LEAD UNCHANGED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 203, 28 August 1944, Page 7

LEAD UNCHANGED

THREE LEAGUE TEAMS

FINAL MATCHES THIS WEEK Good conditions ruled on Saturday when the Auckland Rugby League's senior championship was continued. As a result of the day's play three teams remained in the lead, Manukau, City and Mt. Albert, each having a win. The last series of games will be played next Saturday. Results were:— City 20, Otahuhu 10. Newton 8, North Shore 4. Ponsonby 20. Marist 13. Mt. Albert 26, Richmond 10. Manukau 21, Pt. Chevalier 13. Mt. Albert Impressive.—Mt. Albert's easy victory over Richmond on Saturday came as a surprise to followers of the code. On n dry ground, Richmond was picked out as a tough proposition, but soon after the second half started Mt. Albert settled down to business. Tries came from excellent back play and the football was truly constructive. The combination of Clements, halfback, and Sumlch and Jones, five-eighths, outplayed the Richmond inside backs. Sumich played easily his best game this season. Jones was also Impressive, and twice cut the defence to ribbons with clever running and tricky play. The Mt. Albert backs should hold their own against Manukau next Saturday. Forwards In Form.—The Mt. Albert forwards played a big part in the success against Richmond, and the set is really fit. Shadbolt, who scored two tries, was in every movement, and played an outstanding game. He followed up fast, and tackled soundly. Milliken also showed a glimpse of his form of three years ago, and played splendidly. Conza was a tireless worker in the loose. Newton's Success.—Newton's first win this season was well received at Carlaw Park, and the team is to be complimented for sticking to their guns in spite of so many reverses. Against North- Shore on Saturday, the forwards played particularly well and had a little the better of it in the loose. Two new players, Muru and Woolley, were the" best of the Newton backs. The former, on the wing, revealed a lot of speed, and a very tricky run. Woolley is an acquisition as a good goal-kicker. Ponsonby Back-line Impresses.—Fast and open football characterised the match between Ponsonby and Marist, play being very even until the latter part of the second spell, when the Ponsonby back-line, in which. Roy Nurse and Jordan were outstanding, penetrated thcMarlst defence to give the side a decisive win- Marist was by no means outplayed and it was only the determined .nature of the Ponsonby defence that prevented them from scoring on several occasions. Bailey and Hull played well in the Ponsonby forwards, but it was the side's Impressive back-line that won the game. For Marist, Brockless was in 'good kicking form, converting five penalties, while McLeod, the Simpson brothers and Simons were prominent in the forwards. Murray Brilliant.—Brilliant, footwork on the part of J. Murray, Manukau second-five-eighth, and determined defensive play by the team's full-back, R. Martin, were the highlights of the Manukau-Pt. Chevalier match played at the Onehunga School. Pt. Chevalier staged a good performance in the face of a heavy Manukau /forward line, the mainstays of which were Ririnui and Broderick. For Pt. Chevalier, Anderson was outstanding, mainly for his speed in breaking from the ruck. Uphill Game.—Although City led Otahuhu by seven points to nil at half-time, Otahuhu, with assertive play, took the lead early in the second half, and from that point City had to play a hard uphill game to win. As a display of ail that is best and brightest in the code, the match fell below expectations. Combination was mostly a missing factor, but there was at times some clever effort by way of recompense. Alan Donovi!!?, the City half-back, was in his best form as a goal kicker, and landed four goals. Donovan showed speed at the base of the scrum, and In addition to giving a good service to his supporting backs, was very quick to sight an opening when the occasion called for solo play.

Pace Tells. —Showing great pace, C. Wellm got the two Otahuhu tries which were recorded in the game. For the first one, Wellm followed through fast, fielded a bouncing ball, and then outpaced everybody. On the second occasion, Wellm shared in orthodox passing attack, and then took the gap with a lateral run with such a burst of speed that he was untouched by the opposition.