THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22131, 10 June 1935, Page 14

THE LEAGUE CODE

-FINALS OF FIRST ROUND ) . ~ ftHIEF GAME ENDS IN DRAW ; NEWTON DEFEATS CITY The final series of matches in tha first round of the Auckland Rugby League's senior championship was played at Carlaw Park on Saturday, when the principal fixture between Marist and Mount Albert resulted in a draw. The curtainraiser between Newton and City provided entertaining football and Newton proved too good all round. The score, however, should-, have been closer. On the No. 2/ ground Devonport overwhelmed Ponsonby in a fast, open game. The ground was heavy after rain and several light showers did not improve the conditions. An amusing incident happened in the game between Newton and City when play in the second half was commenced without the referee. The timekeeper's bell checked a promising City movement.

Results of the senior matches were as follows:

Marist, 11; Mount Albert, 11. Newton, 15; City, 5. Devonport, SO; Ponsonby, 16.

OPPORTUNITIES LOST "■> KICKING OVERDONE A drawn game between Mount Albert and Marist was a good indication of the run of play, although many opportunities were lost by both sides. Too much kicking by the Mount Albert backs frequently held up the "attack after the forwards gained possession. The first half waa keenly contested, u the score, three to two in Marist's favour, indicates. Marist w«s not tip to fall strength, being without Campbell and Chalmers. I Marist adopted a unique ecrum formation in League football. Two forwards comprised the front row instead of three and three in the second row. Laird, the Marist captain, played as a rover among the backs. -His eye injury, received the previous week, was the cause of the altered scrum formation. Under the circumstances th© forwards received a fair Bhare of the ball, but Mount was bett-er all round on attack. The ..Mount Albert backs did good work, especially after the ball passed Hassan, who kicked many 4 times after the threequarters had raced into position. Soon after the second half started Marist outplayed Mount Albert and Keane scored two spectacular tries. Marist still had a good grip on the game ,when the score 11 to 8. A poor kick by -Glover under his own goalposts was charged down and Martin scored a simple try. The Jick by Morrissey just failed. Marist would lave been a little unlucky to have lost Splendid forward play was a feature of the «ame. The Marist set was outstanding in the loose, but the Mount Albert pack was prominent in solid tackling. „ Morrissey, at fullback for, Mount Albert, .played a eplendid game. His fielding was •always certain and aeveral times he started passing movements. J. Schultz waa promin*ent on attack and, with Dunn, was the 'best of the backs. Both McNeil and B. .Schultz, on the wings, played dashing football. Martin, behind the scrum, gave his backs plenty of chances and defended ably. Herring was the outstanding forward, while Shadbolt, Gunning and Spiro played good games. O'Shannassey,' fullback for Marist, made few mistakes and, with the exception of weak kicking, came through a trying game well. Loader was the best of the threequarters. Furlonger and McGreal were good on attack. Glover did some sound tackling at five-eighths, but kicked too much. Behind the Marist pack, Conneuey played a good game. The Marist forwards played splendidly on occasions. Keane, who scored two tries, was the outstanding forward. Laird and Woods played fine football, particularly the former, who was handicapped with a bad eye. > ' ""

The Mnrist tries were scored by Keane (2) and Loader. Keane converted one try. For Mount Albert. Dunn, McNeil and Martin scored tries and Morrissey kicked a penalty goal. Mr, M. Wetherill was referee.

c/ty lacks finish

NEWTON'S FINE MOVEMENTS

City lost several chances against New-

ton through lack of finish. Newton executed soman ;«plendid , movements, the reverse and scissors passing of the backs heating

the City defence, and two fine tries resulted. The try -scored by W. Brimble was the gem of the match. Six players handled in a fast run the length of the ground and when the defence oSered resistance to E. Brimble, his younger brother raced inside to accept a difficult transfer. The crowd showed its appreciation with pro-

longed applanse. The City backs were by no means outplayed. "With a little more finish, the wings, Thompson and Turei, would have scored

tries. Twice Brown was waiting for a reverse pass from Turei. who had but 'one

- Newton player to beat. The Newton forf wards were superior in the loose, but the City vanguard received more of the ball. The semms generally were badly formed. At times it was almost impossible to put the ball in. Both hookers should hove been penalised for blocking the tunnel. Like the principal match, too much kicking was indulged in. Several times City »pressed home a good advantage from the scrum, but possession was given to Newton. A miskick by Watene' gave Newton a simple try. Promising movements by the City backs were checked by some players running too far with the ball. Kerr was the outstanding player for Newton. He kicked with splendid judgment and his defence frequently held up promising attacks. Young was prominent on attack and made rome nice openings.

