ROOPE ROOSTER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 218, 14 September 1936, Page 13

ROOPE ROOSTER.

LEAGUE CONTESTS.

CITY SPRING SURPRISE.

RICHMOND GO UNDER

Further bright football was served up to a large crowd of spectators at Carlaw Park oil Saturday, when the Auckland Rugby League's Koope Rooster knock-out competition was advanced a further stage, and several games in the Phelan Shield competition were also played. Ihe pursuit of the Silver Wyandotte was invested with fresh interest as a result of City springing a surprise and defeating Richmond by a narrow margin. Last season s chamjpions and this season's runners-up were leading at the interval, but early in the second spell City came with a rattle and piled oil just sufficient points to get the verdict. It was a keenly contested game throughout, with the City backs sealing the issue. In the other '"rooster game Manukau triumphed over Papakura 011 the Papakura ground. The Devonport team had a bye. Ponsonby held too many guns for Mount Albert in "the Phelan Shield game, while Marist, p.laying in the same competition, had a few points to spare at the end of their match with Newton. Results were as follow: — Roope Rooster.—City 10, beat Richmond 8; Manukau 18, beat Papakura 8. Phelan Shield. — Ponsonby beat Mount Albert 13; Marist 15, beat Newton 11.

CITY TRIUMPH.

City have been improving steadily in recent matches and they gave their best display of the season when they accounted for Richmond in the principal game of the day by 10 points to 8. 'J'liey were expected to run last season's champions close, but even their most ardent supporters hardly considered them capable of getting the decision. Richmond were not in their be-st form, and their backs were rarely seen in those tine bursts which characterised their play earlier in (he season. On tlie otlior hand, City teamed well, their forwards working like champions and their backs pressing home advantages in grand style. City scored first with a .penalty, but at. the interval they were down to the tune of four points, Richmond having put on two tries with concerted play iu which tlieir forwards figured prominently. Many thought at this stage that Richmond laid virtually won the match, but City, following the change over, forged to the front, and withstood every effort of the opposition to pull the game out of tlie fire. At times they were called on for desperate defence, but each time they rose to the occasion and flung back Richmond's battering attacks. Throughout the play was grim and hard, and at times it rose to great heights and was productive of passing movements that had the crowd enthusing. It was City's day, and they thoroughly deserved their victory. Bickerton and Mincliimi were Richmond's best backs, and they never slackened their efforts to make, openings. Powell behind the scrum was not at his best, while W. Tittleton did not strike his true form. Greenwood on the wing was a trier, and he finished off one movement in grand style. Beyer, the full-back, was hardly as impressive as in his earlier games, and frequently fumbled or allowed himself to be caught in possession. By contrast Wlberg, the versatile City player, who filled the role of custodian, was Beyer's master. Wiberg defended soundly, and barely did a wrong thing all day. l'orteous, the City half-back, swung the ball out well, and Dufty, in tlie fivc-eightlis line, was solid, but a trifle on the slow side. The latter got plenty of ranfje with his kicking, and his work in this direction must have proved heartbreaking to (he opposition. Richmond would work their way into a good attacking position only for the veteran to drive them back with well-directed line kicks, which had all the length that Dufty useil to get with his kicking in former years. Rata and Tawhal, in the central positions, teamed splendidly, while both Brown and McLaughlin were a pair of dangerous wingerts, who frenuently reversed the plav to good purpose. The forwards of both sides were evenly matched in tlie tight, but in the loose and concerted play Richmond were superior. Tetley and Broadhead at times both played like backs, and chimed in sweetly with passing bouts. Broadhead scored a glorious try after a 20yds dash, which left the opposition standing. Both he and Tetley played up to form, uu-3 others who worked with a will from bell to bell were Hadley and C. Satlierley. Clark and Raymond were outstanding for City, while others constantly in the picture were Johnson and Herring:

MARISTS' LATE RUN.

Level at half-time and behind for most of the second half, Marists made a late and convincing run to get ahead of Newton and stay there. It was a bright, open and eventful game, with both teams playing to their backs, and exploiting the passing game to the utmost. Between the two sides there was not a great deal of difference or distinction, although over the full run of the play the Marist forwards were superior to tlie Newton six in the open play, although in scrum work they did not break much more than even.

