League Rugby.

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 717, 17 July 1929, Page 13

League Rugby.

Notes tiTici CoTTiment.

Next Saturday’s games: Newton v. Devonport. Marist v. City. Ponsonby v. Ellerslie. Kingsland v. Richmond. « « » Good Football Ahead Two more playing Saturdays will sc j ,h» finish of the senior competition, j ,nd from then <m until the end of the Reason League fans will bo entertained by various Northern Union Cup games, .he Ttoope Rooster competition, and j the his annual champion of champions clash which will bet provided by the winning team of the senior competition and the winners of the "Rooster" competition. There is certainly some good football ahead. One Out of the Box Just what difference Beattie’s n.b.pneo made to Dcvoport in the City match is hard to estimate, but against Richmond on Saturday, he signalised his return to the Shore team by playing a game out of the box. All through the second spell, Beattie was the danger point in the Devonport attack, and he infused a dash and vigour into the rear- I miard which was lacking the previous J week. . Back to Newmarket Ponsonby secured the services of ' •pat'' Median from Newmarket last ,eason. but this crack player has been „n the sick list this season, and lias net been seen in action except on one occasion when bis side was short of nlayers. He has now been granted a ransfer back to Newmarket, and as c is not yet a senior, in the official «ense, he will not have to bo regraded. Kimberley was seen on the field again last Saturday. It was previously reported in these columns that he had suffered an injury and would not be playing again this year. He was re-examined, however, and marked as fit, and will consequently be seen in action in future^games. Half-back Mclntyre was taken with the 'flu at the eleventh hour on Saturday and did not take the field. His place was filled by the versatile • Dooley" Moore. A Handy Man Ponsonby was short of a fullback on Saturday, and again called upon Harvey White, its versatile first junior player. Ho had a game or two with the seniors last season, but this was his first appearance with them thus year. Lately ho has been playing in the pack for the juniors, but he seems to be able to come out and make a Rood shotting in any position, and on Saturday he certainly did not let his side down. “Pat” Skelton, the Rugby convert who turned out for the on Saturday, made a good showing, and certainly looks like being a permanent for that team. Considering the shocking conditions which marred any open play, his handling and passing were well up to the standard. Revel, who was seen out with the Ponies earlier in the season, has been granted a transfer to Kingsland. There is one thing to say about the Ponsonby Club—when it cannot give a man a game its officials do not appear to mind handing out the “passport.” This, of course, is how it should be.

Mud-lark Jenkinson, the Richmond skipper, was a real mud-lark on Saturday. Ide fairly revelled in the heavy going, and lie seemed to have a string: on the ball. It was one of the best exhibitions of forward play given at the Park this Backs—All Good City’s selection committee will have something to discuss this week when the Question of a regular arrangement of its backs comes before it. Shortland has gone into Reynolds’s place us half, and, as he is such an acqu%it.ion, must stay there. Iveson and Cleorgo Perry are five-eighths whose claims cannot bo disputed. Laurie Bare hard and W. Perry are the wingers, and Steve Watene holds the fullback position. With McLaughlin recovered from his brief spell through injury, it seems that he will have to go in as centre against Marist this Saturday. So it all comes down as to what will become of Reynolds, who is a handy player and has played consistent football this season. Wet Enough It was the first really wet playing afternoon of the season last Saturday, and players will not want as much dampness for a long time to come. How much the weather affected comparative form is open to conjecture, but the results worked out very much according to rule. Devonport and Ponsonby won out simply, but Newton fought City every inch. At Dunedin The Dunedin League senior competition seems to have passed through its most interesting phase for at the present time there is nothing in sight likely to defeat Christian Brothers for the Ellis Cup. The Greens have put up quite a good exhibition of the code during the season, and will thoroughly deserve the honour of being the champion side of 1929. Good Things Coming Of course, the League’s move tc play senior games in the suburbs is commendable, but the importance ol playing all the matches very shortly at Carlaw Park headquarters should noi be forgotten. With the promise o] clinking battles, especially with Devonport. Ponsonby, City and Marist al eager, the public would certainly at tend in hugo numbers. Devonport a present seems to have a mortgage oi the championship now that the com petition has advanced another week with no difference in the points mar gins among the leading teams. Classy Football With favourable weather condition: some classy football is bound to b witnessed at Carlaw Park next Satur day, when Marist will meet the mos improved side in the senior divisior Citv. But this programme cannot b compared with that mapped out fo the Saturday following, when th Tykes will meet Shore, and Ponsonb; is fixed to play City. Both thes clashes, which feature the four bes, thirteens in the senior competition, are certainly likely to provide the finest club football for this season. Both games may have a direct bearing on tlio championship. Four teams are short of a game in the championship competition, owing to weather conditions and a week-end trip to Hikurangi. Kingsland has yet to play its first round match wttu Richmond, and Marist has to play Ellerslie. * * * S Those Rugby Captures The League has not had such a worth-while haul from Rugby for a long time as in the signing-on of Shortland, the clever Maori half, and Pat Skelton, formerly of Grammar. Shortland's ability is unquestioned, and City now has an abundance of valuable material for its backs. Perhaps its combination will be seen at its best, sustained this time, in the | after-championship contests. The pubI lie is eager in its j expectations. 1 011 iff still Hurt Sturdy Olliff, Ellerslie’s clever half, is still receiving medical attention, and there is just a chance that he will not be able to help his side next Saturday. * * * Another rumour has been going the rounds this week about C. Dufty and the possibility of his leaving the game, but investigation shows that there is 'no reason for such a report. Dufty J strengthened Ellerslie noticeably ! since ho joined up with the wooden- | spooners. and his play has lost none !of its deliberation. . - , . _ | Incidentally, there is stated to be a i move afoot to secure another player j for Ellerslie to strengthen the team further. SOUTH AUCKLAND TEAMS HUNTLT, Tuesday. ! The following have been chosen by ! the junior selectors of the South Auckland League to play on Saturday next at Huntly. with a view to final selection for play in Auckland: —A s: Fullback. Clout; threequarters. Hill. iMortnmore, Broughton: five-eighth, R. Hart. Knight; half, W. Hart; forwards, Crooks. Huia. Gibson. McCallum. Mc--1 Xeil, Knapper. B’s: Fullback, Broadi hurst; threequarters, H. Hart, Berry, ! Gearv; five-eighths, B. Smith, Attrill; | half Kosoof; forwards, Raumate, Bossad, T. McCallum, G. Smith, Scurr j and Baker. I