LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 207, 2 September 1935, Page 16

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

SPECTACULAR SEMI-FINALS. RICHMOND AJTO NEWTON SURVIVE. PHELAN SHIELD COMPETITION. "With the incentive of possible representative selection for players, teams engaged at Carlaw Park on Saturday were again right on their mettle, . and some brilliant and exciting football was the order in the major matches for the Auckland Rugby League's annual Eoope Rooster trophy. Richmond won conclusively against Mount Albert in a contest of attractive highlights and Newton flattered their supporters by a splendid and rather unexpected victory over City Rovers in the curtain-raiser. Both semi-finalist winners revealed speed and combination, and even the greasy ground, after a shower of rain, did not militate against good play. Across the way Devonport disposed of Marist Old Boys in a high-scoring encounter, while Ponsonby occasionally sparkled to comfortably defeat Otaliuhu Hovers. All teams wore arm bands and, on assembling before each match, bowed heads for a few seconds, as a mark of respect to the Richmond coach and New Zealand selector, Mr. T. A. McClymont, on the death of his father. , DASH AND "DEVIL." Meeting Mount Albert United for the fourth time this season and playing convincingly to win for the third occasion—* on Saturday by 20 points to o—Richmond Rovers confirmed their premiership success. Unless it yet happens that Newton Rangers continue showing their impressive form and register the supreme knock-out blow of the season, Richmond and Mount Albert may meet again for the champion of champion honours—the Stormont S.'Meld. Tho latest performance of. the Rovers, however, was marked by mobt capable and brilliant team work, as shown by the fact, that their line was not crossed, Mount Albert gaining their half dozen points from the trusty boot of Morrissey. It is true that the losers were without the experienced centre threequarter service of Claude List, and their thirteen, also weakened in the forwards by the absence of both Shadbolt and Alleu, but even that would hardly account for the margin of difference between the contenders, especially with a recollection of Mount Albert's second round victory of o —3. Nfc doubt in the concluding stages on Saturday the loss of Hassen was severe and enabled the maroons to drive their superiority home with an extra try. A. E. Cooke was seen in a masterly role at full-hack, and throughout saved Richmond with his clever handling, running, kicking and positional play, though tribute must also be paid to the display given by Morrissey as custodian for Mount Albert. He has proved himself one of the most consistent utility backs in the senior competition and, moreover, has improved with every game. Wilson was moved up to first fiveeighth, and, associated with Dunn, in spite of the individual good work of the pair, they did not harmonise to the best advantage from an attacking point of view. Wilson is going to Wellington, and his ready knowledge of the. game will be invaluable in that centre. The Mount Albert three-quarter line was quite a match for Richmond, and J.- Scbultz must he regarded as a colt of considerable promise, with a sense of anticipation, a good handler and plenty of-toe. His brother, B. Schultz, also showed speed and greater confidence. McNeil, on the flank, was nippy. It was the skilled inside work of PoweU, Prentice and Bickerton, making the most of thrustful opportunities from a scrum-winning sextet, that largely contributed to Mount Albert's undoing, and superior fitness also told its tale in the end. Fletcher at centre and E. McNeil were the hest of the maroon three-quarters, and Mincham was a Bttle disappointing in spite of his final try. Hassan showed enterprise at half for Mount Albert when chances came, but the supporting play was not up to the mark. Broadhead hooked well for Richmond, whose pack was in great form. With Campbell, an international hooker to assist him in the front row, Flannagan should have won a greater share of the ball for his side, but the story was one of weight, and the Richmond set demonstrated the value of that asset. Spiro was Mount Albert's best forward, with Gunning and Herring also prominent. Lawless was in rare buckle for the winners, while Telford and the Satherley brothers were a tower of strength in the loose. Richmond's exhibition entitles them to feel confident of annexing the double honours, but you never can tell.

