FOUR LEVEL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 95, 24 April 1939, Page 16

FOUR LEVEL.

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

DEFEAT OF RICHMOND. CITY DEFEAT CLUB CHAMPION The North Shore team sustained tlieir form on Saturday in the third series of the Auckland Rugby League's championship matches when they defeated Richmond by seven points to nil after a hard and fast match which was marked by robust forward play. Influenza affected all the teame and Richmond, in particular, were below full strength. City defeated Mariet (winner of the 1938 club championship) by a margin of one point. . Poisonby were aliead at the end of a cloee game with Newton and Manukau easily defeated Papakura. Results were:— North Shore 7, v. Richmond 0. City 4, v. Maiist 3. Ponsonby 10, v. Newton 6. Manukau 20, v. Papakura 0. How they stand: — Points. Ch. P. W. L. For. As. Pts. North Shore ... 2 2. - 33 S 4 Mount Albert ..22- sr> 19 4 Ponsonby 3 2 1 47 45 4 City 3 2 1 42 25 4 Richmond 2 1 1 15 21 2 Marist* ........ 2 1 1 10 0 2 Manukau 2 1 1 42 2!) 2 Newton , 3 - 3 2\ 34 Papakura 3 - 8 17 OS •103S club champions.

SHORE WIN AGAIN. North Shore have started the league season in a promising way l>y winning both their matches to (late. Tlioir victory on Saturday, against Richniomi. was full of merit, they held a strong opposing side in subjection, and obtained enough points to get a clenr-cut victory. Shore played a rugged game throughout that was better for its defence than attack. Their forwards showed tireless energy, and held their own with tile Richmond pack. The Shore backs' best contribution was an unwavering defence, and the best hark on the ground was .T. Smith, the North Shore full-back. His defence was superb. He kicked the opening penalty goal to give Shore a lead, and he ran for position and made a wonderful opening to make the try which put Shore firmly in the lead. Smith gave an outstanding display, but hash and V. Seott were also good.

.Tones and Mackintosh stood out In the Shore forwards, and E. Scolt was outstanding in liis constructive play. The Richmond side was hard hit with the influenza epidemic, and some of their best players were absent. Powell reappeared at half-back, and Watkius as first five-eighths played a bright and enterprising game. But there was a big weakness in the centre. and the Richmond wings suffered. Furnell played brightly and confidently at full-back. Mitchell was the outstanding Richmond forward.

On the full run of the game Richmond had the major share of opportunity, and their forwards had the advantage in scrum possession. Powell and Watkins did their work well, but the Richmond centre play was deplorably weak, and the wings had no real chances.

At no stage did "the Shore backs blend in spectacular attacking play. But their combined defence rose to it every time, and they played a notable part in staving off the great effort and strong challenge of their opponents.

For North Shore ,T. Smith kicked a penalty goal. Morgan scored a try and V. Scott converted it.

It was a hard game of League, with the forward play immensely superior to the back play. The bright and combined hack play, which spectators .seek, was rarely in evidence. The redeeming feature was much good individual effort, and a very gallant defence on both sides. So far North Shore have been the surprise team of the season, and they certainly have the material to carry them through to the highest honours of the season. CITY'S NARROW VICTORY. In spite of the rain and a slippery ball. City and Marist served up good fnotlmll on No. 1 ground at Carlaw Park on Saturday. City appeared to excel in combination and cohesion, and it was only thesolid .defence by their opponents that prevented the red and blacks from crossing Marist's line. City owed its narrow win by one point to the sure kicking oC (ircer, who sent over a fine pencity well out in the early stage of the game, and further enhanced his reputation when he went down to a hard rush, picked up cleanly and added two more points to City's score with a potted goal. Undoubtedly, Greer is a valuable asset to the City team. Marist fought hard all the way and City had some anxious moments when thft green and gold fast moving backs and forwards Hashed into action. Marist showed their best effort half-way through the second spell. City wore penned near their line, with the Marist forwards fighting hard to break through. and it only needed one slip on the part of City to give their opponents that desired scoring opportunity, but the slip never came. Marist's try wns the result of good play and team understanding by the. forwards. Krickson beat several men when he secured possession near City's line end he went over for a well-dese.rved trr. The angle was difficult with wet conditions, but Anderson made a good attempt with the kick. Greer played an outstanding game as full-bark for City. His kicking and handling were sure and accurate. ~ The threequarters (Uonld, Kml.i and A. Smith) the half-back (H. Hultont, and Mataira, Kindly, Donald mid Hapi in the forwards, all played a sound game. On the .Marist side, Haslam, Krickson, Halsey and prac- , tically all the forwards played up to form, ! while Grotte was fast and clever at halfback, and Murdoch, Midgley and Donovan were always prominent in the back division. Glover, as usual, tfave a sound display in his position as full-back. PONSONBY NARROWLY. There was little between the Newton and Ponsonby teams when they met in the main game on No. 2 ground at Carlaw Park. Ponsonby gained a narrow win by 10 points to 6. It was a forward stuggle for the most part, but the Ponsonby backs settled down in the second spell .ind had i Newton in trouble. The full-back, Nurse, played a fine game, and was the fastest man on the field. The only, two tries of the match were scored by Ponsonby, W. Brimble kicking all Newton's points. For Newton Kendall played well, running straight and demonstrating at times a mighty fe.nd.

Campbell and Morgan scored for Ponsonby, and Nurse kicked two penalties. For Newton W. Brimble kicked three penalty goals.

NEPIA'S FINE DEFENCE. George Nepia was the outstanding player in the e-arly game, Manukaii versus Papakura, on No. 2 ground nt Carlaw Park on Saturday. Ho fielded the wet ball faultlessly from all angles. Though he has lost a lot of his speed, he repeatedly puzzled faster men • in running his backs into position. The game was interesting, but Manukau's open play was too much for Papakura, the final score being 20-nil against them. Ex-All Black Milliken was out of the Papakura side with an illness.

Tries were scored for Manukaii by Mahima (2), Chase and Panapa, Hemi converted three of them and Nepia dropped a field goal.