League Rugby

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 777, 25 September 1929, Page 15

League Rugby

Notes CLTid. Comment.

, The Ponsonby and Marist Leaguers will again be seen in action next Saturday in the feature clash of the day when they meet to decide the champion of ChamI pions. South Auckland v. North j Auckland fans will be favoured with ; a change from the usual football fare next Saturday week, when Northland will meet South Auckland at Carlaw Park. Both of these combinations have been seen in action in games against Auckland this season, and both have certainly made fine showings,’ sufficient to predict a very bright display when they meet on Saturday week for the first time. South Auckland may perhaps have the advantage in the forwards, but to this Northland can be relied upon to worry the southerners in the rearguard division. South Sydney’s Record South Sydney, the crack New South "Wales League team, which is to visit New Zealand next month, has won the senior club premiership in Sydney for five years in succession. In the 22 years tlio League has been going, South has won the championship nine times, it features a style of fast and spectacular play which is bound to*be popu- : lar in Auckland. Counted Their Chickens I The following appeared in a recent ! Sydney paper: ‘‘Souths are anxious to finish off the season’s feast by having a piece of the best New Zealand can offer. ■ “Although, it looked like counting their chickens before thev were hatched. Souths got busy and invited trip 1 ' players to say ‘Yes’ or ’No’ to the 4, Practically all were dead keen on the project, and it only remained to be -seen if the Rabbits had to play a challenge final or not. ’’But Newtown having proved easy meat on Saturday. George Ball sent an ■ ca “egram to the Dominion to tllem that Souths were ready and "’filing to take the business on ’That cablegram left Sydney on Satui day night, soon after the final, and it only remained for the O.K. from Enzed to put Souths on the boat whenever required.” j To Meet South Sydney There is something more than the Stai-o P “ n ° f , cham Pi°ns’ honours at Po k o„L nC o Saturday's game, when Ronsonby will meet Marist. It is well on tho cards—ln fact, as good as defi mteu- settled—that the winning team \vfli be Uie first chosen to play the p U + V l Sydney Leaguers. And in spite of tho colourful reports which have been received across this side concerning the astounding ability of Sydney’s rearguard line, either Marist or Ponsonby iii bound to prove itself well capable of extending the visiting side. Under Council Control V * Sl * °*- Sydney Leaguers will be under the control of the council of tlio New* Zealand League, and as this body is not so exceptionally financial, it ia to be hoped that the corning visit will assist the council to the extent anticipated. And it is most pleas-

ing to find the Auckland League giving f all possible assistance by granting the j use of Carlaw Park at the lowest rate j which could possibly be expected. Such j consideration to the parent body marks I sportsmanship, and is always appreciated. Graham in Form

Jock Graham showed by his great game against Ponsonby on Saturday that he is by no means a back number in L eagu e. PI e tv a s on the ball from •start to finish, and it was one of his best games this season.

Ordered Off Back-row man Duane, of the Marist pack, was ordered off the fieid during the big game last Saturday, which from all appearances was a most justifiable move on the part of the referee. Duane’s particular style of play, as a rule, denotes a sheer search for trouble, and last Saturday be got it. The Sydney team will arrive here on October 8, and will leave again on Sunday, October 20, for Wellington, where it will board the steamer Tahiti for the return trip. In all, the visitors will be here for two Wednesdays and two Saturdays. ! Fullback Still Wanted Ponsonby has had no end of trouble this season filling the custodian’s position. Tho versatile “Dooley” Moore filled tho gap early in the season, but his services were badly wanted elsewhere o*i the field, and White, a proemoted junior, then became the Ponsonby fullback. He gave some good exhibitions, and just as the Ponsonbv officials felt they were set. White was injured, and has not played since. On Saturday, Delgrosso played back in , the earlier stages of the game. Then he went further up, and was replaced by Skelton. * * * * Delgrosso’s Injury It was bad luck for Ponsonby that Delgrosso should have been crippled early in the game. After that he was the weak point in the Ponsonby team. Ho missed two easy shots at goal, as well as giving away a try through inability to get into position quick enough. No doubt he will be out to redeem himself next Saturday. MATANGI POLO CLUB From Our Own Correspondent HAMILTON, Tuesday. A successful season was reported at the annual meeting of the Matangi Polo Club last night. Mr. W. R. J. Franklin presided. Tho balance-shet showed a credit of £SO. Tho following officers were elected: President, Mr. W. R. J. Franklin; secretary, Mr. W. L. Ranstead; captain, Mr. G. De Vere Cliitty; selectors, Messrs. S. Pilkington and J. McNicol; committee, Messrs. Pilkington, Chitty, G. Ranstead, R. Hinton, A. Johns and R. H. Townsend.