Newton being without the services of E. Brimble and Bright in their backs, a rearranged rearguard was necessary, and Tyson and Gibson came in as wing threequarters.

Dompsey played a great game at fullback, and his skill and positional play and aptitude to run liis. backs into position at times was one of tlie really bright things of the match. W. Brimble gave a brilliant service from the base of tlie scrum, and the sharpness of his play was commendable. Quirke. Ilaydon, Ginders and Hutt were prominent all the way in the forwards.

For solidity of defence and resolute attack Haslam at centre three-quarter stood out as the best Marist back, while the decision to play Fletcher on the wing gave the latter every chance to display his pace and penetration. Fletcher's speed made ene Marist try possible after he had carried the ball well along the side line, and he followed it with a solo try that was the brightest individual effort of the day. In the Newton twenty-five Fletcher turned out towards the corner flag, and then countered a converging defence by swerving in to finish under the posts. In turn he caught five Newton men on the wrong foot. Murdoch ran with praiseworthy straightnoss in attack, while Aro was singularly alert at half-back.

The pick of the Marist forwards were Serra, Anderson, Finlayson and Keane, the latter getting a flood try near the end of the game to make the Marist position secure.

PAPAKURA'S GREAT FIGHT.

Papakura had Manukau very worried for three-quarters of the came at Papakura, and up to fifteen minutes of the call of tSrne, Papakura were leading eight to nil. It was then that superior weight and condition told their tale, and this year's senior champions rattled 011 18- points by sheer force of combination and the knowledge of how to do it. Papakura badly needed a Herni, for they missed five penalty goals, from each of which a "Hemi" could have raised the flags. One other point that must be mentioned, the Papakura team have not bad a game for seven weeks, owing to the international matches and teams defaulting to them. So much for excuses, but they did well, and Carlaw Park will see something good when they play there next week for the Phelan Shield. The three Burgess, brothers In flie hacks were clever and penetrating, while the try by It. Burgess from Manuknu's. twenty-five was a classic. He intercepted a Manukau back movement, then dummied through the opposition and outpaced his opponents to score. The fullback. C. Francis, had plenty to do, and did it well. Among the forwards Kvans and the Taylor brothers were always in the picture, tile former being outstanding. It is a team that must be considered for senior honours next season.

Manukau was led by Steve Watene, and were without the services of Pickrang. It would be hard to individualise, as every man was a part of the team. The forwards hunted us a pack, and would not be denied. It speaks volumes for the Papakura defence that Manukau was kept at bay so long. Murray made no mistakes at fullback. Hemi was in kicking form. Gault and Broderiek were on the attack all the time, and Watene played that rugged and hard

game for which he is known. Tries for Manukau were scored by Watene. Whye, Gault and Maliema, Hemi converting two and kicking a penalty. For Papakura. Pope and Burgess secured tries, the.latter converting one. Mr. Freeman Thompson was referee. Manukau were entertained at dinner after the match.

RAGGED PLAY.

