behind the pack, missed some opportunities, and Thompson appeared to be a little below par. Hutt, the massive ‘‘All Black,” led the van, and was ably backed by Stevens, Fagan, Gardner and Skelton, Payne played five-eighth till Lelgrosso came up from fullback. Mr. P. Rogers, the referee, controlled the game strictly, perhaps making somewhat too much use of the whistle.

ENGLISH LEAGUE FINAL

WIGAN BEATS DEWSBURY N.Z. PLAYERS PROMINENT (Australian and SPress Association] (United Service) LONDON, Saturday. In the final of the Rugby League Cup competition at Wembley to-day Wigan defeated Dewsbury by 13 points to 2. The weather was cold and dull. There were 40,000 spectators. The game failed to realise the expectations of a close and exciting contest, for Wigan, with five players recruited at considerable expense from England, Wales, New Zealand and South Africa, had little difficulty in beating their opponents, whose team, with one exception, were all born within a few miles of Dewsbury. Prominent in Wigan’s XIII were Sullivan, Ring and Bennett, who all toured New Zealand and Australia. The two New Zealanders had a large share in winning the game, L. Brown scoring a brilliant try and L. Mason, the giant Maori, doing splendid work, both in attack and defence. Wigan scored two goals and three tries.

AUSTRALIAN CRICKET

TEAM OF 15 TO BE SENT TO ENGLAND EACH MAN ALLOWED £6OO (United- P.A..—By Telegraph — Copyright) SYDNEY, Sunday. The Australian Board of Cricket Control has decided that the number of Australian players to take part in the tour of England in 1930 shall be 15, with a manager and a treasurer. The allowance for each man will be £6OO. Each player will be required to enter into a covenant not to return to England to play cricket for at least two years after the end of the tour. The board resolved to grant an additional £lO to each player in the recent test matches in Australia owing to their inordinate length.

MARYLEBONE CLUB

LORD PLUMER PRESIDENT British Official Wireless RUGBY, Saturday. Field-Marshal Lord Plumer was yesterday elected president of the Marylebone Cricket Club. Lord Plumer has been a member of the club for many years and has taken a very keen interest in cricket, both from the executive and the sporting point of view.