THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21479, 1 May 1933, Page 13

THE LEAGUE CODE

OPENING GAMES PLAYED HIGH STANDARD DISPLAYED CITY DEFEATS MARIST Tho Rugby Leaguo season was opened in Auckland on Saturday under good conditions, when a high standard was displayed in all matches. After rain tho grounds were in splendid order and there was a good attendance of spectators at Carlaw Park, who were rewarded with some thrilling football. In the principal match City caused a surpriso by defeating Marist by a margin of four points, while Newton lowered Richmond's colours in an exciting curtain-raiser. On tho No. 2 ground tho superior speed and combination of Devonport carried it to victory against Ponsonby, Tho City team wore white arm bauds as a mark of respect to the late Mr. W. C. Waugh, a former president of the club. Following were the results:City, IB; Marist, 11. Newton, 25; Richmond, 18. Devonport, 26; Ponsonby, 13. City gained a well-deserved win over Marist and should have won by a greater margin. Many good opportunities were lost in tho first spell when City should have been in a position to have placed tho result beyond doubt. Tho City vanguard early took command and, well supported by the backs, tho team was easily in the ascendancy throughout tho first spell. Marist, which fielded a lighter forward team than usual, toolc a long time to settle down, the backs making many mistakes in passing. L. Schultz;, a promoted junior at second fiveeighths, could not link into tho chain to any advantage, although he did somo clever individual work. Realising this Brisbane, who started at centre, went in and List came from the wing to centre, Schultz playing on the wing. There was an immediate improvement and many movements were executed which were reminiscent of Marist's play last season. Speedy Rearguard

In the second spell Marist obtained tho ball regularly from tho scrums and City was given a strenuous time on defence. City came again, however, toward tho end although it was a tiring team.

Tho City backs showed plenty of speed and combined well in many clever passing bouts, while some good individual play was also a feature. Wateno played a sound game at fullback, but tho outstanding player was Turei, whoso speed and kicking often had Marist in trouble. Turei, however, kicked too often, and on four occasions when he was faced by only Hassan he made no effort to beat the fullback. Both Drew and Perry played well on the wings, while F. Herring, at second five-eighths, did somo very solid work both on attack and defence. Purdy, first five-eighths, was a clover attacking player who anticipated well. Axeman showed good promise at halfback. The City forwards set about their task with plenty -of vim and at times their fine dribbling rushes overwhelmed tho defence. All played well, with perhaps J. Herring, Clarke and McLaughlin outstanding. Rawiri, a big Maori forward, was very prominent in the first spell, and when in better condition will prove a great asset to the side. . Hassan, at full back for Marist, did not make many mistakes, but he is far better suited to the halfback position. Brisbane, List and Dunne combined effectively, and will prove dangerous to any team. B. Schultz, on the wing, made the most of bis opportunities by determined running. Young got the ball away well at half. Tho Marist forwards were overshadowed in tho first spell, but improved a good deal in the second. Herring was always in tho picture _ and "Webberley did good work in the tight. Ivesen spoiled some good play through being too selfish. Fortunes Fluctuate Fortunes fluctuated remarkably in the game between Newton and Richmond. The lead was reversed by practically every scoro until Richmond established a seven-points lead in tho second half Newton finished better, however, to win by a similar margin. Play was not of a high standard in the' first half, but in tho second it was surprisingly good for so early in the season, and at times brilliant. Newton was much superior in the scrums, with the result that the backs had more opportunities. Porteous, Brimble and Barchard were the outstanding backs. Brimble was particularly good, making frequent openings which led to tries. Dempsey at fullback was not always reliable, and was caught in possession several times.

The forwards all played well. Davis worked hard throughout, but Nathan, a North Auckland representative, was probably the best, using his weight well and being to the fore in every attack.

