THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21599, 18 September 1933, Page 12

THE LEAGUE CODE

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS / DEVONPORT BEATS RICHMOND FAST AND EXCITING PLAY The Auckland Rugby League's champion of champions game for the Stormont Memorial Shield was won by Devon port, which defeated Richmond ou Saturday by 12 points to seven in a fast and oxciting match. Thero was n good attendance at Carlaw Park. Tho second half was exciting and Richmond mado great efforts to save the game. On occasions Richmond was unlucky, but Devonport well deserved its win. /

/ It 1 was unfortunato for Richmond that A. E. Cooke was below form. Ho limped badly throughout the gamo and really took no part in the play. Richmond held a slight advantage in tho first half. The Devonport forwards put up a groat fight in the second half, and at times outplayed the opposition. There was little to choose between tho fyacks. Lack of finish cost the Richmond set several tries. The game was played at a fast pace, atid when Lee placed Richmond in the lead halfwaj' through the second half, the game looked to be in its favour. A brilliant effort by Seagar, however, resulted in A. Smith scoring. With five minutes to play the Richmond forwards Bwepi over the opposition and Satherly .<■' just missed a try. Devonport defended |,f- ably, and in the concluding stages did £ its share of attacking. The win was popular and Dovonport will now meet the Sydney club, St. George, next Saturday. Seagar Plays Well Much credit is duo to Seagar, who played a clever game for Devonport. He turned defence into attack by judicious % kicking and in passing bouts gave the * wings plenty of opportunity. O'Donnell 25tackled solidly. Oliff played well be- ' hind the scrum, passing with good judgement. R. Smith played a fine game at five-eighths. It was his first appearance X" since he was injured early in the season. A. Sirjith and Rhodes showed pace on the 'Wings. Laing was bustled early in the game, but made few mistakes when tested by the, Richmond forwards. Smith, Simpson and Donald were outstanding in Devonport forwards. Si Powell was easily the best Richmond ~ back. ; His play at halfback was brilliant at times. Prentice did much use- ~' ful work at five-eighths. Mitchell was the best of the throequarters. Leo was a little uncertain in fielding the ball l and several times got Richmond into difficulties. Satherly, Lawless and Tels ford were the pick of the forwards. £ Early in the game Lawless broke away and beat Laing badly, Abbott just % missing a try. Mitchell beat all but A. X.' Smith, but a wild pass spoiled a good % opportunity. Richmond had all the 5 better of the game. Abbott raced over but was called back for a doubtful forJ ward pass. Devonport pressed hard and £ R. Smith beat the opposition hut Sea- £; gar dropped O'Donnell's pass and a try was missed. The Devonport forwards £ drove back a succession of attacks by Richmond and Sowter scored a splendid try. Donald made a poor effort to conyert. A - few minutes later Richmond was awarded a penalty but Milicich failed at goal/from an easy position. The Richmond backs started a passing bout but .. Cooke missed a pass and a try was lost, i*. From a' scrum near the Devonport line «.Powell secured and scored near the posts. Milicich converted. Fast, open play followed and the Richmond backs j v went close to scoring. Seagar and Oliff * combined effectively and Donald nar- ,■** rowly missed a try. Half-time came with tho score, Richmond, 5; Devonport, 3. A Great Goal Devonport attacked on resuming and its forwards swept over the opposition. Sowter kicked a good penalty goal. Clever 'play by Abbott gave Mitchell a chanco and the wing just failed to beat Laing. Richmond was awarded / a penalty and Lee kicked a great goal from 40 yards out. Prentice and Cooke started a splendid passing bout and Bennett almost scored. The Richmond backs maintained a strong attack but Prentice's pass to Cooke wa3 intercepted by Seagar who raced through and kicked past Lee. In a great race, A. Smith scored for Dovonport. R. Smith converted. A little later Abbott dived for the ball over the lino but a forcedown was awarded Laing who dived with Abbott for possession. Satherly and Jenkinson headed a promising Richmond attack which Laing checked. An exciting game ended when 11. Smith kicked a goal tfor Devonport. The final score was: — " J) evon P or t'> 12; Richmond, 7. Mr. /M. Wetherill was referee.CHALLENGE ROUND WIN FOR NEWTON TEAM 7 The special challenge round for senior clubs was won by Newton, which defeated City in the curtain-raiser at Carlaw Park, was Newton's sixth successive win. New-U,-ton had the better of the game throughout bund eventually won by J5 P°") t8 ml>*The {tme was faßt and open. The Newton "forwardb beat City badly and tho winners -rear division combined well. For Newton "" tries were scored by Porteous, Stephens -'-and Allen. Porteous also kicked two goals and Blacklaw one. Mr. S. Billman was ''"Marist defeated Ponsonby by 21 points ■to 17 The game was evenly contested ana there'wstß little to choose between the teams. -For MdVist tries were scored by Brisbane CI) Herring nnd B. Schultz. Campbell concerted two tries. Two force-downs were awarded against Ponsonby. For 1 onsonby. Kay scored two tries, and Lunn. Riley and Oreeve on© o.ach. «Tonei* converted one try. Mr. P. Hoaers was referee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS £ Reserve Grade.—Newton, 13, City, 6; 2v!nrist, 5. Richmond, 0. Third Grnd»Open.—Papnkura, 19. City, 5. Fourth Grade.—City, '23, Ponsonby, B. Fifth jGrade.—Knock-out final: Richmond E. 3, Ellerslie, 0. Sixth Grade.—Otahuhu, f>; Dovonport, 5. Primary Schools.—A vondnle. 35. Northcote. C. Seven-a-side: City, 3. Kllerslie, 0. , House Mnteheß.—Broivne Bros, nnd GedV)*s, 5, McKendrick Bros., 3; Auckland Gaa Company, 13, Enlricnn, 2. FINAL AT NORTHLAND [by telegraph—own cohrehpondent] WHANOAREI, Saturday In the finnl senior club fixture of tho year played under the jurisdiction of the Northland Rugby League, Hikurangi, 11, defeated City, 5, in the champion of champions match played at Recreation Park, Hikuranigi, this afternoon. The game was Iceenly contested and attracted a good at tendance. CHRJSTCHURCH MATCHES [BY TE&EGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] \j CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday Rugby League football matches played toresulted:—Linwood, 18, Riccaftoa, p; ; Iwnby, US, Addiagton, 8,