THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22113, 20 May 1935, Page 13

THE LEAGUE CODE

RICHMOND STILL UNBEATEN GREAT TRY BY A. E. COOKE TWO PLAYERS ORDERED OFF The fourth scries of matches in the senior championship of the Auckland Rugby League was played on Saturday, Richmond, last year's champion side, maintaining its unbeaten record by defeating Ponsonby in the principal fixture at Carlaw Park. The game was fast and open throughout and the football was of a much better standard than that shown in previous games this season. The standard in the other games also showed improvement. The outstanding feature of Saturday's matches was the great try scored by A. E. Cooke for Richmond, from fullback. A few minutes before the final whistle Cooke received the ball five yards inside his own halfway and, threading his way through the whole Ponsonby team with clever swerving and change of direction, ho touched down beside the posts. The try will go down in the history of the code as probably the best scored on the ground. A large crowd was quick to appreciate Cooke's fine solo effort and he received a wonderful ovationNewton proved too good for Devonport in the curtain-raiser, in which tempers were frayed at times, and two players were ordered off the field in the second spell. On the No. 2 ground Marist had little difficulty in taking the honours from City. Results of matches follows:—, Richmond, 22; Ponsonby, 5, Newton, 20; Devonport, 5. Marist, 22; City, 11, BETTER COMBINATION RICHMOND'S SOUND DEFENCE

Better combination, attacking ability and defence, carried Richmond to victory against Ponsonby, which mads a valiant showing. Although overshadowed in the vanguard the Ponsonby pack held to its task well and at times cleverly frustrated movements by the opposition. Ponsonby was clearly superior in hooking, an advantage which would have proved greater but for the fine tackling of the Richmond team.

Richmond did the early attacking, starting movements from all positions, but quick covering by Ponsonby enabled the latter to pen Richmond in its twenty-five. Richmond was freely penalised and Ponsonby showed some fine football with reverse passing -which was only checked by excellent defence. After Jones lost a certain try when Bright made a clever opening, J. Stockley scored in a handy position, the goal points giving Ponsonby a five points' advantage.

Richmond was now commencing to settle down and its forwards wero seen in some sweeping movements which resulted in three tries. With the conversion of two of these and a penalty goal, Richmond led at halftime by 15 points to 5. Ponsonby rallied well in the second spell and kept Richmond hard pressed. Again only fine defence saved many dangerous situations for Richmond. Ponsonby was awarded several penalties near the posts, but threw away points by playing up-and-under tactics in endeavouring to score tries. There was more sting in the attack of the Richmond backs when they received chances. The Richmond forwards, too, were all playing well and kept together to advantage. For Richmond Cooke gave a fine allround display at fullback. Besides scoring a great try his handling and kicking was practically faultless, and many times he saved the position for his team. He repeatedly ran up and set his "backs in motion. McNeil and Couper both showed pace on the wings, while Mincham was very sound at centre. Fletcher was conspicuous for fine tackling, and Bickerton, except for faulty passing at times proved an effective link in the chain. Powell, at half, showed improvement, but his play was not up to that of last season. In a fine ptfck of forwards C. Satherley, Lawless, Tetley and Telford were outstanding. Payne, the Ponsonby fullback, again played well, showing gameness in going down in the face of strong rushes. Toward the end he had to retire as he received two bad knocks during the game. Jones and Holland did not have many opportunities on the wings, but the former was right off in his handling and repeatedly misfielded the ball. Bright again proved very dangerous with reasonable opportunities, and he was well marked. Halloran played a good game at halfback, starting his backs smartly and doing great work on defence. Kay also played a good game, but Riley was found wanting in tackling on occasions, although ho was prominent in starting some attacking movements. 1 Hutt was easily the best forward and he was in the picture throughout. He led the pack in fine style and was always handy on defence. J Stockley and Blood also played well. Leatherbarrow, formerly of Devonport, was not so prominent a3 usual. For Richmond, Telford (2), Tetley and Cooke scored tries. C. Satherley converted three tries and kicked two penalty goals. ,T. Stockley scored a try for Ponsonby which was converted by Bright. Mr. W. Simpson was referee.

DEFEAT OF CITY LOSERS DISORGANISED Marist proved too good for City, which fielded several reserve grade players. Good play in the first half by the Marist backs was responsible for three tries, and for the most part City was busy defending. Early in the game it was apparent that the disorganised City team would have no chance against Marist. Many good fnoves by the City backs usually broke down when the ball came to Broun, who was much below form. In the loose the Marist forwards gave the backs plenty of support and generally had an advantage in the scrums. The game was marred by too much kicking. The Marist five-eighths, particularly, lost possession after the ball had been won from the scrums. City rearranged its back division in the second half and several nice movements were witnessed. Tho tacklLng on both sides was poor. For Marist, Campbell, at fullback, played a splendid game. Hi 3 clean fielding and well-judged line-kicking were a feature of the game. Loader was easily the best of the threequarters and proved a fine player on attack. McGreal and Glover, at fiveeighths, got through a lot of useful work. Behind the scrum Chalmers played a good game. Woods was the pick of Marist forwards and received good support from Kesine and Bakalich.

