LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 213, 9 September 1935, Page 12

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

THE ROOPE ROOSTER. NEWTON WINS TROPHY. ECLIPSE OF RICHMOND. Rattling on ten points in the first spell, Xewton were able to hold out against Richmond at Carlaw I'ark on Saturday, and they gained a very pppnlar win by 10 points to 8. The winners thus annexed the Roope Rooster, which goes to the premier team in the knock-out competition. Both thirtcens were below their usual strength owing to some of their best players being on tour with the representatives, but they mixed it willingfy and kept a large crowd interested from bell to bell. There was a tense few minutes just before the end of the game, Richmond scoring right on time and being presented with the opportunity of making a draw of it with a conversion. The kick, however, sailed wide of the mark and immediately afterwards Richmond filed oil' the field the vanquished. i)i the curtainraiser to the main game of the day Mount Albert had a close call against Devonport in the I'helan Shield semi-final, but managed to win by 15 points to 11. In another shield game Ponsonby_ accounted for City to the tune of 20 points to 10.

NEWTON ON TOP.

One or two defections often make a i world of difference to a football combination, and so it proved with Richmond on Saturday, when the senior champions wefe eclipsed by Newton to the tune or 10 points to 8. A. E. Cooke, captain and ox-All Black, and C. Satherley were the principal absentees from the Richmond «id<?, and they were sorely missed, although it must be conceded that Newton were minus the services of some of their best men in Dempsey and IC. Brimble. .Richmond were thrown all out of gear, and it was not until late in the second spell—too late as it proved—that they functioned anything like the champions that they are. In a last linal rally they exploited every trick of the game that they knew, and as a result got within an ace of pulling the game out of the fire. Right on time they n/ade the score 10 to 8, and everything depended on the kick, following the tnuch-lH-ecied try. There, was a.brcathlcss hush as J. , Satherley placed the ball well' out from the uprights, sighted and then set it in flight with a powerful' kick. Unfortunately for Richmond the kick went astray, and they trooped off the field the defeated side — a rare experience for them over the past two seasons. Had the kick found its mark the result would have been a draw and extra, time would have been necessary to decide which side would hold the coveted Roope Rooster. The result of the game must have come as a surprise to many, and to- the Richmond players probably more than anyone else, but with both sides below normal strength it was quite on the cards that anything might happen. Newton on the day deserved their for they played solid, ami hard, if not brilliant football, and met every move of their more speedy opponents with solid tackling. Their forwards, too, played with devil and dash, giving as much as they received in the tight and loose, and frequently proving their opponents' superiors in Hie set scrums. Richmond needed the ball to win, and, by keeping it away from them, Newton had half the battle won. As a spectacle the game was not- inspiring. It was, however, productive of flashes of brilliancy, with the backs throwing the ball about in true League style, nnd above all it kept the spectators on their toes because Newton for most of the way had the champions fighting an uphill tight. There have been more thrilling games at Carlaw Park this season, but none that lias sustained the interest of the crowd nor produced the tense last few minutes like Saturday's clash. The sides will meet again in the champion of champions match, and with Newton endeavouring to show that their win was no mere flash in the pan, and Richmond anxious to avenge their defeat, it is expected that a fine contest will result, and that oue of the record crowds of the season will assemble to see the teams fighting out the Issue. While the tourists will not have returned by then it is anticipated that Richmond particularly will have taken stock of tueir players and steps to guard against.many of the mistakes of Saturday. One thing probably more than anything else was made apparent by the display, and that was that Richmond have by force of habit come to place a great deal of reliance on Cooke to extricate them from their tangles. Ho invariably saves the day when it requires to be saved, but to place the same trust in an unseasoned player like M. Marshall is fatal. Marshall was a definite weakness, and at no stage did he inspire confidence. He must necessarily suffer in comparison with such a scintillating star as Cooke, but ho did not impress as yet being up to senior standard. Mincbam. the tricky centre, was always enterprising on the move, and was the pick of tile three-quarter line, although Mitchell on the wing showed up frequently for determined running. Blckerton has been seen to better advantage, while Prentice, at first five-eighth, was always working for the opening and doing any amount of defensive work. lie wns at iiis best in the dying stages. Powell, behind the pack, did not show up in as favourable a light as W. Brimble. the Newton half-back. The, latter opened up the play well, scored a neat try by ducking round the scrum, and was always on hand when defence was required. The only pity was that much good work engineered by him was not pressed home to a more satisfactory conclusion from the Newton supporters' point of view. This was due principally to the fact that Franich. at first five-eighth, was not at homo in the berth, and was rarely able to send the ball along. Then again when ho did so the other backs lacked the pace necessary to carve a passage through the much more nippy Richmond back line. G. Young gave a good account of himself at second five-pighth. Schleslnger was going great guns in the Newton threequarter line, when he was forced to retire with an injury. He was lending thrust to the. Newton chain which might have been invaluable had he been able to stay the distance. He promised to take the honours for being Newton's best back, but as things turned out it was Brady who proved to be the star. ••■ The winger gave an excellent display of forceful running, and at no stage in the "piece did lie allow McNi 11 to take any liberties with him. Kerr at full-back got through a wealth of hard work, and was more than a match for the Richmond custodian. The forwards on both sides were a hard-working lot, with Lawless, Telford, Crookall and Broad-i head always being to the fore for Richmond, and Johnston. Clernm and Quirke most prominent for Newton.

