STILL UNCERTAIN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 190, 14 August 1939, Page 13

STILL UNCERTAIN.

The Newton tmcks were much superior to the Richmond seven. Dempsey played a splendid positional came at full-back and Wilfred Brimblo opened up the play with speed and judgment. The merit of the Newton bark play was shown by the fact that Stephens got two tries from passing runs. One team effort was exceptional in the heavy going- W. Brimble got the ball uway, K. Brimble drew his marker, McKenzie. who on form is one of the best inside backs in Auckland, cut in deeply and then Sanders took the pass and gave the transfer that sot Stephens the overlap anu the score. Blacklaws. Qtlirke. Anderson and Taylor showed up well in the Newton forwards. who played a vital and match-win-ning game all the way. Stephens scored two tries for Newton and Taylor one. MOUNT ALBERT AGAIN. There was little to choose between Mount Albert and Ponsohby on Saturday's play in spite of the comfortable winning margin of the former team. With the ground deep in mud over a wide area back play was at a discount, and the game consisted mainly of hard forward rucking and dribbling rushes. The first half was in Ponsonby's favour, although neither side scored. Williams was given a good share of the ball, and he and Young combined well from the base of the scrum. L<hl by Morgan, the forwards hammered away at the Mount Albert line, but could not finish off their efforts. At fullback Martin played a sound game. When Slount Albert's turn came In the filial stages of the match thpir backs re-j peatedly ran through the I'onsonby defence. Hardgrave was at his best, and his solo try, the result of a smart interception and a*soyds dash. Wits the highlight of the game." Tristram and Hansen Were outstanding among the Mount Albert forwards. Hardgrave and Gunning scored tries for Mount Albert, Donaldson converting one. MAHIST WIN EASILY. Superior to the opposition in all departments, Marist made /?asy work of their match with Manukau on No. 2 ground and won by the clear-cut margin of 28 points to 6. All of Manukau's points came from penalties by Wiberg. who played a sound all-round game in the role of full-back. Mush of Marist's success must be credited jto Finlaysoti, Who repeatedly won the ball in the scrums. With tills advantage, the j backs made things lively for the opposition, and frequently carved gaps in the defence. Of the Marist chain the five-eighths. Hughes and Chalmers, were continually in the picture, Chalmers in particular excelling in the heavy going. Hudson, at centre, had plehty of thrust, while Matthews and Halsey were a pair'of determined wingers and figured on the scoring list. The Manukau backs failed to team as well as usual, but men who were triers all the way were Martin. behind the pack. Brimble, at first fiveeighth. and Wiberg, at full-back. Of the forwards Finlajsbfi, Aiidersori, W. Grotte and Barchard were always promiiietit for Marist. while Shilton and Magulre were well to the fore for Manukau. Manukau's points came from penalties by Wiberg. For Marist tries Were scored by Matthews (2). W. Grotte. Halsey, Hughes and Finlayson. while Anderson kicked two penalty goals and converted three tries. OtHEa CONTESTS. SENIOR RESERVE, Mt. Albert 14. beat Ponsonby 0. SENIOR B. Ellerslie won from R.V. by flefarilt. Pt. Chevalier 10. beat Northcotfe 6. THIRL) GRADE. City B 5, beat Ponsonby 0. Mount Albert 0, drew with City A O.

LEAGUE RUNNERS-UP.

SHORE AND CITY DRAW.

NEWTON DEFEAT RICHMOND. On very lioavy grounds Hie Auckland Rugby League's senior competition matches were continued on Saturday. The prin- , cipal fixture between City and North Shore ended in a draw, which left t'iie position in regard to runneis-up to the champion team. Mount Albert, open, with several teams now having a chance. Newton proved too good for Richmond, and Marist and Mount Albert had wins. Results were: — City 2, drew with Nortfli Shore 2. Newton 9, beat Richmond 0. Marist 28. beat Manukau 6. Mount Albeit 8. beat Ponsonby 0. Positions of teams: — Points Ch. P. \V. L. D. F. A. Pts. Mt. Albert .. 15 12 2 1 2(56 156 2-"". North Shore 15 9 5 1 180 147 If) Newton .... 15 8 6 1 173 124 17 I'onmnbf ... 15 7 7 1 17<i 204 15 Manukau ... 15 7 7 1 238 22!t 15 Ifiohmoml ... 15 7 8 - 171 "74 14 City 15 5 7 3 128 170 14 Marist Ifi t> 10 - 180 20.'! 12 l'apakura ... 15 2 11 2 120 240 li EVEN PLAY. The North Shore-City game provided a very keen forward struggle, but the backs were unable to do much in the way of concerted back plaj-. In the closing stage of the game both teams had a winning chance, but neither Silva or G. Brown were able to kick penalty goals, which would have given their sides victory. On the general run of play things were fairly even, and it was evident that Shore are feeling I lie absence of their four players away with the New Zealand team.

City Melded a very attractive half-back in liaesbeck, who was sharpness personified, ami threw out splendid passes to bis supports. The City wings. Smith and Gould, ran strongly, lint few chances came their way. Jackson, Thompson and Kindly showed up well in the City forwards.

The best work of the Shore backs was done in defence, G. Brown playing safely at full-back, Cheator showing speed and tackling ability on the wing, and the veteran Axman playing a good game behind the scrum. Fields, Sowter, Condon and Mackintosh were the best of even forwards. It was a tribute to the defence of both teams that neither'g try-line was crossed. G. Brown kicked a penalty goal for North Shore, and Silva kicked a penalty goal for City. RICHMOND DOWN. Richmond were an inferior side to Newton on tile day, and, like Shore, have found that the absence of four leading players with tile New Zealand team is a big handicap. Hrnmley, in the centre, was the outstanding Richmond back, with all-round play of a very high order, but the Richmond inside harks were not a happy combination on the day, and things often went wrong.

Richmond fielded one of their strongest packs of the season, but their forwards had no real advantage over the Newton six. IH'vine showed up well iii the open play and often threw the ball well out in an attempt to get his backs going.

FOURTH GRADE. City 10, beat Richmond 9. North Shore 6, beat Xewmarket 3. FIFTH GRADE. Marist S2, beat Glenora 0. Richmond beat Pt. Chevalier by default Newmarket 16, beat Papakura 0. SIXTH GRADE. Richmond 0, drew with Shore 0. SCHOOLBOYS. INTERMEDIATE GRADE. Richmond 17, beat Avondale 0. Ponsonby 6, beat Newton 0. JUNIOR GRADE. Newmarket 9, beat Glenora 3.