THRILLING LEAGUE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21919, 1 October 1934, Page 13

THRILLING LEAGUE

CHAMPION CLUB TEAMS RICHMOND TAKES HONOURS WESTERN SUBURBS BEATEN In ono of the finest exhibitions seen on the ground, Richmond, Auckland Rugby League club champions, defeated • Western Suburbs, Sydney champions, at Carlaw Park on Saturday by 18 points to 16. Play throughout was fast and spectacular and some of the movements were brilliant. By its success Richmond holds the Wahnsley Shield, donated for competition between the leading teams of Auckland and Sydney. Conditions on Saturday were ideal and there was an attendance estimated at. 15,000. In spite of the fact that Western Subnrbß lost its hooker at the start of the second spell, Richmond thoroughly deserved its win, although there was little between the teams. The visitors started off at a great pace, indulging in clever passing and quick changes of direction and speed by the backs and forwards saw 13 points against Richmond before the latter had scored. At this stage many of the crowd anticipated a heavy defeat for the local team, but they were well wide of tho mark. The Richmond forwards, which had been overshadowed up to this stpge, were just beginning to settle down, and onco into their stride repeatedly harassed the opposition. For most of the first spell the visitors got the ball regularly from the scrums, thus enabling their clever back line, well supported by the forwards, to treat the spectator to some brilliant football. Only the splendid defence of Richmond saved a much higher total. Tries Narrowly Missed Then when Richmond began to obtain , a fair share of the ball it, too, was seen, in good movements which had the opposition worried. However, there was not the same polish to its attack as that supplied by western Suburbs, and, if there had 1 been, more tries would have been scored. In each spell Richmond lost tries by very narrow margins whero, in the same position, Western Suburbs would have scored. The visitors certainly taught the local side a lesson in how to get rid of the ball quickly to a support when tackled instead of being brought to the ground. Two quick tries by Richmond at the opening of the second spell seemed to placo the result beyond doubt. The second try was the result of a fine effort; by Powell on the blind side. However, although playing one short, Western Suburbfi held on tenaciously and on its play was likely to save the game at nny stage. 14 is a tribute to the local, team that it rallied so splendidly when 33 points down, and no one can cavil at its victory. Whereas Western Suburbs attempted to win practically by the passing game throughout. Richmond varied its tactics and well-placed kicks often saw the visiting players out of position and their line seriously threatened. In this manner McNeill scored two of Richmond's tries. Splendid Tackling By covering quickly and tackling splendidly Richmond nullified many dangerous movements by tho visitors and the team reaped a junt reward for its excellent defence. The Western Suburbs forwards showed improved form, but toward the end the tecim appeared to tire under the heavy pressure it had undergone. Although his kicking was not quite bo accurate as usual, Cooke pla.yed well at fullback, and Sharman. the Western .Suburbs custodian, also gave a fine display. The other Richmond backs were in good form, with Pov.vll and Fletcher perhaps tho best. McNeill played one of hin bestgames, while Mincham, on the other wing, J. Satherley and Prenti<;«> were frequently conspicuous for good rlny. The forwards as a set played splendidly and it is scarcely fair to give individual honours, but Lawless, C. Satherley, Telford and Tetley were a fine quartet. Although closely watched, Hisy. the Western Suburbs five-eighths, mad« a fine impression by his all-round ability and his clever screwing, side-stepping and change of nace often beat several defenders. Tancred was perhaps the best of the other backs, but they were all fine attacking players. One or two, however, faltered on occasions on defence. Of the forwards, who showed great ability in handling and supporting their rearguard and often themselves mad«» clever openings, McConnell, Sponberg, Blake and Gray were always conspicuous. The teams were as follows: Western Suburbs.--Fullback, J. Sharman; fhreoquarterß, A. Ridley, S. Tancred. V. Sheehan, R. TTines: fi\*e-eighths, V. Hey; halfhack, P. Williams; forwards, A. Blaki». P. Fairall. 0. Cornwell, M. Gray, «T. McConnell. F. Snonberg. Richmond.—Fullback, A. E. Cooke: threequarters, D. McNeill. E. Fletcher, E. Minham; five-eighths. J. Satherley. S. Prentice: halfback. R. Powell; forwards, H. Tetley, C. Satherley, R. 