RICHMOND OFF THEIR PERCH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 211, 6 September 1937, Page 13

RICHMOND OFF THEIR PERCH.

CITY'S FINE WIN. IN ROOPE ROOSTER. KNOCK-OUT COMPETITION. KEENLY-CONTESTED GAMES. The Auckland Rugby League's knockout competition was commenced on Saturday and produced at least one unexpected result—the defeat of the senior champions, Richmond, by the City thirteen by the decisive margin of 21 points to 13. City's win was the greatest surprise of the League season, but it was thoroughly deserved, despite the fact that their opponents had to play a man short for half of the second spell. The knock-out competition, which is fought for the Roope Rooster, invariably produces some of the keenest games of the League season, and Saturdays matches proved no exception to the rule. Every match was keenly contested, and playgenerally was of the high order expected when the season is on the wane. Apart from the elimination of Richmond, Newton went under to MaTist, North Shore were "beaten on the post" by Ponsonby, and Manukau had to bow to a better team in Mount Albert. Playing conditions were excellent, and that the players relished them was revealed by the high scoring in several of the fixtures. Results were:— City 21. Richmond 13. Mariet 15. Newton 6. Ponsonby 23. North Shore 21. Mount Albert 35, Manukau 18.

COMMENT ON THE PLAY.

COULDN'T HOLD LEAD. With Richmond eight points up in the first spell most supporters of the code were prepared to write finis to their match with City. The element of surprise, however, is always present in the League code, and it was certainly surprising to see the senior champions beaten into submission by one of the minor teams. City came out in the second spell to clap on two converted tries, and thereafter they rarely looked back, despite the fact that their redoubtable opponents exploited all the tricks of the game and at one stag© made

the score 13 all. Bustling tactics, and not a little opportunism, carried the day for City, who gave their best display of the reason. Men who contributed largely to the winner's success were Hutchinson thalf-back), Welch and Porteous (fiveeighths) and Rata (centre) among the backs, and-a lively set of forwards.- of whom Donald, W-ehner, Raymond and McLaughlin were most conspicuous. Among the Richmond backs X. Bickerton shone once more for line penetration and backing up. One of the most improved players in the code he was perhaps the beet back on the ground. Among Richmond's forwards players who did not let up from bell to bell were McLeod, Broadhead and Tetley. Highlights of a thrilling match were thrustful mores by Bickerton, the pace of this player enabling him to take several passes in" passing movements, and the back-hand pass by McLaughlin, the City forward, which outwitted the Richmond defence and gave Porteous a clear run iu for ■& try late in the second spell.

A PATCHY GAME.

The curtain-raiser between Marist and Xewton was good anil bad jn patches. Marist won because they were more constructive .than their opponents, but they succeeded. in clinching their victory in the dying stages of the game only. In this game one of. the grandest dummies seen on Carlaw. Park was sold by W. Briuible, the Xewton half-hack. Early in the game he worked the blind side and his genius gave Xewton their first points. Brimble was also prominent in other movements which had the opposition guessing. Haslam, the Marist centre, was seen in a new role for a good deal of the match, for "he packed down in the scrum. - As a forward he played a useful game, and his tendency to stand off at times was excusable. Haslam scored while in the forwards, but was seen to best advantage in the second spell when he moved- back to his customary position.

SATHERLEY'S PLACE KICKING.

The outstanding feature of the Mount Albert and Manukau game was the placekicking of C. Satherley, whose contribution to Mount Albert's 35 points was the converting of six tries and a penalty goal. Again Manukau had difficulty in getting a good side together. Mahima and Walter Brimble. however, were sound, and Brimble, as usual, was quick to sight an opening.

PONSONBY THREE-QUARTERS.

A late and sustained rally pulled Ponsonby through in th< ir match against Xorth Shore. The Albion t<>am had fully held their own with hard, tenacious piny with their backs showing good combination, despite the fact that they were without Kerr and L. Scott. The fine allround play of Smith in the centre was of great value to his side, and Hunt was outstanding in the forwards. The Ponsonby pack was lively and -enterprising. Jones gave a splendid exhibition of positional play at full-back, while the alliance of Kay and Riley in the three-quarter line proved the winning factor.