THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21497, 22 May 1933, Page 12

THE LEAGUE CODE

LEADING TEAM BEATEN MARIST OVERSHADOWS NEWTON CLOSE CALL FOR DEVONPORT The fourth series of matches in the senior championship of the Auckland Rugby League was played on Saturday, the principal feature being the defeat of Newton, the leading team, by Marist. The latter was tho better team on the day, and won by a margin of five points. In the curtain-raiser Devonport, last season's champions, had a narrow escape from defeat at N the hands of Richmond, being successful in a second spell effort and winning by a single point. On the No. 2 ground, City showed better form in accounting for Ponsonby by seven points. Ground and weather conditions were favourable to good play and there was a good attendance of spectators at Carlaw Park. Following are the results of senior matches: — Marist, 11; Newton, 6. Devonport, 18; Richmond, 17. City, 22; Ponsonby, 15. As a result of Saturday's matches Newton and Devonport are equal in the lead in championship points. Marist and City are equal second. The following table shows the present positions of the teams: — I'oint3 Ch P. W. L. D. F. A. Pts. Newton .... 4 3 1 Devonport . . 4 3 i City . . .. 4 '2 202 O2 06 4 Marist . . .. 4 22 - 38 39 -1 Richmond . . 4 1 3 Ponsonby . . 4 1 3 Hard Forward Play Although not as spectacular as some previous games this season the match between Newton and Marist provided somo good and entertaining football. Clever and hard forward play combined with sound tackling gave the backs on each side somo strenuous defence. The Marist defence never wilted on any occasion, but there were times when that of Newton was not so sound, especially in the face of forward rushes. Marist showed great improvement in form, which, although bringing the team success, is not yet up to the standard set by last year's thirteen. However, there seems every prospect of that standard being attained in the near future. A good deal of credit for Marist's success must go to tho forwards. They played much better as a combined unit and were superior in 'he tight exchanges. There was a considerable improvement in the "winging" element which has been noticeable in previous matches. The whole pack played well with perhaps Flanagan. Laird, Herring and Carter the most outstanding, but both Ivesen and Campbell gave' good support. The best back on the ground was Hassan, the Marist half, who gave a fine all-round exhibition. Changing his play cleverly on attack he often completely beat several defenders, while his rush stopping and defence were of a high standard and a great asset to the side.

Brisbane played first five-eighths and bottled up Brimble effectively, while his all-round play showed great improvement. Dunne combined well at second five-eighths besides doing clever individual work, especially on defence. List played his best game this season, handling tho ball well, while his strong running was reminiscent of tho player* of past seasons. B. Schultz showed cleverness on the wing, and the opening he made from which Brisbane scored was one of the gems of the match. Campbell, fullback, with the exception of two or three mistakes which he recovered well was always safe and reliable. Newton's Style Pleases Newton always endeavoured to open up the game from any position, this style of play appealing to the spectators. Tho team executed several very clever movements and only sound defence and the experience of somo of the Marist team prevented tries. Brimble was tho best back, but Pope and Cameron were also well in the picture. Dempsey gave a fine display at fullback in a hard afternoon's work. The Newton forwards had a hard time, but held to their task well. Newton tired perceptibly in the final stages. Hall, Middleton, Nathan and Quirke were the best of the vanguard. Tho curtain-raiser between Devonport and Richmond was keenly contested, but it was not until the second spell that tho standard was up to that expected. Without Laing and Olilf. Devonport always played below usual form. The team lacked dash and was a little fortunate in taking the honours. 11. Smith, first five-eighths, played a fine game, while O'DomicH gave a creditable exhibition at fullback. E. Scott showed his versatility as a player by giving a good display at half, his fine defence being a feature. Donald, Leatherbarrow and Barcliard were tho best forwards.

