LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 259, 31 July 1939, Page 5

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Wins For Central And Petone BOARD OF CONTROL CLP Two more games for the Board of Control Cup were played by Wellington senior Rugby League teams on Saturday. Central won by one point from Miramar, and Petone ran up a tall score against Newtown. One more series of games remains to be played for the cup. Narrow Win By Central The game at Newtown Park, in which Central beat Miramar, 8-7, provided football far below the standard that has been seen generally in League matches this season. The reason was probably that some of the best men in both clubs did not turn out. Miramar sorely missed Stanaway, while Webster and the two Minnochs also were absent. Cer.--il lost R. Hale, who was injured, early in the game after he had made the opening for Hollis to score Central’s first try. H. Cootes, G. Marshall and Finnigan, other prominent Central players,, were prevented by injuries from playing for their team. The two sides were evenly matched, and with a little better luck Miramar would have beaten Central. A few seconds before the end of the game Miramar were awarded a penalty kick before the Central goal, but Askew, usually a reliable kick, missed what had appeared an easy shot/ Had he succeeded Miramar would have won. Both sets of backs showed themselves capable of operating well, but the Central backs were handicapped by the loss of Hale. Duff (Central) was the best 'back on the field, and both full-backs, Askew (Miramar) and Roberts (Central), played good games. ' One of the best movements of the game was that in which Hale figured and which ended in Hollis scoring a try, which O’Halloran converted. No further score occured'before half-time. From the opening of the second half, Central had their backs to the wall till Duff, after a long solo run, put his side

on the attack, being prevented from scoring a try only through being pushed out at the corner. Soon after, Davis crossed the Miramar line. A bright moment in a half in which there was more kicking than usual in league, was Askew’s run down the length of the field to hand the ball to Garland, who scored a try. Miramar’s other four points were gained by goals from penalty kicks taken by Askew. Referee: Mr. J. McCaskill. Petone Win Well In a game which was played at a fast pace throughout Petone beat Newtown by 30 points to 3. Petone controlled the run of play, specially in the second half, when toward the later stages they scorel almost at will. Petone handled well and their snappy passing was attractive and distinct from the frequent late passes and fumbling of the Newtown team. Newtown fielded the lighter pack and the ball was seldom allowed to go out to their backs. The Petone rearguard, on the other hand, was well supplied with the ball and this initial advantage permitted them to stage fast and spectacular play. Patrick, five-eighth for Petone, stood out as the fastest man on the field and his two dazzling tries were well deserved. Perkineon, full-back, was elusive, often turning defence into attack and linking up with his backs in height passing movements. Newtown’s defence was poor, strangleholds often supplanting the orthodox tackle. Petone also relied too much on the high tackle. McLennon stood out in the Newtown pack as a solid tackler. He was easily the best forward on the field. Among the others the two Jamieson brothers, Beaton and Brown were most prominent, the last staging a highlight of the game with a tricky run, taking play the length of the field. Newtown’s defence broke down completely in the last of play and Petone piled on the points. Scorers for Petone: Patrick (2), G. Kreyl, Symes and Beban. ' Hayward kicked two penalties and converted, four tries. L. Jamieson scored for Newtown. Referee: Mr. Findlay. IN OTHER CENTRES By Telegraph—Press Association.

Auckland: Ponsonby 16, Marist 5; Richmond 11, Papakura 10; Mt. Albert 8, North Shore 0; City 9,'Manukau 9. Christchurch: Sydenham 27, St. George 16; Riccarton 13, Waimairi 2; Addington 25, Rakaia 3.