The failure of the inside backs of both the Poll soil I) j' and Mount Albert teams to function, naturally affected the football served by tliem at Carlaw I'ark on Saturday, and play was rather ragged. Too much kicking was indulged in, while any passing bouts invariably broke down before much ground had been made up. In the first spell Mount Albert wou the ball from most scrums, but they did not do much with it, and it was not surprising that the Ponsonby team outstayed them. The players did not appear to be putting their whole heart in the game, and they seem to have had enough football lor the season. On the general run of play oil Saturday the blue and blacks always had a trick up their sleeve, but they did not hold a ten-point advantage. For the winners, Kay was the best back, but he did not receive the best of service from the inside. However, when lie did receive the ball he turned the opportunity to the best advantage, and he was always dangerous in possession. Black opened the gi.Mic up at every opportunty, and his was a useful display. In the forwards the best were Morgan, Davis and Blac'knian. A feature of Mount Albert's display was the performance of 1,. Scliultz, who showed his best form of the season. He cut in with all his old dash, and was a constant source of danger to Ponsonby. B. Scliultz ably assisted him. while Martin gave good service at the base. In a solid pack the best were Peterson anfl Constable. GIFT TO PRESIDENT. As a token of appreciation of his services to the Kugby Lcagir£ code and to mark his elevation to the status of Parliamentary Under-Secretary in charge o£ the State housing scheme, a presentation of a silvermounted oak inkstand was made to Mr. J. A. Lee, president of the Auckland Rugby League, by. officials of the League game during the interval of the main game at Carlaw Park 011 Saturday. Mr. Lee in future will reside in Wellington. " The chairman of the management committee of the Auckland Rugby League, Mr. G. Grey Campbell, in making the presentation, said that Mr. Lee had assumed additional responsibilities in the Government almost akin to Cabinet rank, and the board of control felt they could not let the opportunity pass without giving him some token of their appreciation of his services and ill recognition of the honour conferred 011 him. Mr. Lee would be relinquishing the presidency at the end of the year, in view of the fact that his duties would require him in Wellington. In conclusion, he asked Mr. Lee to accept the gift ou behalf of the board of control- and the followers of the game. In acknowledging the gift, Mr. Lee said he did not know of anything he had done to deserve the gift, as he could assure those present that what liad brought both liini and Mrs. Lee to Carlaw Park was their sheer love of the game. "I love the game and I like the people associated with it," he added. "Mrs. Lee and myself will do our best to be worthy of the gift. Whatever I can do* for the League code will be done, not because of politics, but because I love League football." A presentation was also made by Mr. Campbell to Mr. Ivan Culpan, secretary of the Auckland Rugby League, in recognition of his services during the visit of the English team. A great deal of the work of making ground arrangements at Carlaw Park fell on Mr. Culpan, to whom a gift of a dressing table set was made, as Mr. Campbell said, "so that Mrs. Culpan could use it." Mr. Culpan, in returning thanks, said his work for the League since he became secretary in 1918, had been his hobby, i The pleasant gathering concluded with cheers for Mr. and Mrs. Lee and Mr. and Mrs. Culpan, and the singing of "For They are Jolly Good Fellows." SENIOR RESERVE. STALLARD CUP. Marist 22, beat Mount Albert 16. Richmond 7, beat Ponsonby 2. Devonport 19, beat Newton 0. Point Chevalier 11, beat Mauukau 2. GRADE GAMES. THIRD GRADE. Northcote won by default from Marist. Richmond 14, be<it Glenora 7. Manukau G, beat Green Lane 5. Ponsonby 31, beat Point Chevalier B 5. Newton A G, beat Point Chevalier A 3. R.V. 21, beat City Club (Whangaroi) 15. Ellerslie won by default from Papakura. FOURTH GRADE. KNOCK-OUT SEMI-FINAL. City 11, beat Richmond 7. Ellerslie 3, beat Marist 0. SIXTH GRADE. City 28, beat Green Lane 0. Richmond won by default from Papakura. SEVENTH GRADE. City 5, beat Marist 4. Richmond 11. beat Glen Ora 5. Ellerslie 10, beat Papakura 0. PRIMARY SCHOOLS. SENIORS. Richmond IS, beat Ponsonby 0. R.V. 21, beat Whangarel City juniors 10. INTERMEDIATE. Avondale 17, beat Northcote 0. Marist 8, drew with Richmond 8. Otahuhu G, beat Ellerslie 3. Newton 10, beat Mount Albert 5. JUNIORS. J Ponsonbv 9, beat Richmond B 0. Richmond A G, beat Northcote 0. Marist 0, drew with Otahuhu 0. INTER-HOUSE MATCHES. Wisemans 10, drew with Tuckers 10. GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. I-lUNTLY. Huntly S, boat Huntly South 0. Juniors.—Huntly 7, beat Huntly South 3. WHANGAREI. Kamo 27, beat Mount Albert (Auckland) J<? Mount Albert fourths 12, beat Hikurangi juniors 0. . ,r„ , _ . t Q Wliakapara 10, beat lakahiwai 8. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. CHRISTCHURCH. Horubyl 14, beat Addiuglou 3.