Hanlon was tho better of tho two fullbacks, but he, too, was inclined to delay his kick at times. The Richmond three-quarter line, Marshall, Mitchell and Bennett, played well, being fast and reliable, and Abbott, the South Auckland and international halfback, played a very solid game. He had more to cope with in the Newton forwards than had Porteous, but he came through with credit. Lawless played an outstanding game among tho forwards, although a, trifle over-eager at times. Ho was in tho centre of every rush, and made numerous promising openings, while, in addition, ho joined in several back movements, and scored two tries. Telford and Powell were also prominent at times, but tho forwards as a whole did not play together so well as the Newton pack. Devonport's Gtood Form

Dovonport showed good form in beating Ponsonby by a comfortable margin. There was an absence of good passing bouts, in which weak handling often caused the loss of tries. Devon port was superior in the bcrums, and the pack will prove troublesome to any vanguard. Ponsonby worked hard against strong opposition, and, with more combination, may cause surprises. Scott and Lcatherbarrow wero the best of the Dovonport forwards. Donald and Simpson also played well. It. Smith and Powell wero the best backs. Laing played a sound game at fullback. Thompson, at centre, was easily the best Ponsonby back. Riley played well in patches. Delgrosso was reliable at fullback, while Neil and Luun wero the pick of the forwards. WIN FOR CITY MARIST FORWARDS BEATEN In a fast exhibition of the code City heat Marist by 18 points to 14. Marist was beaten in the forwards, although it made a valiant effort in the second, spell. City held the early advantage until Wateno had his kick charged by Webberly. Then Iveson broke through and a likely chance was lost when his pass went astray. A. penalty to Marist eaw Campbell fail at goal from a. handy position. Both sides failed to handle cleanly and breaches were numerous. City, led by McLaughlin, set up a strong attack and Titrei further improved the position, a pass forward holding up the movement. City was now attacking strongly and Purdy just failed to score. From a penalty, however, in an easy position, Wateno raised the flags. Marist was being beaten in the forwards, while the Marist bucks were failing to combine to any advantage. Hassan made a fine run from fullback and Brisbane took a low pass splendidly, but the defence covered well and Naved. Thp City forwards broke away with

tho ball at their feat in an irresistible rush, Purdy dashing up and scoring in a handy position. Wateno added the goal points. City was now in control and a clever crosskick by Turei found .the defence in trouble. Perry gained possession and passed to Clarke, who sent J. Herring over unopposed wide out. Wateno failed with the Kick. A bud offside by City saw Herring, Marist, land a fine goal from wide out City lo3t a great opportunity when Perry delayed his pass to Purdy, who got offside, and a certain try was lost. Clever play between Turei and Drew enabled the first-named, after a bout of reverse passing, to Bcore in a nice position. Wateno failed with the kick. Marist then took a turn and a very clever bock movement, in which licit-..>r\ne featured twice, resulted in B. SchuUz scoring unopposed behind the posts. Herring easily converted. Half-time camo a minute later with the score:—City, 13; Marist, 7. Marist attacked strongly on resuming and some strenuous tussles ensued on the City line. Eventually, from a. penalty in an easy position, Herring kicked a goal. Jn spite of the fact that Marist had the sun in its eyes, it contrived to attnek strongly, until a wild pass across the field enabled Turei to break away. He kicked over Hassan's lierJd and was unlucky to be beaten by tho bounce of the ball. City was not to be denied, and play swung quickly across field, McLaughlin scoring wide out. Turei failed with the kick. A moment later Turei intercepted cleverly, but threw away a, fine opportunity when, faced by Hassan, ho kicked. The Marist fullback charged down, regained possession and found tho line with a splendid corner kick. Marist set its backs in motion and clever manoeuvring by Brisbane saw Dunne score between tho posts. Herring converted. Fast play followed, Marist maintaining the attack, and a poor pass by Watene nearly resulted in a try to Marist, Iveson hitting tho corner flag in an effort to score. Marist was now booking the ball from almost every scrum, but City was defending stubbornly. McLaughlin got offsido right in front of the posts, but Herring missed an easy chance of making the "score even. Fast play followed, with Marist penning Cily in its own territory, until Turei, F. Herring and McLaughlin broke away, but a good chance was lost through Herring waiting to pass inside instead of out. Crty, however, was soon rewarded when Watene kicked a nice goal from a penalty in a good position. City was attacking, when time was called, the tinnl score being:—City, 18; Marist, 14. Mr. F. Thompson was referee.