PONSONBY IN A FINAL,

City , Rovers faded out of .the Phelan Shield semi-final on No. 2 ground when they bowed to Ponsonby United to the tuiie of 10 —20. It was a fast and even contest in the early stages, but Ponsonby, with better inside back play, gradually took the ascendancy. Botli teams were without a number of their usual personnel, and although this probably somewhat detracted from the standard given in concerted action, it was interesting to note the performance of promoted boys. When the Kovers lost the services, first of winger Johnson and then of Watene, their team work became decidedly patchy. W. Stockley (Ponsonby), at five-eighths, was the outstanding back on the field. Deason showed promise on the wing and Holland showed improved form on the other flank, as did Rush at half-back. Payne also was a solid customer. The City forwards, with Herring. Dye and Clark going well, were not adequately supported, Wiberg showing most resource behind the scrums and featuring in the open. The game should put Ponsonby on their toes for the final with Mount Albert.

STALLARD CUP REPLAY.

The game in the Staliard Cup semi-final, in which senior reserve grade and senior B teams have participated, was a two-all tie the previous week' between Marist and Richmond, and the replay on Saturday produced line play in the first half, with a decided depreciation in tire second stanza. Marist won convincingly by IC—7 because they • teamed to better advantage, allied to the fact that Corbett, at second fiveeighth, played brilliantly, revealing fine sense of anticipation and the ability to make that extra yard and opening at the psychological moment. He was well supported by Kerr inside and Grotte at centre. Muiice was good on attack, but lamentablyweak on defence, while Bailey, on the other flank, was dashing, if a trifle too desperate in his methods. O'Shannassy was a reliable full-back, and Strachan, Steven and List were willing forwards. The Richmond display for the most part was colourless, the good work of Verrall, at half, Watts and Holmes being wasted by an unenterprising three-quarter line. Ramsay was the best forward on the field!

WIN FOR MOUNT ALBERT.

In a match which did not possess a great deal of sparkle, Mount Albert triumphed over Devonport to the tune of 15 points to 11 Mount Albert, like several other teams in'the senior grade, were minus the services of several of their regular players, who are away with the Auckland representatives, ■uid their combination was considerably affected us a result. The seasides. nlthouKh they were without the aid of Simpson and Hall, did not seem to be worried to the same extent, and by teaming well they kept the opposition busy throughout. In the dying stages they harassed Ibe defence repeatedly, and with a trifle more luck would have gained the necessary nointfi to give them a win. Mount Albert fielded three men who hay,.- transferred their athletic affections from Rugby — Constoble (Manuknu), K. Carter (PonBonby) and Lepratt (Eden) —and (hey ail sh.nvod promise of brighter things. ConBtnble worked hard in the pack, while Carter showed a good turn ot speed when the ball came his way on the wing. Lepratt was the most impressive o: the trio and he scored a really magnificent trv'in the second spell. l<. Schultz was another three-quarter to give a good account of hims.-lf, while Morrlssey, at lull-back, was right on form. Martin Bhaned well behind the pack. Seagar was u tower of strength to Devonport at lullback and gave his usual sound display. Powell did well in (he three-quarter line, and again revealed that he is improving with each game. Rhodes and Kadonlch teamed well in the live-eighths line, and Cowan did all that was expected of him behind the scrum. 01' the forwards Hunt was outstanding for Devonport, and he found his best supports in E. Scott and Milicich. Spiro was perhaps the hardest grafter in the Mount Albert pack, and others who were prominently in the picture were Flanagan, Irvine and List.

