PRELIMINARIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 91, 19 April 1937, Page 15

PRELIMINARIES.

MINCHAM THE STAR.

SEVERAL FINE DISPLAYS

DEFEAT OF THE CHAMPIONS

Rugby League footballers got under way at LarJaw Park on Saturday when preliminary matches were staged by the Auckland Rugby League. Combination was exceptionally good considering that they were the first games of the season, and particularly in the main game of the day between Manukau, last season's champions, and Richmond, the exchanges were of the liveliest. Richmond filially got the decision by 15 points to 11. In the curtain-raiser, Mount Albert held too many guns for Ponsonby and Won by 21 points to 10. , Across on No. 2 ground Devonport cantered home against Newton, while Marist eclipsed City after a keen contest by 30 points to

RICHMOND GET THERE.

Three brilliant tries by E. Mineham. the Richmond captain, and three conversions by G. Tittleton, carried Richmond to victory oyer last season's champions, Manukau. after a match which would have done credit to the championship contest, in the main attraction of the day. It Is doubtful if the crowd expected muc.i for their monty, but they were served up with excellent football and given thrills which they would have been content to receive at a later (late in the season. Right from the jump it was evident that this was no mere practice match—it was a test of strength between last season's champions and the champions of the previous season, and it is qnite possible that Manukau would have won had they not made drastic alterations to their team for the second spell— alterations which included S. Watene, captain and key man of the side, a man who for his genius and leadership has held his side together in many a strenuous test. That is by the way, for as the game developed Richmond deserved their win. Mlncham's tries were gems, particularly the final one in which he cleverly changed the direction of the play and flashed over under the posts. It was Mincham's day. Then came llemi, the man who last season frequently held the crowd spellbound by

his brilliant kicking. Not only did Hem! convert tries, but with consummate artistry he potted two field George Tittleton also emerged triumphant in the role of a kicking artist, and two of his three goals were really difficult shots. There were two phases of the match—Manukau's first half and Richmond's second. Manukau were nsroniant "vnrly in the "piece; but, following the change-over, the honours all went Richmond's way. Probably the turning point of the match was with the forwards, for, in the first half the forwards, so far as hooking is concerned, broke even. The second half, however, definitely favoured Richmond, who won more than their share of the ball. Among the Richmond forwards those who took the principal honours were Metcalfe, Tetley, McLeod (a newcomer) and Broadhead, the old stalwart. .In the fore for Manukau were Gault, Broderick. Kawe and Phillips. ■Richmond, particularly i n the second spell, were the more constructive when it comes to analyse the back play, with Mincham the brightest star, and then W. Tittleton, the pivot from whom most of the scoring movements swung. Powell, behind the pack, was sound, and his defence at times was splendid. Broderick was always to the fore for Manukau when it came to passing rushes engineered by the forwards, while among the backs men who gave of their best were Hemi, both in the five-eighths line and full-back, Mahima (half-back), and Watene, who saw out only the first spell. Logan, who was given a turn in the second stanza, also shaped promisingly, while both Murton and Shalfoon demonstrated that they had all the pace and dash necessary for wingers. Summed up, it was a game which was weli worth seeing, and it whetted the appetites of the fans for what Is ahead during the competition matches.

WIN FOK MOUNT ALBERT.

Down to the tune of 7 points to 2 at the Interval, Ponsonby drew level with Mount Albert in the curtain-raiser following the change-over, but failed to stay the distance, and had to bow to defeat by 21 points to 10. Mount Albert were the better balanced of the two teams, although at times the Ponsonby Jbacks moved sweetly, and gave the impression that they wili develop into the more penetrative' of the two sets. Mount Albert again fielded a splendid hard-working pack, which has been strenghtened by the inclusion of C. Satherley, the former Richmond man. Satherlev was in form as a ruckman and a goalkicker, and received splendid support from Hanson, who • has been elevated from the reserves, Shadtx.lt and Herring. The lastnamed was never far from the ball when work required to be done, and as a result notched one of his xide's tries. L. and B. Shultz teamed, well in the five-eightlis line, while others who shaped promisingly were Watkins, Halsey and Hassan, who has returned to the fold after a season on the bank. Among the Ponsonby forwards Middleton. Blackman, Keane, Brown and Morgan were conspicuous, while among the backs Halloran and Stockloy were the particular shining lights. Miles did well in the full-back berth, while .Tones and McKinney were a pair of speedy wingers who should prove prolific score-getters as the season progresses. Black got the ball away smartly from the base of the scrum, while Kay showed up occasionally in attacking movements.

RANGERS DOWN TO SHORE

A fairly bright early game was provided on No. 2 ground, when North Shore Albions defeated Newton Rangers by 34—8, with 'he losers making up leeway towards the finish. Both teams Introduced a considerable proportion of new players, and should benefit by the opening clash. Kasper. a promoted junior, did quite well as custodian for the winners, but the outstanding backs were Smith, an enterprising centre, Zane. a nippy five-eighths, V. Scott on the wing, and Cowan behind the scrum. Two other likely inside backs tried were Bennetts and Stirling, the latter being a Northland product. Hollows, K. Scott and Thorpe were a good trio of forwards in a solid and fiery pack Proctor. Beatty and Calms, the last-named from Pukemiro, were the pick of the Newton vanguard, which, however. did not knit well, and often went down. Ginders mishandled badly in the open, and the hooker took undue liberties without gaining advantage, invariably unbalancing the scrums. A replacement, Praser. looked a possibility, but soon went off with a twisted ankle. Brlmble was splendid as half-back, but there was a lack of constructiveness among the inside backs, though Young and Sissons made some reparation. Kveritt was the better of the wingers. Dempsey stood up well to all demands in the rear line. Thp match was marked by a good deal of erratic movement, and it was obvious that many of the players have not yet reached that condition indicated bv confidence in "the feel of tlie ball." RESERVE GRADE, Mdrlst 11, heat Mount Albert 10.

CITY ROVERS WORRY MARISTS.

In a snappy and attractive contest, with Marist Old Boys dominating the closing stages, City Rovers went down by 30—22, after the lead had alternated for most of the way. The winners had a more even and weighty set of scrummers, and a keen young back division, and the result of the game must be regarded as a tribute to the line defence of the Rovers. The stars of the day were the Marist centre, Fitzgerald, who gathers surprising speed off the mark and is dangerous on attack, and the forwards Breed and Donaldson; on the other side Ha<pi (winger), Tawhai (centre) and Raymond (forward). The full-backs, Glover (Marists) and Wlberg were reliable, the City man again proving his worth as a goal-kicker. Marists presented a promising three-quarter in the second half, Midgley. The team as a whole worked more smoothly when Haslam moved to an inside position from the wing, Murdoch, a second half replacement, linking up better with Donovan, who has yet to reveal his best form. Hapi has developed into a strong winger, who uses his weight and speed. Hutchinson is a valuable promoted half-back, but it would be hard to judge Potier (South Auckland) on this trial. Two ex-South Island reps, were opposed, Anderson (Marists), ex-West Coast, and Wehner (City). ex-Canterbury, and both performed well with other new players. City, who were captained by McLaughlin, were unlucky to lose Spiro in the second half. These teams will surprise before long.

GAMES IN THE SOUTH.

CANTERBURY. Addington 27, beat Sydenham 0.