NEWTON DELIVER THE GOODS. Newton's victory over City Rovers, who were strongly fancied as finalists, adds not a little spice of interest to the final of the Roope Booster trophy. They took their "wing" in no uncertain manner, and left the Rovers clutching thee hackle feathers. City never appeared to have the spirit or strike the gait that their recent displays betokened. On the day they were a patchwork side, and only gave a semblance of their possibilities when it was too late to turn the scale. This is not to say that the game was not fast and attractive, but refers, to the effect or result. Indeed, it ■was a delightful struggle to >watch, and Rugby League football replete with light and shade, due to the efforts of the teams to score by the concerted route. Where City lacked was in the forward division. They lost the majority of set scrums and failed to link up with their backs, in strong contrast to Newton, for whom Quirke was the undoubted star of the game. He was on the lob as hooker and showed pace, determination and fine handling ability in the open. His display should ensure for him the notice of representative selectors. Clemm, Mlddleton and Johnstone did their part well, and some of the short-passing moves from the ruck were an eye-opener. Another player who pleased was W. Brimble, who, in spite of offending many times by not retiring after putting the ball in the scrums, gave a most clever exhibition of half-back play on attack and defence. Young and E. Brimble were effective supports and Dcmpsey sparkled throughout at centre, so that three-quarters Brafly and Franich were frequently in action, the former registering the lion's share of Newton's points to prove himself a resolute player. In a total of 17 points ho contributed 14 against City's tally of 11. Franich lacked pace and directness, though he defended soundly. Kerr was a reliable full-back, while Turei for City was uncertain. The wingers Hap.i and Watene (who subsequently changed places with Dye, of the forwards) never got going propcrlv, not for want of effort by Lou Brown. • Cooney flashed at times, but Ford was rather colourless. They had, of course, exceptional moments, but not enough inside snappy eonesioh. Perhaps this pair would go better with a longer association. The best of City's uneven vanguard were Iveson, Herring and Clarke. Presumably City and Mount Albert will meet for the Phelan Shield.

MIXED OFFERING.

PHELAN SHIELD MATCHES.

Spectators on the No. 2 ground at Carlaw Park on Saturday, when the first round or the Phelan Shield competition was played, had a mixed offering of football. In the early game Ponsonby had an easy victory over the Otahuhu Rovers, without showing more than an occasional sparkle of first grade form, while in the main attraction Devouport defeated Marist Old Boys in a high-scoring game, which, however, had little body. The Devonport attack worked witii machlnelike regularity, but there was more than a suspicion that it could have been broken up had the Marist defence been as strong as previous matches have shown it can be. For all the margin of difference in points and In experience Otahuhu gave a better exhibition than was expected, and they are to be complimented on the energy they put into their play. When they acquire combination they will be a useful side. Greenwood and Gollan are likely forwards, who were always up with the'play, and behind the scrum Stanaway did good work. On the other hand Ponsonby were not very impressive. Theirs was a scrambling game all through, and on the whole it was a dull display. A very bad fea*tnre was the kiekii'g. * With a good directing boot in the team their score could have been greatly increased. Most impressive of the backs was Kay. who made two spectacular flashes for the line, handling the ball surely and showing a fine turn of speed. For the most part, however, the attack was on the other flank.. Jones, Stoekley and Riley made a number of good openings, but Hoilaud almost invariably barged into trouble,

when a cool head would have earned scoring points. Hutt, Blood and Leatherbarrow were the prominent forwards.

Tho Devonport-Marist game sparkled with incident, and the North Shore team made an impressive showing. Their handling was sure and on attack each man did his work efficiently. The weakness on both sides lay in the defence. The greens were caught napping time and time again. Cowan got the ball smartly from the scrums and sent the Shore hacks away frequently in almost unresisted attack. The Marist .scoring movements nearly all came from opportunism. Milieich. Sou tor, Hunt and Thompson were ever prominent in the North Shore forward attack. For Marist Bakalich, Glover and Carroll in the backs and Keane, Laird and Carter in the forwards were the better men. AUCKLAND REP. TEAM. PLAYERS TO GO SOUTH. The following 16 players —nine backs and seven forwards —have been chosen to tour south to represent Auckland at Wellington next Saturday and subsequently at Greymouth and Christchurch :— Backs: C. Dempsey (Newton), A. E. Cooke (Richmond), Lou Brown (City Hovers), Hall (Dcvonport), C. Kay and B. Riley (Ponsonby), Hassan (Mount Albert), Fletcher (Richmond), E. Brimble (Newton). Forwards: J. Laird (Marists), L. Hutt (Ponsonby), Simpson (Devonport), Herring (Mount Albert), C. Satherley and H. Tetley (Richmond), and D. Keane (Marists). PLAYERS TO TRAIN. The following players have been requested to keep in strict training in view of possible, selection in the team to meet Australia :—Campbell (Marists), Prentice, Mincham, Powell, Telford, Lawless (Richmond), Water.e (City), and Woods (Marists). SENIOR RESERVES. Green Lane 11. heat Mount Albert 5. City 10, heat Papakura 7. Richmond 2, drew with Marist 2. GRADE GAMES. SECOND GRADE. R.V. S. bent Mangere 0. Richmond 20, beat Ponsonby 2. THIRD GRADE. City 21, beat Green Lane 3. FOURTH GRADE. Newton 13. beat Glen Ora 0. Richmond 24, beat Point Chevalier 0. City 29, beat Northcote 9. FIFTH GRADE. Final Knock-out.—Richmond A 7, beat Ellerslie 2. SCHOOLBOYS' GAMES.