SENIOR B,

Point Chevalier 24, beat Waiuku 0. WAI,MSX.BY SHIELD FINAL, I'apakuru 0, beat Green Lano U.

GRADE GAMES.

SECOND GRADE. Richmond 18, beat H.V. 0. THIRD GRADE. Green Mine beat Marist by default. Otiihuhu 0, beat l'onsonby 8. City 13, beat -Richmond 11. Akarana 10, beat Devonport 5. FOURTH GRADE. City C, beat Richmond 0. Newton 21, beat I'onsonby 0. Mount Albert IC, beat South Auckland 7.

HOUSE MATCHES.

Brown Bros. 18, beat Garlands 2.

GAMES IN THE PROVINCE.

HUNTLY. Draffln Cup.—Ngaruawahia 3, beat "juniors'—Huntly 0, beat Xgaruawahia 5. Third Grade. —Mount Albert 10, beat Waikato 7. TUAKAU. Tuakau 22, beat Huntly 7.

AUCKIAND TOUKISTS.

WELLINGTON BEATEN, 30—27. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Saturday. Three thousand people saw a strong Auckland League touring team beat the Wellington representative side by 'S'J points to 27 at Ncwimvn Park to-day. B. Berry, a former .South Island Rugby representative, captained the Wellington team, which included- the All Black H. T. Lllburne, who was making his lirst appearance in the code. Wellington showed good form in the first spell, handling well and staging several bright rushes, In which Atkins and Scorringe were prominent, but their attagk and positional piny were not equal to that of Auckland, whose bucks and forwards swept across the field in brilliant movements which cut the defence to pieces. R. Moisley was the first to score for Wellington, O'Connor converting. Lilburue next kicked a penalty to make the scores Wellington 7, Auckland 0. Then Auckland began to show their true form, and a series of bright combined movements, in which L. Brown, on the wing, and Hntt were outstanding, resulted In tries being scored by Herring, Tetley and Hutt (2). Satherley converted three of the tries, making the half-time scores: Auckland 18 Wellington 7 Auckland rattled on the points In the early stages of the second spell, the backs making some clever runs. Tries were scored by Brimble, Cooke, Brown and Cooke in that order, Satherley converting two. This made the scores, Auckland 34, Wellington 24, O'Connor having kicked a penalty goal, scored and converted a try, and converted tries scored by Moisley and Todd. The scores mounted rapidly in the closing stages. Brown made a dazzling run down the line, and scored in the corner. Satherley converted, Lilburne scored for Wellington, but the kick missed. The game ended with the score: Auckland 3!) Wellington 27

SCHOOLBOY REPS.

It was a sterling schoolboy rep. game at Carlaw Park between Northland and Auckland, who won by 20 points to 8. For the winners, Bradley, Drought, Mud Cord, Martin and Nugent were prominent, while Mason, Laird, McLeod and Pink were outstanding for the visitors. A high standard of fast football was given throughout. Taylor and Morton each scored tries and Lennie kicked a goal for the North. Butler scored one try and Bradley scored three tries and kicked four fine goals. Bradley, besides playing brilliantly, scored 17 out of the 20 points for his side and in addition won a new blue nnd gold Leeds jersey, presented by Lou Brown, for being the best player on the ground. The crowd enjoyed the display, particularly that of tin two smallest lads, Brott and Mudford, who frequently outwitted their rivals. McLeod (North captain) presented the banner to Drought (captain) after the match.