LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 212, 7 September 1936, Page 14

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

THE ROOPE ROOSTER. KNOCK-OUT COMPETITION. MANUKAU BEAT PO>fcSONBY. Keen games were witnessed at Call aw Park on Saturday afternoon when on heavy grounds the first of the Auckland Rugby Leagiie's mutches for the Roope Rooster were decided. The knock-out competition always provides fine football and the form revealed by the various teams indicated that this season's contests arc likely to be just as interesting as ever. The good crowd of spectators thrilled to the exhibitions, as the. scores in tho various games .sea-sawed in interesting fashion. ' . - In the principal , attraction of the day, the winners of the championship, Manuka u, came near to defeat by Ponsonby, but they held on desperately to win by the narrowest of margins. Fine kicking by the veteran C. Dufty piloted City to victory over Xe#.'ton after extra time had been played, while Richmond held too many guns for Marist and finally. won by a comfortable margin. In the late game on Xo. 2 ground, Devonport played lively football to account for Mount Albert. The Hon. R. Semple, Minister of Public Works, was an interested spectator. Results were as follow: —• Manukau 10. beat Ponsonby 8. City 17, beat Newton 15. Devonport 20, beat Mount Albert C. Richmond 24, beat Marist 10. MANUKAU JUST GET THERE. Playing bright football and opening up the play at every available opportunity, Ponsonby gave Manukau more than they bargained for. With a little more luck the Ponies would have got the verdict, but. as it was, the championship winners won by the slender margin of 10 points to S. The game was fought at a great pace, and. because of the closeness of the scoring and Manukau's desperate efforts to retain an early-established lead, interest was sus- . tained to the final bell. The Ponsonby forwards played a grand game, and not only did they compare favourably with their heavier opponents in all departments, but they won a good percentage of the set scrums. Seizins the opportunities given by his forwards, Hallorau. behind the scrum, swung his backs into action time and time again, with the result that Manukau were seen in a defensive role much more than usual. Territorially it was Ponsonby's game, and what told the' tale was the slightly better kicking of Manukau. for both team's notched two tries. Ponsonby's captain. W. .Stockley, held his backs together well, while Kay and Jones were thrustful at times in the central positions. McKinney, the left winger, impressed for a good display, and he scored one of his side's tries. Although there is . not much of him. he defended well and, once on the move, he took a power of stopping. Push, the custodian, was on form, and. if anything, showed up to better advantage than the full-back, Murray, who played his usual reliable game. For Manukau, Hemi at first live-eighth played a rattling good game, although he left liis kicking boots at lioiue. In possession he was a source of danger to the opposition, and once he made a gem of an opening to send Gault over at the corner. Hemi's one grave error was kicking too often for the gap. when a quick pass to his supports would have served his side better W. Brimble. a newcomer to the code, filled Trevatlian's place at second five-eifrhth, but hardly rose to the heights expected of him. With a few more, games, however, he should be an asset to his new club. Maliima. the. half-back, gave another of his sound performances, and scored a fine try with a characteristic burst from behind the" scrum. Gault, the big forward. was again called in for service on the wing, and had more than his share ot defensive work to do as Ponsonby, sensing him as a weakness, swung tlie play *** direction whenever possible. 1 hougli oy no means a polished back. Gault, however, nerformed reasonably well, and let l'ttl« past him. Steve Watene held his side together in masterly fashion, particularly when the crisis arrived :in the last minutes. He was always on tht lmll ; .-: also was the untiring 1 iekrang. Oiiier^ whe caught the eye were Broderick and Kawe Outstanding for a fine all-round displaj for Ponsonby was Morgan, while ot' 1 "- who lent their weight admirably were Davis and Carter. . RICHMOND, RELEGATE JURISTS. The contest - between Richmond and Marists in the Rooster series produced some real classy football, * arid, with • & Score oE 24-10 in tlieir favour, the Rovers well merited a - first feather win. r Jhc board read 13-10 at the interval, which arrived with the* Old Boys challenging, but they gradually wilted under the sweeping collaborative team work of Richmond. winners gave a display reminiscent of their top form last season, infusing dash into their varied moves and handling the ball -with machine-like confidence. Marists defended soundly, and, by comparison, their methods lacked, with occasional exceptions both deliberation, and finish. Their usual driving power was absent. They have no reason to feel discouraged. Beyer was steady at full-back for the maroons, kicked judiciously and with length ftnd placed several good goals. His vis-a-vis, Glover, started off brilliantly, but was not quite so consistent in the later stages. Mincham was the. life and soul of the Richmond rearguard, find has not been seen in better form i his season. He made some dazzling openings and his wingers Were given every advnntage. ' This narticularly applies to Wilkie, who rose to the occasion to show that he has the speed and initiative of the ideal type of flankman. The play did not go so much the way of G. Tittleton. W. Tittleton, at second five-eighth, was always in the picture until compelled to leave the field, Tetley coming out of the pack and proving his versatility in the position. Bickerton continues to develop as a most elusive and effective five-eighth, while Powell did his job creditably behind the strong pack. Richmond did not completely monopolise the ball from the scrums, but their loose play and supporting raids in the open took some stopping. Hadley, Broadhead and Telford were prominent, ■while Finlayson, Anderson and Breed were hard toilers for Marists, whose best efforts were revealed in the tight rucking. The back division attracted interest by reason of the introduction of two likely recruits— Murdoch, of Technical Old Boys, at first five-eighth, and Fletcher, of Grammar Old Boys, at centre. Playing with his Union mates on either side, Aro at half-back, and Haslam, Murdoch gave glimpses of possibilities as an inside back and one of his flashes contributed to a splendid try. However, he will have to curb a tendencv to kick too much—a fault that was far too evident in several matches on Saturday. Haslam was a tower of strength to hi? side. Fletcher's entry into the game created a favourable impression. He is a powerful and determined runner and once he learns to let the ball go and not to try to beat too many opponents on his own, he should develop into a valuable acquisition. He received a knock in his first outing and did hot return after half-time. Chalmers, who had been on the flank came to live-eighth and Bakalich went from the scrum out, List coming on in the pack. Loader, on . the wing, played a good allround game- and notched Marists' two tries, one being an opportune solo effort which gained an ovation'-for him. Richmond will be vital bidders for the poultry trophy and Marists may he expected to go all out in pursuit of the Phelan Shield honours. NOT GOOD FOOTBALL, The sodden ground and heavy. ball were not conducive to good'football on Saturday, and the match between Newton and City tailed to arouse much interest. City were perhaps a shade lucky to win as time was practically up when the red and blacks were awarded a penalty which Dufty turned to account, and thus enabled them to draw v?o!„" i tl)is necessitated extra time eing played they turned round for five n»n% ca( -' h T uy A S ain Dufty converted i'u l ' me tame with the final E® 4 ty ,.£ 7 ' Newton 15. Territorially :n„ u VT.h tbe better of the game, and they had City defending desperately lacked that little bit ot +n nl in*,, sc ? rc ! s , tr je«. The fault seems to lie in the inside backs, who throw the ball abouraU right, but fail to run straight. On the other hand City had an off day, their handling proving very ineffective l or the winners Wiberg gave a fair' dis pla> both full-back and five-eighths, while Brown used his pace to advantage. Porteou< opened the game up at every opportunity but must have been disappointed to se< many openings being absolutely throwi away. Of the forwards Johnson and Minni: were perhaps the best. Dempsey was safe and sound for Newton • while Heed and the two Brimble brother: never let up, with the little half playing i splendid game. Quirke was the bes forward.

