RUGBY LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 207, 30 May 1938, Page 13

RUGBY LEAGUE

St. George Beat Central

Easily Rugby League matches in Wellington on Saturday resulted : — Senior Grade. St. George 34 v. Central 13. Petone 33 v. Newtown 19. Reserve Grade. Petone 8 v. Newtown 8. St. George 47 v. Central 2. Miramar 20 v. Randwick A 14. Rand wick B 34 v. Miramar 5. The leaders in the competitions tire: — Senior: St. George; runners-up, Petone. Reserve: St. George; runners-up, Randwick A and Miramar A (equal). The newly-formed Miramar club has entered a B team in the reserve grade. Next Saturday Miramar A reserve and Petone seniors will play a friendly match. St. George v. Central. St. George had another convincing win over Central on Saturday. Petone s defeat of Newtown leaves the reds the only unbeaten team in the senior grade, and, on present indications, they look safe to repeat their competition success of last season. On Saturday their superiority was apparent in all departments. A heavy, hard-working pack and backs who handle accurately made them a formidable combination. They deserve their success because they train hard; if any member does not attend practice he does not get a game, the club being fortunate in having a surplus of players. Playing his last game before returning to Auckland, McKinney excelled himself, scoring Central’s only try in the first half. His departure will mean a great, ioss to Central. He. has a safe pair of hands, takes any pass, and runs straight, with a good turn of speed. Marshall, Central half, was as usual alert to seize any opportunity and added three points with a good try. Jamieson gave a fair performance at full-back; with Bramble he was playing bis first game of the season. O’Halloran is a fine forward, and he worked hard on Saturday, although he is obviously not fit. Dixon was, as usual, always in the thick of it.

Timmins, who had not taken the field previously this season and who, owing to an injured knee, played only one .or two games last year, opened the scoring for St. George after a good run. He crossed Central’s line again later. Swanberg, Mulholland, Brimble, and Mailman were other outstanding backs. Mailman was the most productive scorer of the day. Brimbie's play showed an improvement. Spencer was in good form, his kicking being responsible for a good share of St. George’s points. In the forwards Karen went better than he has in recent games. Mustchin was well marked and did not get much opportunity to shine. Rennie was making his first appearance. The score at half-time was 14-5, and St. George went on to increase their lead to 34-13. The teams were:— St. George; Gardiner, Brimble, Swanberg, Mulholland, Timmins, Mailman, Spencer, Wright, Carroll, Rennie, Karen, Mustchin, Moisley. Central: Marshall, Hollis, McKinney, Greuall, Hedges, Bramble, Jamieson, Dixon, Morgan, Herron, O’Halloran, Shadbolt, Coghlan. The referee was Mr. J. R. Kennerley. Petone v. Newtown. The game at North Park between Petone and Newtown, won by the former by 33 to 19, was played at a fast pace. The winners were superior in ail departments, but not in such, an extent as the points indicate. Playing against the wind, Petone had much the better of the first spell, especially toward the end, when they scored three tries in rapid succession. The second spell was more evenly contested, with Newtown attacking desperately, and with some success, in the elosing stages. Throwing the ball about freely, the Petone backs made some clever passing rushes, and showed better combination than their opponents. The tackling of both sides was excellent. For Petone tries were scored by Coman (3). O'Brien, Patrick, Beban and Pilcher. Coman converted four, and kicked two penalty goals. Newtown’s points came from tries by Jamieson (2). McCormick and Restiaux, and an obstruction try. Two of the tries were converted by Holmes. The outstanding player on the field was J. Coman, the Petone half-back and captain, who scored 21 of his team’s points. His three tries were spectacular solo efforts. The last came from a sudden change in direction of his run, enabling him to shoot through a gap iji the defence, and cross the line between the posts unopposed. Holland, Patrick, Beban and Kreyl also gave good performances for Petone'. Making his debut in League, R. Perkinson, formerly full-back for the Hptt senior A first division Rugby team, played well. Newtown’s full-back, J. Churchwood, showed attacking ability, wihch suggested that he would do well in the line of backs. Other Newtown players who played well were Drew, Holmes and Jamieson. The teams were as follows: — Petone: R. Perkinson, S. Holland, W. Scorringe, T. Nixon, M. Patrick, J. O’Connor, J. Coman. R. Beban, E. Pilcher, R. O’Brien, J. Debney, A. Kreyl, D. Foley. Newtown: J. Churchwood, L. Elliott, G. Leonard, N. Beaton, H. Holmes, V. Sargent, J. Drew; A. Jamieson, C. Restiaux, J. .Jones, E. McCormick, J. Reirson, H. Woods. Referee: Mr. W. Simpson. Reserve Grade. The reserve-grade game between Newtown and Petone, at North Park, resulted iu a draw, 8-all. Scorers for Newtown were Headifen (a try and a penalty goal) and Kendrick (a try). For Petone Boswell scored two tries, one being converted by White. Mr. A. Simmons was referee. RESULTS ELSEWHERE By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland.— Richmond 29, beat Mount Albert 7; Manukau 23, beat City 19; Ponsonby 16, beat North Shore 7; Marist 11, beat Papakura 8. Christchurch. — Sydenham IG, beat Linwood 11 ; Hornby 11, beat Waiinairi 0. HEMI REPLACES NEPIA IN N.Z. TEAM By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, May 29. .1. 11 emi, of Manukau, Auckland, has been selected in place of Nepia for the New Zealand League team to tour Australia.