North Shore Still The League Leader

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 205, 30 August 1941, Page 2 (Supplement)

North Shore Still The League Leader

NARROW DEFEAT OF CITY TEAM

Hard Forward Duel Between The Packs In Main Match: Newton Surprises Richmond: Easy Manukau Victory

The Auckland Rugby League's senior championship went a further stage at Carlaw Park this afternoon, when, in the main match of the day, North Shove, the leader in the championship, staved off a hard challenge by City, and won by 13 points to 10. It was a game marked by splendid forward play on both sides. Newton sprang a surprise by beating Richmond by 7 points to nil, and, in a hard game, Marist beat Ponsonby by 9 points to nil. Manukau had all its own way against Papakura, winning by a margin of 43 points to 2.

PETERSEN GETS TWO TRIES FOR SHORE The teams were:— Jsorth Shore.—R. Smith, (.reenuood, Wilkie, Naughtoi , Chatham, Clarke, McArthur, Hunt, Graham, Scholes, liutheiford, Field, Petersen. City.—Clarke, J. Gould, JloHaitus, Rogan, Silva, Donovan, Grotto, H. Maiaira, Hughes, E. Donovan, Jackson, W. Mataira, Findlater. When the game started interest centred on two new players to the code, H. Rogan, a Takapuna Rugby player, on the right wing for City, while L. Xaughton, a Shore Rugby player, was in the centre for Shore. City started the game by driving hard at the Shore end, A. Donovan going through a gap, and then passing to H. Mataira, who was held up right on the line. The City backs began to play fast and open football. Grotte opened the attack sharply, A. Donovan was quick at taking the gap, and with the first real chance he got Rogan ran in a strong and resolute way on the wing. With sheer dash at this stage City, with combined team-play, were forcing Shore hard on to the defensive. In set serum work the packs were evenly matched, but the City forwards were quicker at breaking into open play, and were showing equal speed and dash in the loose play. Shore got the opening score when Chatham raced along the side-line at midfield, and after being challenged by J. Gould, passed infield to Graham. The next pass gave Petersen an open road to the goalline to score by the posts. R. Smith converted. Shore came again and swarmed into the City twenty-five, where Clarke failed to clear, and Wilkie, coming up fast, snapped up the ball and scored between the posts. Again R. Smith converted. It was a big reversal of form and Shore, through aptitude to seize scoring chances, had quickly got a double figure score on the board. They 'began to play like a team sure of itself, and when 11cArthur opened up the play the ball began to fly through to the wings, with Xaughton running hard and straight in the centre. There was remarkable ebb and flow in the game with both teams throwing the ball about in an attractive way. but swift, covering defence by the inside backs on both sides was making progress difficult. Chatham was playing brightly in the Shore five-eighth line and wan mixing his play in a way that had the City defence in trouble. City launched a secies of raids, and after Rogan had put in a big run Jackson got over to score between the poets. Clarke converted, and the half-time scores were:— North Shore If) City 5 The second half opened with fast ex-

