THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22101, 6 May 1935, Page 16

THE LEAGUE CODE

SECOND SERIES OF MATCHES MARIST DEFEATS PONSONBY MARGIN OF FIVE POINTS The second series of matches in the first round of the Auckland Rugby League senior championship was played 011 Saturday under good conditions. Two matches were decided, the other between Richmond, last year's j champions, and Mount Albert being set down for this afternoon. The standard in the chief match on Saturday between Marist and Ponsonby was a little disappointing, too many mistakes being made by both teams. Better finish enabled Marist to take the honours by five points.* In a good curtain-raiser City showed improved form to beat Devonport. Following were the results:— Marist, 15; Ponsonby, 10. City, 18; Devonport, 13. AN OPEN MATCH MANY CHANCES MISSED There was plenty of open play in the match between Marist and 'Ponsonby, but lack of finish spoiled some splendid scoring opportunities. Ponsonby had enough chances 1o have placed the result well beyond doubt, but bad handling and poor passing nullified these opportunities. A fatal mistake by both rearguards was in running straight across the field. Some players on both sides attempted to go too far in possession when an earlier transfer would have proved to advantage. There were several occasions on which a player had support offering, but held on too long or went the wrong way and cut himself away from his supports. Play brightened up considerably in the last 20 minutes during which period Ponsonby attempted to save the gamo by throwing the ball about from all positions. The forwards were fairly evenly matched, but Marist proved the better all round set. For Marist Campbell, fullback, gave a sound exhibition He was very fortunate to make a recovery onec when ha mishandled and Ponsonby broke away. Campbell's speed and a fine tackle, however, saved a certain try. Loader, on the wing, proved a fine opportunist and scored a clever try with a neat side-stepping run in which he eluded several tacklera. Jones, on the other wing, showed plenty of dash which rewarded him with two tries. Chalmers played a good game at halfback and was always in the picture. An outstanding game in the forwards was played by D. Keane, who was prominent both s in the tight and loose play. Laird played his usual sound game and Woods proved that he is among the best forwards in Auckland.

