LEAGUE CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 236, 4 October 1940, Page 10

LEAGUE CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS.

CAN SHORE DETHRONE RICHMOND TO-MORROW?

Keen interest is being evinced in the champion of champions match, to be staged at Carlaw Park to-morrow afternoon, between Richmond and North Shore. Richmond is the Rugby League champion team of the season, and last Saturday gathered another honour by defeating i'onsonby for the lioope Rooster trophy. North Shore was the runner-up to Richmond in the club championship.

This season Richmond has been beaten three times and has drawn one match. It has twice met North Shore, and bedten that team each time, although narrowly, the scores in the first match being 13—12 in Richmond's favour, and 18—13 on the second occasion that the teams met.

North Shore opened the season in convincing style, and at the end of the first round had won the Rukutai Shield for most points on the championship ladder. The Shore tally was 12 points, with Richmond and Manukau next, each with 11 points. It was a result Shore achieved by strong forward play of the tireless kind, and assistance by backs quick to seize chances, and able to put up a good covering defence. Accurate goal-kicking by J. Smith was also a helpful

The success of Richmond has been due to having a well-balanced set of forwards, and a back division which has shown team effort, of a high order.

The forwards to-morrow are expected to include L. Davis, the most improved senior forward of the season, J. McLeod, the former Taranaki player, Q. Mitchell, formerly of Manawatu. and M. Devine, formerly of Wellington. The choice of half-back will be made between C. Williams, the Auckland representative half, and W. Webb.

In A. Graham, at first five-eighth, and D. Solomon at second five-eighth, the team has the best pair in AucKiana, Uranam De:ng speedy and clever in attack, and Solomon good alike in attack and defence, and a splendid leader ol a team. W. Tittleton, who has been showing great all-round form in recent matches, will play In the centre, and the choice of wings will be made from Harrison, Takle and Furnell. The latter was injured last Saturday, and had to retire from the game.

In McWilliams. Richmond has discovered a good sound full-back who kicks with Judgment, and is particularly good on defence.

Devine and McWilliams went to camp yesterday, but it is hoped to get leave for them so that they can take their places in the Richmond side.

Shore will be able to put a forward set in the field which will match the Richmond six for weight, and- fully hold their own in the open play. In Field and Mackintosh they have a solid pair of workers with Graham, the formec Wairarapa player, and Napier, a l4st 71b recruit from raiding work Shore has an ideal pair in Petersen, the former Ponsonby forward, who is very speedy, and E. Scott, who, although a shade on the light side, is one of the most versatile players in the game.

In recent matches North Shore players have been unlucky in the matter of injuries, but the team has ample resources to draw upon. The key players are Vernon Scott, who is quite at home at either full-back or in the three-quarter line, and J. Smith, who is similarly versatile. Chatham, Davis and Brown have shown skill in the tnreequarter line, Clarke is an improving five-eighth, and McArthur is one ot the best half-backs in Auckland at opening up play from any position.

Possibly, the reserve for the backs will be J. Laing, an 18-year-old player from the Shore fourth grade. He is a son of Bert Lalng, the former Auckland and New Zealand representative player, and is one of the most promising colts in the game.

It Is probable that the quality of the forward play will be a deciding factor to-morrow, and a fast and keenly contested match can be anticipated. Spectators will be hopeful of seeing both teams open out their play and produce some of the combined efforts which have been very attractive in recent matches at the park. Manukau and City, the semi-finalists for the Phelan Shield, will meet in the curtain-raiser. The teams will be selected from the following:— Richmond. —Full-back, J. Williams: threequarters. H. Harrison. W. Tlttleton, K. Tatle, *". Furnel:; nve-*lghths. D. Solomon, A. Graham: half-backs, C. Williams, W. Webb (one to be omitted): forwards. L. Davis. J. McLeod. L. Williams, J. Crookall, M. Devine. G. Mitchell. M. Pottei. M. Metcalfe. N»rlh Shore.—Backs: V. Scott, Smith. Chatham, Clarke, Waite, Davis. Brown, McArthur. Forwards: Field. Mackintosh. Graham, Petersen, Napier, E. Scott, Rutherford, Zane. City Kovrrs.—Clarke. Gould (2). Nesbitl. Hughes, Simpson, Mataira (2), Jackson, Glllgren. Donovan. Smith, A. Donovan, Barton,. Maher, Robertson, Ellis (2>, Wanklyn.