Watene was easily the best player for City. In the first half he was prominent in the forwards, and did equally as good in the backs. Hira and Hutchinson, reserve grade backs, justified their inclusion. Herring and Clarke played well among the forwards. The former was particularly prominent. •

For Mnrist tries were scored by Glover. Laird, Keane, Webberley, Furlonger and Woods. Campbell and Keane each converted a try. For City, Turei. Ragg and Watene scored tries. Watene converted one try. Mr. M. Wetherill was referee.

NEWTON'S EASY WIN DEVONPORT OUTCLASSED At no stajje in the match could Devonport settle down against Newton, which was easily the superior team on the day. The match was marred to a certain extent through some players losing their tempers and during the second spell Kelsall, Newton, and Donald, Devonport, were ordered off the field. the ball from the scrums the Newton backs were seen in some pretty passing movements, and Devonport was kept on defence during most of the game. The only try scored by the losers was when R. Smith joined in a movement from fullback and touched down wide out. Newton, which led at half-time by 12 points to 2, was superior both back and forward. The defence of some of the Devonport backs left something to bo desired, and often weak tackling allowed the opposition to penetrate deeply. Dempsey played his usual sound game at fullback for Newton, and Brady, on the wing, showed speed and determination in going for the line. Young and E. Brimble combined well at five eighths, and the latter scored a clever try in the second spell when be cut in and left the opposition standing. W. Brimble played a good allround game at halfback and shows great promise in this position. Quirke, Middleton and Johnston were prominent among the forwards. R. Smith was not too happy in the fullback position for Devonport and would have been better closer up. The threequarters were starved, while the fiveeighths were mostly kept 011 defence. Seagar made a reappearance for his old club at second five-eighths, but there was no good combined piny in the rearguard. Cowan, half-

back, was easily the best back, and he played a good all-round game. He started several nice movements which lacked support. Souter, Simpson, Hunt and Donald were prominent in the forwards. For Newton tries were scored by Brady, Toung, E. Brimble, and Quirke. W, Brimble converted three tries and Dempsey kicked a penalty goal. R. Smith scored a try for Devonport, and Milicich kicked a penalty goal. Mr. 0. Chalmers was referee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS Reserve Grade.—Richmond, 21, Ponsonby, 9: Devonport, 16, Newton, 2; Papakura, 2, Otahuhu. 0. _ , Second Grade. —Richmond. 17, Ponsonby. 9; R.V., 19, Manukau, 10; Glenora, 15, Papakura, 8. Third Grade.—Mr.nnt A, 12, Richmond, 9; Ellerslie, 4, Manukau A, 4; Manukau B, •29. Northcote, 3; Marist B. 26, Akarana B, 0. Fourth Grade.—Glenora. 9, Richmond, b; Newton. 12. City. 5; Point Chevalier, 14. Mount Albert. 4. Fifth Grade.—Richmond B. 4. Mount Albert. 2; Richmond A, 21. Papakura, 4: Newton, 0, Akarana, 0; Ellerslie, 7, Devonport, 6. Sixth Grade.—Glenora won from Northcote by default; Richmond. 42, Point Chevalier. 0; City, 9. Devonport, 6. Seventh Grade.—Richmond. 9, City. 6. Schoolboys' Games.—Richmond, 8, Devonport. 3: Northcote. 20, Avondale Convent, 0; Otahuhu, 11. Marist. 3; Akarana. 41. Ellerslie, 0; Avondale. 11, City, 0. Sevenaside: Otahuhu, 0, Northcote, 0; Akarana, 3, Avondale, 0. MATCHES IN CHRISTCHURCH [BY. TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION*] CHRISTCHURCH, Sunday Leagie football matches yesterday resulted;—Addington, 21, Waimairi, 4; Hornby, 36, Ruru, 16; Linwood, 23, Sydenham, 5. MATCHES IN PROVINCE Tuakau.—Manaia, 38, City, 7; Pukekohe, 5, Mercer, 3. Waluku.—TVaiuku, 24, Point Chevalier, 15. Tauplrl.-—South Auckland League, Seniors: Taupiri, 29; Ngaruawahia, 0. Huntly.—Seniors; Huntly, 18; Pukemiro. 5. Juniors; Huntly, 5; Pukemiro, 3. Third grade: Huntly,"o; Pukemiro, 0. Whangarel —Seniors: Hikursngi, 26, Kensington, 0. Juniors: Portland, 40, Onerahi, 18.