THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21925, 8 October 1934, Page 13

THE LEAGUE CODE

RICHMOND WINS AGAIN MARGIN OF SEVEN POINTS HOME TEAM'S SOUND TACKLING In a hard, fast game at Carlaw Park on Saturday, Richmond, Auckland Rugby League champions, defeated Wesitern Suburbs, Sydney champions, by 10 points to 3. It was the second occasion on which the teams liad met, Richmond winning the match on the px-evious Saturday by 18 points to 16. Conditions on Saturday were ideal and there was an attendance estimated at 13,000. The match provided a contrast in styles. Western Su'burbii threw the ball about from all positions, often to advantage, but against sound Hackling ground was sometimes lost. On the other hand, Richmond opened the play tup frequently, many promising movements being upoiled through players kicking too much. There were many keen struggles among the i'orwardti, the Richmond vanguard being very solid and great credit in due to it for the side's win. The Western Suburbs! pack played better than on the pxeviouii Saturday, while the backs had plenty of opportunities and thrilled the crowd with many spectacular and clever moveraents. One feature which rather spoiled the game was the poor scrummaging, and, although penalties were frequent for breaches, many times the ball never went into the scrum. Some of the visiting players,, after doing clever work on attack, were inclined to attempt too much, and selfishness on several occasions spoiled likely scoring movements. t)n the run of this play there was little between, the teams, but the home Bide fully deserved its Buccesg. While the local backa were not nearly so clever s>s the opposition as an attacking force, their splendid tackling stood them in good stead. Poor passing by the home backs frustrated likely opportunities, while they were not so quick as the Western Suburbs rearguard in taking advantage of. mistakes. After hall-time Cooke was shifted to centre-threequarter and wan a tower of strength in this position. His kicking lit fullback was not so accurate au usual, but hia tackling was flawless. A fire. gsitie for Western Suburbs was played by Sharman, who gave a. bright allround exhibition at fullback. Sheehan was very dungeroiis and broke through cleverly at times, being unlucky that at least on one occasion a try did not result. Gray, McConnell nrid Blake were always well in the picture among the forwards. All round, Fletcher wan one of the best Richmond backs, his tackling again being eplenditl. Tetley played another Rood game as back-row forwa.rd and was well supported by C. Satlieiley and Telford, but Lawless wns not so prominent as on tho previous Saturday. The teams were as follows: Western Suburbs.—Fullback, J. Sharman; threrfqu&rtern, A. Ridley, V. Sheehan V. Hey, R. Hines; five-eighihs, S. Tancred; halfback, P. Williams; forws.rds, A. Blake, P. Fairall, B. Green, M. Gray, J. HartweH, J„ McConnell. Riclnhond,,—Fullback, A. E. Cooke; threequarters, E. McNeill, E. Fletcher, A. Verrall; five-eishths, J. Satherley,, S. Prentice; halfback, R. Powell; forwards, H. Tetley, C. .Sa.therley, R. Lawless, W. Telford, A. Broadhead, J.-Ginders. Wesiern Suburbs set; up a neries of early attacks, and Williams, failed at goal from an easy position. Richmond gradually ■ worked back and a nice reverse passing: movement by the Richmond forwards nearly resulted, in a try. Western Suburbs retaliated in a fine movement in wlbich Sheehan made a great opening, Hines finisliinp off with a try wide out;. failed to convert. Wes'tern Suburbs. 3; Richmond. 0. The visitoni were throwing the ball about from ali! positions, while Richmond was also making the play open. Western Suburbs lost a certain try when Sheehan fielded a bid pass in a Richmond rearguard attack and brake clear away to Cooke. Hines, however, dropped, his. pass. Ridley then made two determined <iffarts to gist over, but was pushed out. Western Suburbs was getting the ball from the sicrums, sound tackling checking: good movements. Richmond lost a try when Powell broke through, the movement being held up when Prentice was penalieed for obstruction. Clever passing by Western Suburbs, puzzled Richmond. Shortly afterwards the Richmond forwards went a,way in the loose, Tetley and Lawless being ;promiiient, the former eventually scoring*. Fletcher failed to convert from well out. Half-time came a minute later with the score:—Western Suburbs, 3; Richmond, <l. On riii'uming, Cooke, moved to centre, cut in nicely and passed to Lawless, who was held up on the visitors' line. Richmond was awarded a penalty, but Satherley missed an easy goal. Prentice kicked through and Lawlesii charged Sharman's kick a.ncl carried on to score in a good position., Cooke converted. Richmond, 8; Western Suburbs, 3. Richmond continued to attack until from a penalty Sharman found the line in the Richmond twenty-five with a fine kick. Fast, open play by both teams followed. From a well-placed kick Cooke, Verrall just mißß«d ucoring. Penalties against Richmond drove it back and the visitors made strenuous efforts to score. The forward exchanges were bard and even, and Western Suburbs was unlucky not to score when Ridley made a fine run in invading several tackles. Good play by Tetley saw Cooke just fail to gather the ball with a try certai:u. Further penalties against Richmond placed the visitoni o;n attack, but the local sid<) was soon back, Western Suburbs being forced twice. Cooke placed Richmond further ahead with a. penally goal. There was no further scoring, the game ending:—Richmond, 10; western Suburbs, 3. TEAM ENTERTAINED TRIBUTE TO SPECTATORS A complimentary dinner was driven the Western Suburbs team at tfc;e Commercial Hotel on Saturday evening. Mr. E. Stallworthy, in the absence of Mr. C. A. Sneddon, who ib _ indisposed, congratulated Richmond on its success in winning the Wnlmsley Shield. Mr. Stallworthy also paid a tribute to 'the sportsmanship of the visitoni. Mr. J. Whit if, manager of the Western Suburbs team, oppressed appreciation of the wonderful time the team had had during their stay in Auckland. He, hoped the succees of Richmond over Western Suburbs would make an impression :in Sydney, and good results would be achieved in the near future. He promised to do everything possible in an endeavour to arrange ior a New South Wales team to visit New Zealand next season, Mr. A. Ridley,, captain of the visiting team, aaid he would carry back to Australia many happy recollections of a great trip.. The wonderful sporting spirit of the Auckland crowds was not equalled anywhere in the world. The Western Suburbs team left yesterday for Rotonia. .Tt will return on Wednesday evening and nail for Sydney by the Wangnnella on Thursday. WAITANGif SHIELD DRAWN GAME PLAYED The Tamaki Maori League team, of Auckland, narrowly escaped defeat by the Waikato Maori League players in a game at Huntly o:n Saturday afternoon, and succeeded in retaining possession of the Waitangi Shield by drawing with the challengers, the score beinc's points each. The match wan held as part of the anniversary celebrations of the coronation of the Maori "king," Koroki, and' it was watched by a large attendance of spectators, x The Auckland eidus <ilid not include a number of the playerii who recently defeated' the Taranaki Maoris, but, even so, the performance of the shield holders was disappointing. The challengers' forwards were superior, but there was little difference between the backa. among whom Watene, of Auckland, and Paki. of Waikato, wore outstanding. Some of the challengers were not thoroughly schooled in League rules, but they gave an impressive display. The teams wero:—Tamaki:: Paul;; Morgan, Watene, B. Roberts; Stanawa.y. Kautoa; Hira: A. Nathan, G. Heri, D. Nathan; Rawliiri, W. Roberts, Danielti. Waikato: Papa; Peckham, J. Cooper, R. Cooper; Wharekura, Paki; Wa:ikato: Tawlm; Warbrick, Scott; Paul, Ngataki, Turner. Bard tackling distinguished the early Btafics of the game, and it was soon apparent that the challengers were dangerous on attack. B<>th sides were penalised frequently, Watene. of Tamaki. and Papa, of Waikato, missing several fairly easy chances. Peckham succeeded with a ffond penalty goal for the challengers shortly before half-time.

