LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 128, 1 June 1936, Page 14

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

HIGH-SCORING GAMES. RICHMOND DEFEATS NEWTON. IMPROVED FORM BY MARIST. In brilliant weather the Auckland Rugby League's fifth series of matches was played at Catlaw Park on Saturday afternoon, when in a game played at whirlwind pace Richmond, last years : champions, finished ahead of Newton after the issue had been in doubt until the final stages. Solid play carried Marist through in their match with l'onsonby, Devonport had quite an easy time in their contest with City, while the colourfu. Manukau team made a good fight against Mount Albert and held their own tor most of the journey. Results of the matches were. Richmond 19, beat Newton 14. Mount Albert 23» beat jVlanukau 18. Marist 16, beat Ponsonby 11. Devonport 29, beat City 15. Championship table :— p. W. L. D. F. A. I'ts. Devonport ... 5 4 1 — 91 o4 S i Ponsonby .... o o - oo 00 u 1 Marist 3 3 2 — ;1 Co 0 Mt. Albert ... o <>< J , Richmond .... » L- j : Newton •} ~ . Manukau - « <..» «« ' City 5 — n - 0.1 98 — RICHMOND TRIUMPH. \fter a same which, in tlie second half was productive of maKnlflce.nt passing rushes and brilliant individualism. Kicli- | mond triumphed over Newton to the tune of 19 points to 14 in the main game of the j dav. The game developed like a train . gathering speed. In the early stages the pace was steady and keen, but lacking in artistry, the players indulging in far too much kicking. Then came the interval, and thereafter there was appreciable acceleration in the play, which often swung from end to end of the field with lightning raplditv. The crowd which rarely in the early ' stages had enthused over the exchanges roared themselves hoarse as first one side and then the other as/umed t lie lead. Then Newton seemed to get the game under control, clever interplay and two brilliant runs by Bright bringing two tries, which put them well.in front. Any other i opponents but Richmond inijjht well have I ' faded out of the picture entirely by the rush of points mounting against them. Richmond, however, have never worked with greater purpose than they did whenthings looked blackest for them, and, with concerted play and tenacity, they not only overhauled the Newton score, but ended up with live points to spare, although three of that number were collected after tlie bell bad rung for Territorially Newton had the better of matters, and for them the game was one of missed opportunities. While in the second spell they

availed themselves of most of the scoring chances that came their way, late in the first spell they did everything but score as a result of lapsing Into errors when the defence was beaten. The match revealed just what a fine player Bright, the Newton , centre, is. His two tries were the result of perfect football, for twice in quick sue- | cession he saw openings and darted through them to completely bewilder the opposition by cleverly changing direction. Bright, perhaps, has never been seen in brighter mood. Brady, on the left wing, was another hard worker, but he detracted from an otherwise good exhibition by knocking on a good pass in the first spell when ho had only to lake it and stroll across. Sissons and K. Brimble were a lively pair of five-eighths, while Dempsey played soundly at full-back, ills fielding of tlie ball anil kicking being tlie best features of his play, lie a!:<o ran his backs into position in fine style when the opportunity afforded. For Richmond, G. Tifileton. as custodian, gave his best exhibition to date. He got Richmond out of a great d»al of 1 rouble, and on one occasion prevented a try by getting two men. Bickerton and Minchnm were an .enterprising pair, (lie former again shining for tricky runs which harassed the opposition. The forwards made a great battle of it, and any advantage which Newton might have bad in the tight was offset by the Richmond sextet's work In the loose and ability to chime into back movements. Tetley, for his efforts in tlie latter • direction took the honours, and lie scored two tries as a result of keen anticipation and backing up. Broadlieail