SENIOR B GRADE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 186, 8 August 1930, Page 11

SENIOR B GRADE.

TWO SPLENDID GAMES.

RICHMOND IMPROVES,

The splendid showing of Richmond against Otaliuhu was a feature of last Saturday's senior 13 grade matches.

Otaliuhu, which lead the grade, with Point Chevalier, were fully extended to win by S points to 7. Never at any stage did Otahuhu outclass their youthful opponents. Richmond is undoubtedly the youngest side in the competition, most of this season's players taking part for the first time as seniors.

The advantage with Otahuhu was in the forwards, where the blues had plenty of weight and scrum experience. The concluding stages were most exciting, particularly when Richmond's backs attacked. Only cool judgment by Phillip, full-back, saved the day for Otahuhu. The oflicials of the Richmond Club can be commended for patience in getting together a team after being outclassed earlier in the competition. Although defeated, the close game is sure to be encouraging for the young players. For Otahuhu, Phillip played a sound game. His defence repeatedly checked the Richmond forwards. Parrel 1 was a tower of strength behind the pack. His clean, snappy passes gave the fiveeighths plenty of time to move. Eustace played a heady game on attack, running straight and backing up well. Matsoii lacked opportunities, but put plenty of dash into his play. The forwards proved a solid lot. Phillip and Conway doing great work in the loose rucks. ITart was also prominent with solid tackling. Northcote were narrowly defeated by another leading team in Point Chevalier, but only after a line game. Point won by six points to. two. -

The game was. fast and open and there were plenty of clever passing bouts by the backs. For the winners, Christmas and Humphries scored tries.

Like' Richmond, Northcote is steadily showing improvement, and it will occasion no\ surprise to see the marine suburbs tea.m play a prominent part in the Stallard Cup competition. On Saturday, Northcote backs played the open game and soon had the grade champions on defence. Experience played a big part in getting Point out of many difficulties. Humphries' try was a beauty. The midget half sold a perfect dummy to two eager five-eighths, who expected a reverse pass to the forwards. From a football paint of view the game was easily the best seen this, season. There was more combined passing movements and much less kicking. • y

At full-back for Point Chevalier, Hcmingson was not in form: His weak fielding often got the team into difficulties. Duncan, at centre, has only to develop a swerve' or side-step to become a match winner. Good defence stops his powerful, straight ;running. McLaren was the best of-the wings, although young Boiicl played well. Monoghan was successful in checking the opposing five-eighths- with solid tackling. Christmas and Humphries tiofn played splendidly. Morrow and McLean were the pick of the forwards, while Surtees prave splendid support.

Robinson's, display at full-back was faultless. It .is , safe to say he never oncc dropped the ball. The .Northcote custodian is worthy'b't. a game in first grade football. Batty's pace a source of worry to Point's backs. The North cote fiver; however, got few opportunities. Wiilkins. was- ea.sily;,the-best back. He was tricky 0.11 attack, and repeatedly beat the opposition by clever foptball. ' ; . i The forwards-infused, plenty-of dasn into -their play and gave the backs excellent support. Thomas, Hurley . and Dean stood out prominently.' .