THE LEAGUE CODE.

Auckland Star, Volume 97, Issue 97, 26 April 1926, Page 11

THE LEAGUE CODE.

THE SEASON OPENED. BIG CROWD AT CARLAW PARK. j THREE EASY WINS. DEVOXPORTS HARD LUCK. It was indeed, a happy move on the part of those League officials responsible. for the present solid footing the League code is on in Auckland when they clinched negotiations which secured, for i the Auckland Rugby League the posses- j sion of Carlaw lark. Since then the | Park has undergone a complete trans- J formation, and as the result of t!ie j spending of a substantial amount of : money in carrying out a progressive ' policy. Carlaw Park is now perhaps the best playing ground in the Dominion. The condition of the ground on Satur-1 day ■when the A.R.L. set the 1026 season jn swing, was such that the A.R L. might feel proud. It had t!ie appearance of a, well-kept bowling green, the heavy r.iin of Friday having no effect at all, unless it was to take the sting out of the playing area, which, if anything, was an improvement. ! The game between Ponsonby and Devouport provided the chief attraction at Carlaw Park. There was always sufficfcnt doing to keep the crowd of about 7000 excited and when Devonport were leading witli only twenty minutes to go, a win seemed assured for the seasiders. Then bad luck stepped in, and two men were removed from the field injured. With only three men in the pack, the whole team became disorganised, and they were helpless to keep Ponsonby from scoring, | and a very lucky win went down to the "Ponies."' PONSONBY V. DEVONPORT. Little Miss Joan Endean dressed in blue and white kicked off, and the. ball was then scrummed. The Ponies won the scrum and the backs threw the ball about. Webb bringing Delgrosso down. There was not a great deal doing, but Usher was responsible for a nice run. However with only Kichards to beat he was unsupported. Handling thb ball butter than the blacks. Tonsonby kept on attacking, and Delgrosso with n neat run in scored. He failed ro convert. Ponsonby 3. Devonport (>. It had been some time, since I'onsoii'by got within scoring distance, and fumbling by Webb saw Ward snap up the ball and dive across. Delgrosso goaled and l'onsonby led 8 to 0. A± this stage I'ayne retired. Allen taking his place, and on the Devonport side Stewart retired, Rule coming on. Harper was taken from the i pack and placed en the wing. The next score added to Ponsonby's total. Usher getting the ball to finish off with a score anil a snappy run by Delgrosso, the latter goaling, l'onsonby 13, Devonport <». I Scott did good work and took play j inside Ponsonby's tweuty-tive, where he ' 8f nt a lons puss infioid. Dison wns there to take it and streaked for the line to score between the posts. A. Scott goaled. Ponfiouby 10. Devouport 5. ■Usher (i'onsouLiy) retired and Goodley came on. Devonport came back to tho attack, and after two Ponsonby men had caught Webb and let him go the ball went to J. Laing. who struggled across to score. A. Scott missed with the shot. I'onsonby 13, Devonport 8. Keeping up tho aitack Webb sent the ball to Harper, who handed to Seager, the latter having a clear run In. A. Scott goaled and the half-time score read: —

I'onsonby 13 Devonport 13 Ponsonby opened the second half by setting up a vigorous attack, and they threatened to bring off a score, till broke through and took the play to half-way. The handling of the ball was not accurate, and it was ouly this that prevented I'onson'by from scoring. For three or four minutes Devonport were in trouble, and it was v relief when K. Scott came through to gain ■M yards. Harper got the ball and crosskicked. J. Liiing securing. He hasn't much pace, but after side-stepping Langley he struggled on. and just reached the line with Hutt hanging on to him. A. Scott goaled, and the seasiders were in front —Devonport IS, Ponsonby 13. Lams retired hurt. A. Scott prevented a certain score to Ponsonby ■when he brushed aside a pase sent in by Goodley. The I'onies were now putting a lot of dash into tbeii- efforts, and Stevens, hooking every bit as well as St. George, the blue and blacks were having the best of the play. Riley made a nice run before passing to Moore, who scored. Delgrosso failed with the shot —Devonport is, Ponsonby 10. A couple of minutes later A. Scott scored a fine try for Devonport. Dribbling the ball. Lansley fumbled, and Scott was ovor the line ill a flash. His hot went wide—Devonport 21. Ponsonby Iβ. The pace was now right on. but Devonport's luck was right out. as Webb was carried oH the field hurt, and the team, with 22 minutes to go, had but 11 men on the field. With only three in the forwards. St. George, O'Brien, and Dixon, the blacks were right up against it, but they played desperately, and made Ponsonby graft as hard as they ever did. Awarded n penalty in front of Shore's goal, Delgrosso put the ball over—Devonport 21, Ponsonby 18. Though severely handicapped. Devonport fought hard, but the odds ■were too heavy, and Allen scored from a long j ass sent by Cole. Delgrosso landed v fine goal, and again Ponsonby got in front— I'onsonby 23, Devonport 21. A minute later Riley scored between the posts, and Delgrosso goaling. Ponsonby's tally went to 2S. Riley was next- to score, and the game ended — Ponsonby 3t Devonport -. -I ■ QJr. 'Minchara was referee.

