THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21539, 10 July 1933, Page 12

THE LEAGUE CODE

CHAMPIONSHIP DECIDED SUCCESS OF DEVONPORT CITY TEAM DEFEATED The, final series of matches in the senior championship of the Auckland J'ugby League was played on Saturday under ideal conditions, Devonport, by its win over City, taking the honours for the season. .After a splendid cur-tain-raiser between Marist and Richmond, which was won by the former, spectators were worked to a high pitch. Although the chief match was disappointing in certain features, the speed at which it was played and the closeness of the scoring frequently had the crowd on its feet. Poor play bv the City back's lost the game for the team, while Devonport was right on form and gained a welldeserved victory. Marist is runner-up in the championship, one point behind the winners. The interest taken in the games was shown by the large number of spectators at Carlaw Park, the attendance being estimated at 10,000. The results of matches w.ero as follows: Devonport, 17; City, 12. Marist, 13; Richmond, 5. Newton, 27; Ponsonby, 15. The following table shows the finalpositions of teams in the championship:— Points, Ch.

Backs Disappoint The City backs gave a disappointing display in the match against Devonport, and had they played with better understanding and combination the result would have been reversed. City obtained the ball from the great majority of the scrums, but the inside backs were so slow in moving that the fast-break-ing Devonport forwards and backs easily smothered most of their movements. Again, tho methods of tho City rearguard were far too orthodox. There was hardly any effort made to change tactics on attack, and when this was attempted tho ball was kicked practically straight into the safe hands of Laing, tho Devonport fullback. Many times City lost possession through this fault, and the result was that Devonport quickly turned defence into attack. City's tackling and positional play also left much to be desired. It was no fault of the City forwards that the game was lost. For the most part they were superior to tho Devonport set, their fine dribbling rushes frequently gaining considerable ground. In following up, however, too much was left to tho individual, this being in strong contrast to the Devonport vanguard, which hunted as a pack. Hughes, at fullback for City, did not impress, and there was a vast difference when Watene took up this position. The wings and centre were handicapped through the slowness of the inside men, who often sent on impossible passes. Wayne, centre, did good work on attack, but his defence requires to bo strengthened. Axeman, half, did good offensive work, but some of his passes from the scrum were poor and badly directed. »

McLaughlin Outstanding Of tho City forwards, McLaughlin stood out for clever play, and ho. also did good work when he took up the centre position on Wayne's retirement. Clark, Herring, Tierce, Rawiri and Ragg all gave fine support, the last-named being most successful in hooking tho ball. The Devonport team played with better understanding and combination than City, and its victory was clear-cut and thoroughly earned. Tho rearguard was far more impressive than in recent matches. Its defence was good, while there was generally support offering when a player was in trouble. O'Donnell, first five-eighths, was directly responsible for the improved showing. Quick off tho mark, he gave tho outsido men good chances, while his defence was splendid. He, however, was often too quick on to his man, and was fortunate to escape the notice of the referco. Seagar played a heady game, and Olliff, at half, was in good form. A. Smith, on tho wing, played a fine allround game, his strong running and sound defence being features of his play. Laing was again responsible for a splendid fullback exhibition, his only mistake resulting in a try for City. Tho Devonport forwards put plenty of dash into their work. E. Scott played an outstanding game and was equally effective aa an extra back. Leathcrbarrow, Simpson and Donald also played well, while Hunt was particularly prominent in the loose. City did not deserve to win on account of losing many golden opportunities and the number of times it had possession of tho ball. It can almost be said that Devonport won tho gamo from City's mistakes, which were quickly turned to advantage. Splendid Display The game between Marist and Richmond treated spectators to a splendid display of tho code. In tho first half Richmond moro than hold its own, and at one stage looked likely to win. 'lbe Marist backs, however, combined well after tho interval, and scored two fine tries. The combination between Hassan, Briybano and Dunn proved too good for Richmond. The trio took every opportunity to open up the play for the thrcequarters. Both sets of forwards were evenly matched, and solid tackling was a feature of their play. Marist's first try was ono of 'the host seen at Carlaw Park this season. Perfect passing and fast running between five backs carried play for COyds. and finally Webberley, a forward, sent tho ball infield to Dunn, who scored.

