A REAL SURPRISE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 127, 31 May 1937, Page 14

A REAL SURPRISE.

LEADERS DEFEATED. REVERSAL OF FORM. MT. ALBERT ECLIPSE SHORE. 1 Richmond and Mount Albert have moved to the tap of the Auckland Rugby League's championship ladder as a result of Saturday's games, and the surprise defeat of Ponsonby by Marist Old Boys. The latter, who the previous week were beaten by the record margin of the season, staged a remarkable reversal of form, and ran out winners by a decisive margin. The Marist superiority was evident in the second spell, and Ponsonby never looked like having a winning chance. Tn the main game of the day at Carlaw Park Mount Albert gained a comfortable win over North Shore, the superiority of the winners' backs proving the deciding factor. The teams were on level terms at the interval, but Mount Albert were definitely on top following the. changeover. Tn the curtain-raiser Maniikau drew with City, while out at Fowlds Park, Mount Albert, Richmond Newton. Results of senior matches were as follows:— Mount Albert 13, beat North Shore 0. ■Mannkaii 13, drew with City 13. , * T nnst 20. beat Ponsonby 5. Richmond 14, beat Newton 9. Championship table:— P. W. I*. T>. F. A. Pta. Points Ch. "Inlimopfl r. 4 1 -.nn nr, R """it Albert . 5 4 1 - T« *3 » nr,.. S onbv 5 3 1 1 BR 40 7 "n«nV.MI .... 5 3 2 - BR «*J B >*"-"i Shore . . S 2 S 1 -«1 r.R r, ■"■-Ist R 2 3 - 77 03 4 B 1 4 - 57 RO 2 Newton R - R - 19 93

MOUNT ALBERT TRIUMPH.

Superiority among the backs, which became more marked as the game progressed, gave Mount Albert a well-merited win over North Shore by 13 points to nil In the featured match at Carlaw Park. The game was contested In a sporting spirit throughout, and play was willing, if not always spectacular. Much of the struggle was with the forwards, and particularly in the first spell the tackling was too incisive or the backs Indulged in far too much kicking for the game to rise to any great heights. The Mount Albert backs were the more enterprising, bu,t they really did not settle down and work smoothly until after the Interval. In the early stages movements were nullified by the centre, L. Schultz, attempting to go too far or mishandling, but he more than made amends in the second spell by spring two fine tries, and paring the way for another. The captain gave his chain the penetration that it needed when he warmed up to his work, and emerged with laurels thick upon him. His final try of the day was a gem, as he cut the defence to shreds with straight running. Watklns. the half-back, and the Inside backs, Hassan and J. Schultz. gave sound displays, while McCaUum was the pick of the wingers, although wen marked and receiving few chances. Cranch, the full-back, compared favourably with the Shore custouian Kerr, wno was once more a tower of strength to his side. Cowan made a reappearance behind the Shore pack, and acquitted himself well, while Bennetts showed promise on the wing. Sterling detracted from an otherwise good performance as first five-eighth by too frequently kicking. Prominent for the winner's forwards were Gunning, Satherley, Shadbolt and Herring, while great battlers for ?nd rt Ho?low. e . WeW> ROgCT, • HUDt ' B Bcott ,

NEWTON'S CHALLENGE,

The crowd which assembled at Fowlds Park and thereby assisted the district's contribution to the King George Memorial * und must have received a shock If it assumed that Richmond would have an easy victory over Newton. The scores, 14—0, Indicate that. Accommodating themselves better to the wretched state of the ground, the Rangers led 6—-3 at the Interval, and, but for a relaxing of effort for five minutes In the second spell might verv well have added to the surprises of the day. In the Richmond pack Mitchell was outstanding with the ball, and Hadley and McLeod were good supports,, while Newton's unflinching and wiry' sextet battled like trojans throughout. Qulrke made all the difference with his weight and hooking, though be Incurred penalties for swinging low too soon. His was a most creditable first appearance for the season. Well served by W. and E. Brimble, Young played very cleverly. Blckerton at five-eighths for Richmond, was frequently caught in possession. The resource of Mine-ham, and to some extent W. Tlttleton, saved Richmond, whose young full-back, Furnell, has been seen in better light. Dempsey gave an almost faultless display at full-back.

LEADERS 60 DOWN.

