IMPROVED PLAY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 115, 17 May 1943, Page 5

IMPROVED PLAY

THE LEAGUE SERIES CITY BEATS RICHMOND The third series of the Auckland Rugby League's senior championship, played at Carlaw Park on Saturday afternoon, drew the largest attendance of the season. In general, improved form was shown, and matches were keenly contested. xlesults were:— Manukau 10 v. Otahuhu 7. City 15 v. Richmond 12. Mount Albert 15, v. North Shore 2. Ponsonby 16, v. Marist 9. Ririnui and Cootes.—Manukau. the club champion of last vear, was reinforced for Its match against Otahuhu by P. Ririnui and J. Cootes, both New Zealand representative players. As Ririnui weighs 17.0 and Cootes 14.8, the pair made the Manukau pack formidable in the set scrums, and too heavy for the Otahuhu six. Cootes is a Wellington representative forward, although he has played occasionally in Auckland club football. Donovan's Queer Experience.—There was an incident without precedent in the match between City and Richmond. Late in the match, when Richmond was leading by 12 points to 10, A. Donovan had a penalty shot for City in front of the goal. The ball hit the cross-bar. As Richmond again infringed, Donovan had a second shot. . This time the ball hit the goalpost. Then Donovan made amends by getting the winning try and converting it. Ponsonby Improves.—Although Marist was defeated by a margin of seven points, there was not that much difference between it and Ponsonby. In fact, Marist was unlucky not to make it a closer game. Neither side compare with City, Otahuhu or Manukau. Ponsonby, however, is an improving team, and the backs could be moulded into a strong attacking force. There is too much kicking among the rearguard. First appearances this season were made by Dormer, who was a clever half-back several seasons ago. His form against Marist was impressive. R. B. Hull, the ex-Auckland Rugby representative forward, is a decided acquisition and, if he can play regularly, the Ponsonby forwards should get the ball more often. • Young Players Impress. — Mount Albert followed up its success against Marist by comfortably beating North Shore. The backs again paved the way for success and improved team work was in evidence. A feature of the game was the fine form of two young players. Bradford and Surmch. Both boys showed speed in the three-quaner line and should be given further trials. The .veteran, H. Leatherbarrow, played splendidly in the loose, scored a try and converted three tries.