ROOPE ROOSTER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 223, 20 September 1938, Page 17

ROOPE ROOSTER.

RICHMOND GET BIRD.

CITY BACKS DISAPPOINT. VISIT OF EASTERN SUBURBS. Playing to their best form with pace, illter-play ami combination of a very high order, Richmond proved far too good for City in the final of the Roope Rooster competition, although the latter, through fine forward play, put up" a good showing. There was one period in the club championship season when Richmond worked up to jrreat form, then came a temporary lapse, followed by a revival of form. On Saturday, with ideal conditions for fast back play, the team was brilliant. It was one of the brightest expositions of the code giveu this season, marked throughout by pace, rapid handling and quick change* of direction ami movement, which made the spectators enthuse. One Richmond try originated from defensive play on their own line. Then, with a quick passing and a cross-kick on the way, Richmond went right to the other end to scoreForward, the two packs were well matched, but in the open play the Richmond men showed a greater ability in teaming with their backs. The Richmond backs were definitely superior to their opponents.

Soundness and smoothness of the inside back play meant a lot of Richmond. Watkins (tot the ball away sharply with deep passing, Bickerton and Potter -were faultless, Tittleton fitted in well to the centre part, and on the wings Fletcher and Mills showed pace, enterprise and ability to penetrate. And behind them all wae Bramley, playing a safe game, and when it came to conversions, making each of Richmond's four tries two more points

in value. For sheer ability McLeod could be rated as the best all-round Richmond forward on the day out of an even six, but Devine showed up consistently in the open play, and certainly has some original ideas in long transfers to supporting players. City's Showing. The City back play scarcely came up to expectations. Hutchinson, at half-back, played his individual part well, but Whittle at first five-eighth, kicked too much, and Banham, except for evidence of fine generalship in directing the City attack, did not show up as well as he has done on some former occasions. It was seldom that the ball (jot as far as the City threequarters in such a way as to give them reasonable chances, and with better support Hapi may have done more on the wing. As it was he was very lively and dangerous in attack. One thing that was noted was that City did not back up the man carrying the ball in the swift manner thai Richmond did.

The City forwards played well right up to the end, an excellent six, with Jackeon, McCarthy, Thompson and Stanaway outstanding.

Papakura put up a eurprisingly food performance in defeating North Shore, and gave a very bright display that was marked by excellent combination. The Papakura back play was much better than their opponents showed.' Crocker got the ball away well, Reeves was the beet back cti the ground, A. Burgess and R. Burgees allowed penetrative skill, and Mclness in possession ran in a very resolute way on the wing. The Papakura forwards played soundly and well, and were always up with the play. Hunt, Simpson and Barnett stood out in the Shore forwards, and Brown, V. Scott and J. Smith were the best of the backs, the latter showing a lot of pace on occasions when running for position-High-scoring Game. High scoring marked the match between Manukau and Mount Albert, which was won by the former. Hemi, Mahima and T. Chase were very prominent in the Manukau back play, and Gatilt, Brodrick and Ririnui showed up in the Manukau forwards. Gunning, Leatherbarrow and Herring played well in the Mount Albert forwards, and Marshall and Pitt in the backs. Marist, who had a practice match on Saturday with Ponsonby, will play the Eastern Suburbs team from Sydney, when they make their first appearance next Saturday. The following mid-week match will be against Manukau, and the match on the following Saturday against Richmond. Thus, the visitors will be called upon to meet three of the strongest Auckland club sides, and Auckland followers of the game will have an opportunity to form mi opinion of the dab atasdarda in the two countries.

TALK WITH REFEREES

SYDNEY TEAM MANAGER. At tlip meeting of the Auckland Tviijrby Leajiue Referees' Association last evening the deputy chairman, Mr. J. G. McCowatt, extended a hearty welcome to Mr. John Quintan, veteran manager of the Eastern Suburbs team of Sydney, who was accompanied by Mr. Ivan C'tilpan, secretary of Phe Auckland Rugby League Control Boa r<l..

Mr. Qiiinlan. after acknowledging the j greeting*, said that as the result of his visit in 1931, he (lid not see much difference* in the application of the rules of the name as between Australia and New Zealand. Mentioning that as a result of his former visit, he and a number of the players had eagerly looked forward to this return trip, he mentioned several rule* that had created discussion in Sydney. He believed that it would be a «ood idea for the referees of Australia and New Zealand to get together and try to arrive at some greater uniformity. He thought that if a referee of the experienced type of Mr. Tom McMahon came to Xew Zealand and conferred and demonstrated, and then Xew Zealand sent a representative to Australia, much mijiht be accomplished. Incidentally. he mentioned that the referees of Australia discouraged the advantage taken bv players in regard to off-side in the open play.

After answering a number of questions Mr. Quinlan was thanked for his infor mative remarks on the subject..