THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21835, 25 June 1934, Page 17

THE LEAGUE CODE

NEWTON DEFEATS PONSONBY MARIST AND DEVONPORT DRAW RICHMOND'S EASY VICTORY The senior championship of the Auckland Rugby League was continued on Saturday under good conditions, when two close matches resulted. In the principal fixture Newton was lucky to tase the honours by one point from POll- - in a fast exhibition, while in the curtain-raiser Marist came with a late run to make a drawn game with Devonport. On the No. 2 ground the unbeaten Richmond team overwhelmed City and put up a large score. Results were as follows: — Newton, 12; Ponsonby, 11. Marist, 8; Devonport, 8. Richmond, 43; City, 14. PONSONBY UNLUCKY NEWTON WINS BY POINT Ponsonby was very unlucky to be beaten by Newton in the chief match and better place-kicking would have turned the tables in its favour. On one occasion from right in front Jones' kick hit the upright. Ponsonby scored three tries, one converted, to Newton's two tries, one converted, and two penalty goals. , . Both sides lost some fine opportunities through bad passing at critical stages. Ponsonby should have scored at least two more tries, one early in the game, when Riley broke right through the defence in a splendid run, only to see his pas.s mulled. Each set of backs had numerous chances, but Newton especially was inclined to overdo the short kick. The first spell vras evenly contested, the score at the interval being 5—3 in Newton's favour. Play brightened up considerably in the second half and several nice movements were carried out by each team. Ponßonby had the better o£ the play territorially and Newton's last try at the end of the game, which gave the team victory, was rather a lucky one. At the same time, credit must go to Brady for seizing his opportunity. One of the outstanding features of the match was the fine game played by Hutt, the Ponsonby captain, as back-row forward. Leading his team in great style, he was always with the play and scored two fine lrie3. He also opened up play well for his supports. Hutt's Becond try was a spectacular one. Running strongly for about 30 yards he fended off two opponents well. Hutt is playing at the top of his form and should be very prominent this season in representative fixtures. He received good support on Saturday from Brown, Blood and AVhy. At fullback for Ponsonby Halloran gave an improved display, but was still inclined to hestitate too much. Jones and Littlewood were sound on the wings, while Kay played his usual good game at centre. Kay must be considered very unlucky not to have won a place in the representative team. Riley and Stockley both played well at five-eighths, the former especially being prominent for some clever work on attack. Wilkins showed lack of experience at halfback. At times he passed badly and kicked at others when good support was offering. At fullback for Newton, Dcmpsey was sound, but waited for the bounce too much. On two or three occasions he was lucky to avoid trouble as a result. Stephens was below form on the wing, overdoing the centre kick—a weak one—instead of showing his usual determined running for the line. Bright, Brady and Porteous were the best of the other backs, Brady giving a promising display on the wing. The Newton forwards were better in the tight play than Ponsonby, but were generally overshadowed in the loose. Hall did a lot of good work and was well supported by Nathan, Blacklaws and Quirke. Newton won by 12 points to 11. For the winners, Brady scored two tries. Dempsey converting one, and Blacklaws kicking two penalty goals. For Ponsonby, Hutt (2) and Davis scored tries, Jones converting one. Mr. P. Rogers was referee." EXCITING FINISH DEVONPORT LOSES CHANCES, The curtain-raiser between Devonport and Marist provided spectators with plenty of excitement, and in a great finish Marist succeeded in making a drawn game, 8-all. Devonport had the better of the first half and missed tries by making mistakes. Uncertain handling cost Devonport at least two tries early in the game. After halftime Marist fought back well, and was the better side. A spectacular try by Brisbane a few minutes before time was a feature of the game. The Marist captain received the ball near halfway, beat several Devonport players, and kicked high past Laing. In a great race for the ball Brisbane won. At one stage Devonport led by 8 points'to 2. Both teams made many mistakes, and perhaps a drawn game was a good indication of the play. Territorially. Devonport had much the Better of the game. Its backs, however, played uncertain football, and promising movements broke down when straight running would have had effective results. Marist defended well, but made the game more spectacular when the backs threw the ball about. In this style of play Marist repeatodly broke through the defence. A good try was scored by Bakalich. The scorer started the movement by breaking through the opposing five-eighths, and four other players handled in turn before Bakalich again received and raced over. Laing did not play up to his best form. The Devonport fullback did useful work on attack, but his defence was weak. Hall, on the wing, did not play with his usual dash. With a little more determination Hall would have scored a try halfway through the second half when Seagar broke away. Seagar got through a lot of useful work, although he was inclined to kick too much. O'Don* nell was a tower of strength on defence, but, like Seagar, kicked when reasonable scoring opportunities were presented. The Devonport forwards played good football in the loose. Donald was often prominent, while Scott and Leatherbarrow did good work. Stevens was successful as a hooker. Campbell played a very sound game at fullback for Marist. He rarely missed a ball, and kicked with splendid judgment. Glover, at five-eighths, was perhaps the best of the backs. His work on defence was very effective. Brisbane showed some of his best form, and was in almost every movement. Loader played an impressive game on the wing. Laird was the outstanding forward. It is difficult to understand his omission from tho Auckland team. Keane and Bakalich were also prominent, but the latter spoiled a good game by holding on to For Ol Devonporl, Fall scored two tries, and Laing kicked a penalty goal. Bakalich aim Brisbuno scored for Marist, and Campbell kicked a penalty goal. Mr. S. Billman was referee. CITY OUTCLASSED RICHMOND'S TEAM PLAY On No. 2* ground Richmond outclassed City in a very one-sided game_. City offered little resistance and many of Richmond s tries were easily scored. The winners, however, gave ft splendid all-round display of the League game. Both backs and forwards joined in each attack and some good tries were scored. City was. beaten in every <lopartment, particularly in the first half, when Richmond ran up 32 points . The second half was a little more interesting and each side scored 11 points. The keenness of the players, however was gone as soon as half-time came. .Weak tackling by City was mainly responsible for the bi„ Totk'r'SfcoSf. lot ol u.eM work without much energy. £ owe il P ' „J splendid game aB five-eighths. Ho was perhaps the best back. Mitchell was the best of the threequarters. Ho was unlucky to receive a nasty oar injury toward the end the game. Mincham scored a very nice try, besides kicking five good goals The Richmond forwards played fine football tho loose, their handling being good. Lawless scored three tries and played .well. Satherley and Tcltord were also prominent. Wayne, wing-threequartor, and McLaughlin five-eighths, were the. best City players. White'did well with limited opportunities Purdy was weak on the wing and nussed several tries through poor and Nathan were the pick of the City for wards. Ragg did well as hooker. For Richmond tries were scored by Mitchell (3), Lawless (3), Mclsejl, Powell, Prentice Telford and Mincham. Mincharu converted four tricß and kicked a penalty goal. For City Wayne (2), Purdy and White scored tries. Watene converted one. Mr. M. Wctherill was referee. MATCH WITH TARANAKI AUCKLAND PLAYERS CHOSEN Tho Auckland selectors, Messrs. W. Mincham. H. Avery and E. K. Asher have chosen the following players to represent Auckland against Taranaki at Carlaw lark, next Saturday:— Fullback.- Campbell (Marist). Three-quarters.—Wayne (City), Mincham (Richmond). Stephens (Newton). Five-eighths.—Cooke (Richmond), Prentice (Richmond).

