LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 165, 15 July 1935, Page 13

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

AUCKLAND PREMIERSHIP.

RICHMOND'S GREAT VICTORY. MOUNT ALBERT IN THE RULING. Backs and forwards speeding away with delightful inter-pastnug and accurate handling, Richmond Kovcrs again set the ;seal of quality on their play at Carlaw Park on Saturday afternoon, when they rattled on telling pointe against Mariete tliniii" the last ten minutes in a manner that delighted the crowd which witnessed two of the three, matches of the premiership scries. The first spoil was spectacular and pointless, but towards the fading stages, when Markts lost a key forward, the maroons rose to great heights ano. won by a wide margin. A. E. Cooke came prominently into the picture and notched the final point*. A surprise in the ciirtainraiser was a fine second half rally by Shore, who battled the virtual competition leaders, Mount Albert, to level terms, thus adding interest to the probable final. Newton aud Ponsonby played at Glen Eden, the former clinching an exciting game in the last minute by a point. Results at a glance: — Richmond 22, beat Mariste 0. Devonport 8, drew with Mount Albert Q Newton 14, beat Ponsonby 13. Competition ladder:- ch l>. W. L. D. F. A. Pts. Richmond ... 11 8 2 1 184 80 17 Mount Albert. 10 i> 1 3 140 117 1j MariSt 10 4 4 2 114 134 10 Devonport ... 11 4 5 2 124 14(» 10 Newton 10 4 3 l 138 126 9 I'onsonby .... 10 3 (» 1 144 160 7 City 10 2 8 — 05 176 4 MAROONS IN THEIR STRIDE. In a game that verily ran the gamut of Rugby league technique, patrons of ! headquarters saw Richmond Rovers ride to victory on the crest of the wave. Mariets were completely swamped in that last pulsating ton minutes, when the maroons, sensing the decline of an opposition which had challenged so successfully for more than throe parta of the journey drove home their advantage per medium of dazzling combined movements which surpassed anything seen so far this season for vim and sheer artistry in try-scoring effectiveness. The green aud golds tackled relentlessly to the end but they were powerless against the conquering speed, stamina and concerted thrusts of a team that suddenly realised its cohesive quality. It was the lirst peep of the real triple champions of last year, so, allowing tor the youth and weight of the green and golds, it must be confessed that their stand was a notable one in the circumstances. They bowed to a 0—122 defeat. The star of the winners was the elusive Bickerton, some of whose slicing of the defence was reminiscent of the remembered Karl Ifwersen at his best. His electric positioning sense, balance and timing of passes was a joy. Not far behind him, revealing the art of supporting play, to his insides as well as to his wingers, was Fletcher, Hashing here, there and everywhere. Mincham, too. showed all his mercurial dash, but on the other flank Young Bennett was a definite weakness —mostly, it seemed, for want of big-match pluy. Ills mistakes were indicative of that, nothing more. Powell was in top-hole form behind the scrum, deftly getting the ■ ball away to Stau Prentice, the international making his first appearance this season. He was hardly in best form, but, having discharged the duties of defence, he made sure that the ball went free to his men. In the backliuc, Cooke — well, he was the one and only, saving his side from tight corners in miraculous stylo early on, and capturing the hearts of ull when he loosened up iu the finish to become a thrilling threequarter. And, did he show his wizardry in that capping final effort and try? Telford, Lawless and Tetley were the outstanding forwards of a pack that monopolised the ball, although O'Knne had a bit of say in the first scoreless spell. Gunn, Keane, Laird and Woods were a towering quartet of forwards for Marists, but their condition failed, particularly whon the resourceful Woods had to leave the Held. In the loose, ut some parts of the game, the Marist forwards played grandly, but the other sextet proved remarkably sound. Chalmers, for one so slight, played fairly well at half, and Glover is an improving colt at live-eighths, with whom Kcrr worked better on defence. Bukalich was the outstanding player of the rearguard, and lie looks likely to develop into a fine centre, with pace, temperament and an eye for an opening, but still has to learn the importance of positional play. Furlonger was a dashy winger, but Loader was too much inclined to become flurried. Still, for a mere boy he is shaping creditably. Campbell did a lot of good things, but he also failed badly on several occasions— quite unusual for him. It is to be wondered, however, that he should be playing so soon at all after his recent severe illness. A sound beating though it was, Marists can be relied upon to show the benelit when they meet Mount Albert, with whom they previously drew. Mount Albert have to win both their next fixtures to qualify for a final plny-off. On the other hand, Richmond will now be in top fettle for their Wellington excursion, to be followed on Saturday week by their last premiership engagement agaiust City Hovers.