WIDE MARGIN. Playing better constructive football tlinn their opponents, anil showing more facility for the seizure of opportunity, Devonport were definitely superior to Mnunt Albert, and finished with a 14-points margin in their favour. Karly ascendency by .Mount Albert was comparatively shortlived, and the fecond lialf of the game saw Devonport's opponents slipping further and further into t lie shadows. The No. 2 ground at Carlaw I'a r k was very heavy, yet despite adverse circumstances both teams yet out to play an open game, and enxleavour to bring their backs- into combinded movement. Injury in tlie ])revious game had hit Mount Albert hard, they fielded a back division with difficulty, and team loyalty alone was responsible for the fact that some of the players turned out. In one respect the match hail an in.terfamily flavour, as oil the Mount Albert fide was H. Schultz, L. Scliulfz and J Srlmltz. while Devonport had \V. Scott, K. Scott and I>. Scott. And on the day the Scott trinity was more prominent, as \V Scott put over four goals, and E. Scott and I/. Scott each got a try, the latter, despite tlie fact that he was having an experimental run with the forwards. Kerr, whom the English team considered was tlie best full-back the.v met in New Zealand, played another flawless' game, with beautiful positional play, the veteran Seagar was at hi.-' best in the centre. Cowan gave a very sharp thrust to the fiveeighth line, and Hollows' was an outstanding forward. Mount Albert chopped their back division about as" the game went on. Watkins gave a brilliant service from the scrum. Hulliwell gave flashes of sharply penetrative play, while both B. Schultz nnd J. Schultz showed up well. There were some tireless workers in the Mount Albert vanguard, and Shadbolt. Herring and O'Brien stood out, the latter being a South Auckland player who was making liis xlcbut. \ . GRADE GAMES. SECOND GKADE. Mount Albert 0, beat Richmond 0. THIRD GKADE. Ellerslie !), beat Papakura 0. K.y. 11, beat Mount Albert 5. Otahulm 34, beat Point Chevalier B S. . Devonport 32, beat Point Chevalier A 0. - ■ ■ FOURTH GRADE. City 40, beat Pbnsonby 2. FIFTH GRADE. Northcote 5, beat Richmond 0. SIXTH GRADE. City 2S, beat Papakura 0. Richmond 21, beat Green Lane 0. SEVENTH GRADE. City 7, beat Point Chevalier 0. Northcote 12. beat Marist 3. Richmond 0, beat Otahuhu 3. PRIMARY SCHOOLS. SENIORS. Devonport. 14, beat Richmond 6. Mount Albert 13i beat Ponsonby 5. INTERMEDIATE. Manukan S, beat Ellerslie 0. Newton 31, beat Avondale i). Otahuhu 15, beat Green Lane 3. Richmond 45, beat Mount Albert 0. JUNIORS. Ellerslie 3, beat Devonport 0. Newton A 0, drew with Newton B O. GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. WHANGARBI. Senior Knock-out.—Kamo 2G, bent City (i; Wliakapara 13, beat Hikurangi S; Takahiwai beat Kensington by default. Junior. —Wliaugarei 5, beat l'onsonby third grade 0. Fourth Grade.—Hikurangi 8, beat Kamo 0. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. NAPIER. ; Petone 24, beat Taradale IS. THACKER SHIELD. GREYMOUTH, Sunday. In a match for the Thacker Shield, Maris (holders; and Hornby, Christchurcli, drew if-all. The game was played in a sea o: mud. Tries for Marist were scored by Walsh Anisy .and O'Connor., For . Hornby .Tayloi scored a try. Palmountain converted ant also kicked a penalty goal. Garrett pottei il goal.