THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21799, 14 May 1934, Page 13

THE LEAGUE CODE

RICHMOND BEATS PONSONBY HARD FORWARD PLAY CITY AND NEWTON WIN The third series of matches in the senior championship of the Auckland Rugby League was played on Saturday under ideal conditions. By defeating Ponsonbv in the principal match Richmond took the lead in the championship and is now the only unbeaten team. The game was more of the close, hard typo, and by losing the ball in the scrums the Ponsonby rearguard was seldom allowed in action. Richmond was clearly the better side. In the curtain-raisers City showed much better form in defeating Marist, while Newton proved too good for Devonport. Prior to the start of the chief match the new grandstand was officially opened by the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe. There was an attendance estimated at 17,000, a record for a club match for the ground. Following aro the results of Saturday's matches: — .Richmond, 16; Ponsonby, 4. City, 18; Marist, 5. Newton, 18; Devonport, 8.

HARD FORWARD PLAY RICHMOND PACK SUPERIOR The match between Richmond and Ponsonby did not provide the spectacular play anticipated owing to the Richmond team keeping the play tight excepting when in an attacking position. The superiority of the Richmond forwards proved the undoing of Ponsonby, whose backs were practically starved throughout the match. Beaten continually for the ball, Ponsonby set up a (Uern defence, and it is of credit to the sido that it held the far more experienced Richmond team to a margin of 12 points. There was not this difference between the teams, as Ponsonby lost some splendid scoring chances. The losers were never allowed to settle down properly, and the young inside Ponsonby backs had a gruelling time, but stood up to their task with great credit. It was hard to understand why Ponsonby persisted in kicking to Cooke, the Richmond fullback, who always got the better of the exchanges. Some of the rulings of the referee were hard to follow, and Richmond was allowed a lot of latitude with regard to the offside rule. Milicich, the Richmond forward, persistently played offside in the loose, and often was on top of the opposing five-eighths well forward of the ball. The first half was evenly contested, but Richmond had the better of the play and led at the interval by 3 points to 2. The Richmond forwards kept together much better than ■ Ponsonby, and often broke through the defence on this account. Richmond also covered well for defence, but only lack of experience on the part of the Ponsonby players saved the Richmond line from being crossed. Chief honours for Richmond's success is dun to the forwards, who all played well, with Satherley, Telford and Lawless outstanding. The Richmond back line was also very solid and made few mistakes. Cooke played well at fullback, his fine judgment in kicking being of great benefit to his side. Powell did a lot of good work behind thp pack, while Prentice played a heady game. McNeil, on the wing, showed plenty of dash. For Ponsonby Jones at fullback was inclined to be bustled at times, but did not make any bad mistakes. Halloran played another fine game at halfback, although he had a tendency to overdo the blind 6ide play. Stockley and Riley were also conspicuous for good play. An outstanding game was played by Kay at centre, who shews promise of developing into a high grade player He is an ideal type for the position, and makes good ground when ill possession while running his supports into position Opposed by a heavier set, the Ponsonby vanguard was by no means outclassed, but it had a strenuous time in stopping the Richmond forwards, who threw every ounce into the fray. McLeny, Brown, Hutt and Why were well to the fore throughout. Richmond won by 16 points to 4. Tries for the winners were scored by Telford (2), Lawless and Tetley, Mincham converting two. Jones kicked two penalty goals for Ponsonby. Mr. P. Rogers was referee. t BRIGHT DISPLAY NEWTON'S SPEEDY BACKS Bright play by the Newton backs was responsible for a comfortable win for the team over Devonport. Newton proved _ too speedy for tho opposition, which at times was bewildered by the attacks. Uncertain handling by the Devonport backs proved costly. At least two tries were lost as the result of dropped passes. In the second half, Laing received a bad injury and retired, and Devonport missed his services at fullback. The forwards were well matched Devonport having a slight advantage in the loose play. Newton packed solidly in scrums, and received a good share of the ball. The first half was particularly well contested, and with the scores even at halftime Devonport more than held ita own. It was not until Laing retired that Newton held the upper hand. From this stage the handicap proved too great, and with the extra man the Newton backs did all the attacking. Dempsey played a splendid game at fullback. His clean fielding was a feature of the game. Crook and Stephens were the best of the backs. The former scored a spectacular try. Both Brimble and Porteous did useful work on attack. Quirke and Hall were the best of the forwards. Kelsall was also prominent. For Devonport, O'Donnell and Radonich got through a lot. of useful work._ Knock played well in his first game of senior football. Seagar was prominent for good defensive play. Donald and Scott wore the pick of the forwards. For Newton. trio 3 were scored by Hall, Porteous, Crook and Stephens. Dempsey converted three tries. Rhodes and Sowter scored for Devonport, and Laing converted one try Mr. M. Wetherill was referee. CITY'S BETTER FORM I BACKS OUTPLAY MARIST City made amends for its failure against Newton by defeating Marist in a fast, open game. Play was confined to the backs, and in this department City showed fine form The forwards also played good football and on this form City should give Richmond a close game. Two of City's tries camo as the result of good combination by the rear division. Six players handled the ball when Nathan scored a spectacular try. Clever passing and good backing up were features of City's play The forwards gave their weight in the scrums, and this enabled Ragg to got a fair share of the ball from Campbell, who played his first game this season for Marist. The City inside backs showed a noticeable improvement, and passed tho ball at every opportunity. Axeman did his -.vork well behind tho scrum, with tho result that the fast threequarters were able to thrust home each attack. The

Marist back 9 did not present a formidable defence nnd their play was confined to the individual. The forwards played better in the loose, but were unable to hold the powerful City vanguard in tight work. S. Watene made a reappearance with City after two weeks on the injured list. At fullback he played a sound game, fielding well and kicking with good judgment. Turei played a good game on the wing, and his speed gained a spectacular try. White was always prominent at centre, although he dropped a few passes. "Wayne spoiled a good display by kicking when the threequarters were waiting for the ball. Wiberc did his work well at five-eighths. Purdy played well on the wing with limited opportunities. Much of City's success was due to Axeman, who showed considerable improvement behind the scrum. All the City forwards played well. Clarke and Herring were prominent, while McLaughlin did useful work in supporting the Jones, a newcomer to City, was a useful forward. Both .Ragg and Nathan did good work.

