POINTS SHARED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 100, 30 April 1945, Page 7

POINTS SHARED

MAIN LEAGUE GAME

HUGE SCORE BY RICHMOND

After a keen contest, the Marist and Otahuhu teams played a draw In the main match of the Auckland Rugby League's senior championship on Saturday. Each team got a converted try and two penalty goals. When It overwhelmed Newton by 70 points to nil, Richmond took the lead in the championship with 6 points. Results of the matches were: Otahuhu 9, v. Marist 9; Mount Albert 17, v. Manukau 15; City 19, v. Ponsonby 14; Richmond 70, v. Newton 0; North Shore 11, v. Point Chevalier 5. Goal-kicking Duel.—The value of accurate goal-kicking was demonstrated in the match between Marist and Otahuhu, J. Anderson for the former and C. Riley for the latter each kicking three. The teams were level at half-time, each with seven points. Near the end Marist was leading by nine points to seven. Otahuhu carried play to the Marist end, and there was awarded a penalty. Although the angle was wide, Riley converted, the ball striking the cross-bar and rolling over. The Otahuhu five-eighth, who does his goal-kicking with his loft foot, won the Lance Painter Rose Bowl last season, which is awarded to the player getting most points by goal-kicking. This season Anderson is leading with 14 goals, and Riley is in second position with 12. Manukan Unlucky.—Manukau, after two successive wins by large margins, went down to Mount Albert in the most constructive game seen this season. The Maori team revealed high-class form, and both backs and forwards made every use of the passing game. It was only in the last ten minutes that Mount Albert gained the advantage, and it was a lucky break. A feature of the game was the brilliant play of J. Murray at five-eighths for Manukau, and his elusive running paved the way for two tries. Rogers, in a roving position, also played a splendid game, and his try was a nice effort. After two disappointing games, Mount Albert showed improved form. The heavy pack played better as a team and gave the backs excellent support in the loose. Followers of the club have now every reason to expect greater things from A. Wiles, who showed splendid form at centre. His try was a high-class effort. Practice Game For Richmond.—Richmond had an easy task in chalking up its third successive win of the season, Newton providing the present champions with no more than a practice run. Though they were not extended in any way, Richmond backs, particularly Lowther, Kinney, M. Robertson and Furnell, with the full-back, Magill, joining in, turned on some splendid passing movements. The deciding factor, however, was speed, Richmond players, Including the forwards, showing their heels to the opposition right through the piece. For Newton, the half-back, Scarlett', worked hard, while Hawkes, five-eighth, occasionally showed ability. The team's display revealed an urgent need for drastic improvement. City's Iyate Effort, — Ponsonby led throughout the game against City until the last five minutes of play, when City put on ten points to come off the field the victors. . Ponsonby deserved a win, making a good showing, particularly in the first half. Tries were scored by Mitchell and Hardwicke, while Nordgren, besides playing good football, was responsible for kicking three penalties and converting a try. City played with plenty of dash in the second half and put on 14 points. The try-getters were James, with two tries to his credit, and Salaia. Silva converted the three tries scored and kicked two penalties.