LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 130, 4 June 1934, Page 12

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

~ SECOND ROUND OPENED. NOTABLE WET-WEATHER ! PLAY. * RICHMOND AND PONSONBY WIN. In a match that developed into a memorable clash between forwards, relieved by a fine duel between the fullbacks, Richmond, with a shade better supporting play, retained their leadership by narrowly defeating Newton on Saturday at Carlaw Park, in the principal fixture, marking the opening of the second round of the Auckland Rugby League's ; championship. It was a splendid contest g for wet weather conditions. The first spell was fast and open, being marred only by Y "fireworks," a player of each side being ! ordered to the sideline. The second stanza G was close and hectic all the way, with e spectacular features. Ponsonby, with more polish, beat an .improved Marist thirteen in the curtain-raiser. A large crowd appeared to thoroughly enjoy the programme. Among visitors were Miss Mary Jeffares and Mr. Biekerstaff, respectively a viee- * president and executive member of the Hawke's Bay Rugby League. Positions of Teams. The positions of the teams at a glance arc as follow:— Ch. ? I'. W. h. D. l'ts. 5 Richmond G (i — — 12 - I'onsonby G 5 1 — 10 Newton ti 3 ."> — U ■ City 2 ;i — 4 > Marists <1 1 r> — 2 . Devonport .... 5 — 5 — 0 Senior Reserve Grade.—City, Mariste and Richmond. 8 points; Newton, 5; Devonport, 4; Ponsonby, 1. N.B.—City and Devonport teams meet to-day. RALLYING STAND BY MARISTS. In the first round Ponsonby romped over ] Marist 28—8. It was a vastly different ' match on Saturday, when a reconstructed •Marist side ran I'onsonby to a IB —-7 score ; in a curtain-raiser that was keen and entertaining. The seven promoted Old Boys' players—three forwards and four backs— performed creditably, and, ably led by international H. C. Brisbane, who received a welcome upon his reappearance, the green and golds took and held the mastery for the first spell. The greater weight, experience and combination of I'onsonby told its tale in the second half, and once the blue and blacks established a point lead from a really brilliant wing move, United regaled spectators with exhilarating rearguard thrusts supporting good frontal work by the heavy artillery. Nevertheless, at all times Marists stood up gallantly to demands, and. with one exception, the tries had to be well won. It says much for the Marist Club and its lesser teams and coaches that an emergency occasion produced young players of such calibre, and the team will yet improve considerably. The Ponsonby full-back. Jones, showed improvement in a strenuous day, and his goal-kicking was consistently good. Ka.v, at centre, and Itiley, at five-eighths, were the star backs. Flankmen Midgley and Sherer did not have much on their opposites from an individual comparison. It took the insides. with Halloran always resourceful at half-back, a long time to devise a plan to circumvent the Marist swift attack in the open, led by Brisbane, who was well supported by the slight but fast Chalmers revealing u keen sense of anticipation. Furlonger. at centre, was another eye-opener for his initiative and speed, lacking just a little in positional play. The Marist custodian, Campbell, was ever safe, fielding and kicking with judgment. The wingers, colts Loader and Smith, also pleased, the former establishing himself with a grand surprise try. He requires to learn to give a pass as well as to receive one. Smith was resolute, too. In spite of dashing effort by Laird, Keane (who kicked a magnificent goal) and Wcbberley, the greens were overpowered in the tight rucks, though Steven hooked successfully. In the circumstances the fair-haired half-back, Grotte, withstood a tremendous test. Marists' final undaunted challenge was another encouraging feature, and it looks as though Richmond will have to be at their best at the week-end. NEWTON'S BID FOR HONOURS. In what will be generally voted one of the most varied and stirring club matches i seen lor many a day, Richmond beat Newton by 3—2. Except for the regrettable fistic bout between Lawless and Kelsall, the play was clean, hard and fast, and the handling of the greasy ball, the tactical work and tackling, left little to be desired from a spectacular point of view. Both sets of forwards played with lire, which, on occasions, touched a tempestuous point, while . the backs ojiened up the play to advantage, save in a more limited degree in the second spell. Taken on the whole, Richmond must be conceded to have en- I joyed greater territorial honours. Their forwards were powerful in the tight work and I their backs stayed the hectic journey just 7 a shade better than their opponents, i'et, Newton reached brilliant heights and were ( undoubtedly greater, but more unfortunate, opportunists. Richmond, it must be remem- t bered, started the second half with two I fresh replacements in their back line, and, in a gruelling contest of this nature, that i is a telling factor. Of course, tries and goals were missed by each side, and, with j a trifle more luck, the Rangers, as a reward for their devastating last-minute f bid, which sent the spectators into dellri- j ous ecstasy, might have robbed the maroons of the verdict. Rlchm'oud packed a § weightier scrum, and had the bigger share jj of the ball, whereas the opposing sextet, reduced to five and sometimes four in the r second stanza, waged a tireless and indomitable resistance against odds, actually holding their own in the loose. For some " strange reason Newton, whose backs earlier in had Richmond guessing, relinquished the ittacking ascendancy, and this practically lost the team the game. The Rovers took 'lie initiative with vigour and to hold their slender lead proved that attack is the best 2 net hod of defence. Anyway, it was a R ;ame worthy of the highest traditions of L he code—in essential respects. A. E. !.'ooke, at full-back, gave a glorious exhibi- D ion which revealed his genius when under L item test. His vis-a-vis, Deinpsey, also. b< Icinonstrated peak form, and, if only E haded by Cooke with regard to resourceul running, he took a commendable part dJ n one of the finest sustained full-back 3. luels seen for several seasons at lieaduarters. That, of course, is testimony to he speed and fluctuation of the struggle. Vhen Richmond's winger, McNeil, went IT to be replaced by Mitchell, it was airly obvious that the maroon tlireeuarter line was stiffened. And when P. ]>] oting came 011 for the second half, fol- . jwlng the withdrawal of Minehum, who 11 ad played five-eighths, the back line was us iven the benefit of further impetus. Mithell well justified himself. On. the left . ank Tetle.v played his best game to date, ' i; liough he missed a try by faulty handling, co