Ellerslie beat Avondale Convent by default. Richmond 23, beat Marist 0. Green Lane B 3, beat Avondale 0. Green Lane A 3, beat Devonport 0. City 18. beat Akarana 0. Green Lane IS, beat Devonport 0. SEVEN-ASIDE. Richmond A 3, beat Avondale Convent 0. Ellerslie drew with Green Lane, no score. GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. , WHANGAREI. City 27, beat Kensington 4. Takahiwlka defaulted to Hikurangi United. Juniors.—Kamo 27. beat Hikurangi 7. HUNTLY. Huntly 13, beat Pukcmiro S. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. WELLINGTON. Hawkc's Bay 29. beat Wellington IG. BASKETBALL. DOMINION TOURNEY. t£_ (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Saturday. There was excellent weather for the fourth day's play in the New Zealand basketball tournament. Results:— First Grade. Otago beat Poverty Bay, 24—4. Hawke's Bay beat Waikato, 14 —11. Otago won the Annie Brown Cup, awarded for runners-up in the first grade. They beat Waikato 27—13 and established an undisputed lead over other teams. Second Grade.

Section I.—Final: Southland Minor beat Ashburton, 15—11. Other games resulted: — Manawatu beat North Auckland, 20—15. Bush beat Marlborough, 21—12. Section ?. —JRotorua beat Nelson, 12 —7 This sect/on was won yesterday by South Canterbury. The section winners met this afternoon and the game ended in a draw, both Southland Minor and South Canterbury scoring 11 goals. South Island Beats North. South Island beat the North Island by 18 goals to 8 in the inter-Island match played at the end of the New Zealand Basketball Association's annual tournament. The winners showed remarkable combination and their play at times reached brilliant heights. Their passing was swift and sure, and they fielded the ball well. The goal throwing of the forwards was wonderfully accurate. Mehaffey scored 12 South goals, shooting from any angle with the utmost ease. North played a good game, but lacked the 6peed and the accuracy of their opponents. They made many wild passes which were intercepted by South defenders near goal. They very unlucky, several shots just hitting the ring and rolling off. AUCKLAND ASSOCIATION. Senior Reserve.—Edendale 12, beat Klllarua Colts 9. Senior. 15.—Rovers 11, bent Lynndale 7; Mount Eden Tuis 7, beat Waiata 4. Second Grade.—Seddon 7, beat St. Peter's C; Farmers' 13, beat Rovers 2; Seddon 12, beat Balmoral 7; Farmers' 8, beat Edendale 6; Sijamrock 19, beat St. Peter's 5; Woolworth's 5, bent Rovers 2. Second Grade B.—Hellaby's 13, beat Rivals 3; City Rovers 7, beat Bridgen's 3: City Rovers 8, beat Suburbs 0; Epsom Old Girls 7, beat Edendale 7; Hellaby's 10, beat Y.W'.C.A. 5.

Intermediate.—Ramblers S, beat City Rovers 2 ; John Court's-2, drew with Technical B 2; John Court's 0, drew with Technical A 5; Heard's 0, beat Akarana 1; Technical 7, beat Akarana 5; Waitemata S, beat Turner's 0; Ramblers 9, beat Technical A 1.

Third Grade B.—Greer's 12, beat John Court's 3; Comrades 8, beat Unity 6; Technical 11, beat Unity C. '

Fourth Grade.—Langton B 10, beat Kowhai Old Girls 8; Y.W.C.A. 7, beat Langton A 0; Northcote 11, beat Suburbs A 0.

CATHOLIC ASSOCIATION.

A Grade.—Grey J>rin 20. be.it Ponsonby S: Remnera B 11, beat Combines 5; Remuera A 10. beat Si. Patrick's 2; St. BenedicL's 1. beat Panmure 0.

B Grade. — Central 1. beat St. Patrick's 0 : Ponsonby 6 bear Avondale P. 4 ; Devonport 16, beat Grey I.ynn 0: Ellerslis 35, beat Avrndalt B 0; Melrose S, bent Mount Albert 3.