LEAGUE CODE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 91, 19 April 1938, Page 13

LEAGUE CODE.

BRIGHT DISPLAYS.

HIGH-SCORING MATCHES. SECOND SERIES PLAYED, Good form for so early in the season was shown when the second scries of matches in the first round of the Auckland Rugby League's championship programme were staged at Carlaw Park on Saturday. Play was generally of the bright order, high scoring ruled, and in the main the winning margin was close.

The Newton team put up a great performance against Mount Abert and forged ahead so rapidly that at one stage it seemed that Newton would win by a comfortable margin. It was then that Mount Albert ( took hold of the game. They played with team work and determination and a big gap was bridged before they were sure of victory.

Playing a fast and open game, Newton more than held their own for most of the time. They owed much to the Brimble brotherhood. Wilfred Briinhle, at the base of the scrum, showed wonderful initiative and resource, and made openings with a celerity that confounded the opposition at times. His brother, E. Brimble, linked well at first five-eighth, and behind him was Crooks to add «. touch of pace and dash. Kendall, at fullback, lacked resolution in defence on occasions.

McNeight, Nathan and Jones were three outstanding Newton forwards.

Herring in Form

The solidity of the Mount Albert forward play pulled their side through, and the outstanding playor was Herring. Laet season Herring was a good forward. This seaßon he has jumped into representative form. He was the inspiration of his side.

Walker, the ex-Queenslander, continues to show good form behind the Mount Albert scrum, with style, ability to give good passes, and a fine appreciation of positional play. On Saturday the Mount Albert ineide iback play flowed more smoothly than on the previous Saturday, and Mincham, in the centre, swung the play cleverly according to the needs of the moment. Pitt was tried out as fullback for Mount Albert and gave a good display. Ponsonby had a day of misfortune in their fixture with Richmond. They were without Riley and Kay, their two best attacking backs, the latter being hurt on the previous Saturday. In the second

half of the game Black, who was playing well at half-back, was injured, and the team continued a man short. This meant a five-man scrum, and Morgan had to be taken out of it to reinforce the backs. Despite that disadvantage Ponsonby had a winning chance right up to the end. They got two penalty chances within easy range. Both shots went astray. With a reliable goal kicker on the side the match might have been won.

Coutts and Morgan were outstanding in the Ponsonby .forwards. Halloran was more effective at half-back than full-back, and P. Young showed the form that Ire is cajiable of.

Probably Ponsonby will field a stronger team in future matches. It is likely that Piekrang. the solid ex-King Country forward, will turn out, and a place is likely to be given to Sehroeder, a full-back with a good playing reputation from the King Country. Watkins Transfers. Watkiiis, the ex-Mount Albert halfback. gave Richmond good service in a similar position, and Powell was shifted to full-back, where he shaped well, his clean fielding being a good feature. W Tittleton and G. Tittleton brought a blend of experience to the side, and Furnell settled down well to a new position in the three-quarter line.

In the Richmond forwards there was a great trio in McLeod, Devi 110 and Tetley. McLeod was untiring, Devine impressed with his ability to throw out long and accurate passes to supports, and Tetley showed all his former skill at initiating scoring movements. Had the Richmond forwards lost a forward in the first half of the game the reserve pla.ver to go on would have been watched with interest. He has a big reputation in another part of New Zealand, but so far has not played in Auckland football.

The return of Heini lent strength to the Mnnukau team, which finished wit'h a five-point margin over North Shore. Hemi kicked with a great length, and if he remains physically sound should be in the running for a place when the representative side is chosen. Panapa, the former North Auckland half-back, made his initial appearance, and showed ability at getting the ball away from the fiveeighth position, after receipt from Mahima, who gave one of bis best displays at half-back. The Manukau back play was colourful and they had a good set of forwards to help them. J. Brodrick was probably the best forward in the game. Five Goals for Smith. Banliam, the player-coach from Sydney, gave a very fine exhibition in the Shore backs and got a try that was the reward of brilliant solo individualism. L. Scott, in the Shore forwards, was also responsible for a try that was full of merit. In kicking five goals J. Smith played a big part in Shore's meritorious performance.

Only in the last minute did City, making their first championship appearance, draw ahead of Papakura.

N. Campbell, the former Marist and Auckland representative player, turned out at full-back for the suburban team to play a game that was marked by coolness, resource and well-directed kicking. The Papakura forwards were superior to City, with Fog-arty and Herkt constantly showing up.

Rata, tlie Maori player, was mercurial in the City three-quarter line, and Hutchinson gave a very sharp service in attack from the base of the scrum. The City forward play was solid and orthodox, anil O. McCarthy's reward for keeping up with the play constantly was three tries. CITY ROVERS CLUB. Practice will be held to-night and next Thursday by the City Rovers reserve grade players. After to-night'e try-out the team will be selected.