For tlio winners, Cainpboll played a sound gamo at fullback. Dunn and Brisbane were in fino form, and their clover play badly beat the opposition. Dunn lias earned his place in the Auckland team. L. Schnltz played an impiessivo gamo, whilo his brother did well with limited opportunities. Hassan was always in the picture. His smart transfers gavo the inside backs plenty of chances. Laird was the best forward on tho ground. Herring and Webberloy woro also prominent. Young was easily tho best back for Richmond. His play is improving each week. Prontice, Abbott and . Mitchell also played well. Satherley and Telford were the best Richmond forwards. Newton had a good win over Ponsonby, which, however, played well on occasions. Newton was superior in the loose, and made tho most of its opponents' mistakes. Uncertain handling cost Ponsonby at least two trios. Tho Nowton forwards played an impressive gamo, and tho vanguard was chiefly responsible for Newton's win. Hall and Nathan gave the backs excellent support. Popo played a splendid all-round game, and was responsible for two tries. Brimblo and Porteous were also in good form. For Ponsonby Bright and Kay were tho best of the backs. Riley did a lot of useful work on attack. Fagan and Hutt were the best forwards.

ERRORS OF BACKS CITY REARGUARD BUSTLED Bad mista-kes by. tho City backs, who were bu3tled by Devonport, lost the match for the team. City kicked off and eoon had Devonport defending. A well-placed kick by McLaughlin gave City a chance, but Wntcne failed to kick a goal from a penalty near the posts. Both sets of forwards played keenly, qnd eplendid tackling checked each movement. Watene received from Hughes and made a great run well past half-way. Play was very fast, with City attacking strongly. Onco the backs swung into a nice passing bout, but Laing tackled Turei safely. City was hooking the ball in the scrums and Devonport was kept on defenco until E. Scott rcliev.ed. Laing came into a Devonport back attack which gained a lot of ground, and the lullback had a shot from a penalty which fell short. Mishandling by City saw E. Scott gather and give a reveise pass cleverly to Seagar. who threaded his way over for a nice try near the posts. Laing just failed to convert. J. Herring made a good dash from loose play near the Devonport line, and just failed to get over by the posts. A force eventually saved Devonport. City maintained tho attack and Perry just failed to score at the corner. However, City waa rewarded when Watene kicked a good goal from a penalty. City still attacked strongly and Axeman was nearly over at tho Hag. City lost a chance from the ensuing scrum when Purdy failed to gather a reverse pass from Axeman. Devonport then took a turn and Donald made a good opening for Leatherbarrow, who just reached his objective in a handy position. Seagar failed to convert. Then A. Smith made a fine run through the defence, but Hunt delayed his pass too long and a great chance was lost. A penalty relieved City. Turei placed Citv on attack by good play, but the team failed to finish oif its movements and lost scoring opportunities. Turei made a good opening for Watene. who finished off u nice movement by scoring at the corner. Watene failed to convert. Half-time came with the score: Devonport, 6; City, 5.

On resuming poor passing by the City backs spoiled chances, and enabled Devonport to attack. Purdy was too slow at fiveeighths, while Hughe# was shaky at fullback. Following a centre kick, Leatherbarrow got over for Devonport, but was ruled offside. Soon afterwards Laing failed at goal from a penally well out. Devonport was now having the better of the exchanges, and misunderstanding between the City backs saw Seagar dash in and score between the posts. Donald easily converted. Wayne injured his hand and retired. Poor tackling by City enabled A. Smith to break through and Hunt finished of! the movement with a good try near the corner. Donald failed with the kick. City forwards retaliated in a fine rush and from a penalty in front of the goal Watene raised the flags. Mishandling by Laing let Purdy through, and tho City player used his head by keeping the ball at his feet and touching down behind the posts. Watene converted. E. Scott injured a knee and had to retire. Near the finish Donald broke right away with ball at toe. Hughes saved well but from the resultant kick Simpson scored an easy try. A. Smith failed to convert. The game ended with the ecore: Devonport, 17; City, 12. Mr. V. Simpson was referee..

