LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 163, 12 July 1943, Page 5

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

On heavy grounds, which made playing conditions difficult, the second round of the Auckland Rugby League's senior championship was carried a further stage on Saturday. In the chief match of the day, Manukau beat Richmond after a very keen contest, all scoring being in the second half. Results were:— Manukau 6, beat Richmond 2. City 16, beat North Shore 0. Mount Albert 19, beat Ponsonby 3. Otahuhu 16, beat Newton 9. Strategic Play.—With the ground a quagmire and players finding It hard to keep on their feet, J. Hemi, the Manukau first five-eighth, played a game in attack to suit the occasion. Instead of trying to send the ball on, he put in a high, diagonal kick, and other Manukau backs raced through to where a Richmond back was waiting for the ball. Despite the heavy going, some good football was played by the backs on both sides, and the respective fullbacks. H. Martin, for Manukau, and Magill, for Richmond, showed defence of a high order. Manukau Try.—The' first Manukau try against Richmond came at the end of a fierce rush which swept the ball over the Richmond try-line. Several players dived for possession, and it seemed that O. Martin was the first to touch. The try, however, was officially given to Te Tai. The refeiee, Mr. S. Billman, was close at hand and in a good position to make a decision. In His Right riace.—Playing for City against North Shore, R. Grotte appeared for the first time this season In his proper place at half-back, and the result was effective attack by the City backs. This season Grotte has played both at five-eighth and in the three-quarter line. Although an Auckland player in the first place, Grotte was one of the best scrum halves in Australia for two seasons, and was a member of the New Zealand League team which went to Australia in the 1938 season. Superior Play.—On a ground which was ankle deep in mud, Mount Albert went one of its best games to defeat Ponsonby by a 16-point margin.- The backs gave a good display in spite of a greasy ball. There were several good movements as the result of superior positional play. Cowley, on the wing, was' in fine form, and used his undoubted pace to finish off the good work of the inside backs, Jones and Cranch. Among the forwards Baulcomb and McKinnon played good games. The latter was in every successful attack, and would show up even better In better company. Ponsonby's Recruits.—Ponsonby continues to improve its forward division. Napier made an impressive debut two weeks ago. Now Malkl Is the latest recruit. About 14 stone, Maiki played a good game and showed speed and keenness in the loose. Ponsonby is a better team than its record reveals, and with a more settled team surprises are in store for clubs higher up the championship table. Otahuhu is back to Its full strength and the two blues did we'.! to beat Newton by a sevenpoint margin. The forwards gave a good display of wet-da} tactics, and excelled in dribbling and handling when it was necessary. The Johnsi V Drothers stood out in the • loose, but there *_i no better forward than Doran, who was always on the ball.. Fenton also played a useful game. Gordon was a tower of strength at fiveeighth, but had to retire just before half-time. The Newton forwards possess a great toiler in R. Duncan, who is, perhaps, the lightest forward in the code, but always a bundle of energy. The veteran, 8. Quirke, can still claim the honours as the most consistent hooker in the code.