RICHMOND V. ATHLETIC. Richmond lost the toss and Parkes kicked off. Avery being first to handle the ball, kicking into Jenkinson's hands. Several scrums ensued in mid-field, where Richmond ' was awarded a free. The Grafton forwards set up a bright, passing bout, which was nullified by Parkes in Richmond's quarter. Lang took" the free kick awarded to Grafton, the ball dropping just short of the cross-bar. Devoii instituted a fine passing movement and transferred to Prentice, the ball afterwards being handled by Devon, who was unlucky, being collared when about to cross the line. For quite a while Richmond had the yellow and blues well confined in their own twenty-five. From a j scrum Davis secured, and dashing through, ! gave to Parkes. who scored the initial try under the posts. Carroll added the em- ! broidery. Kichniond 5, Grafton-Ath- | letics 0. I wiiJn half the first spell gone. Athletics had failed to show up in really good work, ' particularly the backs. Richmond were doing most of the attacking, both forwards and backs being responsible for nippy play. Dufty and Lang were prominent for Graf-ton-Athletics, the former frequently im- • proving the position with useful long line kicks When well up in Grafton's I territory. Jenkinson saw an opportunity ' and snatched the ball from behind Lang, and quickly passed to Bass, who notched I another try. Carroll this time failed to I convert. Richmond S, Grafton-Atheties 0. Te Whata, Avery and Herring seemed to warm up a little afterwards, the trio be- • ing instrumental in inaugurating excur- ' sions into Hichmond's half. However, they appeared to lack the required finishing touches when in close proximity to Richmond's line. Awarded a free kick just inside of Richmond's half of the line. Lang booted hign for Dufty to secure. He passed to Lee. and this player opened up Grafton's account by registering near the corner. Dufty did not convert. On resuming. Grafton-Athletics displayed ' a little more dash than they did in the first half, while the other side also improved j considerably. Numerous free kicks were ; awarded to Grafton. but they made little I use of these. AVhen hard pressed by "Richmond. Avery obstructed, and l'arkes took the free, and just failed to place the balL over the bar. Then Courtney, To AVlinta, and Avery indulged in some snappy passing, play beiu.? taKen to tie other end of the tield. where Parkes took charge and I relieved. The Richmond backs moved down j field. Ilanlon. their full-back, successfully , working the scissors pass with Jenkinson. | Forward passing spoilt a certain try at this ' juncture. Quite a lot of the excellent work : by the Richmond thirteen was. in fact, dis- : counted by throwing the ball forward, j After Hadley. Lung, and McGregor hao. ! made a line dash throush the Richmond | pack, Prentice broke through the opposing side and passed to Davis. Once again | Richmond offended by pitching forward, i Preniice spoiling a good scoring chance. I

