SENIOR B GAMES.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 150, 27 June 1929, Page 21

SENIOR B GAMES.

NORTHCOTE'S GOOD FIGHT.

LEADERS FULLY EXTENDED. A good game between Otahuhu and Northcote was a feature of Saturday's B section League matches, the latter team fully, extending the two blues, who lead the grade with Point Chevalier. Both Otahuhu and Northcote were minus several of their best players, and under the circumstances a clever exhibition of the code resulted. At Mangere, Point Chevalier won comfortably from the Maori team, whose form has improved of late. The much improved Richmond thirteen beat Parnell in a closely contested game. The competition still remains interesting. The following are the positions of the teams:—

Fts. Oil. P. W. h.. D. P. A. Pts. Otahuhu .9711 ISI 26 li> Pt. Chevalier 9 7 1 1 S7 ol la Northcote S 4 4 — 50 76 o Richmond .8 4 4 — S9 7!) b Pnrnell ..9 2 7 — 10S 112 4 Mangere ..91 S — 47 230 Northcote started off well against Otalmhu, and had a good deal the better of the first half. In fact, up until the last twenty minutes, the seasiders were always in the picture. Superior combination of the rear division eventually gave Otahuhu the advantage, which was maintained to the end. Northcote only require coaching on positional play to become a dangerous team. Several of the younger players displayed a sound knowledge against more experienced players.

As usual, Phillips gave a sound display at full-back. He fielded wejl, and kicked with excellent ' judgment. Behind the scrum, Farrell played a fine game. The ex-City half did some fine work on defence. The wings, Matson and Ellery, were prominent with limited opportunities. Conway was the best forward on the ground, and should have no difficulty in securing a place in the B representatives. Hart was also a tireless worker.

POINT CHEVALIER TOO STRONG. Point Chevalier were altogether too solid for Mangere, a»d won rather easily by 17 points to 5. Mangere started offwell, and a try by Roberts gave the Maoris encouragement. Wilson was prominent in tricky runs, but the other backs gave little support. Cronin fed Points' backs, anil several tries resulted from fine combined play. Point Chevalier equalled the scores when Goodwin scored, and Cronin converted, and from then 'on they controlled the game. A fine dropped goal by Lane gave the green and whites the lead. For the winners, Humphries, at fullback, played, a sound all-round game. Smith, at centre, was perhaps the best of a good, even rear division, his try being a fine individual effort. Besides playing a good game at halfback, Cronin proved a. .useful place-kick. The five-eighths, Lane and Monaghan, played solidly. A fine game by Goodwin was a feature of the match. Fast in the loose, and deadly in tackling, the Point forward had a great day. JKindley and McPherson were also good workers. For Mangere, Roberts, in the forwards, was outstanding, while Wilson and Pai played good games in the backs. PARNELL-RICHMOND GAME. Playing for Parnell against Richmond, who got°the championship points, Kerr, at full-back, did some useful work. The United Suburbs' break bowler opened up play in good style, and defended ably. The remainder of the backs kicked too often when on attack. Two more tries should have resulted but for this weakness. Anderson, however, played good football. On attack he was Parnell a best back. Campney got plenty of chances, but hesitated too much. Little was in every movement, but spoiled a <*ood display by kicking too much. _ McLaren will do better with experience. Ritchie was perhaps the best forward on the o-round, He is well up to senior A standard. Brockliss and Watson were dangerous in forward raids, while iork, Wilson and Sloman played well.