RUGBY LEAGUE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 164, 12 July 1940, Page 11

RUGBY LEAGUE.

MT. ALBERT'S FORM.

MEETING WITH MANUKAU.

LEADERS MEET MARXST.

The Auckland Rugby League's senior competition is in a very open state, with Xoitli Shore, as the result of defeat by Mount Albert last Saturday, holding the lead by a single point, and Manukau and Richmond level for second place. The champions of last season, Mount - Albert, are lurther down the points table, but pave shown a remarkable return to form ni recent matches, and much interest attaches to their match on Saturday with -Manukau. Uhey have a heavy and fast lot-ward set of players, which" have had tlie advantage of having played together for a couple of seasons, and a back line <.t decided possibilities, one of the best halves in the game in Clements, a clever positional player in Banham at five-eighth, and a couple of very speedy young threequarters in Cowley and Mclnnarney.

Manukau have the heaviest forwards in Auckland, three of the six. Marsh, Kirinui and Watene, being over lfist in weight, with a very capable hooker in Maguire to get the ball from the set scrums. The Manukau backs hare not been particularly stable, but they are capable of rising to unexpected heights, doing exceptional tilings, and playing the open football that I tie crowd likes.

In the early match the leaders. North Shore, will meet Marist. and a hard and closo game is anticipated. Richmond liavo been drawn to meet -Newton on the No. 2 ground, ami both teams will endeavour to improve their posiJmns in the competition. I'onsonbv and I'apakura will meet in the early match on the No. 2 ground. Teams :— MANUKAU.—Senior: Martin, Butler, Chase. Te Tal, Broughton. Tawliia, Selwyn Marsh. McGuire. Kirinui. Sliilton, Hroderick, Rei, \\ atene, Hardy, Awhitu. Reserves: Belmonf, L. Wilson, l'aikea, Hapi, Lipecombe. Howleson, Wisnesky. Davis, Kelly, Broughton, Kahi. Wiberg, Waikato. Neho Baxter Awhitu, C. Baker, Cortesi, Te Xai. MOUNT ALBERT. -— Senior: Banham, Brady. Cowley, Clements, Cranch (2), Flowers. Cunning, Herring, Leatherbarrow, Marshall. Mclnnarney, Mclaughlin, Shadl>olt. Tristram. Verrail. Reserves: Brothers Bowan. Bovaird. Brady (2), Caples. Callinan. Herring, Kidd (2). List, McKinnon, I Kenton, Reld, Stewart, Sanderson, Thomasen, Walbran.

PAPAKURA. — Mclnnes, Halsey (2), Hutchinson. Hosken, Cossey, Hogan (2), Fogarty. Mllliken. Buckeridge. Bentley, Clarke, Reid (2), Smith, McKelvie, Pinfold.

PONSONBY.—Seniors: Shilling. Murpliy, Nurse. Hughes. Takie, Funnell, Kay. MrMa litis. Williams, Dormer. Chester. Flanagan, Duuning. Blucher. ltriggs. Laird, <iee. Bakalicli, Billings. Reserves: Kelly, Turner, Nurse, Mason. Ward. Gee, Rain, Newb.v. McLean, Harrison, Calder. White. Blakely, ■ Thompson. Hughes. (Play North Shore at Domain, 3 p.m.)

RICHMOND.—J. McWUliams, Harrison Tittleton, Kronfeld, Mills, Solomon. Graham Williams, Wei) b, Metealfe, Hadle.v, 1,. Williaans, Davis, Mitchell. Crookliail Devine, Potter.

NEWTON RANGERS.—Senior : Kendall. Tredrea, Sandem Richards. Silva, Brimble (21, Dempsey, MeKenzie, Oliver. Proctor. Fraser. Middleton. Zimmerman. Anderson, Ginders, Taylor, Everett. Iteeerves : Bancroft, Rnvell, Morris, Birch, Tryson, Ma>-on, Douglas, Hart, Hartly, S. Pugh, Hira, Jost.