Payne, at fullback for Ponsonby, came through a hard afternooi well. He was good on defence while at times he placed his kicks to advantage Bright did not have many opportunities, but seems to have retained his fine form of two seasons ago. W. Stockley was perhaps the best back, but Hnlloran, at half, was conspicuous throughout.. He was one of the few players who attempted to straighten up the attack. Kay lost a certain try by attempting to better his position at a criticaPstage of the game. Hutt played a fine game in leading the forwards and was well supported by Blood, J. Stockley and McLeay. Ponsonby was lucky to be awarded the first try as the ball was knocked on. The second try, however, was from a fine movement in which several players handled the ball. For Marist Jones (2) and Loader scored tries. Campbell converted one try and kicked two penalty goals. For Ponsonby Kay and W. Stockley scored tries. Blight converted one try and kicked a penalty goal. Mr. P. Rogers was referee. CITY BACKS IMPROVE DEFEAT OF DEVONPORT City well deserved its win against Devonport although there was not a great deal of difference between the teams. In the first half Devonport missed several scoring chances by bad handling at critical times when the defence was beaten. The City backs, however, were frequently dangerous, and throughout the game showed a decided improvement. The only weakness was poor tackling. Many times both backs and forwards went high. The first try of City came from a brilliant opening by Brown, who drew the defence cleverly and showed a great burst of speed. Three players subsequently handled before Johnson raced over near the corner. At halftime the scores were equal, five points all. Soon afterward Milicich placed Devonport in the lead with a good try, the forward taking the final transfer after five backs handled splendidly. Perhaps the best try of the game was scored by McLaughlin, who beat two defenders with a nice swerve. At this stage of the game City was decidedly on top and several tries were missed through uncertain handling. In the final stages, Devonport did a lot of attacking, and had City pressed for fully ten minutes. The Devonport forwards did good work during this period, and beat the City vanguard. . ; . . The most noticeable improvement in the City team was the splendid backing up. Many times the backs raced away and snappy passing gained good ground. Devonport did not play so well as against Marist. when the backs combined better. There was too much individualism and at times selfish play, !L. Brown was easily the beat back on the ground, and his heady play often turned defence into attack. His tackling was an object lesson to players. Nathan, a recruit from Rugby, playel a sound game at five-eighths. He has a tricky run, and with experience should be an acquisition to City. W Johnson was good on occasions, but his handling could be improved Axeman did a let of useful work behind the pack, although he was inclined to delay his passes to the five-eighths, lurei and Maher gave indifferent displays. Thompson on the wing did well with limited opportunities. Playing in the forwards Watene gave a splendid display. He was in the thick of every attack and scored a fine try as the result of nice anticipation. McLaughlin, third row, also excelled in the open. Clark and Herring ilayed solid games. Rhodes and Hall were the best of the Devonport bocks. The former handled splendidly, and showed a lot of pace in passing bouts. Hall proved a dangerous wing to stop Too much kicking was noticeable, especially by R. Smith,, whose form was below that of .he previous week. Cowan was fair at halfback, but gave away malty penalties. Scott opened well by scoring a nice try, but late- he was often nut of position. Milicich was the best of the Devonport forwards and (-cored two tiies. Donald and Hunt were also prominent. b'or City tries were scored by Johnson, Watene, McLaughlin and Brown. Watene converted one try and kicked two penal y goals For Devonport, Milicich scored two tries and Scott one. Milicich converted one and kicked a penalty goal. Mr. W. Simpson was referee. MATCH FOR TO-DAY The Auckland Rugby League has set down two matches at Carlnw Park for this afternoon.. The chief attraction is the competition fixture between Richmond, last year * champions, and Mount Albert, the newlypromoted team. Both teams showed good form on the opening day and a fast match should result. As a curtain-raiser, the JNewton team will play Huntly. LOWER GRADE RESULTS Reserve Grade.—Richmond, 20. Mount Albert, 0: Papakura, 17, Point Chevalier, 3: Otahuhu, 21, Waiuku, 3. Second Grade.—Richmond, 30, Papakura, 0: Ponsonby. 21, Manukau, 0. Third Grade.— Ponsonby, a bye; City. 11. Devonport, 0; Manukau A, 6, Akarana B. 0; Manukau B. 12 Akarana A, 6; Otahuhu, 16, Marist B. 13. . . Third Grade Intermediate.—Manukau A, 6, Akarnna, 0; Otahuhu, 16, Marist, -13. Fourth Grade.—City. G. Papakura. 0; Newton won from Marist by default; Parnell B, ]fi, Ponsonby, 6. Fifth Grade.—Akarana, 8, Richmond B, 3; Richmond A, 11, Devonport, 5; Newton, 11. Papakura. 11; Ellerslie, 13, Mount Albjrt, 8, Sixth Grnde.—Richmond, 20, Devonport, 2; City, (i, Northcote, 0. Primary Schools.—Richmond, 19, Otahuhu, 0; Ellerslie, 3. Marist, 0; Northcote, 20, Avondale, f>; Avondale Convent won from City by default. Seven-a-Side.—Avondale Convent. 0, Marist, 0; Northcote, 3, Avondale, 0; Richmond A, 3, Green Lane, 0. CONTESTS ELSEWHERE Whsngarel. The Whangarei Rugby League football season opened in showery weather. Senior results were:—City, 27. Kensington, 5: Takahiwai, 21, Hikurangi United, 8. Juniors; Portland, 6, Kamo, 0; Hikurangi. 5, Onerahi, 3. Huntly.—Seniors: Taupiri, 17, Huntly, R. Juniors: Kia Ora, 13, Huntly, 11. Third grade: Huntly won from Ngaruawahia by default. , Christchurch.—Addington, 48, Linwood, 10; Hornby, 21, New Brighton, 3; Ruru, 29, Sydenham, 10.