changes and combination of open play by both teams. Both teams were well served by their full-backs, with Clarke and Smith for their respective sides giving a good exhibition of ,position.al play. .Shore was playing a game off understanding, with its forwards handling cleanly in passing runs and trying to work with their back*. Herd Shore raiding held City on the defence (for sotne time, and then came another score. Greenwood, drove at the City line, end then sent a wide, in-field pass, which Petersen (fathered high, to veer in and score his second try. Oity forwards, with a great trio in Jacfeson, H. Ma/taira and W. Mataira were (playing ae gamely as ever, and Grotte was playing an outstanding conBteootwe came at the 'base of the City Mmn. The Shore (back woiik in attack was rnnning on smooth lines, with McArtihutr finding Clarke with deep passes. Chatham «rfh«wing speed and thrust, and the Shore fbree-qiuarter line backing uip well. Bheer speed by J. Gould changed the outlook for City. He followed through fast on the wing, beat Greenwood ■for the ball, and then raced diagonally to ecorq between the (poets. Clarke converted. Excitement ran high as City fought all out to try and bridge the gap, and it was Shore's misfortune to lose Hunt, who came off injured, but he was soon back. The fact that Shore was getting the ball now from set scrums meant that the Shore backs were getting good chances, and it was only good defence by the City inside backs that was saving the situation. Scholes, the Shore forward, was hurt, and had to go off. City tried hard to open out the play to its wings, where both Rogan and J. Gould were ready to race for the Shore line. But, although the work of the City wings was convincing, their opportunities were few. City forwards made a final effort to pull the game out of the fire, and Hawea Mataira stood out as the best forward on the ground. Shore, with defensive play, held on to the end, with the final score: North Shore 73 City » 10 Mr. E. Pope was referee. ★ JNEWTON SURPRISES: SHADES EX-CHAMPIONS A flue try by Quirke and good goal-kicking by EDUI were features In Newton's success against Richmond. It was the fifth successive victory for Sewtaa, but their run is too late lor any claim at championship honours. Sanaa play followed the kick-off. Neither team w»a up to full strength, .particularly Richmond, which VU minus Soloman, Jack, Davis. Broadhttd and Potter. The first constructive movement cams from a run by Burton, whose tricky play •aw Evtrltt and Tredrea go close to scoring. Emus opened up the Newton account with a penalty goal. and a few minutes later, sent over an even better kick. Newton 4. Richmond 0. The Richmond backs gained ground, after Riddell and Lowther were associated in a good passing bout, but Tlttleton was soundly tackled by Kendall. Xatill tot Richmond out of trouble with a good clsartng kick. Sayers, on the Richmond wing, tot the crowd excited in a good run. which just mtesad • try. The game was held up for a few minutes while Kendall changed a torn jersey, almost unusual ruling by a referee. Crookall headed the Richmond forwards in a sweeping offensive, but a wild pass from Mincham to Sayers cost a try. A dull first half came with **>e scores: Newton 4 Richmond o A good Jtick by Tittleton placed Richmond on the offensive and Newton was lucky to get clear. However, Silva, the Newton five-eighth, marie a brilliant opening, raced 50 yards, but c'elayed his pass to Burton, who had a scoring chance. The movement deserved ■ success. Newton continued to have the better of tbe game end another bright passing bout saw Silva and Burton break through the defence, and Emus on the wing was only caught bp fast covering defence by Lowther. Few would hava thought it was the Richmond team of * few weeks ago. The ex-champion's play sadly slipped. Kendall made a fine clearing break and passed to Emus, who beat all but Mincham m an exciting race for the try-line. Lowther, the Richmond centre, figured in a good burst, but

