LEADER'S NARROW ESCAPE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 151, 29 June 1942, Page 7

LEADER'S NARROW ESCAPE

There were ideal conditions for the continuation of the Auckland Rugby League's senior championship on Saturday, when the feature of the day was a narrow escape of Manukau. the leading team in the competition, being defeated by Richmond. Results were:— Manukau 11, v. Richmond 10. City - Otahuhu 44. v. Ponsonby 3. Newton - Mount Albert 24, v. MaristShore 15. Donovan Tops lhe "Score"—The chief contributor to City - Otahuhu's big score of 44 points to 3 against Ponsonby was A. Donovan. His total was 23, made up of three tries and seven goals. He has been showing remarkable accuracy as a place-kick, especially at shore range or moderate distances. On Saturday Donovan stood out as a brilliant attacking five-eighth in deep drives into the Ponsonby back formation before sending the ball on. Thompson Impresses.—On current form Thompson, the Manukau hooker, must be rated as the team's best forward, and his ability to score tries saved Manukau from | defeat. When Richmond was leading by 10 points to 8, and time was almost up, the Manukau outlook seemed to be hopeless. It was then that Thompson led the Manukau forwards in a final effort to break the Richmond defence. Ten yards from the Richmond line Thompson got the ball. Acceleration and changes of pace and direction got him past two opponents who converged on nim. and a final dive landed him over the line, much to the delight of Manukau supporters. It was Thompson's second try in an eventful match.

Richmond Backs Do Well.—Although without the services of Webb, the Richmond backs gave a fine display against Manukau, working with smoothness in attack and putting up a gallant defence against mich heavier opponents. Magil! gave an!®<cellent exposition of full-back play and Kinney on the wing (he is one of the fastest players in the game) showed brilliance. That Richmond did so well was due to the fact that there was not a weak spot in the rearguard, all handling the ball cleanly and giving good passes in an orthodox type of play based on trying to give the wing men the best of chances.

Weak Tackling.—The heavy defeat of Ponsonby by City - Otahuhu was largely the result of weak tackling, especially in the final phase of the game, when the combined team literally over-ran the opposition. Two notable exceptions were Carr and Hogan, who did their best with resolute stopping, and their efforts were praiseworthy in the extreme. In the Ponsonby forwards Manuel battled hard to the end. and was going in a tireless way light to the final bell.

Nlwa Five More Goals.—lmproved form wan shown by Newton-Mount Albert in their (fame against. Marist-Shore. The wlnnlnn backs wen; one better on Saturday, and there was an occasional flash of bright, concerted football. The Newton pack did well in the loose but missed the services of Quirke. the usual hooker, who is temporarily absent from Auckland. Easily the most improved forwards in the Mount AlbertNewton team are McKinnon. Brady and Josephs The two former show speed and can handle well in passing bouts. As the result of five goals kicked lor Newton-Mount Albert. Niwa goes up to third position In the list of individual scorers. The ex-New Plymouth flve-eighth has now kicked 18 goals and scored two tries —a total of 38 points. Heading the list is Alan Donovan with four tries and 22 goals (56 points). Tommy Chaso is second with 53 points—one try and 25 goals.