THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22137, 17 June 1935, Page 13

THE LEAGUE CODE

SENIOR GRADE CONTESTS RICHMOND TEAM EXTENDED FINE DISPLAY BY NEWTON The second round of matches in the Auckland Rugby League's senior championship was commenced on Saturday at Carlaw Park, when a large crowd saw Richmond retain its lead in the championship by defeating Newton. The play was mostly confined to the forwards, and some open football was provided by the rival vanguards. Richmond proved to be a very fit te;im and outplayed Newton in the final stages. In the curtain-raiser game, Devonport secured a narrow victory over Marist in a well-contested game. The second half was full of incident. At Onehunga, Mount Albert gained an easy win at the expense of City in a fast game. Results of the matches were as follows: — Richmond, 14; Newton, 6. Devonport, 10; Marist, 8. Mount Albert, 27; City, 14.

FAST ENCOUNTER NEWTON TIRES AT FINISH Better combination, fine attacking: ability and a splendid defence earned Richmond to victory against Newton. It was not until 10 minutes before time that Richmond was able to make sure of the points, Newton putting up a splendid fight. The champion tean's backs played brilliant football. Newton was' clearly superior in hooking, an advantage which was not made the most of by the inside backs, who were hampered by the heavy ground. There was a lack of penetration by the Newton five-eighths, and fine tackling helped Richmond. Newton was unfortunate to lose Brady near the end of the first half. No fewer than four easy goals were missod by Newton after Brady left the ground. TJe might easily have proved a match-winner. When the score was- eight points to six in favour of Richmond, the championship leaders opened up the game and scored two fine tries, the result of good combination. Newton was a tired team in the concluding stages, and several players were limping, particularly Kerr, the fullback, was injured early in the game. In the first half Richmond's backs showed superior speed, and excellent support resulted in Mincham scoring between the posts. In this movement the forwards gave timely support. Newton was a trifle unlucky not to hold a lead at the interval. The Richmond forwards were frequently penalised for scrum infringements and a good goal-kicker wculd have given Newton several points. An obstruction try. a rare decision, was awarded to Richmond, when 'Lawless, in racing to touch down, was pulled down by Hulme. There seeined an element of doubt as to whether Lawless wculd have reached the ball, which was rolling fast toward the dead ball line. The referee, however, was in a good position to see tho incident, and he gave a prompt ruling. From then on the Richmond backs had complete control and proved too speedy for Newton. The Newton backs might have played better on a fast ground, but it would have taken a good team to have beaten Richmond. The Newton forwards played splendid football and dominated the game throughout. Their all-round play showed definite improvement. . Bickerton. the Richmond five-eighths, was easily the best back on the ground. He made several splendid openings, and repeatedly turned defence into attack by clever running. Minchnm, at centre, also played a fine game and scored two nice tries. Cooke saved Richmond with wellplaced kicking, but was not prominent on attack. McNeil showed pace on the wing, but kicked too much. Behind the scrum, Powell was repeatedly caught in possession. Fletcher, five-eighths, and Mitchell were prominent on attack. Tetley was the outstanding Richmond forward, and played a Bplendid game in the loose. Telford and Lawless were also prominent. W. Brimble,, the Newton halfback, did not reveal his best form, being a trifle slow in starting passing movements. The play of E. Brimble suffered in consequence, although several times the five-eighths made nice openings. Franich was easily the best of the threcquartera. Kerr fielded well, but was too slow in clearing. Dempsey played improved football in the second half. Kelsall and Quirke were the pick of the Newton pack. Middleton and Lunn were also prominent. For Richmond, Mincham scored two tries and McNeil and Lawless one each. Satherley converted one try. For Newton, W. Btimble kicked two penalty goals, and Brady one. Mr. W. Simpson was referee.

