LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 101, 1 May 1944, Page 7

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

START OF SEASON

DEFEAT, OP MANUKAU

The Auckland Rugby League's senior championship competition started on Saturday with 10 senior teams.

In a match, played at headquarters. Manukau, the club champion of last season, was beaten by Nortii Shore. X' was a surprise result, and ti»e bctte: team won. Results:— Otahuhu 21. v. Ponsonby fi. Richmond 45, v. Pt. Chevalier 14. North Shore 18, v. Manukau 7. City 9, v. Mt. Albert 5. Marist 30, v. Newton 5. Player-Coach.—One of the new Otahuhu forwards this season is p. Hughes, formerly of the City Club, and now player-coach to the suburban team. Hughes, with clever hooking, got Otahuhu a good share of the ball from set scrums, a success that was assisted by the right kind of weight support from the other Otahuhu forwards when it was needed. Marist Win Easily.—The Marist team gave an excellent display on a muddy ground at Grey Lynn Park to defeat Newton by 30 to 5. Marist forwards, too, were always on the ball. Simons (one try), Ivan Simpson (two tries) and McLeod taking the eye. Towards the end of the game McLeod had to be carried off with a knee injury. On the Marist wing Te Whitl showed speed and scored two tries. He was well assisted by the inside men. McWilliams. White and Hughes. The two full-backs were both safe, young Brockliss. of Marist, giving a sound display of line-kicking, and the more experienced Shaw playing a cool game. Fast Backs.—Richmond has started the League season in the fortunate position of having all its backs of last season available. There were times on Saturday when they were a very colourful combination, with C. Williams giving a good scrum service, McDonald and Harkins showing a sharp combined thrust in the five-eighth line, and McGregor in the centre displaying great pace and ability to make the play for his wings. Kinney and Lowther, a speedy and resourceful pair. Magill showed exceptionally good form at full-back for an opening match % and his clean and clever fielding was impressive. Although Richmond easily beat Pt. Chevalier, the latter fielded a young team which played in a bright and open way. Otahuhu Victory. of inside back play was a factor in the defeat of Ponsonby by Otahuhu. This season the suburban team has paired C. Riley and C. Wellm as its five-eighths. The latter was conspicuous with speed and dash, while in the centre R. Keat showed great skill! fet working in a narrow compass, and on a couple of occasions made good chances for his wings by shaking off a covering defence and getting well away. j