BETTER TEAM PLAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21829, 18 June 1934, Page 12

BETTER TEAM PLAY

RICHMOND'S SUPERIORITY Better team play and understanding carried Richmond to victory over Ponsonby, which should have made the result closer. Ponsonby had some golden opportunities, but lost them' through poor passing and weak kicking. At times the Richmond team seemed to be resting on its laurels, but when the score was 15 —10 in its favour Richmond put forward all its energies, with the result that three tries were scored in quick succession. Tho Richmond backs had plenty of the ball from the scrums and only good _ defence by some of the Ponsonby backs, chiefly Kay and Stockley, saved the team from a heavier defeat. Both teams changed their back formations, which was very surprising at this stage of this season, and did not prove of advantage to either side. Some of the tries came as a result of splendid movements, and the last Ponsonby try was probably the best of the game. Had all the Ponsonby players tackled low instead of going for an opponent high tho team would have been much closer at the finish. It was hard to understand some of the Ponsonby players forgetting one of the first rudiments of the game, "never pass the ball to a support who is in a worse position than the player in possession." This was frequently done on Saturday and got Ponsonby into a great deal of unnecessary trouble. Richmond was again well served by Cooke at fullback, who played a" splendid all-round game and repeatedly saved tho side and started attacking movements by heady play and clover kicking. McNeil showed dash on the wing when given room, but for an all-round display was overshadowed by Mitchell, who ran determinedly from all positions. Mincham. at centre, was sound, but was well marked by Stockley. Powell, who usually plays half, linked up well as second five-eighths, and played a sound game, while Prentice again showed out in heady play. Verall showed promise at half, but was not up to tho standard of Powell in that position. Some of the Richmond forwards were inclined to "wing" and only in the later stages did the vanguard play together as a sot. when there was a noticeable improvement in all-round work. Satherley was again prominent, but was inclined to be too selfish, while Telford, Broadhead and Jenkinson were the best of the others. At fullback for Ponsonby, Halloran, who has been playing half all the season, played a poor game, hesitating far too much and being frequently caught in possession. His kicking was weak and often lacked height and direction. Stockley, centre, was the best of the threequarters, doing good work both on attack and defence, while Shera was more prominent than Littlewood. Kay, second five-eighths, again played an outstanding game and his first try was a splendid effort, in which he burst through the defence in determined fashion. Midgley was fairly sound, but Wilkins, half, did not prove himself the equal of Halloran in that position. In a hard-working set of forwards Huft played an outstanding game. He was well supported by Brown, who was always conspicuous in the tight work. Richmond, which led at half-time by 10 points to 5, won by 26 to 10. Tries for the winners were scored by Mitchell (2). Jenkinson, Mincham, Satherley and Verall. Mincham converted two tries and kicked two penalty goals. For Ponsonby Kay scored two tries, Midgley and Stockley converting one each. Miftcnam's try was given for obstruction, a good and correct decision. Mr, M. Wetherill was referee. — . ♦ HONOURS TO DEVONPORT NEWTON LACKS FINISH A splendid game was witnessed in the curtain-raiser between Devonport and Newton. Victory to the former was well deserved, although Newton failed to finish off many movements which should have resulted in tries. The concluding stages gave the crowd plenty of thrills, and there were many exciting incidents. Newton was aggressive throughout tho second half and it was only splendid defence by Devonport which broke down the attack. The Devonport backs played better all-round football and this resulted in two tries being scored. Tho Devonport five-eighths did good work on attack and sent the ball out smartly to Seagar, who gave his wings numerous opportunities. Tho Newton forwards played well in the loose. They hunted as a ;,iack and swept over the opposition in the last ten minutes. With a little luck the Newton forwards would have saved the game. Twico Blacklaws was held up a few feet from the Devonport goal line. One of the features of tho game was the successful hooking of Quirke, who beat Stevens in almost every scruin for the ball. It is difficult to understand how Stevens was given preference to Quirke in the selection of the Auckland team. With a better understanding in tho five-eighths position, Newton will bo a hard team to beat. Devonport's form is improving each The backs are now playing with confidence and good combination. Laing played a fine game at fullback. His defence was good and he kicked with better judgment than in former matches. O'Donnell was perhaps the beat back. He made some splendid openings and was a tower of strength on defence. Seagar also placed a heady game, although inclined to kick when the ■ wings were in good positions. Both Newton and Hall showed plenty of dash on the wings. Radonich was prominent on attack. Rhodes did a lot of useful work behind the pack. A. Smith, t who has played several seasons on the wing, was prominent among the forwards. Leatherbarrow, Donald and Simpson played good games. Dempsey made few mistakes at fullback for Newton, although he'was not so prominent as usual. Stephens was easily the best back on the ground. His splendid solo rubs often brought tho crowd to their feet. Several times Stephens went very close to scoring tries. K. Nathan, a former Northern Wairoa Rugby representative, played an impressive game at five-eighths. Hickey held on a little too long but otherwise played well. Crook did everything right behind the pack. It would be difficult to individualise tho Newton forwards, so well did the six play. Blacklaws and Hall were always prominent. . , _ For Devonport, Seagar and Leatherbarrow scored tries. Laina converted one and kicked a penalty goal. Hall and Stephens scored a try each for Newton. Mr. P. Rogers was referee. COMFORTABLE WIN MARIST TEAM'S SUCCESS Marist defeated City comfortably in a well-contested game on No. 2 ground. Weak tackling by the City backs was again responsible for several tries being scored. The renr division had a good share of the ball throughout the game, but failed to finish off their movements. Marist's young backs played keen football and benefited by City's mistakes. Good tackling was a feature of Marist's play. Although beaten by a stronger pack, (lie Marist forwards did a lot of useful spoiling work in the loose. The pack followed un well and was successful in bustling the City backs. A, good deal of credit is due to the Marist rear division, which was superior to more experienced players. The policy of (he club in'giving young players a chance will soon bring its reward. The margin of points, however, was not a true indication of the run of plnv. City hod numerous chances when the score was 17 points to 13 in favour of Marist, but overeagerness cost the backs tries. On one occasion Turei lind a clear* run in only to loose possession. It was the turning point of the game. Campbell played a sound game at fullback for Marist. Loader is a promising wing with a good burst of speed. Furloncrer did a lot ot useful work at centre. Smith, on the wing, also did well with limited opportunities. Grotte, behind the Marist pack, played a splendid game. He went down to forward rushes in gre r 't style, and made several clever openings. What Glover' lacks in inches he makes un for in gnirx*ness. Th° Marist five-eighths successfully stopped Watene. Brisbane was a tower of strength in defence. Bakalich, who played third -row, and on occasions as an extra back, was the best player on the ground. He made some great openings and was in every movement. Kcano played his best

