LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 244, 15 October 1934, Page 15

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS.

IRICHMOND'S TBIPLE HONOURS NEWTON LOSE PATCHY GAME. . Under a hazy sky and pleasant conditions at Carlaw Park on Saturday, Eich'inond Rovers annexed the annual ehamTiion of champions' trophy to make modern history by being the first triplehonour winners of the Auckland Kugby ieague. The game wae of a patchy order, .though at one period Rangers threatened to make it a highly-arresting match. The It overs had a little too much finish. Marists beat Point Chevalier 22—2 to win the third intermediate championship and knock-out. Tho teams scrummed to Newton's advantage in the opening stages, and a penalty allowed them to invade, but, from a fast forward move down the centre, when Dempsey waited for the ball, C. Satherley trained possession, and, changing direction jn a flash, pent an overhead pass to his right to Tetley, who threw himself across under the posts in a tackle by Hall. ;Satherley goalecl. Richmond 5, Newton 0. The play now began to open out in rousing exchanges, and when the Newton ■chain flashed into action on the right on defence Prentice gathered from a mulled pass. Mitchell missed his transfer with the way clear. The maroon forwards then took charge on the left and Broadhead broke through the inside touch for Telford to run 12 yards to score. Salherlcy goaled in good style. Richmond 10, Newton 0. Newton went passing when they resumed :and there followed a whirl of thrilling rather than concentrated operations, amid ■continuous uproar. Powell made a glorious Opening, ami Cooke, playing :it centre, ■was up to receive the pass with the defence ■enreadeaslcd. Fletcher mulled the scoring pass. Newton, with Brimble. Hall, Cameron and Blacklnws prominent, responded, and with the ball being thrown about the Bangers pressed, Tetley breaking away to give Mitchell a chance to clear. The lelief was only temporary, for Hall made a wonderful run to the corner, and, from the ensuing scrummage. Brimble barged over In a tnckle. Cheers went up ■when Brady converted. Richmond 10, NewTho' crowd was delighted with the electric turn of events. I'lay was at mldfleld •as Powell got the ball away smartly. It went out to McNeil, who, witli Stephens out of position, streaked down the terroce side. Cooke was up for the in-pass, and, clapping on the speed, outpaced Crook to ' score after a gallop of forty yards, ending under the posts. C. Satherley converted. -Richmond 15, Newton 5. Newton went close to another try, but a breakaway led to McNeil getting a cheap try from a loose rush. Fletcher missed. Then from a short run hy Prentice, Cooke scored wide out. C. Satherley failed with the kick. Newton made an unavailing ir.ttack and the linal scores were : — Richmond Rovers 21 Newton Rangers 5 Mr. W. Simpson was referee. Review of the Play. Richmond Rovers ore to be lienrtily congratulated on their notable season's achievement in winning the premiership of Auckland, the Roope Rooster knock-out, and, ■with Saturday's flutter against Newton, the Storniont Memorial, emblematic of the champion of champions. This is the first occasion on which any senior team has taken the treble crown since it was instituted in 1025. The run of success also incluc'es the Walmsley Shield for the champion of champions as between Auckland and Sydney Leagues, so the success of the maroon and blues is made all the more meritorious. The game on Saturday was, however, irost disappointing to the many patrons who had attended despite the counter-attraction. Although it had its thrilling moments and other spasms of attractive team work, there was far too much kicking, erratic handling and a great deal of unnecessary ground-floundering by forwards. General);', there wan a lack of sharpness in tactics, and while Richmond won convincingly enough, they can be said to have been lucky to end with a sixteenpoint margin, for a couple of tries were scored too cheaply to be indicative of : KeWttm's defensive capacity. On the other hand, full credit must be given to the maroons for their exceptionally clever supporting play, back and forward, which . virtually, was the turning factor in the game after Newton had made a brave effort to even the scores when the board read 6—lo. The Rangers did not relax, but ■were unable to rise to the occasion as they have in otner games. They were unfortunate also to lose Dempsey early in the contest and before the finish Porteous. The former was replaced by Francis, an ex-Grammar School boy who played for Training College seniors last season. The newcomer found the speed a little too much for him in his first outing, but comported himself quite reliably and also as centre until relieved by Crook. Cooke first appeared as full-back for Richmond and later went to centre, showing fine opportunism in the second half and also splendid form. McNeil moved fast on the wing and Mitchell, who appeared instead of Bennett, did not seem quite in form. Fletcher, Prentice and Powell made the play neatly as inside backs. Lawless, Tetley, C. Satherley and Telford were the best forwards. Blacklaws, Nathan, Quirke ' and Johnson were Newton's best ruckers, Quirke being successful as a hooker. Hall ■was the best all-round forward on the ground. Wingers Brady and Stephens did some fine work, but lacked other opportunity. Brimble and Cameron were a nippy five-eighths pair. Brimble played his best elub game to date, but marred some efforts by poor handling. .Cameron was steady and resourceful. Porteous -was not at hi 3 best behind the scrums.