signalled bis return by giving a sound display of hard rugged football, while others who pulled their weight were Shepherd and ,T. Satlier- . ley; Ginders, Quirke and Nathan were never far out of the picture for Newton. FLUCTUATING SCORES. Strangely the scores fluctuated in the Marlst-Ponsonb.v match and the issue was 1 in doubt right to the end. It was a game that did not produce tlie continuous bright open play, that can be a feature of the game, but there were some colourful occasions and exceptional individual effort. It was tlie solidity and soundness of tlie Marist play that held Ponsonby in check all the wny, and only occasionally did the western team's backs sparkle into tlie combinative Interplay that they are capable of. Marist got the opening lead of five points, on two occasions the scores were level, then tlie final Marist effort gave them the lead and victory. Forward tlie teams were well matched and there was little between tlie respective vans, but tlie Marist backs took tlie occasion to play one of their best games, their defence never wavered and their attack carried with purpose and gave direction. Tlie grouping of Aro and Haslam in tlie five-eighths line brought good results, and the men behind them teamed into their work with fine understanding. Bakallcli attacked brilliantly on occasions, while Matson struck a high note in splendid positional play. Anderson was the best forward on the ground, and registered ten of his team's 10 points, while Clarke showed some of the form that carried him into rep. company in other years. Davis and Morgan played great games in? the Ponsonby forwards. As a combination tlie Ponsonby backs had quite an off-day, although Halloran attacked with sharpness and occasionally the liiley-Kay combination came well into the picture. It was tlie misfortune of Glover, the Marist full-back, to meet. Kay on one occasion with Itiley In support. Glover took the dummy and Kay raced on to score. It was one of those occasions when the best thing a fullback can do is to take the man with tlie ball and not worry about what happens afterwards. MANUKAU TIRED. Nursing an advantage of 16 points to 5 at the interval, Manukau fell away to such an extent following the change over in their match in the curtain-raiser with Mount Albert that they were beaten by 23 points to 18. Unluckily for Manukau, J. Hemi, the Maori who has fired the crowd with fre-sh enthusiasm, was not in his best kicking mood, although he kicked one magnificent goal from out near touch. Had he maintained this early form with his boot liis side might have scraped home, but unfortunately or fortunately—which ever way one might look nt it—he did not. It all' went to prove that even the best of piayers have their off days. Hemi. however. plaved well in all other departments, and he actually scored a magnificent try. This is how lie did it. Manukau were pressing when B. Scliultz cleared. Hemi fielded the ball, made to drop-kick, but changed ills mind. It was the last thing he was expected to do, and in a twinkling he was racing for the corner which he | reached with the defence crowding in upon i 'him. It was a fine bit ol football, Jihichl

demonstrated that Hemi has brains, and an eye for a loophole in the defence as well as wonderful kicking ability on his day. The game was good in patches with Manukau in form In the first spell and Mount Albert having all the better of matters in the dying stages. Trevarthan played soundly in the five-eighths line, while Watene played equally well in the forwards and backs. Of tlie forwards Pickrang was outstanding, and was probably the best ruckinan on the ground. He lent any amount of weight in the pack, and was always chasing the ball. Others usually in tlie hunt were Kawe, Gault and Wliye. Petersen, Gunning, Constable and Herring were the hardest grafters for Mount Albert in the forwards, while Morrisey gave another capital display in the backs. The Mount Albert chain, with L. Scliultz again absent, was not a happy combination, ana it took a great deal of reshuffling before it settled down to anything like decent understanding. B. Scliultz defended soundly, while Halsey and List showed