WIN FOR MARIST COMBINATION OF BACKS The tatter combination of the Mari»t backs carried the team to victory over Richmond. Richmond was first to attack, and its forwards went close to scoring. Marist was penalised and Marshall opened Richmond's score with a splendid goal. The Marist backs combined well and a passing bout from half-way enabled Dunn, to .race over. Campbell failed to convert. A minute later Brisbane made » splendid opening, but missed a try by kicking when three players supported him. From near halfway Satherley broke away, and Young scored after a fine bout of reverse passing. Marshall just failed to. convert. The Marist backs attacked strongly, and Hassan scored • a brilliant try as the result of clever solo play. Campbell converted with a great kick. Fast, open play followed, and both teams threw the ball about in great style. Marist gradually gained the upper hand, and it 3 forwards pressed hard. Fine play by Abbott saved Richmond. Half-time came with the score: Marist, 8; Richmopd, 5. Immediately on resuming Lee misfielded a high kick and Laird kicked on. However, the Marist forward knocked on in endeavouring to pick up and a try was lost. Good work by Prentice transferred play to the ! Marist twenty-five, where Marshall was unsuccessful from a penalty. Mishandling by both teams held up movements - before Milicich was unsuccessful at goal from a penalty. Marshall lost .a good chance for Richmond by kicking instead of going for the line. Then a nice movement by Marist j ended in Flanagan going over and he appeared unlucky to have a pass forward ruled ! against him. Marists' luck was out whe.n j Campbell's kick from a penalty hit the upright, the cross-bar and rebounded infield. A fine run by L. Schultz nearly resulted in Dunn scoring, but Satherley saved with a splendid smothering tackle. Marist was not to be denied, however, and L. Schultz ended a short passing bout with a nice swerving run, which enabled him to score near the posts. Campbell converted. Richmond made great efforts to retrieve its position, and for a time attacked strongly. Hassan mhde a splendid solo effort, and was tackled a yard from the Richmond line. The game ended with the ecore: Marist, 13; Richmond, 5. Mr. F. Thompson was referee.

NEWTON IMPROVES MATCH WITH PONSONBY Newton showed improved form against Ponsonby, and won a well-contested game by a comfortable margin. Ponsonby opened witfi great dash, and Dempsey was lucky to save. The Newton forwards rushed play to the Ponsonby twenty-five, where mishandling nearly cost a try. Rush ki.cked well past half-way and Ponsonby gained useful ground. From the loose, Pope snapped up and scored for Newton. Hickey failed to convert. A good passing bout between Porteous, Brimble and Pope almost gave Newton a try. Riley cut in nicely and passed to Bright, who raced over. Jones failed to con. vert. Stevens and Fagan made great efforts to place Ponsonby in the lead, but Newton's defence was sound. Newton, however, did most of the attacking, and Pope just missed a try, Newton was rewarded when Stephens scored. The kick failed. Just before the interval Porteous scored and Hickey was successful with the kick. Half-time came with the score: Newton, 11; Ponsonby, 3. On resuming the Newton backs threw the ball about and Pope made a nice opening for Brimble to score. Hickey converted. A few minutes later Stephens again scored for Newton, the kick failing. The Newton forwards launched a strong offensive from which Hall Bcored. The kick failed. The Newton captain again scored from a nice opening by Brimble, who converted. Jones added two to Ponsonby's score from a penalty kick. Nice play by the Ponsonby backs resulted in Bright scoring and Jones converted. Soon afterwards Jones kicked a fine penalty goal. Just before time Riley scored for Ponsonby, Jones failing to convert. The came ended with the score: Newton, 27; Ponsonby, 15. Mr. L. Bull was referee.

