THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21575, 21 August 1933, Page 12

THE LEAGUE CODE

final of roope rooster RICHMOND DEFEATS CITY CHALLENGE ROUND MATCHES Tho final of the Auckland Itugby League's lloope Rooster knock-out competition was played at Carlaw I'ark on Saturday and resulted in a win for Richmond, which defeated City by 21 points to 16. Matches in the ppecial challenge round were played in two spoils of 20 minutes, a force-down counting a point against the defending side. Devonport, the championship winners, accounted for Ponsonby, while Newton caused a surprise by defeating Marist by a narrow margin. Conditions, except for a strong sun, were perfect, and there was a large attendance considering tho counter-attractions. Following wero the results: Roopo Rooster Final.—Richmond, 24; City, 16. . Challenge Round.—Jsewton, Id, Marist, 11. 1 Devonport, 9; Ponsonby, 3.

BETTER TEAM WINS HARD FORWARD PLAY Richmond gained a well-deserved win over City nnd was clearly the better team. In the early stages the exchanges were confined to the forwards and City had the better of some, hard play. During this period City was also successful in hooking the ball from the scrum, thus keeping it from Richmond's backs. However, once the teams settled down it was fairly apparent that Richmond would prove tho winne.Ri'chmond was quicker to turn opportunities to advantage and there was better finish to its movements all round. I lay throughout was very hard, tackling on the whole being good. In spite of this, lowever a fast pace was maintained and there were several spectacular movements, more especially on the part of Richmond. Tho superiority of the winners can be judged from the fact that they acored five tries against City's two. Until half-time City held its opponents. City having tho advantage of the eun in the first spell. The score at half-time was 12-9 in Richmond's favour, but after the interval Richmond asserted its superiority and City was only really dangerous on a few occasions. „ , For the winners Lee played a good game fullback, saving splendidly "several, times in the face of strong attacks. His kicking, too, was usually well judged and placed to advantage. Both wings played well, Abbott being responsible for some good saves. McNeil, a promoted junior, ehowed great dash and one of his three tries was the result of a very determined run, in which he eluded several tacklers. Youn?, at centre, although not so much in the picture as the others, made an effective connecting link An outstanding game wae played oy Cooke, whose all-round ability meant a great deal to his team. On attack he frequently made good openings, while his kickinE to the gaps wy as clever as ever. His fine defence repeatedly saved tho team. Prentice also played a fine all-round gamo an I made many good openings, while J°well, half was always prominent for good, plajThe combination of the Richmond inside backs was one of the features of the game. Satherley wa« the outstanding forward and was ably supported by other mcfnbers of th wl™was City's best back, showing cleverness on attack, while Watcne was solid all round. Leydon, fullback, a promoted junior, did well ujuer such a hard trial. Axeman spoiled a lot of Citysgooa play by holding on too much. Clarke and McLaughlin were the best City forwards. For Richmond McNeil (3). Satherley <2 and Powell scored tries. Milicich converted two and kicked a penalty goal, and 9, 00 £° also kicked a, penalty goal. Turoi and Clarke scored tries for City, both being converted bv Wntene, who also kioked three penalty goals. Mr. L. Bull was referee. POPULAR VICTORY SUCCESS OF NEWTON Newton gained a popular win over Mari»t in a fast and exciting game by 13 points to 11. Play throughout was fairly open, ibe Newton forwards played with great dash in the concluding stages and the ..earn s superiority in this department won the game. Marist was strengthened by the inclusion of Whyte, who played an outstanding gama last Saturday week for Northland. \ There 'was little to choose between the teams early in the game, ftlthough Newton made a. good opening and led by six points within a few minutes of the kick-oH. The Marist backs played fine football and scon had tli® advantage. - i For the winners. Hall. Blacklaws and Nathan played good games. The trw worked well in the loose. Sellars was Nekton s best back, while Dcmpsey and Brimble were also prominent.. In the Marist b?ck division L. Schultz was outs anding He made two clever openings, which resulted in tries. Iveson and Whyte wore the beet for Newton were scored by Stephens end Hall. Blacklaws converted both tries and kicked a penalty goal. A point was also awarded Newton for Marist forcing. For Marist Flanagan. Dunn and Herring scored tries, Campbell converting one. Mr. ±\ Rogers was referee. A RAGGED GAME POOR HANDLING Devonport had tho better of a ragged game against Ponsonby and won by 9 points to 3. Bad handling spoiled many promising movements by the Ponsonby backs, which outplayed the Devonport eet. The winners W6re too strong in the forwards nnd controlled the game in the loose. For Devonport, Donald played a fine game among the forwards. He was ably supported by Leatherbarrow and Simpson. Smith spoiled a good game on the wing by selfish play. O'Donnell and Seagar did useful work at five-eighths. For Ponsonby Bright and Shearer, were prominent among the backs, and Fagan and Brown m tbo Trie!? for Devonport were scored by Donald and Smith. Olif! converting Smith s try. Devonport gained an extra point by compelling Ponsonby to force. Holland scored an unconverted try for Ponsonby, Mr. Simpson was referee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS Reserve Grade.—Devonport, 5, Richmond, 4; Marist, 8, City, 5. Second Grade.—Otahuhu, 83. Ellerslie, 8. Third Grade Open.—Ponsonby. 13. Richmond, 8 Third Grade Intermediate.—Papaktira, 14, Marist. 8; Northcote, 16. City, 0; Devonport. 20. Manukau, 6. Fourth Grade.—RVlimond, 4, City, 2; Manukau. 9. Point Chevalier. 0. Fifth Grade.—Richmond A, 14, Papakura, 2; Ellerslie, 13. Riohmond B, 5. Sixth Grade.—Richmond, 41. Avondale.. 3; Devonport. 5, Otahuhu, 5; Point Chevalier. 32, Manukau. 4. - Seventh Grado.—Newton, 0, Richmond B. 0. NORTHERN UNION CUP WEST COAST WINS TROPHY [by telegraph OWN correspondent! HUNTLY, Saturday The challengers. West Coast, defeated South Auckland in a Rugby League match played here to-day for the Northern Union Cup by 8 points to 0. There was a record attendance, which witnessed a spectacular nnd exciting contest. In presenting the trophy to the winners the president of the South Auckland League, Mr. R. T. Hill, congiutulated the West Coast team on securing possession of the trophy for the first time. West Coast early took the lead when Dodds intercepted in \an opposing movement and ran through to scare. He converted his try. Tho South Auckland side was not slow to retaliate and the visitors were kept defending against a series of wellconceived attacks. Both teams handled well and play was fast .and spectacular. After O'Brien had made a splendid opening Morris carried on in determined style to add a further try for the West Coast team. Calder failed to convert. The score at half-time was:—West Coast. 8; South Auckland, 0. The second half saw South Auckland attacking more strongly and, in spite of splendid tackling and quick covering by West Coast. Timms. in characteristic fashion, picked up and charged through the West Coast defence to score. G. Tittleton missed the kick. South Auckland was fully occupied for some moments after this in stemming attacks, the South Island players storming down on the home team's line in determined fashion. In a swift counter, however, Peckham carried on a good South Auckland back movement and raced over to score an unconverted try. The final score was:—West Coast, 8; South Auckland. 6. • j MATCHES IN THE SOUTH [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] 'Chrl3tchurch.—Sydenham, 23, Hornby, 19; Linwood, 35, New Brighton, 15. Durwdin.—Christian Bro'hers, 23, Athletic, 7; City, 33, Pacific, 3.