LEADERS MEET.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 158, 6 July 1936, Page 14

LEADERS MEET.

LEAGUE FOOTBALL GAME RESULTS IN DRAW. RICHMOND V. MOUNT ALBERT. After Saturday's matches the Auckland Rugby League's senior competition is still as open as ever, with Mount Albert leading the field with a lone .point to spare. Mount Albert retained their position by drawing with the next team on the ladder, Richmond, after a game which thrilled the large crowd because of its fast and open passages and its changing trends. Manukau continued their winning way by beating Ponsonby by a narrow margin, while City npset Newton in a high-scoring game. Marist and Devonport drew in a keenly contested game, last minute points saving the day for the former. Results of Saturday's matches: — Mount Albert 11, drew with Richmond 11. Manukau 14, beat Ponsonby 12. Marist 8. drew with Devonport 8. City 28, beat Newton 22. Positions of teams: — Points Cli. P. W. L. P. F. A. Pts. Mount Albert . 10 <i 3 1 120 121 13 Richmond ... 10 5 3 2 101 123 12 Pevonport ... 10 4 3 3 130 10(i 11 Marist 10 5 4 1 124 130 11 Manukau .... 10 5 4 1 152 109 11 Ponsonby .... 10 5 5 — 11S1 157 10 City 10 4 (! — 133 182 S Newton 10 2 S — 12S 147 4

LEADERS BREAK EVEN.

There were two distinct phases in the game between the championship leaders. Mount Albert and Richmond, which finished up with Honours even. In the first spell Richmond gave every indication of running out comfortable winners, with their bac]>s playing with that precision which stamp them the best chain in the competition, and the interval came with tliem nursing an advantage of 9 points to 3. The thrust of Minchnm, the Richmond centre, was too much for Morrissey, the Mount ; Albert pivot, who wns not playing with his customnry stendiness, nnd it was obvious that a re-shuffle of the leaders' backs was | desirable. This was duly made, and when the teams came out for the second spell Morrissey had exchanged places with .1. Scliultz, who had been playing full-back-So effective was the re-arrangement that Richmond were only able to add a penalty goal to their score, while their opponents scored on two occasions. It is not to be imagined, however, that Mount.Albert bail matters all their own way in the dying stages, for the Richmond backs were always looking for the opening, and came close to going across for tries on several occasions, it was indeed a game of changing fortunes, a game which liad its dull moments and its flights of fascinating team work. The return of L. Scliultz to tlie Mount Alfcert fold did much to strengthen the side, for he held the backs together well and set an example by tackling low. llis task in having to mark the straight-runuing \Y. Tittleton was no easy one, but he was equal to the occasion. Mount Albert were unlucky to lose Pawson, the first five-eighths, but llalliwell, who moved in from the wing, proved a good substitute and played his best game to date. Halliwell is now settling down to the League game, and lias lessened his tendency to kick through with advantage. J. Scliultz played equally well as full-back and centre, while Morrissey was at his best at full-back, and from that position actually got up on one occasion to participate in a movement which brought a try. B. Scliultz aud Dunn bath exhibited pace and dash on tlie wings, while Watkins played soundly behind the pack. Powell, the Richmond half-back, performed, with his usual consistency, while Bickerton and W. Tittleton were a pair of lively fiveeighths who were always studying their supports. Mincham once more emerged with laurels thick upon him, aud it was his thrust principally that made matters; look so dismal for Mount Albert in the first, spell. On Ills form of the past two weeks it. is difficult to imagine why he has not been chosen to train with the Auckland team to meet the Englishmen. He may yet, however, play himself into the side. Mincham paved the way for his side's try, andi furthermore, put on valuable points with fine kicking. G. Tittleton and Wilkie.wcre a pair of speedy wingers and always dangerous. Greenwood, the full-back, was erratic. He showed appreciation of the art of running his backs into position, but 1 has to cure a tendency to wait for the ball to bounce. The forwards were fairly events | matched, but as the game progressed the, Mount Albert sextet gained the ascendancy and did much to turn the trend of the play .in their side's favour. Gunning, Constable. Petersen and Flanagan were perhaps the most outstanding for Mount Albert, while those who were in the thick of everything , for Richmond were Broadhead, Telford and Hadley. Richmond undoubtedly missed the services of Tetley, that fine connecting link between backs and forwards and great battler in the loose. For Mount Albert Halliwell, Flanagan and Punn scored tries. Morrissey converted one. For Richmond G. Tittleton scored a try and Mincham kicked four- penalty goals.

