LEAGUE LEADER

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 106, 7 May 1945, Page 7

LEAGUE LEADER

DEFEAT OF RICHMOND

MT. ALBERT PLAYS WELL

Superior team-play carried Mount Albert lo victory in its match against the leading team, Richmond, on Saturday, when the Auckland Rugby League's senior championship was continued. The real feature of the day was a great recovery by Manukau in its match with City. the latter led by 10—2 at halftime, but in the second half of the game -Manukau scores came quickly. Results were:— Mount Albert 11, Richmond 7; Manukau 21, City 13; Marist 17. North Shore 10; Otahuhu 17, Ponsonby 5; Point Chevalier 16, Newton 2. Good Goal-Kicking. — The value of goal-kick-ing was demonstrated In the match between Manukau and City. Sixteen of the total of 34 points came from conversions. For Manukau. the veteran Tommy Chase, showed remarkable accuracy and landed six goals, several being from difficult angles, the best effort of Its kind since Jack Heml was with the team. Chase converted the three tries which Manukau got, and the other three were shots from penalties. On the City side, A. Silva, who Is one of the longest long range kickers In the game, got two goals. The other City points were gained by the youthful Simpson, who gave a brilliant Interpretation of wing three-quarter play by scoring three tries—one an overlap run from half way, which necessitated eluding a converging defence on the way.

Otahuhu's Form Impressive.—On its sustained display of resourceful attack and solid defence against Ponsonby. Otahuhu figures as a major threat for championship honours. Though without Colin Rlpley. its star back, the team turned on some fast and thrustful back play, which generally caught the PonEonby players standing. Brady, on the wing, gave a fine exhibition: the loose forward, Seymour, also stood out. The handling of the Ponsonby backs was fair enough, but they were unable to penetrate until near the end when Allen, then playing at half, made a good run from the scrum and passed to Hardwlcke, who scored the side's only try.

Anderson's Goals. —With a little more luck. Shore mlirht have beaten Marist. There was not much between them in the matter of tries. Marist securing three to Shore's two. A material factor In Marlst's tally of 17 points was Anderson's kicking. He was responsible Tor a converted try and three penalty kicks. Including a beautiful shot from a difficult ancle at mldfleld. J. Smith secured , two of Marlst's tries, and White the third. In the second half, Shore did most of the attacking. The backs combined well but. except when Smith got over on the right wine. were not able to bring a number of promising moves to the scoring point. Graham scored Shore's first try In the first half. Clarke converted a try and kicked a penalty.

BRIGHT CURTAIN-BAISEB.—There was some sparkling football In the curtain-raiser between Mount Albert and Richmond, and the early spectators saw a greatly Improved Mount Albert team. The greasy ball did not favour the lighter Richmond backs, but on the day the Mount Albert set put In more effective team work. On the wing, for Mount Albert, Pedley played a splendid game and his try was a great effort. From the base of the Mount Albert scrum. Clement gave good service, and It was the effective combination of the five-eighths, Keary and 3. Zane, which paved the way for some scoring movements. Wiles again showed his ability to pierce the defence by tricky running. A. Thompson, the Richmond packman, stood out as the best forward on the ground. J. Satherley, an experienced hooker, was also prominent In the loose. The Richmond backs were not so effective as In the past two games. Lowther, on the wing, played a dashing game, while Fumell was sound at full back.