Tiedrea came fast and stopped what looked a try. Richmond tried again and Mitchell was prominent a I the head of a strong atiack. but Metcalfe was soundly tackled by Kendall. From a set scrum thirty yards out. Greer passed to Tredrea. who raced straight, whipped it on to Quirke, who took a difficult pass well to score a great try. Emus tailed to convert. Newton 7, Richmond 0. Richmond lost its skipper Mitchell through an injury and a minute later Riddell raced away, but again found a strong Newton defence. The game »'iided: New ten ? Richmond ® Mr. G. Kelly was reicree. MARIST IMPROVE AGAINST PONSONBY An improved Marist side accounted lor Ponsonby in the main game on No. 2 ground. The game did not rise to any great height, and Marist won by 9 points to 0. Marist had the better of the play in the early stapes, the forwards sweeping through to Ponsonby's twenty-five. An opening came for McWilliams and Smith, but they failed to pick up the ball and a good scoring chance was lost. The Marist backs again carried play almost to Ponsonby's line, and McWilliams Just failed to score. An easy try came to Marist when Murphy, Pcnsonbv three-quarter, threw a wild pass, which Smith collected and touched down. Wiberg failed with the kick. Riley. Kay and Briggs freauently cut through the defence, but met solid tackling. A bright movement, started by Carr and carried on bv Kay. Briggs and Murphy, ended in the latter being pushed out at the corner flag. Hard play followed near Ponsonby s line, but a penalty gave the side a clearance. The play was not bright at this stage, with the Marist forwards scouring most of the ball from the scrums. Ponsonby was striving hard to break through, but the Marist defence held and half-time score was: Marist 3 Ponsonby 0 Both sets of backs attempted to open up the game after the interval, and some fast movements followed. Marist gradually worked to the other end where Smith picked up to beat three opponents in a run along the line to score in a j handy position. Costello failed to convert with I a fairly easy kick. Forward play by Ponsonby removed play to the Marist end. where Kay missed with a penalty kick. After a spell of even play Ponsonby broke away, but Murphy failed to take Kay's pass and a scoring chance went astray. There was more sting in the Ponsonby attacks at this stage, and the Marist defence was almost broken. Lively play followed near Maris'/s line, hut wild passing by the Ponsenby backs and forwards let Marist through and Ponsonby was hard pressed until Briggs gained ground with a clearing kick. A Marist drive down the line in the last few minutes ended in James scoring wide out. Costello failed with the kick and the final score was: Marist • Ponsonby 0 Mr. O. Chalmers was referee. ★ MANUKAU BEATS PAPAKURA Manukau had no difficulty in disposing of Papakura in the early game on No. 2 ground. Hemi, Murray and Butler scored nine tries between them. Manukau won by 43 points to 2. Only a few minutes after the kick-off the Manukau backs started a lively chain movement. Gregory secured possession and the ball went out to Murray, to Hemi, who scored at the corner. Chase missed the kick. Papakura then carried play to the other end. where Seymour was successful with a penalty kick from a wide angle. A few minutes later Te Tai picked up at half-way, passed to Watene. to Hemi. The laUer made a brilliant run almost to the line, and when tackled passed to Butler, who scored an easy try. Hemi's kick struck one of the uprights. Clever and elusive running by Chase kept Papakura cn the defence. Hemi was also playing a great game, and scored his second try when he worked the dummy oass and cut in to get an easy conversion. R. Martin next secured and ran down the line to send Murray over. Hemi missed with the kick. Papakura had a brief respite, but was soon sent back. Oliver secured from a scrum and sent Gregory over. Hemi again failed to convert. The half-time score was: Manukau 17 Papakura 2 R. Martin started a great Manukau back movement shortly after the teams changed over. The ball went through all the backs and returned to Murray, who scored in a good position. Hemi was not successful with the kick. Papakura came into the picture when Wright made a great run, but he was not supported. Back came Manukau in a sweening movement from which Te Tai scored and Hemi converted. From a scrum near Papakura's line Ririnui secured and sent Murray over for Hemi to convert. Again Manukau swept through and Hemi was awarded a try for tripping by an opponent. He missed the kick. From a scrum near Papakura's line Hemi ran Murray into position to score. Watene converted. Papakura could not stem the onslaughts of the Manukau backs and a movement started by Gregory ended in Butler scoring a good try which Watene converted. The final score was: Manukau 43 Papakura 2 Mr. J. Donovan was referee. ★ LEAGUE REP. TEAM TO PLAY SOUTH AUCKLAND ■ r , The following Auckland League representative team has been selected to play South Auckland at Huntly next Saturday:— Full-back. W. Clarke (City); three-quarters. J. Gould (City), A. Kay (Ponsonby). W. Smith (Marist); five-eighths. R. Grotte (City). W. Tittle ton (Richmond); half, S. Williams (Richmond); forwards. Tristram (Mount Albert). Mitchell (Richmond). H. Mataira (City), Davis (Richmond). Leatherbarrov/ (Mount Albert), Jackson (City); reserves, Mcintosh (Richmond). Barchard (City), Cowley (Mount Albert), Lowther (Richmond). Any member unable to make the trip must notify the secretary by five o'clock Monday next. Practices will be held on Tuesday and Thursday. ★ SCHOOLBOY REPS. . The Intermediate Schoolboys League representative team to meet South Auckland Schoolboys at Huntly next Saturday is as follows:—Carpenter (Newton), Dunn (Avondale), Prentice (Mount Albert), Tawhau (R.Y.), Chin (R.V.), Fawley j (Richmond), Nottingham (Mount Albert), Norris (Point Chevalier). Townsend (R.V.). Lees (Newton). Dunn (Avondale). Foster (Richmond), Ellis (R..V.); reserves, Mcllrot (Point Chevalier). Thomas (Mount Albert), Bryant (Greenlane), Lucas (Point Chevalier), Bennett' (Newton). The boys will meet for practice at Carlaw Park on Tuesday at 4.30 p.m. Messrs. J. Silva and E. Moore will act as managers. }