MANUKAU JUST GET THERE.

Ponsonby and Manukau were fairly evenly matched when they met in the curtain-raiser to the main game of the day. and the Interest of .the" crowd, was sustained throughout as the sides gave of theitr best to gain the supremacy. At no stage was there any great margin of difference between the teams, although as time approached It looked as though Ponies ■would emerge the winners. Just on time, however, Manukau went across for a try which put the sides on even terms, and then Watene with a neat kick clinched matters to make the score 14 points to 12 In their favour. The play was fast and open, but was not as productive as expected of attractive passing movements. Trevathan gave a rattling good display In the • five-eighths line for Manukau, while Broughton, the centre, was lively in possession. Moate, a newcomer to the side. Improved as the game progressed, and he scored the winning try with a particularly heady and jinky run which left the defence standing. Halloran played solidly behind the pack for Ponsonby, .while Stockley and Kay got through a wealth of fine work in the five-eighths line. Riley and Jones were the pick of the three-quarters, the former on occasion giving glimpses of his real form. Kay was perhaps the most impres-, sive back on the ground, and showed up frequently for brilliant bursts that had the opposition in• difficulties. Rush, the Ponsonby full-back, proved a good substitute for Paton, but was badly beaten when Moate went across for his try. The forwards made much of the play, and on the day there was not a great deal between them. The outstanding forward on the ' field was Gault. who was always following ■up and lending his weight in the tight stuff Pickrang was another of the Manukau ■pack who was never far awav from the • seat of operations, while liis best support came from Kawe and Whye. Watene played another fine game, and his generalship and • kicking proved invaluable to his side. But for him Manukau's star would have been dimmed, for he accounted for six of his side's points. Morgan led the Ponsonby forwards in grand style and raided in the loose with tireless energy. Others who were constantly in the picture were J. Stoeklev Carter and Blood.

For Manukau, Broughton and Moate scored tries. Watene kicked two penalty goals and converted a try. Trevathan also kicked a penalty goal. For Ponsonby, Riley an < , K 'Y scored tries. Jones converted one and kicked two penalty goals.

LEVEL GOING

With a bit of luck victory might hare, prone either way in the match between 1 Marist and Devonport, but as it was a draw was a fair and fitting reflection of n I game that was fast all the way and ■' strenuously contested. .Asa test between ' two good sets of forwards the exhibition was an entertaining one for the spectators, • but hard defence was the main portion i for the backs and concerted movements, ! with the ball being thrown freely from hand to hand, were the exception and not i the ru!e. The Devonport play was of its I characteristic kind, close and hard, with a I solidity that made it difficult to counter and make progress. Tet forward Marist' held their own well and their backs got off some bright 'and spectacular work. i This season the key-man for Marist has been Anderson, whose goal-kicking has been a feature. But 011 Saturday it was an off day for the Marist stir, and when he missed four shots at handy ranee the team's supporters began to think he had left tin kicking boot, at borne. But tie

most difficult shot of the lot that lie essayed he got across, and for Marist it was well, for it niado a draw of the game. ' Breed played another great forward game for the greens, and as a result of intelligent packing up got a good try. Keane was playing a captain's game when he bad the misfortune to be Injured, While Finljiyson. Marists new forward from North Auckland, made a very promising debut. Aro again played attractively at haltback. Chalmets brought keenness and sharpness to the live-eighths line., llaslani played at the top of his form, and Bonder's game on the wing was full of dash and enterprise. Glover was sound at full-back, but his handling was uncertain nt times. In the Shore forwnrds E. Scott, Ponnld and Hollows were always prominent, and Miller and Seagar were a very solid pair in the iive-eigths line with their unwavering defence.. L. Scott was a gifted opportunist in the three-quarter line and got tire try of the day. At full-back Kerr played the good game that one expects from the best full-back in the code in Auckland.

