AUCKLAND CHAMPIONSHIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 112, 14 May 1934, Page 13

AUCKLAND CHAMPIONSHIP.

RIl/HMOND ROVKRS IN FRONT. SECOND WINS TO CITY AND NEWTON. Colourful and .stimulating for these times was the spectacle at C'arlaw Park on Saturday, when the ground record for attendance at club matches was registered by the crowd taking part in the opening of the new grandstand by his Excellency the Governor-General, and evidently enjoying the series of varied senior matches that formed the football programme. The best contest on No. 1 area turned out toi be the fixture between City and Marists, ' the former prevailing through the speed | and collaboration of their backs, though the green and golds were by no means outclassed. The principal attraction was too tense to reveal the best of play, and it was the assertiveness of the Richmond pack in the tight and loose that largely contributed to Ponsonby's first defeat. On No. 2 area Newton were seen in an indifferent early showing against Devonport, but made full amends in the second stanza to run to comfortable victory. It was a very assuring day for the Auckland Rugby League. The results at a glance were: — Richmond 16. beat Ponsonby 4. City Rovers 18, beat Marists i>. Newton 18, beat Devonport 8. Following is the table showing team positions:—

The six senior and six reserve teams took up their respective club quarters in the new grandstand on Saturday, _ and were delighted with the improved facilities. Yesterday afternoon the Ponsonby Boys Band iplayed at the park and the pavilion was thrown open for public inspection.

PONSONBY GREAT IN DEFEAT.

The star attraction between tlie two unbeaten teams, following the Vice-Regal greetings, was a gripping encounter between two tliirteens tuned up to the minute and playing at high tension. 'I J 1(1 fast open moves of the backs were met by sure and speedy tackling, while the forwards gave 110 quarter. Although the game was thus robbed somewhat of pristine cliarm. it featured enterprising tactics, skill find brilliancy. The driving force of the Richmond pack, its weight and hooking ability, allied to combination and understanding ill the loose, represented a telling advantage, though the Ponsonby seruinmers fought back gatlantlv and at some periods held their own. In" spite of the deserved victory registered by tlie maroons (IG—4) high tribute must go to the generally more youthful and lighter Ponsonby rearguard, which contains several players of international promise. The Richmond custodian, A. E. Cooke, becoming his experience in the position which discovered him in other days, was a tower of strength under most circumstances, his fielding and kicking to the gaps or to save his forwards, showing judgment and finesse. Mincham, at centre, made a fine pivot, liis extra turn of speed enabling him to judiciously feed his wingers, of whom McNeil again revealed all the qualities of a champion. The new man. Tetley, after he had settled down to the fast run of play, went quite well, being particularly good on defence. Prentice and J. Satlierley formed a solid pair of five-eighths, and it is good to notice tlie development of the latter. Powell was alert behind the serum. It would be difficult to differentiate between the forwards, who presented such a solid phalanx to their opponents. If anything, Lawless, Telford and Mljllcich were outstanding. Hutt, AlcLeay and Why were a fine trio Cor Ponsonby Diit Why will have to curb a tendency to offside offence. J. Stockley appeared to be on the light side for such company, but he is a dashing youth. Halloran, with more limited opportunities than usual,., was still a notable half-back—a truifck thinker; resourceful and varied in his methods; The Stockley-Riley inside pair were under severe test and greatly Impressed, not only for the way they opened up moves, but for strong defence. In this respect, too, Kay came well into the picture. A natural, well-proportioned player, this 19-year-old lad has all the attributes of centre greatness. He took a lot of Stopping, in his efforts to pave the way for his wingers, but in Ills tenacity is Inclined to go just too far, the result being that Slierer and Ltttlewood invariably were short of room in which to work. The former was a trifle rash on attack, while Littlewood was often at fault in his positional play. He should know better. For a young player Jones, at full-back, got through a heavy task with credit. Good as their play is, Richmond will have their work cut out against City on Saturday.

NEWTON ON TOP.

Plaving with the brilliant dash and cohesion of the previous week when they downed City, Newton registered a convincing victory over Devonport on No. - ground at Carlaw Park last Saturday by 18 to 8. Itight from the outset Newton held a territorial advantage, and the only occasion their supporters were worried was when the scores were Ave nil. T}ie backs displayed keen anticipation and made the most of any opportunities that came their way. On the other hand, the Devonport rearguard failed to handle at all accurately, and this was a big factor in their defeat. They were unfortunate in losing the services of their full-back, Laing, in the second spell, as he was playing really well. Newton have now won twice in succession and as their understanding should improve as the season proceeds, it would not be surprising to note them well in the running for championship honours. Pempsey, at full for Newton, was a tower of strength to his side, his fielding and kicking being really brilliant. Should he maintain his present form Dempsc.v should gain representative honours this season. Both Pope and Stephens made the most of any opportunities that came their way, with Stephens perhaps a shade the bettor on the day. Crook and Brimblo collaborated to advantage, but both need to polish up their handling. I'orteous was a willing worker, while of a solid vanguard, Browne' (who possesses a nice burst of speed), Hall and Kelstall were always in the limelight. Devonport's full-back, Laing, was giving a neat display up to when lie was injured, and his services were sadly missed by the blacks. The wings, Hall and Radonieh, did not see much of tile ball owing to faulty handling inside. Knock is a new entry into senior ranks, and gi\es prospects of better deeds. He lias a very neat side-step. Rhodes fed his supports assiduously, but the forwards were'shaded on the day. Donald, Sowter and Leatherbarrow were prominent in the loose.

