LEAGUE "DOUBLE"

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 227, 24 September 1943, Page 5

LEAGUE "DOUBLE"

MANUKAU'S JOB TO-MORROW PONSONBVS. IMPROVED TEAM Keen interest is being taken in the meeting of Manukau and Ponsonby at : Carlaw Park to-morrow afternoon, when the Maori team will attempt to win the double—Senior League championship ana Roope Rooster. It is a rare feat and has been achieved only three times in the past 22 years. Manukau won both honours in 1936, their debut as a club. Ponsonby has not won the Rooster since 1930, but, on recent form, has gooa prospects of fully testing the spectacular play of Manukau. . , Manukau will face in Ponsoriby backs to-morrow a fast and clever attacking force, which may be under a disadvantage with the present weather conditions. The rear division, reinforced by the inclusion of B. Riley at centre and K. Nurse on the wing, is capable of Vl a / m S the same unorthodox football the Manukau backs are noted for. Riley is a brilliant attacking back and will have Kay, his associate of a few years ago, to give him every chance from the fiveeighths position. Behind the Ponsonby pack Webb, who was a star with Richmond last season, is playing clever football, and his reliable goal kicking is an asset. A The Manukau backs have la cjsea team play of late, but individually they include the stars of the code. R- Mai tin. at full back, is a class player, and win be tested to-morrow in tactics. Manuicau have fine scoring wings in Taurnata ana Butler, but the inside men, Hemi ana Murray, will get trouble from the R»fy- . Kay -combination. A battle royal is_ expected" between the two sets of forwaras, ■which include the heaviest men in tne code. In fact, the Ponsonby P£CK nw have the advantage in weight. The Manukau forwards, however, are proved c.ever exponents of the code, and are likely to be the more fitter team. Hull, a f o ™*"", Auckland Rugby representative, ana Napier and Sullivan, have weight ana experience, while the pack, is «J " c strengthened by the inclusion ot u. Hadlly, from the Army and Auckland team of 1942. The advantage in tne loose, however, should see R°g e " l And of the season), Thompson, Aβ J* and Cootes at their best.