BRIGHT GAMES.

Auckland Star, Issue LXVIII, 14 June 1937, Page 15

BRIGHT GAMES.

FIRST ROUND ENDS.

RICHMOND'S CLOSE CALL MANUKAU STRIKES FORM. ;i Bright play was the order at Carlaw Park on Saturday when the concluding matches in the first round of the Auck-i land Rugby League's senior competition were played. Favoured with good conditions, the players threw the ball about attractively, and generally speaking the spectators were provided with football of a high onler. In the main game of the day at headquarters Richmond had to light all the way to get the decision over Manukau by a narrow margin. Richmond's victory leaves them still at the head of the competition. In the curtain-raiser Marist continued their winning way against City, while at Devonport North Shore beat Newton comfortably, and at Northcote Mount Albert had the better of their engagement with Ponsonby and won with five points to spare. Results were:— Richmond 22. beat Manukau 18. i Marist 11. beat City 4. j Mount Albeit 8, beat Ponsonby 3. North Shore 13, beat Newton 0. Positions of clubs :— Points. Ch. P. W. L. D. F. A. I'ts. Richmond 7 li 1 — 150 70 12 Mt. Albert 7 5 2 - 91 45 10 Marist 7 4 3 - UN 104 8 North Shore 7 3 3 1 tiiS 68 7 I'oilson by ..... 7 3 3 1 77 03 7 Manukau 7 3 3 1 92 115 7 City 7 2 4 1 71 100 5 Newton 7 - 7 - 30 124

BRILLIANT FULL-BACKS.

One of the most difficult tasks for a full-back to face is when an opposing player with pace breaks clear and has ample room in which to manoeuvre. In the match nt Devonport on Saturday L. Scott, the Shore wing, got a clear break from his own side of halt-way. There was only Dempsey, the Newton full-back, ahead. Scott veered for the sideline and Dempsey converged on him. The Newton full-back let his opponent make the half pass to prevent a cutin, and then dived full length to make a great tackle and save a certain score. All through the day Dempsey played faultlessly, but his rival full-back, Kerr, was also at the top of his form, and the full-back duel was one of the highlights of the day. Opinions differ in league circles as to which is the better full-back, and on Saturday's showing they could be bracketed level. Better team work gave Shore victory by 1:: points to oin a game that was fast, bright and open. Brimble gave a splendid display for Newton at half-back, and on his form merits representative consideration. but the Newton inside backs could not break through the fast covering Shore defence, although at times Sissons showed clever individual effort. The Newton forwards played tirelessly, with Ginders and Quirke striving hard all the time, and the latter took the hodking honours of the match.

The Shore play was very sound in every respect, -anil if there were no individual stars, each at least contributed something to the general effect. 1,. Scott got a typical try in the last minute of the game, with a run from the wing at half-way. Hollows was the most prominent of the" Shore forwards nil the day and he got the other two fries as the result of sheer opportunism and ability to gather in n difficult pass. In Smith, the Shore team have a very promising centre and a goal kicker.

RICHMOND'S LATE RALLY.

Of all the matches played at Carlaw I'ark this season in cluJi football, that on Saturday between Manukau, last season's championship winners, and Richmond, the leaders of the competition this year, was without doubt the most thrilling. It was crowded with incident, and the issue was in doubt until a few minutes before the end, when Kichmond rattled on two converted tries, to take the lead for the first time, ami the honours t>y '-2 points to 18. Kichmond fought an up-hill battle, and it speaks much for their powers of recovery and titm'ss that they could withstand the terrific battering which they received from their opponents. .Manukau were at the peak of their form, and, with fast raiding in the loose, clever inter play, and playing close up til their opponents' backs on" defence. hail ltiehmond sorely harassed for thegreater part of the journey. It was really only in (he dying singes that the Richmond chain, after repeats! efforts to carve n passage through the rock-like Mannknu defence, succeeded. The turning point in the game, when Kichmond were behind 1•> points to l'J—came when the Richmond hacks swept from the defensive oil lo the offensive, and Kiekerton, the live-eight lis, scored afier twice chiming into the movement, which truly bewildered .Manukau. Then fine, straight running by \V. Tittlcton paved the way for another try and put the issue beyond doubt. \V. Tittlelon played a splendid all-round game for Richmond, and held his side together whoti filings looked Iblackest for it. Kickerton, too, played witli distinction, despite (be fact that lie had much to contend with from the last-breaking Manukau forwards. Mincham was always looking for the opening, bur was well marked throughout bv I*. Chase, and had fewer opportunities than usual. ti. Tittlcton was the pick of the wingers. while Kurnell emerged with honours despite a torrid time on defence at full-back. The particular scintillating star for Manukau was K. Chase, second live-eighths, who is the most valuable of Manukau's new recruits. He scored eleven of his side's points, and, in addition to being fleet in possession, was sound on defence. Maliima played a rattling good game behind the pack, while Hrimble was effective in the five-eighths line. Hemi made l'ew mistakes, anil time and again he nuililicd much of Richmond's good work with his rangy kicking. McLeod. Mitchell, Davis and H. lladley were great battlers in the Kichmond pack, while forwards who shone for Manukau were Gault, Kickit, Brodrick and Kawe.

