LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 232, 1 October 1934, Page 13

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

.a * CHAMPIONS IN ACTION.

RICHMOND DEFEAT SYDNEY PREMIERS. THRILLS FOR RECORD CROWD. Before the rccord attendance of the 6eason, the Western Suburbs team, champions of Sydney, on Saturday played their third match of the tour at Carlaw Park, and met with their first defeat at the hands of Richmond Rovers, the premier team; of Auckland. It was a remarkable game in many respects, for its speed, incident and brilliant touches, the first half revealing the visitors in 6ome dazzling moves, which enthralled the spectators and gave Wests the lead. On changing over, however,_ Richmond went into action in very telling manner, and soon levelled the tallies. The vigour and pace of the maroons, who check-mated combination with effective tackling, soon tokl its tale, particularly when the visitors lost their hooker. Although Wests were overpowered in the main, they never wavered, and a thrilling game closed with Richmond' taking _ the _ Walmsley Shield for annual championship club supremacy between Sydney and Auckland. HOW THE GAME WENT. The teams filed out as follows: — Western Suburbs: Sharman, Ridley, Tancred, Slieehan, Hines, Hey, Williams; Hartwell, Fail-all (hooker), Blake, McConnell, Gray, Sponberg. Richmond Rovers: Cooke, Mincham, Fletcher, McNeil, Prentice, J. Satherley, Powell; Broadhead, Ginders (hooker), Telford, Lawless, Satherley, Tetley. After the teams exchanged greetings, Richmond invaded, then the forwards battled at midfield, where from the scrum the ball shot out from Williams to Hey. Sheehan came through straight. Prentice got him, but from just beyond the twentviive yards Sponberg gathered up sharpiy and shot the ball to Ridley, who cut inside Mincham and raced across for a great try amid tumultuous applause. Williams kicked a goal from a handy position. Western Suburbs 5, Richmond Rovers 0.

There was a lively spate of open play on resumption, and a bad pass by Prentice nearly let the visitors away again. Lawless, Hartwell and McConnell were penalised in turn and with Wests, holding a slight advantage, Hines made a good dash down the stand side. Cooke, although caught once ! in possession, was clearing in approved style. A loose rush by Sponberg, Hey and Sheehan ended with Williams kicking the ball dead. For a minute or two the forwards clashed and danger loomed for Sharman to save with a good liner. Wests' chain functioned in electric manner with smart passing, then, with operations on the stand side, Hines picked up in the ruck. McConnell chimed in on the inside, and taking the ball onehand scored easily -wide out. Williams missed. Western Suburbs 8, Richmond Rovers 0. The best try so far followed when McConnell opened up a brilliant movement. Hey spread-eagled the defence with a lightning run. Tancred sent on to Sheehan and Tancred was up again for the final pass to score wide out. Williams failed with the kick.

From the drop-out, Wests were penalised and C. Satherley made an unsuccessful attempt at goal, to which Sharman later replied with a drop at goal, which went wide. Wests were not revealing glorious football ability, and when Cooke had save brilliantly, Sharman made amends by dropping a splendid goal from 63 yards £out. Western Suburbs 13, RichTnorid Roi/ers' 0. Thirty mhnites had .elapsed and the Jnatch was arousing much enthusiasm. A penalty against Sponberg enabled Cooke to place Richmond vantage in. A moment later he gathered the bail and running across with supports to his right used" one of his favourite low punts ior the line. Sharman was baffled as the maroon backs crashed iiito the picture and McNeil won a clear tyy, which C. Satherley converted. Wests moved to half-way, and Richmond backs opened up for the first time. The ball flashed from Powell to Prentice, to Satherley, to Fletcher, who cut in. As he was tackled,- however, he let the ball on and Mincham missed with the way clear. The Richmond forwards now played in inspiring fashion, and from a stern loose movement Tetley won a try in good position, but C. Satlierley missed the goal, and thrilling play continued to the interval with the "scores: Western Suburbs 13, j Richmond 8.

When they resumed Richmond backs opened up in brilliant array, and after a serjes of loose sorties, during which Powell had a drop-shot at goal, a kick by Fletcher beat Hines. O'Neil seized the chance and scored wide out, Fletcher landing a wonderful angle goal to even the scores.