NEWTON DOWN TO CITY.

! More enterprising play l>y City Rovers ; in the first spell assured them victory over Newton Rangers by 28 —22, but both tean's j are to l>e congratulated upon their fast ; and open piny on a ground that was extremely soft and muddy in places. The Rangers started promisingly and were six points up before the Rovers were on the board. The hitter started 1o open out confidently to their backs and magnificent I work by Rata, with Tawhai ably collaborating, changed the complexion of the contest. not before Newton had registered with a try that was doubted by the crowd. City's : combined reply, which ended with a try i nt the corner by Mclaughlin, was a gem. j A goal dropped from the field by Duffy further spurred on the Rovers, and a ' dazzling effort by Rata, supplemented b\* Inn indication of Dufty's fitness and experi--1 ence. practically gave City the honours I with a 23 —11 margin nt the interval. Xewton ill-ado a brave second-half stand, and. setting a. better share oC the hall from the scrums, initiated strong attacks, a feature of which was the remarkably clever performance of Hoy Bright, who scored two tri'es, one hy utilising liis speed and ability to penetrate from the open lipid, unil the other hy a determined run and dive, wide out. Puffy, with his shoulder temporarily dislocated, and Kata suffering from a leg injury, provided relief r "v. the Rangers in the last fifteen minutes of an entertaining game. City fully deserved their success and played well t» a man. Portoons nt hnlf-hwck shaded W. Briinble on the day. Rata. Tawhni and Brown were always in the picture, the tirst mentioned enhancing his prospects f->r higher eomnanv as a five-eighths. McCarthy, Herring and Spiro were the host ■packmen. Clark's handling improving in the later stages; Williams was not quite up to the mark in Newton's tlirre-quarter line and Smith fumbled too often as second five-eighths, though well served hy E. Rrimble. Bright did not have tlve best of chances and his play was all the more creditable in the circumstances. Johnston wjis -Newton's best rucking forward, with Gindcrs, Quirke and ITutt also alert. Howeve>* the pack was not altogether impressive and lias boon seen to more advantage. The Rangers will have to improve to repe-it their win over Pevonport. <

GRADE GAMES,

SENIOR RESERVE. Marist 10. liont Devonport 0. Ponsonby 27. beat Manukau 10 Mount Albert 11, beat Richmond 7. SECOND GRADE. Richmond S, beat Glen Ora 2. R.V. 13, bent Mount Albert 0. THIRD GRADE. •Ellerslie 14, bent Point Chevalier A 11 Ponsonb.v 8, beat Marist 0. Richmond 0, beat Otaliuhu 0. City 40, beat Point Chevalier 0. Papakura 7, beat Green Lane 0. Manukau 10, beat It.V. 0. FOURTH GRADE. City 3G. beat Devonport 2. Marist 33, beat Ponsonby 2. Mount Albert 24, beat Point Chevalier 2 FIFTH GRADE. Glen Ora 7, beat Dcvonport 0. Papakura 27, beat Newton 0. SIXTH GRADE. Avondale 7, beat Papakura 0. City u, beat Richmond 0. SEVENTH GRADE. Otahuhu 2, beat City 0. Richmond 3. beat Ellerslie 0. PRIMARY SCHOOLS. SENIOR GRADE. Richmond 8. beat Mount Albert 6. Devonport 33, bent Ponsonby 8. INTERMEDIATE GRADE. Marist 10, beat Northcote 0. Richmond 13, bent Mount Albert 3. Manukau 0. beat Ellerslie 3. Avondale 12, beat Newton 5. JUNIOR GRADE. Richmond A 0, bent Manukau 3. GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. PAPAKURA. Senior B.—Papnkurn 20, beat Waiuku 0. WHANGAREI. Northland 0, beat South Auckland 5. HUNTLY. Ngaruawnhia IG, bent Htintly 0. Pukemiro 15, beat Huntly South 7. Juniors.—Ngaruawahia 11, beat Huntly TUAKAU. Manaia 29, beat Huia 8.