• The truicm that a team can play just as well as the other team allows them was' experienced by Ponsonby 1b their match with Marist, but the fall of the leaders came as a general surprise. It wts a fast game on a heavy ground, and although Ponsonby started well with their traditional inter-play, Marist were soon on level terms. Then they got the lead, and kept on increasing it. All through the second half the Marist superiority was evident. In spasms and flashes Ponsonby were assertive, but they could not stem the tide which flowed steadily against them-. The man .who played a definite part in the Marist victory was Haslam. He came on to take the place of Donovan, who was hurt, and at once began to take a big part in both the attack and defence. He was the outstanding player of a side which gave a splendid all-round showing. The Ponsonby back play fell below expectations, and it lacked smoothness'and Its customary polish, although a solo try by Kay was a gem. There was an extraordinary crop of minor casualties, and both teams suffered alike.

THIRTEEN ALL. When Manukau held a five-point advantage over City with about ten minutes to go In the curtain-raiser at Carlaw Park on Saturday. It appeared that they would win, but City made a splendid effort in the dying stagfs and fast raiding by the forwards gained them the required points to make a draw of the match—l 3 points all. City held a territorial advantage practically throughout, and had they made the most of the opportunities that came their way would undoubtedly have won. Heml was fairly safe as last man for Manukau, while Broderick was prominent with some determined running. Brimble made some splendid openings, while he teamed well, with Mahlma, who opened the game up for his supports at every opportunity. The forwards worked well, with Gault, Rickit and Painter always in the limelight. Wlberg fielded and kicked splendidly for City, and often ran his backs into position. Hapl was inclined to run across field, but otherwise made some useful dashes on the flank. McLaughlin was always in the thick . th^ e fr J* y - Hutchinson displayed promise at ■!"?,, base of tne scrum, while of the pack Wehrner, Minnix, Splro and Johnson were noticeable.

GRADE GAMES SENIOR RESERVE. Mount Albert 11. beat Shore 3. Richmond 19, beat Newton 0. Marist 3, beat Ponsonby 0. City 16, beat Manukau 7. SENIOR B. Newton 7, drew with Richmond 7.

THIRD GRADE. Richmond won by default from Newton. Marist 10, beat Papakura A. 5. Ellerslie 32, beat Mount Albert 0. Otabuhu 24, beat Shore 2. Glenora 20, beat Papakura 10. City 40, beat Point Chevalier 7. FOURTH GRADE. Ellerslie 8, beat Richmond 0. Glenora 8, beat Shore 0. Northcote 10., beat Ponsonby 3. FIFTH GRADE. Richmond 52, beat Shore 0. City 12, beat Avondale 8. Otabuhu 6, beat Papakura 3. SIXTH GRADE. Papakura 29, beat Richmond 3. City 10, beat Green Lane 7. SEVENTH GRADE. Richmond 51, beat Otahuhu 8. Shore 23, beat Glenora 0. , i SOUTH AUCKLAND TEAM. TO PLAY AT CARLAW PARK JUNE 9. The following team will represent South Auckland in the match against Auckland onsJune 9, at Auckland: —Powell (Huntlv), Tuktri (Huntly South'). Jackson (Huntly South), Beadle (Huntly), Miki (Huntly South). Packham (Huntly, captain). Shaw (Huntly South), Timms (Huntlv), Hilton (Huntly), Tarawhtti (Huntly South), Hall (Ngaruawahia), Wintle (Pukemiro), Brook (Huntly). Reserves: Mackey (Ngaruawahia), Tukiri (Huntly South), Moyes (Huntlv). Karena (Huntly South). SCHOOLBOYS' GAMES. SENIORS. Richmond 17, beat Manukau 0. Ellerslie 6, beat Mount Albert 3. INTERMEDIATES. Ponsonby 15, beat Marist 0. Richmond 42, beat Point Chevalier 0. Newton 36, beat Balmoral 0. JUNIORS. Richmond 6. beat George Court 0. Newton A. 6, beat Greenlane 0. Xorthcote 3, beat Balmoral 0 Manukau 0. drew with Point Chevalier 0. Ellerslie 0, drew with Marist 0. GAMES IN THE PROVINCEHUNTLY. Senior. —Huntly 15, beat Ngaruawahia Huntly South 33, beat Pukemiro 0. Junior.—Huntly 9, beat Huntly South 3; Ngaruawahia 17, beat Pukenlro 5. Third Grade.—Pukemiro 6, drew with Huntly South 6; Ngaruawahia 11. beat Huntly 6. . ( WHANGAREI. Hikurangi 3, beat Kensington 2. Takabiwai 9, beat Whakapara 2. Junior.—City 14. beat Portland 10 ; One Tree Point beat Kamo by default. Fourth Grade.—Hikurangi 6, beat Kamo 5 ; City 21, beat Kensington 0. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. CANTERBURY. Linwood 26, beat Sydenham 13.