Franich was the best 6f the threequarters. The Brimble brothers played fine football, Behind the pack W. Brimble made some nice openings. Johnston and Middleton were the pick of the Newton forwards. Nathan and Lunn were also prominent. Wiberg. at fullback for City, played a eound game. Watene and Brown combined well and played good* football. Hira, behind the scrum, played a useful game. Clark and Dye were the beat of the City forwards. > For Newton- Brady, Younff And W. Brimble scored tries Brady converted two tries and "W. Brimble one. McLaughlin •scored for City and Wiberg converted. Mr. P. Roger# was referee.

DEVONPORT IN FORM DEFEAT OF PONSONBY Devonport gave one of its best exhibitions this season and outclassed Ponsonby in a fast game. Splendid passing by both backs and forwards was a feature of Devonport's play. The forwards were particularly good in the loose, and many times took part in passing movements with the backs. The Ponsonby yparguard . was completely disorganised by the fnst raiding tactics of the Devonport forwards. At no stage of the game did Ponsonby look a winning side. Every movement by its _backs was frustrated with eolid, low tackling, which was a feature of the game. The Devonport backs gave their best display this season. The margin in Devonport's favour caused a great surprise. Seagar and Rhodes played outstanding football for the winners. A try by the former was a really good effort. Hall played with plenty of dash on the wing. Both Cowan and E. Scott combined effectively on attack. L. Scott was also prominent on the wing. Tier was safe at fullback. Donald and Simpson were prominent among a splendid set of forwards. Adams and Hunt also played well. Bright was easily the best of the Ponsonby backs, who had a strenuous day. Riley and Kay with limited opportunities were also prominent. Hutt, Leatherbarrow and Moran were the beat forwards. For Devonport tries were scored by Rhodes, Donald E. Scott, Adftmu, Sea oar, Milicich. L. Scott and Souter. Milicich converted three /tries. For Ponsonby Moran. Bright, Stockley and Riley scored tries. Bright and Jones each converted a try. Mr. W. Simpson uas referee.

LOWER GRADE RESULTS Senior Reserve Grade.—City, 13, Newton. 9, Otahuhu, 10, Pftpakufa, S. Senior Grade B.—Point Chevalier, 88, Waiuku. 2.

y. Second Grsde.—Richmond, 26, R.V., 2; Ponsonby, 7, Glen or a, 2. Third Grade.—Richmond, 10, PoiiSOrtby, 10; Akaiana A, 51. Green Lane, 5; ManuB. 4. Northcote, 8. j ; , ». Fourth _G*ade.— City won from Green Lane B |lefault s' Papakura, 16, Point Chevalier Gi*de._Akarana, 5, Dsronport, 2; IsL.!- B. 0: Richmond A, hen. o e " • Papakura, 3, Mount

Sixth Grade.—City, 29, Point Chevalier, 2; Richmond won from Devonport by default. Seventh Grade.—Richmond, 2, Avondale, 0. Schoolboys' Games.—Devonport, 9, Northcote,, 3; Richmond, S, Akarank, 0; Marist, 19, Avondale Convent, 3; O'tahuhu, 7, City, 0. Seven-a-side Matches.—Richmond B, 3, Akarana, 0; Green Lane, 0, Avondale Convent, 0; Richmond A, 0, Otahuhu, 0.

MATCH AT TAUPIRI [I'ROM Otm OWN CORRESPONDENT"!

TAUPIRI, Saturday

Playing at Taupiri to-day in the South Auckland Rugby League's competitions, the home team defeated Ngaruawahia by 10 points to 5. Scorera for the winners were E. Taylor, G and W. Tittleton and T. Shaw, and G. Tittleton converted twic#. For the losers P. Mcßurney Bcored and E. Barakat was succeaful with a penalty kick.

CONTESTS IN PROVINCE

Huntly.—Seniors: Richmond (Auckland), 19, Huntly, 0. Juniors: Huntly, 8, Pukemiro, 0.

Whangarel.—The Northland Rugby .League held its series of games in the senior and junior championship competitions in showery weather. There was a good attendance. The chief attraction was at Jubilee Park, where the Takahiwai senior team defeated City by 21 points to 3. The winning team played a splendid combined game and gave a first-class exhibition of the code. The win to-day places Takahiwai six points ahead In the senior championship competition, and unless an additional round is arranged, it must win the senior. championship. In the other senior game, Hiknrangi beat Kensington by 17 points to 0. In the junior section Kamo", •21, beat City, 0.

MATCHES IN CHRISTCHURCH [BY TELEGRAPH —PREBS ABSOOIATION] CHRISTCHURCH, Sunday Rum, 8, Hornby, 6; New Brighton, 7, Sydenham, 3; Addington, 24, Linwood, 8.