AVhen Graf ton were being held in their own quarter, Dufty, with a long Hue-finder, brought welcome relief. Another scrum was ordered about midfielfl, and from this Campbell hooked for Richmond and sent the ball to Prentice, who saw that Parkes got it. Jpnkinsun was the nest to receive, and running on. he was collared by Grafton's fullback, .Tone*, who helped the Richmond man to score by dragging him over the line. Carroll converted. Despite herculean efforts I to add further to their small score. Grafton found it difficult to penetrate the solid defence and the excellent tackling of Richmond. Not long afterwards Ilyland followed up a dribbling kick by Davis am] scored. Carroll landing a beautiful .coal. Then Parkes scrambled over, for Carroll to again convert. Richmond 23 Grafton-Atliletics 3 Mr. Saunders was the referee. j j CITY V. NEWTON. I I City attacked from the .iump. and clean !h* lulling by Lewi;;, Wctherill and Davidson : saw Newton on the defence. The City backs ! were throwing the ball about, but at this ! stage lacked cohesion. The Newton backs got going and Mansill, the last to receive, cut through cleverly and was travelling : fast when Wade brought him down. After 14 minutes' play City opened the ' scoring. From a set scrum at muifipld, Ghent swung a long pass on the blind side to F.rown, and the City wing In an electric burst of speed shot past Little. As Sallon converged on him Brown crosskicked to Bass who fielded adroitly without slacking bis pace, and scored between the posts. Bass converted.- —City ~>. Newton 0. City again attacked, and Wade, after i running to Newton's last line of defence passed into space. Play swung across the Xcwton goal, and after a momentary holdup the ball again went to Wade. Cutting in brilliantly he beat Quintall and Sallon to score under the posts. Bass' attempt to convert was a poster. City got off a epectneular passing bout. Ghent to Lewis, to Wetherill, to Davidson, to Brown, but the speedy wing was given no room to manoeuvre and was hemmed on the side line. Another attack started by Ghent saw the ball go to Lewis, to Wetherill. for the latter to score under the bar. Bass goaled. City 13. >«ewtoil 0.

It was next Newton's turn, and in sustained attack, they got right to the City line. From a scrum, Poison -whipped the ball to Little on the short side, and the latter, after a rush, sent it back. Poison scoring wide out as the result of a pretty bit of combined play. The angle was too wide for Clarke. City 13, Xewton 3.

A moment after the resumption of play. Welherill intercepted a pass from Mansill in the Xewton twenty-live, and raced across unopposed. Bass converted. City IS, Newton 3.

The City backs were dominating the game and, in pace and crisp handling, were giving a lively display. There was just, however, a fatal lack of finish, and several brilliant bits of attacking play, which augured well, proved unproductive. City came again and Lewis niade a nice opening for Davidson, the City centre, in a quick cut in. getting over under the posts. Bass converted.

When play was resumed Clarke ran through unsupported to the City fullback, and then kicked. The attack was temporarily held, but Mansill made a nice opening, and scut inlield to Poison, who {.Mined more ground in a clever swerving run. He kicked across to the open side, and Morraan coming up fast into position, completed the movement by scoring alongside the posts. Mansill converted. City 26, Newton S. Heartened by success the red and whites commenced raiding in great style, but although Poison was shootins the ball away clennly the Newton Inside backs were not showing the necessary penetrative skill to get through. City transferred the play to the Kewton line. and from a free Bass missed a chance at short range in front of the posts. ' The City backs were now throwing the ball about in lively fashion, and at the end o£ a passing run Davidson had a clear field. After an exhibition of pace he crossed unopposed beneath the bar. Bass missed an easy shot. City 29, Newton S. Although outplayed Xewton were sticking to a hard task well, and they struck back whenever occasion offered. But most of the Newton work was solo. Browne, Purdy and Little, however, combined nicely iv a passing run, and the latter sent across at the flag to Eeore a well-earned try. which Mansill could not improve. City 29. Xewton 11. L. Brown in a fine show of pace sprinted along the side line. *lle kicked over Kallon's head and Bass, following fast, scored close to the posts. Crewther converted. City 34. Newton 11. City continued in the ascendancy, their backs* playing a care-free game, and throwing the«ball about In tine style. Another free to City saw Crewther pilot the ball aafoly across, and the score read. City 36, Newton 11. On the City side of half way a lons pass meant for L. Brown wont to the ground, and Little dribbled the ball close to the line, where Poison snapped it up and went over to score. Mansill converted. City 3fi, Newton 16. Play swung up and down the field, and both teams lost scoring chances. L Brown on one occasion got past the Newton full-back, and then dropped the ball, to lose a certain try. An intercepted pass saw Quintall clean away with only Crewther ahead. He sent the ball on to Jiorman, and the latter was downed right on the lino. In the last moment of the game the City backs got off a spectacular run. The ball after going to the left wing came across intield. and Wetherill got a presentation try beneath the bar. Brown missed an easy chauce to convert. City S9 Newton- lt>