MATCH AT ONEHUNGA WIN FOR MOUNT ALBERT Mount Albert defeated City in a poorlycontcsted game at Onehunga. Mount Albert showed the better combination, and made fewer mistakes than its opponents. The latter started well and the City backe appeared likely to run up a good score. The first half was in favour of City, but throughout the second spell Mount Albert dominated the play. The latter's backs were seen in some nice play. Too much individual play was a fault with City, which threw away many opportunities early in the game. Mount Albert is an improved team. The forwards showed good form in the loose. Hassan, behind the Mount Albert pack, was easily the best back. He gave his outside men every assistance. J. Schultz played well as five-eighth, as did Dunn, who made several good openings. Crnnch was Bound at fullback. Gunning, Herring and Shadbolt were the best of the forwards. S. Watene was easily the best, City player. He started many passing bouts from nil positions, and did splendid work on defence. Brown plfiyed well among the backe. but was not given much support. Dye woe the pick of the City forwards. Clarke and Herring nlso played good games. For Mount Albert List scored three tries. Morrissey two, and McNeil and B. Schultz one each. Morrissey. Crsnch and List each converted one try. Herring and Thompson scored a try each for City. Watene converted one try, and kicked three penalty goals. Mr. P. Rogers was referee. POINTS TO DEVONPORT CLOSE GAME WITH MARIST In an exciting second hnlf, Devonport just managed to defeat Marist, which had an advantage throughout the game. There was little to choose between the teams. Mnrist was unlucky not to score in the first half, when Loader was pulled down inches from the Devonport line. Marist's backs made some bad mistakes, which were taken advantage of by the fast Devonport forwards. Well into the second half; Marist looked a winning team. Devonport rose to the occasion, however. A sensational try was scored by L. Scott, who followed up his own kick and actually took the ball again before it _ touched O'Shannassey's hands. A fine kick from the sideline by Seagac placed Devonport in the lead. The Marist forwards made great efforts to regain the lead, but fine defence kept the Devonport line intact. The best movement of the game crime from the Marist backs half-way through the first half. McGreal raced down the touch line to halfway and passed to Woods, Glover and

Keane also handling. Loader side-stepped infield, and, in a great race with L. Scott, missed a try by inches. The try by Cowan for Devonport was very lucky, Loader slipping and missing the force down after the ball was over *he line. Play throughout was full of incident and the fortunes of the teams varied. With a little more finish the Marist backs would have swung the advantage. There is not a great deal of combination in the Devonport team, but its players are good spoilers. The forwards showed splendid anticipation in fast raids and the tackling was of a high standard. For Devonport, Seagar, at centre-three-quarter and later at fullback, played a sound game. His well-directed kicks often got Devonport out of trouble. Hall played a dashing game on the wing. Scott also showed up well on attack. The five-eighths, E. Scott, and Rhodes, did splendid work on defence. Cowan was solid behind the ncrum, while Hunt proved the outstanding forward. Rogers and Donald also played well. At fullback for Marist, O'Shannassy played a good game. Loader nnd McGreal were the pick of the backs. Glover did an amount of useful work on defence. Woods was the outstanding forward on the ground. He was always prominent in the loose and gave the backs good support. Laird and Keane were also good in the loose. For Devonport, Cowan and L. Scott •cored a try each. Seagar converted one try and Milicich kicked a penalty goal. Woods and Furlonger scored for Marist, and Keane converted one try. Mr. M. Wetherill was referee.

LOWER GRADE RESULTS Senior Reserve Grade.—Richmond, 10, Newton, 0. Senior Grade B.—Papakura, 12, Point Chevalier, 5. Second Grade.—Richmond, 16, Tuakau, 6; Glenora, 21, Manukau, 3. Third Grade.—Richmond, 12, Marist A, 9; Manukau B, 41, Gryen Lane, 0; Devonport, 15, Manukau A, 8: City, 5, Marist, 5. Fourth Grade.—City. 35. Otahuhu, 0; Glenora, 17, Northcote, 3: Newton, 40, Point Chevalier, 2; Point Chevalier, 4, Papakura, 3. Fifth Grade.—Richmond B, 11. Takapuna, 2; Richmond A, 11, Akarana, 0; Newton, 5, Ellerslie, 0. Sixth Grade.—City, 0. Richmond, 0. Seventh Grade.—Avondale, 3, City, 0. Schoolboys' Games.—Devonport, 14, City. 0; Northcote, 3. Green Lane A, 2: Otahuhu. G, Avondale, 0; Marist, 37, Ellerslie, 0; Richmond, 49, Green Lane B, 0. Seven-a-side Matches.—Marist, 3, Richmond A, 0; Green Li>ne, 3, Richmond B, 0. CONTESTS IN PROVINCE Tuakau.—Richmond seconds, 14, Tuakau, 6. Huntly—Senior gTade: Taupiri. 17, Huntly, 11. Waiuku.—Auckland Benior B competition: Otahuhu, 20. Waiuku, 0. A junior match: Waiuku, 17, Waipipi, 0. Whangarel.—The Northland Rugby League continued its competitions this afternoon under splendid conditions. At Jubilee Park the attraction was the match between Kensington and City, which resulted in a win for Kensington by 8 points to 3. after a keenly-contested game. At Kensington Park, in the junior section, Onerahi and City drew, each team scoring three points. GAMES IN THE SOUTH [BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION*] Christchurch.—Addington, 12, Ruru. 3; Hornby, 8. Linwood, 5; New Brighton, 3, Waimairi, 0. Wellington.—St. George, 11. Randwick, 10; Petone, 18. Central. 7.