For Richmond Prentice showed a return to form and his clever attack had Devonport frequently puzzled. He was also always handy when defence work was necessary. Marshall and Bennett, on the wing, showed plenty of dasli when any opportunity came their way. Satherley, Hawkes, Lawless and Jenkinson werq prominent among the forwards. City Improves City showed improved form against Ponsonby, which played like a winning team hi the early stages. Halfway through the second half City was outclassed by its rivals, but the former rose to the occasion and the backs showed splendid form. City outplayed Ponsonby over the concluding stages. The losers were unfortunate in losing Thompson and Draper. Both retired injured when City equalised tho score. A feature of* tho game was tho fine goal kicking of F. Herring who was successful with five kicks. He is a "find " in this direction as a reliable goal kicker is an acquisition to any team. Herring was also the best City back. Hughes proved a good substitute at fullback in place of Watene. The colt was very sound. Davidson played much better in the second half, although be let his opponent through several times early in the game. Turei spoiled a good display by uncertain handling. Drew showed improved football. Clarke was easily the best- City forward, while McLaughlin and .T. Herring worked hard. Bright played an outstanding game for Ponsonby, while Thompson and Riley were always prominent. Kay, a junior, played an impressive game at fullback. Ltmn and Neill were the best forwards. FORWARDS SUPERIOR BACKS PLAY BETTER The superiority of the Marist forwards and improved combination among the backs carried the team to victory over Newton. Marist lost the toss and from the kick-off set up an attack. Newton drove back with a rearguard movement which was frustrated by sound tackling. Clever play by Hassan completely beat the defence, and Newton wns lucky when Dempsey failed to force and Hassan also overran the ball, but Brimble touched down. Marist continued to attack, a penalty relieving Newton. Hassan set his backs in motion at tho twenty-five, and Brisbane was held up near tho line after good play by List. A frejj kick sent Marist, back, and a clever passing movement started by Pope saw Crook pushed out at the twenty-five flag. Newton was now settling down better, but, the Mnrist defence was sound. Newton was overdoing the short kick game, and losing possession of the ball. Marist was having the better of the exchanges, Herring once narrowly failing at goal from a penalty. The Marist forwards keeping together well, and bustling Newton, which wns being penned in its twenty-five. Herring had another shot from a penalty in a likely position, which failed, and a moment later only a had pass by B. gchulta to Brisbane robbed

Marist of a try. A fine kick by Dempsey gave Newton much-needed relief. Neither set of backs could make any headway a gam sound tackling. Offside play by the alarist forwards gave Porteous an easy ch "? c ®. front of goal, but the kick failed; Newton retaliated with good passing, Ciook beat in" B Schultz but a missed pass spoiled a good scoring opportunity. There was no score at half-time. . , . Marist attacked on resuming and a hne cut through by„Dunne should have resulted in a try by the posts, but Brisbane missed his pass. Brisbane made amends later by scoring a great try after B Schultz had made a brilliant opening from his own twenty-five. Schultz completely baffled the defence, and Brisbane run from half-way. , 1 eluding Pope and Dempsey on the way to , score at the corner Herring made a good attempt to convert. Fnst play followed, r*e - ton throwing tlie ball about from all positions, but tho Marist defence was equal to , any occasion. Newton backs set oft in , splendid passing, and had Cameron passed j in instead of out . a try would have resulted. Newton maintained tlie attack and another passing bout, saw Barchard dash up . and snore after Hall had been tackled by Campbell. Hard forward exchanges followed , and from one of these near the line Flanagan scored between the nosta. Herring easily converted. Newton immediately retaliated in passing. After a melee near the posts Brimble went over for a good try. Brimbie s kick hit the crossbar. Play ranged up and down the field with Marist holding the ad- ! vantage. The Marist backs went off in a passing rush in which Brisbane cleverly : eluded two opponents and B. Schultz scored a good try wide out. The angle was too difficult for Herring. Marist held the ad- I vantage until the final whistle, when the j score was:—Marist, 11; Newton, G. Mr. V. Simpson was referee. j DEVONPORT EXTENDED VICTORY BY ONE POINT Devonport was fully extended in the match against Richmond and was a little fortunate j in taking tlie honours by one point. Rich- | mond attacked early, aided by a penalty. A nice cross-kick by Prentico caught Devonport out of position and Bennett gained possession and dashed over. Marshall failed to convert. Soon afterwards Marshall placed Richmond five points in front with a penalty goal. Richmond kept Devonport on defence until A. Smith took advantage of a favourable bounce and scored. R. Smith's kick hit the upright. Again Richmond set off in a strong attack, Marshall kicking a penalty goal. A fine x'assing movement in which R. Smith, Powell and Leatherbarrow took part enabled the last-named to score a clover try wide out. R. Smith kicked a fine goal. Prentice made a splendid opening by beating tho defence in a fine run, and Marshall took his pass and scored. The Bcorer converted. Richmond was having ail the better of the piny, and from a good opening by Young, Bennett scored well out. Marshall converted with a fine kick. Radonich made a good run down the line before being lowered by a splendid tackle. Richmond's forwards were bustling Devonport badly in tho loose until good work by Donald transferred play to the other end. Just on tho interval R. Smith was successful from a penalty, making the score at the interval: Richmond, 17; Devonport, 10. On resuming Devonport immediately attacked. and R. Smith was unsuccessful from a penalty at tlie twenty-five. Hard forward tussles ensued in Richmond territory. Poor passing by Devonport let tlje eager Richmond forwards through, but a penalty relieved. Clever play on two occasions by Prentico saw Richmond attacking strongly until Devonport's forwards drove it back. Tho' Devonport backs were too slow in their movements and Richmond was quick to smother. Poor passing by both sides fol- j lowed, Richmond relying -on kick-and-follow j tactics with a fair measure of success. A cross-kick saw Bennett misfield badly and R. Smith dashed up, gathered, and sent infield to Rhodes, who ran round behind the posts. R. Smith easily converted. Rhodes and O'Donnell collided in going for a high kick and Richmond was nearly over as a result. Devonport kept Richmond on defence for a period, and then from a five yards scrum Scott worked the blind side and R. Smith dodged over for a clever try. The scorer failed to convert from a wide angle. With Devonport a in front there was excitement as Marshall had a shot from a penalty on time, but the kick went wide and the game ended: Devonport, 18; Richmond, 17. Mr. B. Emerali was referee. WIN FOR CITY TEAM WORK IMPROVES Improvement in team work by City enabled it to defeat Ponsonby by a margin . of seven points. Ponsonby's backs opened j with a nice jjassing bout, and Mills went I close to scoring. McLaughlin led the City ' I forwards in a counter-attack to the Pon--1 > sonby twenty-five. The City backs, broke i away and McLaughlin passed to Davidson, I who cut ill and gave Turei a cliauce. The , last-named, however, dropped the pass when ' a try looked certain. Riley and Draper beat 1 tho City backs and Mills got across only to lose tho ball in trying to improve the position. A good passing bout between Davidson, Turei and Perry resulted in. F. HerL ring scoring a nice try. Turei failed to , convert. City showed improved combination, : and McLaughlin made a beautiful opening, " from which J. Herring scored. Turei failed ' to convert. City was penalised a few minutes later, and although Mills placed the : ball for a kick in front of the posts he punted high and F. Herring saved. A few minutes later Mills was successful with a ! penalty kick for Ponsonby. Davidson badly missed Bright, who raced through the City - defence and Lunn scored. Mills converted, and half-time came with the score: Ponsonby, 7; City. 6.