A CLOSE GAME NEWTON FINISH BETTER . Although .Richmond had a good lead halfway through the second spell, Newton proved the better team in the curtainraiser at Carlaw Park and fully deserved its seven-points win. Richmond attacked in tho early stages and twice Newton was waved by the ball going dead. liicL'inond returned to the attack and Marshall kicked a good goal from a penalty wide out. Quirke broke through for Newton and Porteous, Barchard and BTitnble gained ground i l a passing bout which was carried on by the forwards in a long dribbling rush from which Hall scored. Barchard's kick failed. A good movement by the Richmond forwards, however, saw Powell emerge from tho ruck and transfer to Calder, who inpassed to Lawless for a good try. Marshall's kick missed. Play was rather dull until toward half-time, when, following a long Richmond offensive in which Abbott, Lawless and Bennett were prominent, Porteous broke through for Newton, and let Allen over. Dempsey converted, the score at halftime being:—Newton, 8; Richmond, 5. Play brightened up from the commencement of the second half. Richmond nearly scored with a clever passing bout,_ but Milicich threw away the try by kicking when he had a man outside him. Richmond was not to bo denied, and Bennett broke clear and ran nearly half the length of the ground for a splendid try. Marshall had no difficulty in converting. Cameron end Mitchell were injured in a collision and the last-named, who had been playing well, was unable to resume. Brimble regained the lead for Newton with a : brilliant try after side-stepping four Richmond backs, but Dempsey's kick failed. Play was very fast now. Lawless mado an opening which ended in Bennett scoring again. Marshall's kick missed. Lawless was playing well and when Dempsey fumbled ho followed up fast and scored beneath the posts. Richmond now had a seven-points lead, but Porteous broke through from a melee near the Richmond line to score a try, which he converted. Newton was getting the ball from the scrums and Brimble started a movement in which all the backs participated, to send Barchard over in the corner. The scorer failed to convert. With Newton one point ahead, Richmond retaliated strongly, but Nathan and Brimble returned the ball to Richmond's territory. Nathan again broke through to let Porteous over. Barchard's kick failed. Right on time Quirke increased Newton's load with an unconverted try, the final score being:— Newton, 25; Richmond. 13. Mr. M. Wethcrill was referee. DEVONPORT SUCCEEDS DEFEAT OF PONSONBY The game between Devonport and-Pon-sonby was not a good exhibition of the code, although tho former, last yearns champions, gave early promise of working into a good combination. Devonport attacked from tho kick-off, and E. Scott raced through to Ponsonby's line. Ponsonby, however, was first to ecore. From a scramble Thompson secured, and scored near the corner. Delgrosso converted with a good kick. A few minutes later R. Smith opened Devonport'a score with a good penalty goal. Oliff started a passing bout and Poweil made a good opening for A. Smith to 6core in a cood position. R. Smith kicked a nice goal. Donald led the Devonport forwards in_ a sweeping offensive, from which A. Smith scored another try. R. Smith just failed_ to convert. Just before the interval Laing Bcored. Smith failed to convert, and hslftimo came with tho score: Devonport, 13: Ponsonby, 5. Devonport had much the better of the second half. Ponsonby rallied and Riley QUt in nicely for Thompson to score. Delgrosso failed to convert. Play was carried to Ponsonbv's territory, where Leatherbarrow passed to A. Smith, whose nace carried him nver near the posts. R. Smith converted. From a scrum near Ponsonby's line Oliff scored ft well-deserved try.R. Smith failed to convert. Then Rhodes broke away and from a passing bout, R. Smith scored. Oliff converted. Just before time Mills beat the defence and was awarded an obstruction try. Delgrosso kicked a fine goal and the game ended: Devonport, 26; Ponsonby, 13. Mr. P. Rogers was referee.

LOWER GRADE RESULTS Reserve Grade.—Devonport, 9, Ponsonby, 0. MATCHES AT TAUPIRI [bt telegraph—OWN correspondent] TAUPIRI, Sunday Tho first League football matches of the season were played yesterday. Results:— Seniors: Taupiri, 19, Ngaruawahia, 11. Juniord: Ngaruawahia, 5, Taupiri, 3. CONTESTS IN THE SOUTH [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] Christchurch.—Linwood, 18. Riccarton, 5; Sydenham, 17, Addington, 13; Pirates, 11, Hornby, 8. Dunedin.—Pacific, 11, City, 3; Christian Brothers, 28, Athletic, 12.