Schultz, a younger brother of the pro minent players in the Marist backs,, was the best of the rearguard. Ho made several nice openings, but lacked support. Hassan got plenty of opportunities, but held on too long. His defence, however, was excellent. List was a disappointment on the wing. At fullback Campbell played a sound game and saved Marist repeatedly. A. Clarke was easily the best Marist forward. He was unlucky not to score a try on one occasion, stumbling a few feet short of the line. Ivesen and White were also prominent. For City tries were scored by Turei, Nathan, Clarke and Wiberg. Watene converted three. Dunn scored a try and kicked a penalty goal for Marist. Mr. S. Billman was referee.

LOWER GRADE RESULTS Reserve Grade.—Richmond, 14, Ponsonby, 0: City. 7, Marist. 5: Newton. 16. Devonport, 9. Second Grade.—Mangere. 20, Ellerslie, 6; Papaktira, 10. Point Chevalier, 3; Newton. G, Trinity College. 0. Third Grade Open.—Mount Albert, 8. Richmond, 6: Papakura.B. Mangere, 5. Third Grade Intermediate.—Richmond, ,11, Akarana, 9; Marist, 20, Manukau. 0; City, 26. Devonport. 0; Manukau A, 3, Glenora,_ 2. Fourth Grade.—Richmond, 23, Point Chevalier, 0; Marist Old Boys, 9, Manukar, 3; Newton, 6, Papakura. 5. Fifth Grade.—Richmond. 21, Devonport. 0: City, 5. Otahuhu. 0; Mount Albert. 6, Ponsonby. 0: Manukau, 0. Papakura, 0. Sixth Grade.—Ellerslie. 16. Avondale. 6. Seventh Grade.—Richmond. 45. Mount Albert, 3. , , , Schoolboys 1 Games.—Avondale, 17, Ellerslie, 0. IN PROVINCIAL CENTRES The following accounts of League football matches played in country centres on Saturday afternoon were forwarded by correspondents of the Herald:— Papakura.—The Papakura Club had five teams in the field on Saturday and had two wins, two losses and one draw. The Becond grade team beat Point Chevalier at Point Chevalier by 10 points to 3. Cornthwaite, the Papakura captain, kicked five goals from penalties and Point Chevalier scored a try. The third grade open team beat Mangere at Papaknra, C. Mclnnis scoring two tries and Francis converting one. Mangere scored a converted try. The third grade intermediate team at Northcote was beaten by 3 points to 2. The fourth grade team was beaten by Newton, B—7. The fifth grade team drew with Manukau at Manukau, there being no score. Tuakau. —The first games to be conduoted by the newly-formed Lower Waikato Rugby League were played at Tuakau before a fair attendance. Good, fast and open games were witnessed. Mania Colts (Te Kohanga) defeated City (Tuakau) by 8 points to 5. W. Gray scored a try for Colts and C. Cooper scored and converted. W. Howard scored a try and converted for City. The referee was Mr. I. Isaacs. Mania United (Te Kohanga) beat Huia (Pukekohe) by 25 points to 2. Tries were scored by B. Cooper (4), J. Paru, W. Warbrick and J. Cooper and Isaacs and F. Cooper converted tries. Huia's score was a goal kicked by Lawton. Mr. V. Simpson, secretary of the Auckland Referees' Association, controlled the game. Whangarei.—Following are the results of senior championship matches played under the jurisdiction of tho Northland League:— (Jity, 8, Hikurangi, 5; Kensington, 0, Whakawaro, 0. Juniors: Kamo, 11, Onerahi, 3. Taupirl.—-In tho South Auckland Rugby League's competition Taupiri defeated Ngaruawahia by 11 points to 0. The game throughout was hard, a determined defence being put up by both sides. In the first half the teams were very evenly matched, with the advantage slightly in Taupiri'a favour, but at half-time there' was no score. After a dour defence on Taupiri's part for the first 10 minutes of the second game, Taupiri took up the offensive. From near halfway George secured the ball and passed to Hill, who beat the fullback and scored. Tittleton's kick failed. During the last 12 minutes Tittleton secured the ball near the twenty-five from a scrum. Garry received it. cut two men out and passed to Hill, who scored wide out. Tho last try came to Taupiri through the ball being secured from the loose by Pawson, who passed to Tittleton, from whom tho ball passed to Garry and back to Tittleton, who beat the defence and scored behind the posts. George converted. Mr. W. Payne was referee. Rotowaro, 8. beat Huntly, 3. Juniors: Taupiri, 16, Pukemiro, 3; Kia Ora, 13, Ngaruawahia. 8. CONTESTS IN THE SOUTH [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] Christchurch Hornby, 6, Sydenham, 2; Linwood, 28, Ruru Road, 13. Dunedin.—Christian Brothers, 13, Pacific, 5.