THIRTEEN A-SIDE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 97, 26 April 1937, Page 14

THIRTEEN A-SIDE.

SATURDAYS GAMES.

FURTHER PRELIMINARIES.

REVIEW OF THE FORM,

The preliminary series of matches arranged by the Auckland Rugby League was continued at Carlaw Park on Saturday, and the games for the most part were productive of further bright play, which augurs well for the championship contests ahead.

The Marist-North Shore encounter was given pride of place, and, although not as brilliant as the previous week's niatcii between Manukau and Richmond, it kept the large crowd of spectators interested because of its fluctuating fortunes. The seasiders, who looked like losing thair early grip on the game at one stage in the second spell, came away in the end to get the verdict by a clear-cut margin.

In the curtain-raiser, Ponsonby extended Richmond, but the latter finally carried the day by 17 points to 10. After a match which was hard and even, City drew with Mount Albeit, each team scoring 11 points. Manukau were too strong for Newton and ran up the big score of 37 points to 19.

The results of the matches were: — North Shore 24, v. Marist 15. Richmond 17, v. Ponsonby 10. City 11, v. Mount Albert 11. Manukau 37, v. Newton 19.

SEASIDERS' SUCCESS,

Two fine tries by Len Scott, one of the most prolific scoring wingers in the code, turned the scales in favour of North Shore when they pitted their strength against Marist in the principal game of the day. Ten minutes before the end Marist. after being down at the interval to the tune of 12 points to 3. had overhauled their opponents and assumed the lead of 15 points to 14. It looked as though the greens had the match won, hut then Len Scott raced 40 yards to finish off a great piece of work by J. Smith, and then scored one of his spectacular opportunist tries. Both efforts were crowned and North Shore trooped off the field the winners by 24 points to 15. Kerr, the seasiders' fullback, played soundly, while others who gave Scott good support were Smith and Cowan. Among tire forwards Barnett, E. Scott, Hollows and ITunt were always conspicuous. Marist missed the thrust of Haslam and were not as constructive as they might have been owing to a good deal of experimentation with players, hoth forwards and hacks. Murdoch was enterprising in the five-eighth line, while Glover gave his side splendid service as the last line of defence. Aro revealed good form behind the pack when given a turn In the second spell. Forwards who were usually well in the picture were Anderson and Breed.

DEFEAT OF PONSONBT.

It was a patchwork game in which Richmond Rovers gained a keenly-fought second-half victory over a virile Ponsonby thirteen by 20—10.

Bert Cooke led the maroons and was accorded a hearty hand. His presence and full-back versatility. In view of the absence of the centre, E. T. Mlncham, meant much to the side, not discounting the attacking brilliance of W. Tittleton, in collaboration with Greenwood. But the real honours of the day must go to the forwards, who dominated in the loose. Brondhead was never seen to better advantage, and scored threo tries, the result of perftct supporting play and speed. He was no less outstanding than the Impressive newcomer Mitchell.

Petersen (ex-Mount Albert) and Middleton performed well for Ponsonby. whose fiackmen held their own in the tight ruekng. The rearguard did not settle to constructive play and openings bv Hallornn were mishandled or kicked away. Jones reveared fine opportunism, and Miles was a sound custodian, but the steadving influence of Stockley was missetl. On the whole it, was a valuable final tryout for the teams, Ponsonby in particular.

EVEN MATCH DRAWN

A draw was a fair reflection of the match between City and Mount Albeit, but inches literally separated the two teams, as, when time was almost up, Satherley took a penalty shot with the ball set on the half-way line, and the ball struck the crossbar and rebounded. The City forwards gave their backs a splendid share of the ball from the set scrums, but when the backs jtot it thore was a complete lack of cohesion, and it was evident that the City backs will nec.l to work up better combination if they are going to be a real force in the competition.

With Watkins at the base of the scrum getting his passes away cleanly, and the Schultz three, who understand each other's play perfectly, to carry a movement on, the Mount Albert backs showed up in a very attractive way, and some of the attacking movements carried a touch of real brilliance. B. Schultz had the misfortune to be injured.

Satherley was very prominent in the suburban forwards, while the most valuable man for City was Wiberg, who landed four goals.

Mount Albert's first try was scored by Shadbolt, not Leatherbarrow as reported in the Sports Edition.

MANUKAU SPECTACULAR

Mannknu. who were the champion team of last season, took the opportunity of their mntch with Newton to work up speed in attack.. The ball was thrown about with

the greatest freedom and high scoring ruled. With a heavy forward line and vevy speedy backs, Manukau got every opportunity to play the game of their choice and there were times when the Newton defence was badly shattered. Broderlck. who so greatly impressed the Australian critics a few seasons back, was Manukau's outstanding player. Hemi was at the top of his form and Broughton showed great skill at penetration and ability to scissors a movement.

Newton played the proper game for the occasion and with rapid movement and snap passing they at times got well into the picture. Brimble played n great game at scrum half, while DempseTy's positional play was one of the high lights of the game. On one occasion he made an opening, gave the ball three times to supports, gathered three returns, and then gave n final pass to finish off the best bit of combinative play of the day.

GRADE GAMES.

THIRD GRADE. Marist 0.8. 10. beat Shore 0. GAMES IN SOUTH. CHRISTCHURCH. Addington 5, beat Waimaln O. Linwood 27, beat Sydenham 10.