PARNELL V. ELLERSLIE. Tlie score, 3 points to 2 in favour of Ellerslie. gives a good indication of the senior B grade match which was played at the Domain on Saturday, and although the first spell was in favour of Ellerslie, I'arnell was strong enough to stop any points going down against them. Ellerslie, the winners of the grade championship last year, opened with combined forward rushes that took a deal of holding. On three occasions only did Parneli, in the first spell, succeed in breaking the opposition and take play to Ellerslie's territory. Lawrence started the first breakaway, and sent to Simpson, who passed on to Broekliss. A number of good chances wore lost by I'arnell through the poor efforts of Simpson, but despite this the black and white forwards played a great game. Brogan. Slater and R. Johnston (fullback) were most prominent for Ellprslie in the first spell, while Perry (fullback) and Herbert shone on the other side. There was no score in the initial stages of the match. The second half opened with Parneli attacking strongly. Shortly after the start Herbert. who was playing a brilliant game, was knocked out and Bine replaced him. The game became hard and fast now. and from a scramble at centre Slater secured and dashed down the lino to score Ellerslie's first points. The kick failed. Parneli rallied somewhat after this reversal, but Brogan intercepted a pass and made a brilliant solo effort, but w« Johnston «b-

srrueted and a certain try was lost. PushIng the attack, Parnell wont dowu tho field. and Perry receiving in the quarter dropped a beautiful kick over the posts. The two teams played solidly over tho last few minutes, but neither could break through and a good game, with the players still perhaps in need of freshening up, ended with the scores as indicated. >Ir. Saunders ably controlled the game. MANGERE V. NORTHCOTE. FielJins: v toam or players from various grades. Northcote went down to Mangere lit Victoria Park to the tune of 37 points to S. It was not a. great exposition of the code, but there were just enough bright Hashes in the giime to keep the handful of spectators interested throughout. liight through the first spell 'Mungere attacked strongly, both forwards and backs throwing the ball about iv good .style. Xorthcote were kept defending for a time, ami from a melee on the line the ball was whipped out, and travelled alng the line of backs to Si. I'aul, who raced across at the corner. The kick failed. Mangere soon started a series of good passing rushes among the backs, and the poor defensive work of the yellow and blacks let Mangere gain much ground. Towards the end of the erst spell, the Mangere rearguard threw the leather about in great style. Paul, on the wing, showing a turn of speed that often left the opposition standing. Play was dead for a time at the beginning of the second spell, but with the wind at their backs, Mangere soon made the pace, and for the greater part of the spell Northcote were hemmed in their own twenty-five. .1. Ilapi, who played well at centre for Mangere. amazed the spectators with a great corkscrew run. Gathering in the ball, he side-stepped, swerved and dummied his way through the opposition to score a brilliant try behind the posts. In many cases the clever openings made by him were responsible for points to his tenm. For the winners M. I'aul (H), Tutaki (2), .1. Hap!, Ilira. and Wilson (1), scored, and Dean find Neill crossed for the losers, llira and Tutaki shared the goal kicking honours for the winners. Mr. T. Hill controlled the game. KINGSLAND V. OTAHUHU. From the kick-off Otahuhu took play to their opponents' twenty-five, keeping it in that quarter for some tinve, until Kirkland, grabbing the ball in the loose, passed it smartly to Knight. who, after a brilliant run, came within inches of the line. After close play in this position, Eustiee. who had been playing well, gathered the leather ana made a successful dash, giving Otahuhn a well-deserved try. Otahuhu pressed again, but a free kick for Kingsland brightened the situation and after a ..-lever piece of handling. MacMatins, for Kingsland. who cut in and beat about five men, passed smartly to Herring, who. in turn, conveyed to List, who scored. List converted. Play was kept in the centre of the field until the end of the first spell, (be score still being: Kingsland ">. Otahuhu 3. In the second half the Kingsland backs after having Herring changed from centre to second five-eighths, combined well, and were unlucky not to score again. Play now moved backwards and forwards very quickly, and the game ended without any further scoring. Flower, for Kingslaud. had a rib badly bruised, and Kirkland for Otahuhu. who had been playing brilliantly, received a sprained ankle. The game was controlled by Mr. P. Rogers. SOUTHERN MATCHES. CHRISTCHCKCH. Hornby 15. beat Marist A. 13. Walmalri, 1!>, beat Sydenham, 18. Woolston, 17, beat Marist R. 12. Addincton, 30, beat Llnwood, 3. DKXEDIX. City 33, beat Christian Brothers 5. Athletic 2:;, bent K.iitangata 2. Kaikorai 13, beat PaciUc 9.