THE LEAGUE CODE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20615, 14 July 1930, Page 12

THE LEAGUE CODE.

LAST-MINUTE VICTQRY.

RICHMOND DEFEATS MARIST

SENSATIONAL PENALTY GOAL

Richmond's sensational win over Marist at Carlaw Park was a feature of the games in the Auckland Rugby League's senior grade competition on Saturday. Play was uninteresting in the first half. Attacking movements were spoiled by bad handling. Richmond relied more on footwork in the second half and this was a factor in its ultimate success.

The conditions provided for a battle between tho forwards, and the Richmond pack made a really good showing. Tt must be said that the Marist rear division was the weakest, fielded this season. The inclusion of several forwards in the backs did not add to the chances of the Roopo Rooster winners. In fact, the. re-arrange-ment of the backs cost Marist the game. Wet weather conditions usually find the game confined to forwards, and it was surprising to see Marist plav Johnson and Clarke in the backs. Neither was of any assistance to the threequarters, in spite of, the fact that Marist won the ball from the scrums. The Winning Goal. The play improved considerably in the second half and tho Richmond forwards gave splendid support to the backs. The winning goal, kicked by Mincharn just on time, caused the crowd to rush tlie ground. When the referee awarded Richmond a penalty for offside play the excitement was intense. Time was actually up when the penalty was awarded. Mincham's kick first hit an upright, then bounced down on 1o the crossbar before rolling over for a lucky go;d. Richmond deserved its win, especially after the valiant efforts of the forwards. Lee at fullback played a good game. His fielding was faultless, while he kicked with good judgment. He has only to run more with the ball to improve considerably. Mincham was the hero of (he Richmond team. The wing-threequarter by his keen anticipation scored two fine tries. Altogether ho scored eight of his side's 11 points.

Peckham played a fine game behind (lie scrum. Tho ex-New Zealand half was always prominent, especially in the closing stages, when his experience often placed Richmond in good positions. Prentice has lost, a lot of his former brilliance on attack, but he showed that he is still a brilliant defensive player. Richmond Pack's Success.

To single out individual players in the Richmond pack would be rather an injustice, but Lennio and Ragge deserve mention. The latter was unlucky .not to score the winning try. Ritchie and Potter were also prominent. At, fullback for Marist Little was not a success. The promoted junior had no confidence in fielding the ball and many times got Marist into trouble. Brady was the best of tho threoquartors, but his play suffered through bad passes from Johnson. Clarke often kicked when the threequarters were in good positions. Hassan played one of his best games behind tho pack. He was a tower of strength on defence. Among tho forwards Graham, O'Brien and Campbell were most prominent.

City treated spectators at Carlaw Pnrk to a brilliant exhibition of football in winning comfortably from Newton. Under wretched ground conditions City's backs threw the ball about in great stylo and there were some splendid combined movements. City has only to repeat this form to hold a prominent place in the competition.

Newton's form was disappointing. The backs were outclassed by superior speed, while the forwards were beaten for possession in tile scrums. Iverson's Good Game.

For the winners,' Barchard was not reliable at fullback, his fielding being anything but certain. Jversori showed a lot of pace on (he wing and is one of the most improved players in the game. G. Perry played a fine game and was City's best back. Reynolds played well, but gave uway possession too much by aimless kicking. W. Perry and Paton did good work on attack. Shorthand was at the top of his form and scored three tries. The Maori halfback was unlucky to miss selection for the New Zealand team now in Australia. W. Had ley was the best of the forwards. He was in every attacking movement and did great work on defence. Bass gave the hacks ample support and Hamilton also played well. McLoughlin, who usually plays iti Iho threequarter line, did well in the forwards.

McLeod and Hill were prominent for Newton. The former showed a lot of pace on the wing. Murray was not up to form and frequently dropped passes when tries could have been scored. Kirkup was easily the best forward, well supported by Middleton and Francis.

An Even Contest

There was little to choose between Devonport and Kingsland and the losers were not. disgraced. Devonport was certainly unlucky in not scoring two moro tries. On one occasion Ruby actually carried the ball over the line, only to lose possession. Near the end Devonport lost the services of Preston, who left the field with a broken collarbone.

Plav was even until well into the second half, but then Devonport, asserted ils superiority. Casey and Rubv played well in the forwards. The latter has plenty of pace, but no control in passing bouts. Scott gave tho backs useful support. Rhodes played a splendid game at half back. His clean passing gave the fiveeighths plenty of chances. Smith and Seagar, a promoted junior, were also prominent.

For Kingslancl List was easily Iho host, back. His fine defensive work prevented a heavier defeat. Simms ably led the forwards.

Ponsonby and Ellerslie were also evenly matched. 'J'he former's rear division, however, combined more effectively, bad passing spoiling much of the work of the Ellerslie hacks.

Delgrosso, Riley and Schofield combined well in the Ponsonby backs and were associated in some bright attacking movements. McLeay and Gardiner were the host of a hard-working pack. 01 iff played a sound, all-round game for Ellerslie, while £\ampner and Quirk were prominent in forward play.