'Lawless, W. Telford, A. Broadhead, J, Ginders. Quick Scoring Richmond won the toss and plfcved with the wind and against the sun. The opening exchanges wore very fast, over-nnxiety -resulting in each side being penalised. Cornwell had to retire with an injured knee and was replaced by Hartwell. Good play by Powell drove tho visors to their jjine, where Cooke failed from a penalty The visitors' backß were getting the ball and after Sheehan cut through and was tackled the ball was picked up by Snonberg, who sent out to 'Ridley, The lastnamed outpaced the opposition to score. Williams converted with a nice kick. Western Suburbs, 5; Richmond, 0. Continuing to get the ball from the scrums, the visiting backs were dangerous in clever passing, and only good defence kept them out. A fine tackle by Mincham saved a try when Ridley seemed certain to scor*. 'Western Suburbs wns not to bo denied and Hint's and McConnell were associated in a nice movement down _ the Tin® which ended in McConnell scoring. Immediately from the kick-off the ball was swung about and after eight players had handled Tancred scored wide out, Williams failed with kicks. Western Suburb*. 11: Richmond, 0. After narrowly fniliner with a pot, Sharman was successful in his second attempt with a fine kick from just inside halfway. Western Suburbs, 13; Richmond, 0. With Richmond on attack, a clever kick hv Cooke found a gap in thei defence and McNeill dashed iin ouickly to score. O. Satherley converted. Western Suburbs, 13: Richmond, 5. Richmond quickly attacked and was unlucky riot to score from a high kick. However, Tetley dribbled through from a scr«m and touched down near the posts. C. Satherley missed the easy kick. Halftime came soon afterwards with the score:—Western Suburbs, 13; Richmond, 8. Score Equalised Almost from the resumption Richmond sttacked and Powell hod a drop at goal However, from a cross-kick by Fletcher the defence was beaten and McNeill touched down wide out, and Fletcher converted with a fine kick, equalising the score. Fnirall retired hurt, but Richmond could not be held and Powell scored cleverly round the blind side of a scrum. Fletcher-again converted. Richmond, 1 18; Western Suburbs, 13. Fast, exchanges followed, Williams once failing in an attempt at goal from a penalty. Richmond went close to scoring when Mincham broke down the wing iyid passed in-field, Tetley just missing a try. Ridley .find Sheehan collided and both retired with injuries, returning in a few minutes. After Western Suburbs appeared a beaten team ludley made it nice effort, and, supported by Hey, the latter gathered at halfway and outpaced the opposition to score a fin« try. William failed "to convert. Richmond IP; Western Suburbs, 16. Western Suburbs made desperate efforts to win the game, nut the defence was too.sound. Richmond was attacking when the bell sounded a thrilling game ending with "the score:Riojimpnd, 18; Western Suburbs, 16. Mr. P. Rogers was referee. CURTAIN-RAISER MATCH In the junior curtain-raiser to the match between Richmond and Western Suburbs on Saturday, Waikato beat Northland by 16 points to 9. For tho winners tries wero scored by Wright, Leek and Simpson (Z), Mcßurney and Wilson each converting one. Thompson scored three tries for Northland. Mr. J. Ccttingham wns referee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS Second Grade.—Knock-out final: Papakura, 26, Mangere, 3. Third Grade Intermediate.—Ponsonby. 16, Papakura, 13; City, 10, Marist, 10; Point Chevalier, 3, Mnnukau B, 0. Schoolbqys' Games.—Knock-out competition: Avondale, 3, Richmond, 0; Ellerslie, 8, Marist. 5: City. 8, Norlhcote, 5; Marist A. 50, Devonport, 0. Seven-a-sidc: Richmond, 0, Northcote, 0. TWO MORE MATCHES The Western Suburbs team will play two more matches on the tour. It has been arranged for tlip visitors to play Ponsonby at Carlaw Park next Wednesday and a return match with Richmond will bo played next Saturday. The visiting team and members of the Richmond, Newton and Mariat teams were the guests of the New Zealand Rugby League Council and Auckland Rugby League at a harbour excusion and picnic at Pine Island yesterday. CANTERBURY TEAM'S WIN [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] CHRISTCHURCH. Sunday The Canterbury representatives beat the West Coast at League football yesterday by •34 points to 24. West Coast had a lead of 16—11 at half-time, but in the second half Canterbury improved and scored tries in fairly rapid succession. Altogether, 14 tries were scored ip the match, eight of them being converted.