LEAGUE DOUBLE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 229, 27 September 1943, Page 7

LEAGUE DOUBLE

MANUKAU'S SUCCESS

EASY ROOPE ROOSTER WIN

Superiority, both in attack and defence, marked the Manukau play against ponsonby in the final for the Roope Rooster trophy. A Manukau win by 21 points to 9 was a fair indication of the € bb and flow of the play, a match marked by some frayed tembers jn the final stage, and a scuffle on the field between two payers after the bell had gone. jlanuknu thus look the championship and the Roope Rooster, a double achieved on ly three times previously in 22 years. Hi the absence of Murray, Manukau changed its back formation, O. Martin tilavJng at second five-eighth, and Hemi' at "centre three-quarter. Hemi scored a good try with clever attack, and kicked f w o goals, one a remarkable shot from lonff range. Unselfish in his play, Hemi catered well for his wings, and Taumata got two tries. Edinse of Richmond. —Otnhuhu beat Richmond h* the wide margin of 32 points to 3 in a Phelan Shield match. The Otahuhu backs showed «>lendid combination, and gave their best display of the season. The wins three-quarters, R. Halsey and K. Simons, each got two tries, largely as fhe result of sharp passing by Speedy from the basest the scrum, and clever atteckinp- play by Morris in the five-eighth line. In addition to tilflvins a Good game at full-back, c. Riley licked lour goals. Other Games.—ln the schoolboys' intermediate final Mount Albert 6, beat Marist 3; seven-a-side, Mount Albert 4. Marist 0. The sixth grade knock-out-final was won by Mount Albert, which beat ponsonby by 16 to nil. RUGBY SEASON ENDS

The only disappointing feature about tbe Rugby benefit game between Army and Navy, which brought the season to a close at Eden Park, was the attendance. It was a lively game, with some spectacular movements. The decisive victory of Army, 25 points to S, resulted from the superiority of the backs, whose handling and concerted work was much the better. Navv fielded a strong pack which more than held its own. Outstanding back on the ground was Barchard, at inside five-e'ghth for Army. With strong and straight running lie made many breaks in the opposition, and had Hook's handling been better the three-quarter line, McLean, Smith and Davis, would have been more dangerous than it was. Smith, at centre, was well watched by the" Auckland centre, Sellars, playing for Navy. aml tnis and tne weaker opposition helped Barchard to shine in.- the attacking movements. Despite this, Barchard's play was most impressive.

Army's Seven Tries. —Territorially Navy had the better of the first spell. It was attacking when McLean made a ureakaway. and though his pass to Hook was dropped. Smith was handy and sent Hook away again, to give McLean the try. Soon after, the Navy captain, Nolan, who played soundly, evened the score with a penalty. A spectacular run by Barchard and a handling movement in which the ball came back to Barchard saw him get a well-deserved try. Hook and Davis combined to get a further try, which Smith converted, and Army led 11—3 at halftime. In the second half, McLean, Bean, Bilkey and Sussey scored for Army. Jones converting one, us make the total 25. while Hiley scored a try for Navy, which Nolan converted. Auckland y. Wellington.—The final representative match of the season will be played at Wellington, when Auckland will endeavour to maintain its winning sequence. Auckland's success at Eden Park was decisive, Webster's kicking alone enabling Wellington to finish up within five points of . Auckland's total of 22. At Athletic Park next Saturday Wellington will field a stronger team, having players available who were taking part in the Army—Air Force match on September 18. The Auckland selector has announced the players from whom the team will be selected after training to-morrow. The list includes Gunning, who was at Dunedin when the previous game was played, and he will go back into the pack. It is likely, too, that D. Mullett, who is on transfer from the Wellington police, will get a game. Sorenson injured a knee in the previous game, and there is a doubt whether it will have sufficiently recovered by Saturday. Barchard may mate the team, and he certainly earned a place by his play against the Navy. Win for Wellington.—A Press Association message from Wellington states that in a representative Rugby match on Saturday afternoon the home team beat Canterbury by 16 points to 6. After ten days of heavy rain Athletic Park was completely water-logged, and the ground was a quagmire long before the match was finished. The weather cleared about mid-day, but it had an effect on the attendance, which was 7000. The Canterbury forwards, particularly Herman, Lindstrom and Bond, were seen to advantage in loose rushes which were hard to stop. On the other hand, the Wellington backs were more lively and enterprising. Bevan, Wales, Jaegar and Stanaway scored tries for Wellington, Webster converting two. Bond scored for Canterbury and Flynn kicked a penalty goal. FALCON CUP FINAL This season's championship winner, Metro College, has an excellent chance of completing the double, as the side, playing clever Soccer, disposed of Comrades in the semi-final of the Falcon Cup at Blandford Park on Saturday. Metro showed better combination and positional play than its opponents, whilst its forwards made more of its chances. HopeEde, who scored three goals, was in great form, whilst Webber, who scored the other point, and Woods, did their" part well. Phillips and Blinko proved a hard pair of backs to pass, whilst the halfline broke up numerous Comrades' promising movements. McGee and Fincham scored for Comrades, the latter goal being a good drive from 30 yards' range. Matthews, Walters and Fleet were always in the picture and got through a lot of good work. No Decision After Extra Time.—Mount Albert Grammar and Ponsonby staged the other Falcon Cup semi-final and a very even game was witnessed, although the standard of play was not as. good as that of the curtain-raiser. At half-time the score was 1-all. Grammar took the lead after about 15 minutes of the second half had elapsed and held on to its advantage until a. few minutes before time, when referee Mr. P. Green awarded the "Ponies" a penalty, which was converted. Consequently, an extra 15 minute each way was ordered, and although both goals had narrow escapes, the sides failed to score, and a replay will have to take place. Dynes and Rutherford scored Ponsonby's goals, while Thomson and Rollins netted for Grammar. THRILLING HOCKEY It was a fitting conclusion to an excellent display as inner left-forward that I. Wyatt should break through the University defence and score the goal to make Training College, for the first time in its career, champion of champions and Kent cup holders. The teachers gained their second successive win against University in a gruelling game of thrilling hockey that necessitated an extra spell of M minutes before the decision was reached. Wyatt was the outstanding forward in the game; his winning goal was the result of snapping a chance that surprised his opponents. C. Garlick, the University right, full-back, gave a fine exhibition ot stopping and clearing with well-directed hitting. The manner ip. which he covered his partner repeatedly extricated the team from some dangerous situations. The respective goalkeepers, Jaine and Lascenes, made some wonderful saves, especially during the bombardments in the extra spell.