LEAGUE LEADERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 133, 7 June 1937, Page 12

LEAGUE LEADERS.

RICHMOND ON TOP. MOUNT ALBERT SECOND. TWO CLOSE MATCHES. As a result of Saturday's Rugby League games Richmond head the championship table by two points. They retained their position at the top of the ladder as a result of beating Ponsonby in the main game at Carlaw Park by a clear-cut margin. Mount Albert, however, who were leading equal with Richmond, have fallen behind owing to the fact that they were narrowly beaten by Marist. Both these matches were played on No. 1 ground and despite the heavy going there was much fascinating back play, which kept the crowd interested until the end. On No. 2 ground City gained a single point victory over North Shore, while Manukau were run much closer than anticipated by Newton. Rfesulta were as follow:— Richmond 15, beat Ponsonby 6. Marist 10, beat Mount Albert 7. City 10, beat North Shore 9. Manukau 18, beat Newton 11. A COMFORTABLE WIN. Play in the main game of the day was particularly bright considering the unfavourable conditions, and there were many highlights, with the ball travelling speedily through the backs to the wingers. It was natural, considering the greasy foothold and ball, that mistakes should be made, and many movements fell short of fruition as a result of mishandling or over-eagerness on the part of forwards . endeavouring to pick up the ball when the line, was in sight. The teams were fairly evenly matched in the forwards with whom a good deal of the play rested, but both sets of backs were fed as much as possible. It was early apparent that the team which could master the conditions and most effectively work its chain would emerge the winners. As it turned'out, Richmond were the more constructive, possibly for the reason that the ball was most frequently heeled to them, and forwards like Mitenell and Tetley were opening up the plav continually from the loose. At the interval Richmond held the advantage by 8 points to 3, and they went on to take the honours by la points to 6. All the Richmond backs played soundly, the pick possibly being X. Bickerton and W. Tittleton, the five-eighths, and G. Tittleton on the wing. The last named played one of his best games of the season, and scored two fine tries. Mitchell was the outstanding forward on the Rround, and he was well supported by J. McLeod and W. Telford. In the Ponsonby pack, forwards who were always to be seen where the play was thickest were Petersen, Morgan, Keane and Blackman. Stocklev, the Ponsonby captain and five-eighths, teamed well with his supports and was usually sound both on attack and defence. Kay, the cei •<>. was right on his game, and made several fine openings in addition to keeping a watchful eye on his vis-a-vis, the elusive Mincham. Black and Halloran, half-back and first five-eighths respectively, got through a wealth of good work, although the latter had a bad lapse when he let Bickerton beat him badly and go on to score a magnificent try. The game was Interesting throughout, and though in the dying stages it was apparent which side would win, the crowd stayed on till the end. On the day there was no doubt that the better side won. MANUKAU DEFEAT NEWTON. In a fast match, which was played on a heavy ground amid occasional showens, Manukau defeated Newton by 18 points to 11. Manukau, with an experimental side in which two new players were being tried out, took a long while to settle down, and Newton, the much lighter team, put up great resistance. Gradually Manukau began to play as a team, and when they showed combination began to break through their opponents' defence, with the result that at half time they led by 12 points to nil. In the second half Newton gave a better exhibition, and there was good combination at times amongst their-.backs, with the result that while Manukau added another six points their opponents put on 11. Near the end Manukau played just well enough to prevent the gap being bridged. The Manukau play was marked by the fine work of their forwards in the "loose, where Whye and Gault were prominent, the former always being up with the play and doing a lot of spoiling work. Mahima opened up the play with speed behind the pack, but the five-eighths line was never quite happy, and most of the best, work was of a solo nature. Broughton was mercurial at times. Broderick ran with tine determination, and Hemi- gave his best at fullback, occasionally running well to bring his backs into position. Yet Hemi was never quite the colourful personality of last season, and Broderick, who is a champion forward, is really wasted as a back On the day a play it appeared that Manukau have yet to unearth the hooker thev want to give the side a fair share of the ball from set scrummaging. The best of the Newton back play was of the Individual kind, with Dempsev n ni nS a T£ lor, °,? S , «HjWt«*to« of positional , The Brlmb le brothers combined I effectively near the scrum with great rhv^m S^ln^at^ ck ' btU be y° nd them the rhythm of the line was frequently jolted although Hollis on the wing did some notable work. Quirke took the hooking honours of the day with his front row play, g?eat Service ° Se GlDderS gaV<J h,s ei *°

MARIST SHOCK MOUNT ALBERT.

.PI' 1 flattered their supporters by defeating the strong Mt. Albert thirteen by 10—7 in a match that was impressive for the conditions. O'Kane got a good share of the ball in the scrums, but hv ° Pe ? loo , se play - supplemented hv ce " tre three-quarter exhibition who made thc scoring opportw'iiT 8 i? F , wi " ser that brought m clinched within five minutes of the whistle by the only try of a hurricane ?hev ,»T n - T " e Mt " Albprt backs, try as nrpftJ ' Were " nable to finalise some !!n r- moves against a keen covering-up vr "• f r ?il 1 ae< l u 'tted himself well in the Mount Aibert rear line, but was no better thf h 1 vl . s " a vis - Glover. Haslam was Dartlr L» 1° capable Marist threeqaarter line, which included resourceful wingers. Midgley played his best game an ? s how ed pace and skill in "/iw* 1 br<vaku , waj ' B ' Stewart, for Mount , o|lt of position. Halsey and McCallum had an even duel. In the five-eighths line Murdoch frequently mishandled, but McLaren was always enterprising and strong on defence. Mount Alberts insides, Hassan and J. Schultz, gave the line every chance, hut L. Schultz was not at his best. Crocker more than compared with Watkins, the Mount Albert half-back. Anderson, Breed and Finlavson were Marists' best forwards, while Satherley, Leatherbarrow and Gunning did well for Mount Albert, whose scrum .mastery did not count so much on the day.

CITY ROVERS PREVAIL.

With North Shore dominating the closing stages. City, who held a slight ascendancy in the first half, were a shade lucky to emerge winners by the interval margin of 10—9. Surprisingly open and fast up to that stage on a ground that churned up badly, the second half developed into a forward battle, .relieved by some exciting breakaways, but the team from across the harbour eventually hammered hard for winning points against a valiant defence. A golden chance was missed by Shore, who were awarded a penalty kick a few yards from City goal posts. Instead of taking the place kick for a "sitter," one of the forwards elected to short punt in an endeavour to crash over the line. This assault failed, ar.d points that wou'd have pulled the giime out of the fire f or Shore went by the board. City deser.e credit for aii impregnable stand. Wibera being a tower of strength in the last line, and quite measuring "P to Kerr, of North Shore, on the day. Xeither set of backs showed much combinr.t'.en under the com'i iens. T. Raymond played well in the tlir;>e-quarter line, nrd ani-ther forward. J. McCarthy, also did well. wh'le Hapi was strong on attack. Donald. Well tier and Minnix were thc best cf an even pack. Simpson, Sowter. and E. Scott were good Shore forwards! and Smith was the outstanding back.