LOWER GRADE RESULTS Reserve Grade.— 14, Ponsonbv, 9; Devonport, 7, City, 0; Murist, 23. Richmond, 9. Second Grade.—Papakura. 21, Mount Albert, 3; Mangere, 14, tEllerslie, 3; Otaliuhu, 3J, Manukau, 0. Third Gvade Open.—Mount Albert, 27, Papakura, 8; Ponsonby, 15, Ma.ngere, 3; Richmond, 5. Glenora, 3. Third Grade Intermediate.—Manukau, 17, Richmond. 1G; Pnpakura, 3. City, 5; Marist, 24, Otaliuhu, 0. Fourth Grade.—Marist A, 13. Newton A, 5; Manukau. 18, Devonport, 8; Point Chevalier, 29, Akarana, 11; City, 27, Northcote, 0; Marist B, 8, Richmond. 2. Fifth Grade.—City, 8. Ellerslie A, 0; Richmond B, 3, Point Chevalier, 0; Papakura won from Elleralie B by default: Richmond A, 20, Northcote, 3. Sixth Grade.—Devonport, 7, Point Chevalier, 5; Otahuhu. 8. Richmond. 3. Seventh Grade.—Newton, 10, Ellerslie, 4. Schoolboys' Gnmes.-«-City, 9, Northcote, 0; lillerslie, 3, Devonport, 3; Avondale, 3. Richmond, 0.

REPRESENTATIVE MATCH AUCKLAND TEAM CHOSEN The selectors, Messrs. E. K. Asher, W. Mincham and B. Avory, have chosen the following players to represent Auckland in tlio match against South Auckland (holders) for the Northern Union Challenge Cup ufc Carlaw Park next Saturday:— Fullback.—Lainir (Devonport) Tlireequarters. Turei (City). List (Marist), L. Schultz (Marist). Five-eighths.—Brisbane, Dunn (Marist). Halfback.—Hassan (Marist). Forwards.—Telford (Richmond), Leatherbarrow (Devonport), Clark (City), Satlierley (Richmond), Laird (Marist), McLaughlin (City). Owing to injuries G. Campbell (Marist), Wayne (City) and E. Scott (Devonport) were not available. The team will practise at Carlaw Park to-morrow and Thursday evening at 7.30 o'clock.

TRIAL MATCH r : | Subject to further arrangement by ««._ «■- Auckland Rugby League the following team* - have been chosen to provide the curtain raiser to the representative match next Sat-'""l*'-' A Team.—Campbell (Mari;it), B. ScWu (Marist), Pope (Newton), Bright (Po„ ~f sonoy), Riley (Ponsorby), Wi!«rm (Mangere), Axeman (City), Donald (Devon port), Stevens (Ponsonby), Simnson (Dr.™. port). Nathan (Newton), iJall (Newtonl lveson (Marist). * B Team.—Dempsey (Newton), S. Wateno S(City), tßhodcs (Devonport), Marshall (Richmond). Prentice (Richnond). BrimM. (Newton), Portrnus (No-ton), 1 (Marist), Milicich (Richmond). Rr V /-ri ' (City), Lawless (Richmoni), Hutt sonby). Flanagan (Marist). ,' #§ Reserves for both teams: Perry fCitv'i A. Smith (Devonport), J. Herring (City). NORTHLAND MATCHES V - [BY TELEGRAPH —-OWN COIUtESPOXDEXr] WHANGAREI. Saturday " Following are the results of matches played under the control of if..-*. Northland Rugby League Seniors: Citv 22, Takahiwai, 11; Hikurangi, 23, Kamo, 4 GAMES ELSEWHERE [BY TELEGRAPH —PP.ES3. ASSOCIATION] Wolllnaton.—Celtic A, 12, jpetone, 8; X ew town A, 15, Randwick, 0; City. 10. Kc.r« Koro, 3; Celtic B, 12, Newtown B, 3, "

P. w. L. D. F. A. pts. Devonport 10 7 2 1 136 124 15 Marist 10 7 3 — 104 97 14 City . 10 f. 4 — 1!W 141 12 Newton 10 4 0 — 138 180 8 Richmond 10 3 G 1 147 131 7 Ponsonby 10 2 8 — 113 217 4