RUGBY LEAGUE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 103, 3 May 1943, Page 5

RUGBY LEAGUE

RICHMOND DEFEATED NEWTON FOUR POINTS UP The Auckland Rugby League's senior championship matches started at Carlaw Park on Saturday in fine weather. There was some good individual play but a general lack of combination. Results were:— Newton 16, v. Richmond 12. City 17, v. Ponsonby 13. Marist 15, v. Mount Albert 10. Manukau 22, v. North Shore 5. Old Players Return. — Two players, who gave good service to Richmond in past years, have returned to assist their old team. They are W. Tittleton and C. Satherley. The former, who came from South Auckland originally, has represented both Auckland and New Zealand. He played a solid game at centre, end his experience was valuable to the your.ger members of the team. Satherley is now in the veteran stage but is still a fine forward.

Backs of Promise. — Provided the players develop combination, the Newton back division should be one of the best in the League code this season. Newton has an alert half-back in Rangi, who is quick to sight a chance: a fiveeighths of penetrative ability in Delamere, and one of the best centres in the game in Ivan Gregory. Richards, who played football last season outside of New Zealand, is back in his old place on the wing. Clever Inside Backs. — The City team was fortunate in that it has its inside backs of last season again available. Hutchinson is a clever attacking half-back, while A. Donovan and Grotte play smooth and good football in the five-eighth line. Donovan is one of the most, accurate placekicks in the code, and his success with conversions against Ponsonby was a feature of the match. Last Year's Champion. — Manukau. which easily accounted for North Shore, promises to field a powerful combination as the first round progresses. The team introduced several new faces to Carlaw Park, and both Kanl and Newton are good scoring wings. Newton scored one dashing try and showed speed and determination. Potaka. a country representative forward, is a powerful type, with a style not unlike Ririnui. He takes a lot of stopping near the try-line. The only pakeha in the side is Seymour, a powerful youth of nearly 15st. He showed excellent . form among the forwards, and previously played at full-back for Papakura. This season promises to be a good one for Butler, who has filled out a lot, and takes some stopping once his speed' is on. ON THE SOCCER FRONT There was a fair attendance at Blandford Park for the opening of the Auckland Football Association's senior competition, and two interesting games were played in perfect weather. The curtain-raiser between Ponsonbv and Air Force saw the former victorious by the only goal scored, Callaghan netting with a good shot, following a fine kick taken by McLellan for a foul against Dynes. Ponsonby is going to be a far stronger side to tackle this season. Frank -Blaekie (a former New Zealand representative) was again in the right-half position, and it is learned that W. Rouse, ex-Ponsonby and Auckland halfback, and Ken Dowler, will also be available for all future games. It is doubtful, however, if Brackenridge will be playing again for some time. The Air Force side, although not quite at full strength, put up a plucky fight, as the score indicates. For Ponsonby Gavan, Dickey, Meek, Dynes and Callaghan were prominent, while Cameron, Peebles, Everson, Caisley and Waters shone for the flyers. Comrades Tackle 1942 Champion.—The game between Mount Albert- Grammar Old Boys A and Comrades was a more exciting encounter, in-so-much as Comrades, although having the better of the-game (especially in the second spell) was beaten,, .by the odd goal in three. . At"" half-time Grammar had a lead of'' two goals, which was flattering on the run of the play. The team was handicapped -in the second snell, as J. Woodhall was incapacitated and had" to go to the right wing. He received a leg injury about 10 minutes before halftime, and left the field, Thompson, the outside right falling back to right-half position. After the spell interval Comrades could do everything but score. Sims, R. Speed and R. Woodhall put up a splendid defence and Ccs Ward, at centre-half, had a busy time- looking after the nippy Comrades inside forwards. With 15 minutes to go Green connected w-ith a good centre from Boyd, to reduce the deficit. After this the Grammar goal had many narrow escapes, despite which time was called with the score still: Mount Albert A 2, Comrades 1.

Ekman Finds Net Twice.—For Mount Albert, Sims R. Speed, R. Woodhall, Ward. C. Ekman and Rollins were outstanding. The two goals for the winner were scored by C. Ekman, with drives from good passes by Rollins, on the wing. These two players combined exceptionally well! For Comrades Hies, in goal, was sound. Fincham and Matthews were the pick of the defence. The vanguard played well together, with Fleet displaying brilliant Soccer.

Brilliant 'Keeping.—The feature of tire Blandford Park contests was the brilliant form shown bv all four custodians. Perhaps the honours of the afternoon fell to Prank Cameron, ex-Shore and Auckland representative, who was playing for Air Force In the curtain-raiser against Ponsonby and brought oft some magnificent saves. Sims, of Mount Albert, no doubt had more to do than Cameron—he never made a mistake, and one save in particular, when he took the ball off Fleet's feet on the Boal-line saved a goal. Gavan (Ponsonby) and Hies (Air Force), although not having quite so much to do as Sims and Cameron, gave splendid displays between the posts. Danby Two Goals.—The match between Garrison and North Shore, at Devonport. proved a close and interesting contest. A strong crosswind made ball control difficult but there were some bright features of play in spite of this handicap. The Garrison side included three exAuckland representatives: Smith (goal) Richards (centre-forward), and Robinson (right wtag). Withi Danby (ex-North Shore) in the centrenaif position. Smith performed capably in goal, and Danby gave a sound display, getting . both h?s side"s goals. The spearhead of Garrison's attack; was the left wing, where Moran and Richards were sound, but too well marked to be dangerous. Shore put up a capital game aLinst the heavier opponents. Scott, the youthful goalie gave a splendid display and shows Seat promise Christie and Hodgson were a .solid nair of halves—the latter needs to be up with the attack Price and Ekman were _tfte- hest of the Shore forward line. They lacked support from their youthful colleagues who,. however, aid not do so badly for their first senior game. Suburbs and Metro Win.—The other two senior beat Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys B 1 (P. "S' Finals.-London, May 1: The Football uriusn riiiiia. south Arsenal Iberd'een beat Hibernian, 2-1; Raith Rovers beat Ealt Fife 2—l. East Scotland Shield semi-final. Hlarts beat Edinburgh Central, 2-0. RUGBY UNION ar^n^Tor^hf' teams into two divisions, was decided by the Auckland Rugby- Football^% n ° n 2 J$ results were:—Technical Old Boys 27, M.T.P. u»*~ cnampion) 11; Ponsonby - Grafton 22, Garrison 14; Arm" School 16jf Suburbs 14; University. 19, KittyhJwks 15- Army 13, Manukau 8: Marist 33. Air Fofce No.' 2 6; 'Training College 26, : Otahuhu 6; Navy 15, Takapuna 6; Air Force (No. 1) 8, Eden 6. ': : E. ATTWOOD'S TREBLE The remaining finals left over from the Auckland hard court tennis tournament were concluded yesterday at the Mount Eden courts with the following results:— a mixed doubles: J. Leng" and Miss E Attwood"'beatW. Huckstep and Miss LMumL T-3 M women's doubles: Misses Attwood C £ B These a victorie? e g a av y e' M 7st Attwood a clean sweep : M %te ? m«Sfal she had previously beaten Miss Hodges in the singles (6—3, 7—5).