THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21787, 30 April 1934, Page 13

THE LEAGUE CODE

OPENING OF THE SEASON CITY DEFEATS DEVONPORT SECOND SPELL RECOVERY 'I he Auckland Rugby League's season was opened at Carl aw Park on Saturday under ideal playing conditions, when the standard for the first series of the season was good. In the principal attraction City defeated Devon port, last season's champions, after a keen and fast contest. City was four points down in the first half but rallied well in the second spell and well deserved its victory.

The curtain-raiser between Richmond and Newton proved a hard game, the former being the better side and gaining a good win. Marist was completely outclassed by the young Ponsonby team in the second spell, the latter running tip the large total of 28 points. Considering the counter-attractions there was a good attendance to watch the matches. The scores were as follows; — City, 13; Devonport, 7. Richmond, 18; Newton, 7. Ponsonby, 28; Marist, 8.

CITY'S GOOD FORWARDS SUPERIOR THREEQUARTERS The fine play of the City forwards and the superior speed and ability of the threeauarter line were responsible for the team's success against Devonport. It took City some time to settle down, but the side improved greatly in team work in tho second spell and some of its movements completely nonplussed the opposition. The play was a little disappointing in the first half, but the second spell was full of thrills, with both sides throwing the ball about freely at every opportunity. One of the features of the game was the fine play of Wayne, the City centre, and the two wings, While and Turei. Wayne did some clever work on attack and was always handy for defence, Turei scored two spectacular tries, beating Laing badly on the first occasion. White did not have many chnnces. but was always impressive. He scored a fine try when he intercepted at halfway and cleverly eluded Laing with a slight change of pace and a nice swerve. Clark did well on replacing Watene, who went off early with a head injury. Wiberg showed promise at five-eighths, being prominent for some nice, all-round play. Ho was hampered, however, by the failure of Axeman to get the ball out more quickly and this also hindered the thrcequnrters. Otherwise Axeman played well. The occasion was too great for Cranch, the fullback, who made several errors. The City forwards proved a fine, even set, and never let up. In the second spell especially their good smothering play proved an effective check to the Devonport attacks. McLaughlin played an outstanding game and was also prominent in many back attacks. Clarke, Nathan and Herring were all in good form. Devonport was quicker than City in covering up mistakes and but for this would have suffered defeat by a wider margin. Seagar played a fine, heady game and repeatedly snved his sidfl. O'Donnell also did great work, proving much sharper on nttack than last season. A go.od impression was made by the young wing-threequarter Hall, who went determinedly for the line when he had an opportunity. E. Scott filled the halfback position with credit. Laing, fullback, spoiled an otherwise good exhibition by poor tackling, although he could be excused for missing White. Of the forwards, Donald, Simpson, Leatherbarrow, Hunt and Sowter were the best. The vanguard was clearly overshadowed by City in the second spell. City was 3-7 down at half-time, but won by 13 points to 7. For City. Turei (2) and White scored tries, each converting one. Hunt scored a try for Devonport, Laing and Radonich! each kicking a penalty goal. Mr. P. Rogers was referee.

MARIST OUTCLASSED PONSONBY'S GOOD COMBINATION Playing fine football, Ponsonby outclassed Marist on No. 2 ground at C'arlaw Park. The first half was well contested and ended with the scores equal. Ponsonby's youthful thirteen rose to the occasion in th© sacond half, in which nice passing bouts were a featuro of the game. The Ponsonby backs handled well and their combination v.r.s surprisingly good. Speed from tlio scrum ennbled Hnlloran to keep tlio backs on the move, and at times Marist was overwhelmed. The failure of the Marist forwards to get the ball was a big handicap. Marist spent most of the second half on defence. The successful vanguard gave the rear division plenty of support in the loose and beat Marist in all departments of the game. The improvement in Ponsonby was one of the pleasing features of the season's opening. Marist played below form, but should improve.