In the meantime Fairall had gone from the field suffering from injury to his mouth. Richmond continued aggressively, and Powell dashed away from the scrum, and, catching his opponents on the wrong foot, crossed the line and darted around near the goal-posts. Fletcher converted. Richmond Rovers 18, Western Suburbs 13. The crowd was now in uproar with delight. Cooke placed a long kick just over the goal-line. Hines was overhauled by McNeil and Lawless nearly sent a support over. Sheehan splendidly extricated his side, which was being outplayed. Hey further relieved the situation with a good placement and an off-side penalty against Lawless gave Williams a goal opportunity, which misfired. The pace had slackened a bit. Richm6nd were swarming to the line, when JlcConnell broke away. In some loose play in front of the stand, Ridley accidentally received a nasty head gash in a collision with a colleague, and went to the sideline, the crowd paying compliment to him. Sheehan also went off. Richmond continued to hold the upper hand, but tho visitors stood up valiantly, and there was a cheer when Sheehan and Ridley returned to the field. Wests made strong endeavours to open up the play, but found the defence too strong. There was thrill upon thrill in the open. Wests' chain functioned on the left, and Cooke prevented a certain try by tackling Sheohan. Tho ball went to the other flank, and Ridley evaded Mincham and short-kicked. When the ball went loose, Hey gathered at full speed, and, running on, swerved in. and touched down in good position. Williams missed a fairly easy chance, and a spectacular struggle terminated with the scores: Richmond Rovars 18, Western Suburbs 16. Mr. P. Rogers vas referee. THE PLAYERS IN REVIEW. Sharman gave an improved display of full-back work and his line-kicking was notably good at times, but his positional Play and defence were lacking in the second half. West's three-quarter line Was seen in a colourful light, with Sheehan outstanding, although Ridley and Tancred were always prominent, and, to a lesser extent, Hines, the left-winger. Hey also starred, and is no doubt a great half-back' or five-eighth, but gives the impression that he is inclined to be selfish. Williams played splendidly behind the scrum, but something xaimfi is expected of a player of his experience, especially as he and Hey were in the State team that met Queensland this year. However, the backs were an eye-opener in the first half, and their combination, skill and polish were glimpses probably of the classic performances (with Brady and McMillan in the van) that carried the team to triumph this season in Sydney. On Saturday Sponherg played a masterly game until he received a nasty knock. Blake and Gray were solid rackets, always in the firing hne, but it was the lively red-headed McConnell, who featured most throughout. He is one of the best second-row artists seen here since the visit of Eastern Suburbs. Wests had a monopoly of the ball in the first half until a, little while, before Fairall went off with a badly; put 'I ! _ I , *'" I ■

C. Satherley, Lawless and Telford were an indomitable trio for Richmond, and Tetley did quite well in his first outing as Powell compared favourably with his vis-a-vis on the day. Prentice played a sound game at first five-eighth and was well supported by Satlierley. Fletcher was steady at centre but did not appear to get a good service of the ball, so that wijig attacks were limited, except those that came via exploiting kicks, which is not the best method of lateral play in the code. McNeil was superior to Mineham in attack and defence, though the latter played fairly well in the circume stances. Cooke was still A. E. Cooke, which is saying a good deal. He was fitness personified and a tower of strength in the last line. Without detracting from Richmond's success it must be confessed that the team lias played on several occasions with far more concerted action. DAY ON THE HARBOUR. WESTS WIN SPORTS LAURELS. The Western Suburbs team of Sydney were taken on a harbour excursion yesterday, completed by a general sports " meeting at Pine Island. A Ridley won ' the 75 yards sprint championship, and t the .Australians, captained by a visitor ' with the party, Mr. L. G. Marlin, won > the cricket match by one run. The heavy ■ shower in the afternoon experienced in r the city missed Pine Island. The pic- • nickers returned, at 6 p.m. and this morning left for Helensville. COLLAPSE OF PLAYER. Shortly after arrival at Pine Island, the Richmond three-quarter, Mincham, col- ' lapsed in consequence of serious inflam- ' illation on a leg, and was taken by one ot the harbour speed launches to Auckland Hospital, where he is making satisfactory , progress. • The council dacided yesterday that ' Western Suburbs will meet a strengthened Ponsonby team in the fourth fixture 011 , Wednesday. 1 CURTAIN-RAISER. Waikato 16, beat Northland 9. ; GRADE GAMES. 1 ~ SECOND GRADE. Final: Papakura 26, beat Mangere 3. : THIRD INTERMEDIATE. I Ponsonby 16, beat Papakura 13. City 10, drew with Marist 10. j Point Clievalier 3, beat Manukau B 0. SCHOOLBOYS' GAMES. i SCHOOLBOYS' KNOCK-OUT. Avondale 3, beat Richmond 0. EUerslie 8, beat Marist 5. ' City 8, beat Northcote 5. 1 Marist A 50, beat Devonport O. SEVEX-A-SIDE. \ Richmond 0, drew with Northcote 0. 1 i 1 GAMES IN THE SOUTH. CIIRISTCHURCH. < Canterbury 34, beat West Const 21. Blackball 0, drew with Sydenham 0. .