game since joining Marisl. Fast following up Rewarded Keane with a really good try. Laird also played well. • Wayrie, at centrfe, was easily tho best City back. He made many fine rung but lacked support. White played well art; five-eighths, a position which does not suit Watene, who tried repeatedly to break through instead of passing. Wyberg played a sound game at fullback. Nathan and Clark were the pick of the City forwards. Herring and Saunders also played well. The Marist trieg were scored by Keane. Laird, Loader and Webborley. Campbell converted all four tries and kicked a penalty goal. For City Turei scored two tries and Nathan one. Watene kicked two goals. Mr. S. Billman was referee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS Reserve Grade.—Richmond, 11, Ponsonby, 3; Devonport, 9, Newton, 8; City, 12, Marist, 8. Second Grade.—Otahuhu, 8, Mount Albert, 7; Papakura, 10, Point Chevalier, 3. Third Grade.—Ponaonby won from Marist by default: (Richmond; 8, Akarana, 0; Mount Albert won from Papakura by default. Third Grade Intermediate.—Marist, 18, Ponsonby, 9; Northcote, 8, Akarana, 3; Manukau B, 19, Otahuhu, 0; Point Chevalier, 9, Richmond, 7; Papakura, 11, Devonport, 5. Fourth Grade.—Marist, 7, !sewton, 6; Ellerslie. 5. Richmond, 3; Papakura, 29, Point Chevalier, 0. Fifth Grade.—City, 49, Ponsonby, 7; Mount Albert, 3, Manukau, 2. Sixth Grade.—Point Chevalier, 6, DevonP °Seventh Grade.—Richmond A, 4G, Northcote, 0; Devonport, 4, City, 0; Richmond B, 9, Mount Albert, 0. _ . Schoolboys' Games.—City, 2, Marist A, 0; Ellerslie, 16, Devonport, 2; Avondale, 13, Northcote, 2. REPRESENTATIVE PRACTICE The following players" have been chosen by the Auckland selectors to commence training to-morrow and Thursday evening with a view to selection, for the. matcli against Taranaki at Carla,w Park on June 30: —Campbell (Marist), McNeil (Richmond), Wayno (City), Mincham (Rich, mond). Kay (Ponsonby), Stephens (Newton), Cooke (Richmond). Prentice (Richmond), Powell (Richmond), Axeman (City). Clark (City), Donald (Devonport). Stevens (Devonport), Telford (Richmond), Hutt (Ponsonby), Satherley (Richmond), Blacklaws (Newton), Lawless (Richmond), Leathcrbarrow (Devonport). !