NINE POINTS ALL

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 191, 14 August 1944, Page 7

NINE POINTS ALL

MAIN LEAGUE GAME MANUKAU INCREASES LEAD What was regarded as the semi-final of the Auckland Rugby League's senior championship competition was played at Carlaw Park on Saturday, when Mt. Albert, met. Ponsonby. After an open exhibition of play, the match ended In a draw. Manukau had an easy win at Fowlds Park over Newton, and now holds a twopoint lead on the ladder. An announcement was made at Carlaw Park that the League's board of control had decided that the City team should not be deprived of any championship points. A few weeks ago City defaulted two matches, and in accordance with the constitution it was announced that the team could not be awarded championship points in subsequent matches. Scores were:— Mt. Albert 9, Ponsonby 9. . City 15, North Shore 10. Marist 11. Richmond 6. Otahuliu 31. Pt. Chevalier 17. Manukau 29, Newton 10. Three to Cranch.—Showing fine goalkicking form, B. Cranch, the Mt. Albert winsf-three-quarter, landed three goals and had a big share In the Mt. Albert achievement of making a draw of the match, after being four points down at the Interval. Ponsonby got three tries and Mt. Albert one. Had there been a reliable goal-klckcr on the Ponsonby side the result of the match would have been different.

Fast Game.—Marist's defence was probably the deciding factor in its five-point win over Richmond. Hughes and Costello featured in some bright movements, and the wing, Smith, also showed up with fast running. In the Marist forwards, McLeod, I. Simpson and Simons were able to find scope for their favourite brand of open play, with Richmond adopting similar tactics, the result was a consistently eventful game. For Richmond, Dowling, Davis and Hilton were in the thick of the forward play. In the backs McGregor played a more restrained game than usual, but the back-line was always thrusting toward the Marist line. Both full-backs worked In well in the attacking play. Well-Contested Game. —City and North Shore played a well-contested game on the No. 2 ground at Carlaw Park, 'and on the run of play a drawn match may have pleased all. A feature of the game was the good play of the North Shore forwards, who excelled in the loose. City was not up to full strength, and the team's absence from the playing area during the past three weeks had a little to do with tbe form generally. City, however, Is still a force to be reckoned with, and may eventually be the runner-up to Manukau. R. Clarke Plays Well.— Among the Shore forwards, Graham and Hunt played really good football and were triers all the way. Graham was particularly good, and for consistent football there are fewer better forwards in the code. R. Clarke, at five-eighths, played splendidly for Shore, and if an Auckland team Is selected later in the season it will occasion no surprise to see Clarke playing beside J. Murray (Manukau). Salaia in Form.—P. Salaia, the City centre-three-quarter, got through a lot of useful work, and was a thorn In the side of the Shore defence. Salaia does not get a great deal of assistance from the City five-eighths, and there Is all the more credit due for his ability as an attacking back. Good Forwards Absent. —It was Ponsonby's misfortune to have to play its most impo-.tant match of the season without the services of two of its best forwards In R. R. Hod and D. Bailey. Ponsonby fielded a pack which was very lively in the loose play, but in the set scrum work, particularly in t!w second half, it coidd not get the ball for the backs, and Mount Albeit backs had a 'Jig advantage. Mullett Shows Up.—The outstanding PcnP>nby forward was D. C. Mullett, although -. Ene game was played by H. Hadley. Mullett got a try after a clever dribbling effort, which completely beat the Mount Albert defence. 7t was play of f- kind that is rarely seen from a League forward, and is definitely one of the best means to make progress.