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Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 127, 31 May 1943, Page 5

RUGBY LEAGUE

Playing open football with free distribution of the ball, City had its fifth successive win in the Auckland Rugby League's senior championship on Saturday. North Shore got its first win of the season. Results were:— City 24, v. Newton 8. Richmond 6, v. Marist- 0. Mount Albert 19, v. Otahuhu 10. North Shore 11, v. Ponsonby 9. Three Tries.—Playing in the City forwards, P. McManus scored three tries against Otahuhu. the result of sharp backing up in anticipation of a pass coming his way. and having enough speed to outpace the opposition. On two occasions sheer ing defence, and he raced away to score spectacular tries Last season McManus played centre, ana he was regarded as one of the fastest backs Richmond Colts. — Four young players are showing up well in the Richmond rearguard — Harkins at first five-eighth and Lowther, McGregor and Kinney in the three-quarter line. The trio makes the speediest line in Auckland, with McGregor unselfish in his play and a giver of good passes.. Harkins is Improving as a first five-eighths, r.nß has as his partner in the intermediate line a mature and tried player in W. Tittleton. Cranch Five Goals.—The surprise of Saturday's series was the defeat of Otahuhu in the hands of the improving Mount Albert thirteen. Otahuhu was not up to full strength, but it is doubtful if the result would have been affected. In the first half particularly, the Mount Albert backs gave a high-class display of constructive football. From Clements at half-back to J. Zane full-back the set was on the job. The threequarters—Cowley, Cranch and Moore —showed speed, and good handling brought them three tries early. Cowley, who scored twice, showed his best form. Cranch was in great kicking form and got three penalties and two converted tries. Otahuhu. was unlucky to lose E. McManus, who was hurt early in the game.

Shore Victorious.—lnaccurate goal-kicking cost Ponsonby its match against Shore. The suburban XIII. played its best football in the first half and had established a useful lead of eight points at half-time. Good hooking by Rutherford gave North Shore backs numerous opportunities, but were McArthur (half) and L. Brown (five-eighth). Wilkie was also prominent at centre. The best forward on the ground was Hull (Ponsonby), who was in every movement. Field and Mercer shared the honours among the Shore forwards. Kay had a day off in goal kicking, and so North Shore was victorious for the first time this winter. ON THE HOCKEY FIELD

Although Grammar Old Boys, by defeating Training College (3—o), still retains the leading position in the Davis Cup hockey championship, University must be reckoned with. Having played two matches less, University has a chance of claiming equal terms with fl-.e leader. St. Luke's gained its first win of the season at the expense rf Owai Hovers (o —0), Somerville had a convincing win over A.S.C. (6—l), while Papakura. "had the edge on" Mt. Eden (2 —0). At Walker Park, Air Force had to submit to rlcfe;u at the hands of Wesley United (6 —3). The margin would have been greater had not Blackwell, the Air Force goalkeeper, brought off quite a number of clever saves.

Contrast in Style.—The uncertainty of the game was clearly demonstrated in the Papakura-Mt. Eden match. T,he forwards on both sides made with well-directed passes from the centre-half (L. Watson, the New Zealand and Auckland representative half), the Papakura line adopted the short passing game and hit the ball about in great style, but the solid defence of C. Morgan, together with lack of finish In its circle work, repeatedly spoiled the efforts. Mt. Eden, en the other hand, relied more on individualism. spicucus in many of these breaks through, the opposing backs were able to stem such onslaughts fairly easily. With no score in the game until well en in the second spoil, it looked as if Mt. Eden would hold its doughty opponent. Two anc rs they ' completely altered the trend of plp.y lopakura attacked relentlessly for the remainder of ths game.

11. Lawry's Hat-trick.—Grammar Old Boys A had all the territorial advantaces in its game with Training College, but from the chances offered both vanguards the scoring should have been much higher. A feature of the play was the solid defensive exhibition of J. Buchon, the Grammar full-back, anj his team mate in coal. L. Brierly. The latter save a fearless display between the posts, and his effort In deflecting over the crossbar a high, stinging shot from Gillivray was a highlight of the match. H. Lawry dirt the "hat-trick," scoring the only three coals of the match. Training College, despite opportunities for practice, lacked that understanding between backs and forwards so necessary for success. I. Wyatt. who gained "rep." honours last year whilst still in the Grammar School team., worked untiringly, but too many of his the rest of his line. AMATEUR ATHLETICS The Auckland Amateur Athletic and Cycle Club continued its winter competitions at the Outer Domain this afternoon, when there _ was a fine muster of competitors. ■ including Auckland Champinns In D. M. Harris and W. Heron, also cx--2000 Yards Steeplechase.—W. S. Opperman (50s) 1, H. Farley (8s) 2. B. L. Evans (355) 3. Hotham and Heron led in the early stages, but <u halfway Opperman, Evans, Hotham, Heron, Farley and Goodwin was the order. Running freely over the trail from this on Opperman ended up a winner by thirty yards from Farley, with Evans close up third. Time. 6.3. 75 Yards Handicap.—H. Farley (7yds) 1, H. R. Goodwin (3yds) 2. D. H. Harris (scr.) 3. Inches; one yard. Time. 7 3-. r 3S. Putting 161b Shot.—W. Heron, 31ft IViin, 1; E. Hotham, 29ft lOin. 2; J. W. Turnbuil, 20ft 3in, 3. Sixteen competed. Throwins? the Discus.—E. Hothsm (scr), 95ft 4>,2in, 1; W. Heron, 84ft 2in, 2; F. E. F. Bennett, B3ft 6in, 3. Sixteen competed.