Early in the second half, A. Nathan was conspicuous for a fine penetrating: run, and Tamuki lost a ilry because of poor supporting play. The challengers rallied after a period on defence, and the halfback, Waikato, scored a good try which Peckham could not convert. Tamaki attacked strongly and both P. Nathan, who had replaced B. Roberts, and Wateno narrowly missed scoring. A few minutes before time, D. Nathan broke past weak tackling and scored near the posts. Wntene converted. Although Auckland had drawn level, Waikato nearly won the game when Paul mishandled, but the bounce of the ball beat a challenger when there was no one to prevent a score.' Mr. A. Harlock was refuree. After the game. Mr. G. Grey Campbell, representing the Auckland Rugby League, returned the shield to S. Watc:nc, captain of the Tamaki side. LOWER GRADE RESULTS Second Grade.—Mount Albert, 2i, Huntly, 12. Third Grndu Intermediate.—Manukau R won from Devonport by default; City, 30, Papakura, 2!); Marist, 8, Richmond, 5. Schoolboys' GaTpen.—Knock-out aomiin ri, Avondale, JO, City. 3; Marist A, 10, Ellershe, 3. Friendly Games.—Papakura, :23, Newton Rangers, 11; Harvey and Sons. 13, Browne Bros, and Geddcs. 2.