LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 182, 3 August 1936, Page 15

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

DEFEAT OF LEADERS.

MANTJXATJ'S GOOD SHOWING,

KICHMOND NOW IN FRONT

In fine weather, but on holding grounds, the Auckland [Rugby League senior competition went a further stage on Saturday when the mercurial Manukau team, aided by brilliant goal-kicking by Hemi, defeated Mount Albert after a fast and spectacular game in which the fortunes of both sides fluctuated. Richmond had an easy win over Newton, and got into the championship lead. Ponsonby beat Marist by a single point, while City showed improved form to hold Devonport to a draw. The Carlaw Park flags were flown at half-mast owing to the death of Mrs. E. J. Phelan. Saturday's results:—•

Manukau 11, beat Mount Albert 9. City S, drew with Devonport 8. Ponsonby 9, beat Marist 8. Kichmond 22, beat Newton 6. Competition ladder:— Points. Ch. P. W. L. D. F. a. ins Kichmond ... 12 7 3 2 ISG 129 10 Mount Albert 12 7 4 1 130 Manukau .... 12 7 4 1 173 isi 13 Devonport ... 12 5 3 4 IOS 130 14 l'onsonby . 12 0 0 — 174 175 l" Marist 12-5 0 1 132 151 11 City 12 4 7 1 100 200 9 Newton 12 210 — 150 190 4 LEADERS BEATEN. After the match between the English team and Auckland the Manukau team was got together and the lessons of the day were discuswnl from every angle. It has boon the unremitting search for knowledge plus conscientious training, which has made Manukau the leading Auckland attraction in the League game, and It will occasion no surprise it' they win the championship. The consistent improvement that the team lias shown has been marked, and a good an'J attractive side has been moulded. To play for Manukau now appears to be a Maori ambition, and out of a number ot' new applications for a place in the team the club decided 011 Saturday to give a trial 10 Brodcrick, the 14-stone Bay of Plenty forward, with a try-out at wing threequarter, mostly with the idea that it was tlie best berth to put him in while ho picked up some of the essentials of a game that was strange to him. But the most gratifying thing from the Manukau view point was the fact that Hemi was back in the team after a spell caused by injury, and he signalled his return with brilliant goal kicking anil enough points to win the match for his side.

JUanukau faced the loaders in the championship with a feeling of supreme optimism, and set such a lively pace with spectacular inter-play that Mount Albert were forced 011 to the defensive to find themselves at half-time eleven points down. From that stage the leaders pulle'd themselves together, they played like a team, and right through the second half showed better constructive football than their opponents. They checked the Manukau scoring rate effectively, and went a good way towards brhlging the points margin that lay against them. In this section of the game the Manukau dash was not so noticeable, but their tackling was* first-class to the end, and it was that factor that saved the day for them.

Trevathan was the pivot of the Manukau backs, in attack, in defence, with a clever all round display, which, plus past endeavour, has won him a place in the New Zealand team. Broderick could not be judged as a three-quarter, but he did some hard, straight running on the wing, passed unselfishly, and appeared to have more than an elementary knowledge of the tricky play-the-ball rule, which is the bugbear of the average l«eugue recruit. Five Manukau forwards played well, and one stood out above tliem all. That was Pickrang, the hardy warrior from the King Country.

When they really did get going the Mount Albert backs combined well. Wilson, who was at the base of the scrum gave that sharp service in attack that is essential. Halliwell was steady and good all the way, the Schultz trinity teamed well, and Halsey got a brilliant try at the end of a perfect back movement when spec*], straight running and accurate passing were the essentials of the contract. injury to Flanagan at liis work saw Campbell back in the side as hooker, and in the second half of the game he gave his backs a feast of the ball. And in Gunning, Petersen and Bickerton there was a lively trio who did their best all day. Scores: Manukau 11, beat Mount Albert (i. Hemi kicked three penalty goals for Manukau ami converted a try scored by I'iekrang. For Mount Albert Halsey and Gunning scored tries. EIGHT POINTS ALL. 1 There was little between City and Devonport 011 the full run of a hard game, and eight points all was a fair reflection of how the play went. City started off with a display of confi'dence, and after L. Brown had got the opening score he made the next one with a flank run, and then an in-pass which sent Tawhai over. It was a similar effort that got Devonport on the move, Ij. Scott working the same kind of flank effort before in-passing to Sowter. The second half was marked by a characteristic try by D. Scott, a clever interception when a City passing run was 011, and (hen the Devonport wing ran alone to get the try of the 'day. It was a shortlived lead, Dufty soon levelling up things, with a penalty.

Forward, the 'teams were very evenly matched, but the City backs teamed better, and played tlie more attractive game, the work of the Devonport inside backs in attack lacking in vital penetration. The veteran, Dufty, played very sounvily at fullback for City, and in kicking got a great length. Tawhai was at his best in the centre, but the absence of Rata was felt, although Hughes, who took the vacant inside Eertli, played a good game. Of a >'ound forward line Spiro and Raymond were possibly the pick. Kerr again played in an outstanding way at full-back for Devonport, and North Auckland should be well served in the position when the Englishmen play. at Whangarci. L. Scott's form 011 the wing justified his inclusion in the Test match next Saturday, and the crowd will be looking for the characteristic try which lie seems to gather in every match as the result of sheer opportunism. Souter, Hollows ami E. Scott played hard all the way, and ail the day for the Devonport forwards. Scores: Devonport S, City 8. Brown and Tawhai scored for City, and Dufty kicked a penalty goal. Sowter and L. Scott scoral tries for Devonport and Seagar converted one.