THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21533, 3 July 1933, Page 12

THE LEAGUE CODE

PRINCIPAL MATCH DRAWN DEVONPORT AND RICHMOND GREAT SCORE BY CITY TEAM The fourth series of matches in the second round of tho Auckland Rugby League's senior championship was played on Saturday at Carlaw Park and attracted a good attendance of spectators. Overhead conditions were fine, but tho grounds were on the soft side.

In the principal match Devonport, the leading team, drew with Richmond after a hard game in which the latter was a little unlucky not to win. Marist drew away from Newton in the latter stages of the curtain-raiser, while City piled up a cricket score against Ponsonby on tho No. 2 ground. Devonport is still leading in the championship by one point from Marist and City. The match between City and Devonport next Saturday will have a great bearing on tho championship. A win to Devonport will give it the honours while a loss will put it out of the running. The results of Saturday's matches were as follows: Devonport, 5; Richmond, 5. Marist, 24; Newton, 8. City, GO; Ponsonby, 11. The following table shows the positions of teams in the championship "to date: — Points Ch. P. W. L. D. F. A. Pts. Devonport . . !) C 2 1 110 112 13 Marist . . . 9 G 3 City .. . . 9 G 3 Richmond .. 9 3 5 1 112 118 7 Newton . 9 3 G Ponsonby .. 3 2 7 Fast Exhibition

The gamo between Devonport ami Richmond was fast throughout and at times the:- scene of operations chanced so quickly that the spectators were frequently to their feet. Richmond had easily the better of the exchanges during the first spell. The forwards were superior to the Dovonport set, keeping together much bettor and following up faster. At no time did Devonport look a champion side. In the first half especially the Devonport forwards lacked their usual dash, while the backs stood flat-footed and their attempts at passing were easily frustrated. The Devonport rearguai'd, too, made some bad errors in passing and the Richmond backs and forwards were quick to turn these to advantage.

Richmond secured more of the ball from the scrums than its opponents and the passing of its backs was far more snappy and direct, while the inside 1 backs also penetrated to far greater advantage. In this connection Devonport showed weakness. Rhodes, at first five-eighths was obviously out of position. It was Trell for Devonport that Soagar was playing. With the exception of Laing and Radonich he was the only back to use his brains and Devon port's try came as a result of his clever play. On defence, too, Seacar was a tower of strength. Laing had a very hard afternoon's work and ho came through with credit. His well-judged kicking repeatedly saved his team while he was quick to recover from a mistake. One failing was a tendency to wait for the bounce.

Devonport seemed to take a new lease of life half-way through the second spell, otherwise the team would have gone down. Casey was again seen among the forwards and played well, whilo Simpson, Leatherbarrow and Donald were the most prominent of the others. Forwards Superior For the most part of the game the Richmond forwards were superior and they never let up in their bustling tactics. Satherley played a fine game and received good support from Milicicli. Lawless and Telford, although the last-named showed a tendency for offside play. At fullback for Richmond Lee played a sound game, his strong kicking being a feature. The wings, Marshall and Mitchell, were good, while Abbott, who played centre, was always conspicuous. The inside backs, Prentice, Young and Powell, all showed up in fine play. The City backs gave a high-class display against Ponsonby, and the rear division scored some really clever tries. The ball was rarely kicked, and the wholo set combined in fine style. There was, however, a fault with the fiveeighths, who were slow to move. Purdy was erratic with his passes to Watene, while the last-named gave Wayne little assistance on attack. Watene has not sufficient pace to give the threequarters the necessary opportunities. A r€tnrrangement of the backs will make City a formidable combination.

Ponsonby was beaten by pace. The losers put up a game showing, but were bewildered by the speed of City's attack. The City forwards also played good football. The vanguard played with more dash than usual, and hunted as a pack. In the loose there was some fine dribbling witnessed. Perry's Fine Game

For the winners Perry, on the wing, played a splendid game, and overshadowed Turci. Perry scored two fine tries. Turei has a lot of pace, but his handling could he improved. Hughes at halfback was a little uncertain, but tackled soundly. Wayne again played a fine game. The centre made some beautiful openings, in spite of Watene's slow movements. Purdy spoiled a good game by passing wildly. Axeman did well behind the Kcrum.

j Clarke and McLaughlin were the outstanding forwards. The former is probably the best front row forward in the code. McLaughlin is undoubtedly a fine footballer. Both Pierce and Herring played well. Ponsonby's best back was Kay, who did a lot of useful work. B. Riley was also prominent. The forwards played with dash, Fagan and Neale being the pick. The Marist backs made many mistakes against Newton, and the score was in no way a true indication of the game. Marist's rear division did not display its best form. Many of the passes were sent on with the backs standing still. Had the Newton backs taken advantage of the position tries would have been scored. Fast raid'.ng backs would have completely upset the Marist rear division. Both List and Brisbane played below form. The firstnamcd missed several chances through weak handling. Dunn was perhaps the best, back, while B. Schultz played with plenty of dash on the wing. His \oitnger brother lacked opportunities. Hassan did his work well round the scrum. FloWer was a little uncertain ;it fullback, and was several times caught out of position. The Marist forwards played good football, although the Newton vanguard put up a resolute fight. Laird was easily the best forward, while Herring showed good judgment in supporting tho backs. His three tries were well deserved. Porteous and .Brimble were the best of the Newton backs. The last-named, however, is not showing the form of last season. Pope made several good openings, and did well against strong opposition. Dempsev played his usual sound game at fullback. Hall played improved football at the head of the Newton pack. Nathan and Allen also worked hard.