TWO GAMES ONLY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 200, 24 August 1936, Page 14

TWO GAMES ONLY.

LEAGUE FOOTBALL SHORE BEAT RICHMOND. MANUKAU SCORE AGAIN. Pressed for time in getting its club competitions off to time, the Auckland i Rugby League decided on Saturday that j Carlaw Park fixtures had to be played i despite continued heavy rain, but as mat-j ters turned out only four teams took the field. Number 1 ground was heavy but playable and stood up well to two matches, but Xo. 2 ground displayed sheets of water in parts and it was considered inadvisable even to stage one game on it. A small band of supporters crowded into the stand and they were rewarded with two games which were productive of some remarkably fine football, despite the atrocious conditions and the elusiveness of the ball. In the curtain-raiser Manukau continued their winning way and by their win by a comfortable margin over Marist moved to the head of the championship, displacing Richmond, who were later beaten narrowly by Devonport. Results: — Devonport 5, beat Richmond 3. Manukau 24, beat Marist 7. The positions of the teams are as fol'ow: — Points. Ch. P. TV. L. D. F. A. Pts. Manukau ... 13 S 4 1 107 ISS 17 Devonport ..13 0 3 4 173 133 10 tichmond ... 13 7 4 2 189 134 10 Mount Albert 12 7 4 1 14'J 130 15 Vonsonby ... 12 0 0 — 174 175 12 Marist 13 5 7 1 132 151 11 | City Rovers .12 4 7 1 106 200 0 Vewton ..... 12 210 —• 150 190 4

MANUKAU TOO GOOD.

Manukau were not greatly troubled in their match -with Marist, and ran out winners by the convincing margin of- 24 points to 7. Watene's men were in fine form and by throwing the greasy ball about in i fashion unexpected of players on a wet day, held too many guns for their opponents. who were minus several of their leading players, notably Haslani. Marist were scratching for a team nt the end, but, by calling on several-of the younger ciub members, they managed to field a team which put up a creditable display. Territorially Manukau had all the better of the exchanges, and but for mishandling it the business end when the defence was hopelessly beaten, they would have widened the gap between the scores. The particularly scintillating star of the side was Hemi, who figured in the five-eighths line. Time and again he cut through brilliantly, to give his supports scoring opportunities, and he impressed as an inside back with thrust and enterprise. It was his first appearance on Carl aw Park In this role, and on his showing it should not be his 'ast Mahima, the scrum half, was also in fine fettle. He gave accurate passes from the base of the scrum, and was always up with the plav. Trevathan was always sure of himself, and as consistent as ever. Mason was the pick of the three-quarter ine, but the big forward Gault got through i wealth of good work on the wing. Mur•ay performed soundly at full-back. Aro olayed splendidly at half-back for Marist, while Bakalich and Loader also shone on occasions for good work, both on attack •ind defence. The penetration of Haslam 'n the five-eighths line, and the fine defence work of Glover, at full-back, however, were missing, and although some of the young recruits filled these berths enough, they were quite .incapable of silencing the fast-moving Manukau chain. The Marist forwards worked with a will 'rom bell to bell, and it was no; fault of theirs that the decision went against, their '-earn They were always raiding with llan ' with Breed, Serra and Anderson in --■he picture constantly. The Manukau forwards played with their customary devil ind dash, with Pickrang always in the Van. He received good support from A'atene, Kawe and Whye. For Manukau Mahima (2), Hemi, Gault, •Jtiuchton and Mason scored. TVatene conned three tries. For Marist Serra n trv Anderson converted and dckld a penalty goal. Mr. W. Simpson •vas referee.

MAROON FORWARDS FAIL.

Devonport's surprise defeat of Riclimon'l --{overs by 5—3, after a gruelling and fast lisplay, was about a fair measure of revive merits on the day and the run of ■ilav It la a tradition of the lads from J cross the Waitemata to stand up to sternest challenge in the heavy going, and thei worthy opponents must be counted un 'ucky to have been called upon to contest •ihe second issue under extremely wet weather conditions. Strange to say the sround surface had not cut up badly,, in unite of the continuous rain and a pietious hard game, and its fine holding turf ?S tribute to treatment and care exercised Vsr the grounds committee of tne a.k.ij. . Jrom earlier in the season. Previously Devonport and Richmond had met for IS-all draw, and, if the maroons centre, Jlincham, had been able to mate the most ♦f a penalty shot from a likely position ;en minutes before the bell, another draw ■vould have placed Richmond and Marnitau on even terms for the "present. All •he scoring occurred; in the first half, ■vhen the maroons were having a feast of ■he ball from the scrums, but in the later itages Devonport shared the <hooking lonours, and, with their forwards bowling -;nto the work from the breaking scrums ind the loose, Richmond's unprotected ?nside backs were unable to function, in ipite of the brilliancy of Bickerton, whose tendency was to run too far with the ball md .lose the support that could hardly }e expected on such a slippery ground sur'ace. When it came to tight rucking Devonport, with Hollows, Sowter and 'Sogers outstanding, were irresistible, while 3. Scott. Simpson and Milicich did their part well In the loose. The pack hunted nithlessly and the displdy of Hollows, with i fine knowledge of ball cpntrol, counted for much. Except for Hadley, whose keenaess got him occasionally into offside trouble, and. J. Satherley, the Richmond forwards were shaded. Broadhead and Tei« ford were sometimes in the picture, but retley, with the best of intentions probably, neglected to put his weight into the icrums, preferring to spout about for opportunities in the loose; "These, of course, tame pretty frequently with Devonport dashing away in command and covering up well through steady, rearguard tactics. Powell had nothing on his vis-a-vis. Cowan, is a -half-back, and it was surprising to see the former playing in such orthodox style. The three-quarter line did not have much chance to operate. Kerr gave a sound Exhibition of full-back play for Devonport, Seagar was resourceful at centre, and the five-eighths, Hunt and Rhodes, were sharp 4'n defence. A likely, tall young winger, V. Scott, brother of Len Scott, made his 3ebut on one flank vice Hall. Devonport will require to be at their best to avenge their first-round defeat by Ponsonby, and this also applies to Richmond, who are to meet City, who took the first honours 18 12. Nowadays, such is the evenness of the teaniß, that not one win can be taken for granted.

SOUTH AUCKLAND I.OSES,

TARAXAKI'S 8-POINT VICTORS'.

.. a Ku Sby League representative match st Ngaruawahia on Saturday Taranaki defeated South Auckland by 10 points to 8. after leading 16—0 at the interval—neither iide being able to score against a strong wind. Those who contributed to the respective tallies were.—

-Taranaki.—'Arnold, Leatherby. Frazer, Hunt, tries; one converted by Bedford, who also kicked a penalty goal. • South Auckland.—E. Tukere and Miki tries—one goaled by F. Tukere.

GAMES IN THE PROVINCE.

XGARUAWAHIA. Taranaki 16,. beat South Auckland 8,

GAMES IN THE SOUTH.

NAPIER. Marama 13., beat Clive 5 Hornby 13, beat Addinstton 11

WELLINGTON. St. George 22. bent Central 7. I-lutt 33, beat I'etone 18.

CHRISTCHURCH. Hornby 13, beat Addlngton 11. Linwod "43, Sydenham 10.