MANUKAU CLIMBS ANOTHER POINT UP ON LEAGUE LADDER

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 157, 6 July 1942, Page 7

MANUKAU CLIMBS ANOTHER POINT UP ON LEAGUE LADDER

In t.he chief match of llio Auckland Rugby Lengue's senior chan i'ionship on Saturday Manukau was eleven points up on Xewton-.Mount Albert. At the same time the defeat of City-Otahuhu by Richmond improved Manukau's position at the head of the League ladder. Results were:— Manukau ~u. v. Newtcn-.Mount Albert 12. Richmond S, v. City-Otahuhu 7. Marist-Shore Ij, v. Ponsonby o. Watcne at Centre. —With the playing of Chase and Murray in its five-eighth line, and Water.e in the centre. Manukau was able to work up good - combination, with the result that the wings got a fair share of the ball, and Butler, the representative player, scored two tries. Murray showed great sharpness in taking the gap, and Watene played with good judgment. The most telling factor was the aptitude of Manukau for inter-play, and in movements not started from set scrums the forwards were quick to get into the chain and help to carry the play along. Some of the Manukau work was very spectacular, but the faulty pass, or faulty handling, crept in at times. Nlwa More Goals.—Six of the Newton-Mount Albert dozen points against Manukau were contributed by Niwa, the forward Taranaki player. Two were conversions of tries, the other was a penalty. In addition to accurate goal kicking, Niwa played a line game at wing three-quarter, running fast and fearlessly in attack, and defending in a stubborn way. With limited chances Moore played well on the other wing, and Branch opened up the play well for the wings from his position in the centre.

Tables Turned.—Although City-Otahuhu led Richmond by 7 points to nil at half-time. Richmend had all the better of the play in the second half, and won by the slender margin of one point. Mincham, who had replaced Kinney when the latter was hurt, got the first Richmond try. and McGregor got the next, lor Mincham to convert. Near the end of the game Richmond had to put up a hard defence to maintain its lead, and at that stage Mincham was outstanding.

Positional Play—For City-Otahuhu against Richmond. R Orotte gave a good exhibition of positional play for the former, at second fiveiMEhth. Groite oj>ened the attack with good judgment, and occasionally used the exploiting kick to drop the ball where his wings had a chance to race up and get it. City-Otahuhu fielded an even three-quarter line, with Smith in the centre and Simons and Halsey on Ihe wings. The last-named is one of the best three-quarters of the present season, and he again gave a fine display on attack.

Not Constructive.—The fame on No. 2 ground between Marist-Shore and Ponsonby did not produce good football. and there was aji absence of team work on both sides. Ponsonby, the loser, was good in patches, but few of the backs showed penetration. The set, however, is young, and with more experience. Ponsonby rearguard will improve. The Marist-Shore combination went well, in spite a b sence of McWilliams and Donovan from the backs. Meredith, who came over with a reputation, has not been a success at full-back. Little fault can be found with his fielding, but his kicking Is badly directed, and he lacks initiative to make play for the three-quarters. Panovich, who opened the season, is worth another trial at fullback Among the backs for Marist-Shore. Dickson, ai ~ Penman, centre, played imprestlTf footbajl. Dickson, who scored a couple of tries showed speed and determination. Fields ® °4' 35 th « best forward, and ably led the pats, Retting sood support from Hunt and McLeod. Klrk-off Too Late.—The delayed time of starting OI senior games is becoming annoying to patrons a u ld hls matter should claim the board of control. The curtainraiser at headquarters was not started until four minutes past 2 o'clock, instead of 1.45 p m m f tch was onl y allowed to conihJt ,h 1 • 11 not until ftve minutes later that the main attraction commenced. m . C ,°K "!^ n L on the Reps.—The first inter-League AurkHnrf .k' ,?™ between Auckland and South wiikiVl „?! prove a eood attraction, as the MPW v» n Th ,re , reported to be as formidable is EK i lnral team - chosen on Saturday la lei t J" exceptions representative of the best S™: K,„ " quibble at the six forwards not flnri f several ? f Lh e backs selected may r* win f avour with followers of the game ki'ck^Vi 12 r cll °sen half-back, is a little lucky to find favour ahead of Hutchinson ffitvi dev?loped" tS a o ?," Mount Albert). Williams has SLrv?- » & ™ c h f var/ 6 Alarf^Donoan, the Cit>-Otahuhu five eighth Donovan Sta£r anS Sf r b3 , Ck3^ ls a most con°trucUve position from his " ** «ntre