110 uses a nice side-step and fend. Powell whose try was a gull), was ah/ays danger ous' behind the scrum, and I'renticc wa> steady at first five-eighths. Telford Satherley, Lawless (until he received lib marching orders), Milicieh and Jenkinson i were sound forwards, with Broadhead in elined to show unnecessary petulance. Kel sail (who accompanied Lawless lo the side line and continued to reveal temper in llu process), was a great loss to the Newton vanguard, in which Allen, Quirke anil Blacklaws also shone. I'he last-mentioned was in rare fettle, following his recent indisposition, and the crowd gave him a lusty cheer when he returned to the field after a facial knock, to play with more verve than ever. Newton introduced Fruscr, a South Auckland Union representative player, who found the going a trifle solid in his first outing. Still, he is the makings of a tine forward. At lialf-back Fortcous never let up and by his pace lie constantly harried the opposition. Ila 11, at five-eighths, showed versatility and he generalled the side as became his experience, but a tendency to kick too much rather detracted from his work. It also hampered Brimble, who was always in t the picture. He is now in top form. Bright was a little erratic at centre, and the same may be said of Hickey, the winger. On the' other flank Stephens was brilliant in the first half at times, but the ball did not later come much his way to advantage. Doubtless, had Newton maintained their first spell tactics, the three-quarters would have been seen in a better light. Dempsey's failure to notch a match-winning penalty goal in that last sensational burst by the Rangers was the breathless moment of a fascinating wet weather struggle. GRADE GAMES. SENIOR RESERVE. Mnrist 30, beat Ponsonb.v 3. Richmond 38, beat Newton 3. SECOND GRADE. I'olnt Chevalier 9. beat Mangere 3. Papakuru 32, beat Mount Albert 0. THIRD OPEN. Richmond 12, bent Papakura S. Olcnora 32. beat Mount Albert 5. Ponsonby 48, bent Mnngere 2. Richmond 12, beat Pnpakura S. THIRD INTERMEDIATE. Mnnukau 0. drew with Akarnna 0. Richmond S, beat Mnrist 7. I'apakura 5, beat City 0. FOURTH GRADE. Newton f>, beat Mnnukau 7. Marist 13. heat Papakura 3. Point Chevalier 22, beat Northcotc 0. FIFTH GRADE. Richmond 5. beat Mnnukau n. Mount Albert 6. bent Pnpnkura 0. Otahuhu 13, bent Ponsonby 0. SIXTH GRADE. Ellerslie 3. bent Richmond 0. Avondnlc 3, beat Newton 2. SEVENTH GRADE. Richmoml A f>, bent Devonport f>. City 24. beat Mount Albert 0. Richmond B C, drew with Northcotc G. SCHOOLBOYS' GAMES. Avondale 81. bent Otnliuhu O. Richmond 33. bent Mnrist B 3. GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. WHANGAREI. Senior.—Hikurnngi 27. beat City 6: Whnknwnro 24. bent Kensington 30. Junior.—Kamo 12. bent Wlinknwaro S. Taupiri 23. beat Ngnrunwahia 5. Juniors.—Ngnrunwahia 22, beat Huntly 0. HUNTLY. Seniors.—Huntly S. bent Rotowaro 5. Juniors.—Ngnrunwahia 20. beat Huntly ). TAUPIRI. Taupiri 23. beat Ngaruawnliia 5. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. NEW PLYMOUTH. Eastern Suburbs 28, beat Waitnra 8. Inglewood 0, bent Western Suburbs 0. NAPIER. Tengaruo 8, beat Tnradnlo 5. Ahuriri 9, bent Cfty 0. Clive 28, bent bent To Awa 0. CHRISTCHURCH. Matches postponed. DUNEDIN. Christian Brotliefs 20, beat Pacific 0. City 2, beat Athletic 0. N.S.W. BEATS QUEENSLAND, SYDNEY, June 3. In a Rugby League football match yeserdn.v New South Wales defeated Qucensnnd by 13 points to 0.