Clarke and Herring headed a dangerous City offensive, but Kay saved well. City, however, failed to hold its good position, and Ferrall burst through the defence and from a passing bout Neill scored a good try. Mills failed to convert. A clever run by Davidson from half-way just failed to result in a try. Fast play followed, Ponsonby attacking strongly. Pagan picked up in the loose and passed to Mills, who scored, and converted. From this stage City showed improved combination, but Ponsonby was unfortunate to lose Thompson, the centre. From a penalty F. Herring kicked a fine goal. Drew followed a high kick and scored in the corner. F. Herring converted with a splendid kick. With five minutes to go play was exciting. Another fine goal by Herring equalised the score. City backs played well. Davidson charged down a kick and ran Clarke into position to score. Herring again converted. Just on time Herring kicked his fifth successive goal, and the game ended: City, 22; Ponsonby, 15. Mr. M Wetherill was referee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS ■Reserve Grade.—Newton, 10, Marist. 2: Richmond, 6, Devonport, 0; Ponsonbv. 25. City, 12. Second Grade.—Point Chevalier. 11. Mount Albert, 2; Papakura, 0. Ellerslie, 3: Otahuhu, 9, Mangere. 7. Third Grade Open.—Richmond, 12. Ponsonby, 6; Marist, 20, Mangere, 5; Mount Albert, 37, New Lynn. 2. Third Grade Intermediate.—Marist. 14. City, S; Northcote, 40, Otahuhu, 0: Papakura, 11, Devonport. 0. Fourth Grade.—Ponsonby. 7.. City. 6: Akarana, 37, Northcote, 0; Marist A. 20. Richmond, 0; Newton B, 10, Manukau, f>» Newton A, 2, Point Chevalier, 0; Marist B. 25, Devonport. 4. fifth Grade.—Richmond A, 7, Ellerslie. 6: Northcote, 5, Akarana, 0; Papakura, IS. Point Chevalier, 0. Sixth Grade.—Devonport, 0, Otahuhu. 0; Richmond, 21, Avondale. 0. Seventh Grade.—Richmond A, 45. Richmond B, 0. Schoolboys' Games.—City, 12, Devonport. 3; Northcote, 8, Richmond, 3'; Avondale. S, Ellerslie, 2. NORTHLAND LEAGUE GAMES [from our own correspondent] AVHANGAREI, Saturday Following are the results of matches played to-day under the jurisdiction of the Northland League:— Seniors.—Karno, 5, Hikurangi, 4; City, 11, Pakahiwa, 8. Juniors.—Whaka Ware, 19, Portland, 3; Onerahi, 9, Kamo, 0. MATCHES IN THE SOUTH [BY TF.LKGItAVII —PRESS ASSOCIATION] Wellington.—Celtic, 21, Koro Koro. =0; Celtic Reserve. 22, Newtown, 3. Chrlstchuroh.—-Hornby. 10, Linwood, 14; Sydenham, 27, Pirates, 3; Riccarton, 20, Brighton, 9, DunaiJin.—City, 17. Pacific, 2; Christian Brothers, 19. Athletic, C.