MOUNT ALBERT SHADE PONSONBY.

Mount Albert's forward superiority ranted the defeat of l'onsontiy by S—3 at Stafford Park. Northcote. where tlio tennis were welcomed on helm If of the Northcote nml ISirkenliead Hovers t'lub b.v Mr. C. .T. W*. Taylor. The ground was in good condition for what, proved to he a very fast and kiM'ii match in ai<l of the Kin;r (ieorge Memorial Fund. In flip early stages I'onsonby won a fair share of the twill from the scrums, hut gradually the weight of (lie Mount Albert pack told. In spite of brilliant inside back play by I'onsonby, there was a lack of finish on the flanks. In ttie welter of fast piny there were times when faulty handling nullified scoring opportunities, but taken all round the irame was clean and attractive. l.eatlierharrow. Satherley, <tuiiniii£r and Hansen were the pick, of the winners' pack, while Morgan. Davis and Hrown played well for I'onsonby. Morgan lieing outstanding. Watkins overshadowed lilack in half-back play, but Ilalloran and Stockley were more than a match for the Mount Albert five-eight Iks. J. Schultz and Hassan, as the game progressed. L. Schultz. at centre for Mount Albert, gave a tine exhibition. His positional play was good and he served his wingers well. His vis-a-vis, Kay, however, showed more resource, speed and ability to penetrate. 1 lie Mount Albert wingers, McCallum and Stewart, were in top form. Petersen, a forward, was wasted on the wing for I'onsonby, though he defended valiantly, while, on the other hand Nurse showed much promi.se. There was nothing much between the two full-backs.

MARIST IN FORM.

Superior team work gave Maris) victory over City in the curtain-raiser bv 11 points to 4. The same was fast, but 'was devoid of spectacular play and robbed of a goou deal of interest by players kicking too frequently. The match oliee more proved what a wonderful asset Ilaslam is to Marist. for lie was here, there and everywhere at the required moment. Showing keen appreciation of positional play, lie was quick to cover up weaknesses in tin- Mn«*ist defence, and was usually ti> be seen working fur the opening when his backs were in action.

Midgley and Halsey were a pair of good wingers, while (Mover was a shade better than Wiherg in the role of full-back. Kata (five-eighth 1 and Hapi (winger) were City's lies t back*, while the diminutive Hutchinson, the half back, again impressed for a good display. Anderson was the itest forward on the around, and I 'd the

Marist pack nobly. His best support came from Breed and Bakalich. Outstanding forwards for City were Donald, Spiro and Johnson. Hawea Mataira, the New Zealand Maori representative and All Black, made his debut in the League game for City, and until forced to retire with a cut on the head after about 35 minutes' play, showed up for solid forward work. City were unlucky to lose his services in the second spell, but it is doubtful whether he would have made the difference between a win and a defeat for his side.

GRADE GAMES. i

SENIOR RESERVE. Shore 10, beat Newton 5. SENIOR B. R.V. 29, beat Mt. Albert 2. Green Lane 18, beat Richmond 7. THIRD GRADE. j Ellerslie 28, beat R.V. 0. I Marist 20, beat Mt. Albert 5. ! Papakura 30, beat Shore 2. FOURTH GRADE. Northcote 10, beat Shore 0. Ellerslie 10, beat Gleuora 0. j FIFTH GRADE. Richmond 40, beat Northcote 0. Papakura 61, beat Ellerslie 3. SIXTH GRADE. Green Lane 6, beat Mt. Albert 0. Ft. Chevalier 8, beat Papakura 0. SEVENTH GRADE. Richmond 22, beat Glenora 10.

i SCHOOLBOYS. I

SENIORS. Marist 14, beat Newton 0. Richmond 25. beat Pt. Chevalier 0. Ellerslie 14, beat Manukau 0. INTERMEDIATE. Mt. Albert tj, beat I't. Chevalier 3. Avondale 18. beat Otahuhu 7. Newton 6, drew with Northcote C. Ponsonby 29, beat Shore 0. JUNIORS. Marist 3. beat Balmoral 0. Geo. Court's A 9. beat Manukau 0. Newton A 12, beat Pt. Chevalier O. Ellerslie 0, drew with Avondale Convent 0. Northcote 3, beat Geo. Court's B 0. Richmond 6, beat Newton B 0.

GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. I

NORTH AUCKLAND. Takahiwal 10, beat Kamo 7. Hikurangi 33, beat Whakapara 5. Juniors. —Kamo 8, beat City 5. Third Grade. —Kamo 11, beat City 0. Fourth Grade.—Kamo 11, beat City 3; Hikurangi beat Kensington, by default.

1 I GAMES IN THE SOUTH. |

WELLINGTON. Central 13, beat Petone 11. St. George 11, beat Randwick S.