up for powerful bursts oil occasions. Halliwell, / was not happy at full-back, but showed up for fine penetration in tlie five-eighths line. On several occasions he cut the defence to shreds, and paved tlie way tor scores. Petersen, when taken out of tlie pack and put on ,to the wing, gave a wonderful display, and scored two fine tries. He made use of his speed when the ball came Ills way, and one of liis tries was tr.e result of change of direction which could not be bettered even by the best of backs. SHORE TO THE FORE. The match in which Devonport defeated City Rovers by 29—15 opened promisingly with City first in their stride and revealing snappy combination to lead at the interval by 10—0. The Shore team had been getting Its fair share of the ball, but Rhodes nt second live-eighth presistentl.v was caught in possession. This fault was remedied in the second stanza and, in addition, the forwards, using their weight to more advantage, played with more vigour, and their supporting methods in raiding completely smashed City's cohesion. Tawliai, next to the übiquitous Brown, was a prominent figure in the City rearguard. ! For bis weight and age, Tawliai has the | equipment of a good back—pace, courage I and resourcefulness. Rata did well at centre, but got out of position at times and consequently Wiberg at full-back had a heavier responsibility. The latter appears to be wasted in the rear line. Iveson was not quite as impressive as on liis previous appearance at first five-eighth. Herring was tlie best forward, and Spiro, ex Mount Albert, was a valuable acquisition. Hollows was tlie star forward of the match and other good Devonport packmen were Sowter, Milicich and Hunt. Milicich is striking goal-kicking form again. The half-back. Cowan, played a fine game and as well |as defending solidly showed pace ill the | loose. His two tries were impressive. Crook nt first five-eighth mishandled frequently, but, like Rhodes, made some amends late in the contest. A. W. Seagar, coining oil as a last moment emergency for Jordan at centre, was hardly in the best of fettle, so neither winger, Scott or Ilall, got the best chances. Kerr was not always reliable as custodian. The team will have to be In better vein to meet Richmond. GRADE GAMES. SENIOR RESERVE. Devonport 24, beat City 10. Marist 19, beat Ponsonby 4. Richmond ID, beat Newton 5. Mount Albert 31, beat Manukau 3. SENIOR B GRADE. Otahuhu 32, beat Waluku 8. Papakura 16, beat Point Chevalier 9. SECOND GRADE. Richmond 18, beat Glenora 3. lI.V. beat Manukau by default. THIRD GRADE. Manukau 0, beat Devonport 4. Otahuhu 16, beat Point Chevalier B 5. Papakura 8, beat Point Chevalier A 5. Ellerslie 48, beat Mount Albert 0. Marist 8, beat Glenora 5. Richmond 20, beat Newton B 0. City 15, beat Northcote 0. R.V. 7, beat Green Lane 3. FOURTH GRADE. Devonport 6, beat Point Chevalier 0. City 65, beat Ellerslie 0. FIFTH GRADE. Glenora 37. beat Devonport 0. Richmond 8, beat Northcote 2. - Papakura 3, beat Newton 0. SIXTH GRADE. Green Lane 24, bent Papakura 5. Papakura 12, beat Avondale 0. SEVENTH GRADE. Richmond 10, beat Marist 0. i Glenora 14, beat Point Chevalier 0. Otahuhu 6, beat Northcote 3. SCHOOLBOYS' GAMES. SENIOR GRADE. Mount Albert 16, bent Ponsonby 3. Richmond 16, beat Devonport 11. INTERMEDIATE GRADE. Ellerslie 16, beat Green Lane 9. Mount Albert 6, beat Northcote 3. Newton 3. bent Marist 0. Richmond 0, beat Avondale 2. Otahuliu 19, heat Manukau 3. JUNIOR GRADE. Northcote 0. beat Marist 0. Newton A 3. beat Devonport 0. Ellerslie 0, drew with Mount Albert 0. GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. lIUNTT.T. nilnfly 2. bent Huntly South 0. Third Grade.—Huntly 8, drew with Ngarti:uvalila 8. Juniors. —Jluntly 5, bent Iluntly South 0. WHANGAREI. Knino 17, beat City 0. Ilikurangi 24, beat Takalilwal 2. Kensington .".2. bent Wlink.ipnrn 0. Juniors.—Hikurangi 8, bent City j; One Tree I'oiut S, bent Knino 0. Fourth Griule.—Kamo li. heat Hikurangi 7; Portliiul 11, beat City 7. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. CIIRISTCIIURCH. Hornby 31. beat Lin wood 3. NEW PLYMOUTH. Western Suburbs 33, beat Eastern Suburbs 10. NAPIER. Marama 23, beat Taradale 0.