CITY OUTPLAYED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 169, 19 July 1943, Page 5

CITY OUTPLAYED

RICHMOND 31 POINTS UP 51 AX UK AXJ WKI.Ij IN IJEAD The Auckland Rugby League's senior championship was carried a further stage at Carlaw Park on Saturday afternoon. The main match was between the City and Richmond teams, the latter outplaying its opponents, and putting up a big score. ' The Manukau team now has a clear lead of four points from Richmond and City. Results were: Richmond 36, City 5. Manukau 23, Otahuhu 0. Mount Albert 20, North Shore 10. Marist 17, Ponsonby 12. Speedy Three-quarters.—The great speed of the Richmond three-quarter line was a constant worry to City, and the youthful trio, Lawther, McGnjgor and Kinney were at their best. McGregor was the ideal centre, and was always in support after delivery of the ball, with the result that some of the dove-tail play with Kinney was on spectacular lines. All the Richmond backs gave their best. McDonald excelled as a goalkicker, and Magill gave a flawless exhibition at full-back. Kipa Improves.—One of the new Richmond forwards this year is Kipa, a heavily-built frontrow player, where he is a. partner with L. Davis, another heavy player. Kipa is rapidly getting used to the League game, and on Saturday got a try as the result of resolute running when a chance came his way near the City tryline. Versatile Thompson.—ln the absence of Hemi, Thompson came out of the Manukau pack, and at first five-eighth played a good attacking game and got two tries. Thompson came to the front last season as the best scoring forward in Auckland, but can play in any position and has had a good deal of experience as a back. He was playing in South Auckland football before coming to Auckland. Ponsonby Improves.—The two games on No. 2 ground produced good football and were the best seen there for some weeks. Both the beaten teams. North Shore and Ponsonby, have shown improvement of late. Ponsonby has a splendid pack of forwards but the backs need strengthening to get results. In beating Ponsonby, Marist only shaded its opponents by a try scored in the last five minutes. Ponsonby actually led half way through the second half, but a fine try by Rangi was responsible for a change. With better tackling Rangi would have been checked at half-way. The superior combination of Nicholson (half-back), McWilliams and Hughes (fiveeighths) brought victory to Marist. Nicholson played excellently against the heavy Ponsonby forwards. Hull, Napier and Sullivan were the pick of the Ponsonby scrummagers.

Craneh Scores Double Figures.—Eleven out of 20 points was B. Cranch's tally for Mount Albert against North Shore, and the centre did a lot of good work on attack. He scored one try and kicked four goals. McKinnon, usually a forward, played well on the wing for Mount Albert. He has pace and is a good handler. Easily the best try of the game came from good play by J. Zane at full-back, who raced to his threequarters. Speed and accurate handling by five other players saw H. Zane over. Good work among the Shore forwards was done by Martin, Field, Pascoe and Hunt.