Halloran, a junior player from Northcote. was the best back on the ground. Usually a centre, Hnlloran played a fine fume behind the scrum. His passes were well directed, and lie varied his methods to combine with the forwards. B. Riley and W. Stockley played good football at fiveeighths. The former is likely 1o impress later in the season. Kay did a lot of useful work at centre. The wings, Littlewood and Shera, played well. Jones, at fullback, was a tower of strength to Ponsonby. He kicked several fine goalß. Why and McLeay were the pick of a, splendid set of forwards.

The Marist backs did not defend as well as usual. The five-eights were particularly weak. This gave Glover n lot of work at fullback and his fielding was a little uncertain. Dunn and Hassan were the best of Marist backs. Smith is a promising player. Herring, Laird and Iveson were the best forwards.

Ponsonby won by 28 points to 8. For Ponsonby tries were scored by Why, Shearer, J. Stockley, Riley, Littlewood and Kay. Jones converted four tries and kicked a penalty goal. Herring and Iveson scored tries for Marist and Keane kicked a penalty goal. Mr. S. Billman wne referee. BETTER BACK PLAY RICHMOND BEATS NEWTON - Better back play gave Richmond a comfortable win over Newton in a game, which was marred by several incidents of rough play. One Newton forward was ordered off. The first half was well contested, and it was early apparent that Richmond was the superior side. Weak passing among the Newton rearguard lost many opportunities. Few of the backs showed any inclination to run straight and a majority of the attacks broke down when passes wore dropped. The Richmond forwards played splendid football in the loose, and bustled the Newton backs into making mistakes. Halfway through the second spell Newton appeared a very tired team. Newton played two short, and this assisted Richmond in the concluding stages. The winners, however, should have won by a wider margin. There was no penetration by the Richmond five-eights. Playing at fullback Cooke proved a solid defender and kicked with splendid judgment. Many times Cooke changed tho attack with kicks of 60yds range. Mincham, who played successful club football with the Wellington Rugby Union last season, was tho outstanding back. He revealed a clever side-step, and ran straight with a nice burst of speed. McNeill also played a fine game on the wing. Mitchell got fewer opportunities on the other wing. Prentice played soundly at five-eighths and Powell did a lot of useful work behind, the scrum. Satherlcy was the best of the forwards, although Telford and Broadhead played good games. Demnsey, fullback, and Pope, five-eighths, were the best of Newton backs. Stevens showed plenty of dash on tho wing. Brimble and Bright were weak in handling. Hall, Quirke and Middleton were tho best of the forwards. Richmond won by 18 points to 7. For Richmond, tries were scored by McNeill (2). Mincham and Prentice. Mincham kicked a penalty goal and converted two tries. Quirke scored Newton'R only try. Blacklaws converted. and also kicked a penalty goal. Mr. M. Wetherill was referee.

LOWER GRADE RESULTS Reserve Grade.—Maris). 32, Ponsonby, 11; City. 14, Devonport, 5.

MATCH AT TAUPIRI [from our own correspondent]

TAUPIRI, Saturday

Playing at Taupiri to-day Taupiri defeated Kotowaro by 40 points to 3. In the first half Taupiri took its score to 18. the points being compiled as follows:—Hill 4 tries, one being converted by G. Tittleton and one by Jackwoys. G. Tittleton also \vns successful with a penalty kick. For Rotowaro Clout secured a try. In the second half Hill again crossed Rotowaro's line three times, Garry twice and Kiti once, two of these tries being converted. Kotowaro failed to improve its score. Mr. M. Sherlock was referee.

CONTEST'S IN THE SOUTH [BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION] Chrlstchurch.—Sydenham, 26, v. Ruru Koad, 6; Linwood, 32. v. Addington, 6; Hornby, 21, r. New Brighton, 5. Dunedln.—City, 27, v. Pacific, 3; Christian Brothers, 27, v. Athletic, 12.