Halfback.—Powell ('Richmond). Forwards.—Clarke (City), Stevens (Devonport), Telford (Richmond), Satherlcy (Richmond). Lawless (Richmond), Hutt (Ponsonby). Reserves. —Backs, McNeil (Richmond), Kay (Ponsonby), Axeman (City); forwards, Leatherbarrow (Dcvonport), Blacklaws (Newton). LOWER GRADE RESULTS Reserve Grade.— Dcvonport, 9, Marist, 6; Newton, 3, Ponsonby, 0; Richmond, 7, City, Second Grade. —Mount Albert, 12, Point Chevalier, 2; Qtahuhu, 14, Mangeie, 4. Third Grade Open.—Richmond won from Marist by default; Mount Albert. 55, Mangere, 3; Glenora, 5, Akarana, 3; Ponsonby, 16, Papakura, 10; Otaliuliu, 8, Pakuranga, 0. , . Third Grade Intermediate.— Papakura, 6, Richmond, 3; Ponsonby, 8, Manukau B, 0; Point Chevalier, 2, Marist, 0. Fourth Grade.—Papakura, 7, Richmond, 4; Manukau, 16, Point Chevalier, 0; Newton, 5, Glenora, 0; Ellerslie, 11, Northcotc, 5. Fifth Grade.—City. 6, Ponsonby, 0; Papakura, 3, Manukau, 2; Richmond, 5, Point Chevalier, 0. . Sixth Grade.—Richmond. 5, Point Chevalier, 0; Ellerslie, 12. Avondale, 7. Seventh Grade.—City, 22, Richmond B, 0; Richmond, 52, Mount Albert, 0; Northcote, 8, Devonport, 4. MATCHES IN PROVINCE League football matches were continued in some country centres of the Auckland province on Saturday afternoon. The following results were forwarded by Herald correspondents;— Whangarei.—There were two very interesting senior games played under the Rugby League code. Although the grounds were heavy the games were fast and open, creating Considerable excitement throughout. Spniors; Kensington, 6, Whakawaro, 5; Hikurangi, 8, City, 8. Juniors: Portland, 29, Onerahi, 5. Tuahau.—Lower TVaikato Rugby League's competition: Manaia, 18, Onepoto, 0; Huia, 9, City, 0. Tauplrl.—Taupiri met Huntly in a keen contest for the Innes Memorial Shield. Early in the game G. Tittleton was successful with a penalty kick and shortly afterwards kicked a field goal. Following a passing rush the same player beat the defence to score between the posts. H. George converted. At half-time the score was: Taupiri, 9, Huntly, 0. On resuming plaV Huntly pressed hard and from some tight play Scott received the ball, beat Taupiri's defence, and scored in a handy place. Knight converting. Timms missed a penalty kick, the ball striking a post, and Taupiri forcing down. Following a long period of hard pressing by Huntly, Hart eventually broke through Taupiri's solid defence and scored in a, good position, but the kick failed. Huntly again missed a chance wMen a penalty kick by Peckham failed. The game ended: Taupiri, 9; Huntly, 8. Mr. Sherlock was referee. CONTESTS IN SOUTH [BT TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] Chrlstchurch.—Sydenham. 5. Hornby, 3; Addington. 13, New Brighton. 12; Linwood, i 23. Ruru, 18. Dunedln.—Athletic, 6. Christian Brothers, 5; City, 14, Pacific, 7.