IMPROVEMENT OF MARISTS.

In the sight of many supporters City Rovers made complete reparation for a severe drubbing at the hands of Newton Rangers, by defeating Marist Old Boys by 18—5 in a match that was crammed full of spectacular features, and proved a worthy first course in the afternoon s sport nfenu. Truly, the scores made by the winners were largely due to opportunism, ; but this must not detract from the merit of the performance. The game fluctuated in' an amazing manner and it was little wonder that the contestants were letting up at the finish. City owe their success primarily to the smart work of the inside backs in getting the ball away to the fast and vigorous White and Turei, together with the dashing play of the forwards in the second half—a tribute to good training. Marists are not at their best and their improved side now looks like going a rung up the ladder in the near future. Probably the Old Boys have now decided that three defeats in a line is sufficient medicine! Watene was not at par for Rovers at full-back, and that also was illustrated in his goal-attempts. Purdy, White and Turei were a rapid-fire threequarter trio. White is going to be a class exponent with careful coaching. 1 urdy showed improvement on last season not that he cannot do much better. Wayne and Wiberg were nippy five-eighths, the latter playing a game "out of the bag" as thev sav. Axeman got the ball away more effectively and did less slithering about the ground. Citv have a giant front-row in Clarke, Jones and Nathan, and the towering three played like men with a mission. Jones is the ex-Northland rep., a nd ■?<; hooked well. Herring and McLaughlin were better in the open. Campbell, the Marist international full-back, is just heginning to strike form, but List appears

to bo far from his best, judging by this exhibition. The new winger, Lodge, from Kaipara. is well equipped as a strong and dangerous runner, but needs a good deal of polishing up as try-getter. He is the right sort. At centre Furlonger showed ability. The exhibition given by C. Scliultz, a younger brother of Len, who is making a gradual recovery from arm injury, was one of the delights of the match. He and Dunn played well together, nn<l with more adequate support might have turned the tide. Hassan also was fairly active. Keane, White and Iveson were the best of Marist forwards, who did not seem to function with much real understanding. The return of Laird and Herring should make a power of difference. For the fact that Devonport also are on the bottom of the list. Marists first meeting with them at the week-end will be interesting.

GRADE GAMSS.

SENIOR RESERVE. Richmond 14. beat Ponsonby 0. City 7. beat Marist 5. Newton IG, beat Devonport 0. SECOND GRADE. Mangere 20. beat Ellerslie 5. Papakura ID, beat Point Chevalier 3. Newton 0, beat Trinity College 0. THIRD OPEN. Mount Albert S, beat Richmond 6. Papakura 8, beat Mangtie 3. THIRD INTERMEDIATE. Richmond 11, beat Akarana 9. Marist 20. beat Maiiukau 0. City 20. beat Devonport 0. Mannkau A 3, beat Glenora 2. FOURTH GRADE. Richmond 23, beat Point Chevalier 0. Marist O.K. 0, beat Manukau 3. Newton ti, beat Papakura 5. FIFTH GRADE. Richmond 21, beat Devonport 0. City .">, beat Otahuhu O. Mount Albert <5, beat I'onsonby 0. Manukau 0, drew with I'apakura 0. SIXTH GRADE. Ellerslie 10, beat Avondale 5. SEVENTH GRADE. Richmond 43, beat Mount Albert 3. SCHOOL BOYS' GAMES. Avondale 17, beat Ellerslie 0. GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. TACPTRT. Tauplri 11. beat Ngaruawaliia 0. Juniors.- —Kia Ora I.'!, beat Ngaruawaliia 3 ; Tauplri IG, beat Pnkemiro 3. HUNTLY. Seniors.—Rotowaro S, beat Huntly 3. WHAN'GAREI. Seniors.—City 8, beat IlikuraDgi 5; Kensington and Whakapara. no score. Juniors. —Kamo 11, beat Onerahi 3. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. CHRISTCIIURCH. Ilornby 6, beat Sydenham 2. I.in wood 28, beat Rum 13 Addington 18, beat Brighton 8. DUNKDIN. Christian Brothers 13, beat Pacific 5.

roints. ("h. w. Ij. f. a. rts Richmond •'! — 1-1 •' I'onsonby - 1 52 Nowton - 1 *>7 4 City - 1 44 4 IJevouport — 3 17 4 § X llarists — 3 16 ij 0