THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22143, 24 June 1935, Page 14

THE LEAGUE CODE

I SENIOR GRADE CONTESTS RICHMOND SIDE DFFEATED f 111 TWO TEAMS EQUAL IN LEAD The second series of matches in the second round of the senior championship of the Auckland Rugby League was played on Saturday on heavy grounds, Mount Albert scoring a very popular victory in- the principal fixture over Richmond, last season's champions. In spite of the conditions and heavy showers during the play the standard in all games was good. The first spell in the chief match was in favour of Richmond, but Mount Albert rallied well in the second half and gained a well-deserved win. Ponsonby proved too good for Marist in the curtain-raiser, while on the No. 2 ground Devonport took the honours from City. As the result of its victory Mount Albert now shares the lead in the championship with Richmond, and the remaining contests will be full of interest. The Governor-General, Viscount Galway, attended and was given an ovation on entering the grandstand. At the conclusion of the chief match he went to the dressing rooms and congratulated the players on their exhibition. The results of Saturday's matches were as follows: — Mount Albert, 5; Richmond, 3. Ponsonby, 8; Marist, 3. Devonport, 10; City, 6. PENALTY GOAL DECIDES RICHMOND FORWARDS BEATEN Great interest was taken in the match between Richmond, last year's champion team, and Mount Albert, and there was much enthusiasm at the conclusion of play when Mount Albert left the field victors by a margin of two points. Each team scored a try, a penalty goal deciding the issue ten minutes before time. Heavy rain after this made it most difficult for either team to score, although Mount Albert missed narrowly on several occasions. Richmond was unfortunate in losing the services of Couper, wing, early in the second spell. This necessitated Tetley, back row forward, taking Couper's place, and from this stage the Richmond forwards were overshadowed. Mount Albert controlled the scrums, and Richmond seldom gained possession. The first spell was in favour of Richmond, which led at the interval by three points to nil, and looked a winning side. However, in the second half the Mount Albert forwards played fino football and, well supported by thg. backs, the team had Richmond on defence practically throughout. Richmond in this spell was rarely in Mount Albert territory, and only the splendid play and defence of Cooke saved the losers from a much heavier defeat. There was no holding Mount Albert when It scored an early try, and it was a little unlucky not to add another shortly .afterwards. Only selfish play by Herring robbed the team of a eel tain try. On the day Mount Albert was the better all-round team._ The handling of the backs was more certain and there was more snap and accuracy in their passing than that shown by the Richmond rearguard. The defence of the Mount Albert team as a whole was also superior and many times Richmond attacks were checked early, whereas the great majority of Mount Albert attackß were left to Cooke to check. The Richmond custodian had a very heavy day, but played a great game. His handling was rarely at fault, while his kicking was always welljudged and his tackling excellent. Both teams took time to settle down to the conditions and kick-and-follow tactics were adopted. The pack held the advantage and once from a scrum near the line Powell went over on the blind side, aided by high tackling. During this spell neither rearguard could work up a good combination and mishandling resulted. The thrills came in the second spell, when the packs had a great struggle, Mount Albert overshadowing its opponents both in the tight and loose. There were some splendid forward rushes, and the Mount Albert backs were seen in some nice combined movements which almost gainod tries, only sound tackling saving Richmond from many dangerous situations.

Cranch, at fullback for Mount Albert, played a cool game and kicked well, while at times he ran his backs into good positions. He gave a very sound all-round display. McNeil, on the wing, proved very elusive, and he shows promise of developing into one of_ the best wings in the code. After a mediocre exhibition in the first half Morrissey did great work in the second spell, and Bome of his attacking moves were really brilliant. Hassan, at half, showed a return to his best form, and he played a fine all-round game. Hi was equally effective whether on attack or defence. Mount Albert has a fine set of forwards, and they are all evenly balanced. A fault with some, however, was a tendency to tackle late, and several penalties were awarded against the team for this breach. Several times Cooke quite unnecessarily was a vigtim of the late tackle. One of the forwards, too, will need to curb himself, otherwise he' will be very fortunate if he, in the near future, is noi watching the game from the sideline. Outside Cooke. Mincham was the best Richmond back, but h t received few opportunities. Bickerton showed out in some very good attacking movements, while Powell did hard work on defence. Tetley, C. Satherley. J. Satherley and Lawless were the best of the forwards.

For Mount Albert Shadbolt scored a try ami Morrissey kicked a penalty goal. Powell scored a try for Richmond. Mr. P. Rogers was referee.

GOOD BACK PLAY MARIST LACKS FINISH In spite of the heavy ground the curtainraiser between -Ponsonby and Marist was full of incident. The Ponsonby backs combined effectively and handled the conditions much better than the -Marist set. On occasions the back play was good,- and would have done credit to a team on a dry day. The Marist forwards played, with their usual dash, but met with strong opposition from Ponsonby. On the other hand the Marist backs did not tackle well. Hutt beat half the team when Holland scored, and not one player attempted to go low. It was nevertheless the best movement in the game. Marist played improved football in the second half but lack of finish checked several promising movements.

There was some good play by the Ponsonby five-eighths, who had much to do with the tries scored. The pair, Kay and Riley, rarely lost possession, and cleverly opened up the game with limited opportunities. At times their football rose to a high standard, and they completely outclassed the opposition. But for some good defence by Glover, the pair would have scored on many occasions.

At fullback Murray played a sound game for Ponsonby. His fielding was faultless and ho always cleared to good advantage. The wings, Holland and Payne, did useful work. Bright played a heady game and frequently beat the defence with clever reverse passing. Kay was outstanding on attack and combined well with Riley, whose penetration paved the way for one try. Holloran was in pood form behind the scrum. Hutt was the best forward on the ground, and played a large part in his team's success. Davis and Rogers were also laoininent. O'Shannassey was a little weak in kicking at fullback for Marist and got his team into trouble as a result. Loader and Smith played good games on the wing. Furlonger dropped passes when tries were likely. Bakalich played a good game at centre. The forwards were un even set. Gunn p;ayed improved football, while Woods, Laird and Keane were prominent in tho lose. For Ponsonby Murray and Holland scored tries. Bright converting one. Smith scored a try foi Marist. Mr. S. Billman was referee. FORWARD STRUGGLE DEVONPORT BEATS CITY Good football was impossible on No. 2 ground, which was a quagmire in places, and the game between Devonport and City developed into a forward struggle. At times it was impossible to recognise the players, and the game was finished in semi-darkness. JJevOnport was the first team to attack and its backs swept pver City in several nice passing bouts. Within a few minutes of the luck-on Devonport scored. The game was bright in patches. One City passing bout, started by Brown near half-way, resulted in five players handling, and Brown finished off the movement with a nice try. City was unlucky to lose Wateno early in tho first half. I here was not a great deal of difference between the teams. The Devonport forwards i control of the ball and clever, dribbling was a feature of the game.

At full-back for Devonport Adams, a forward, played a very sound game. His splendid handling often saved awkward positions. Rhodes, at five-eighths, was the best of the Devonport backs. He made some nice openings and tackled well. Both Powell and Ilall played with dash on the wings. Seagar was prominent with well-judged kicking. Behin-l the scrum Cowan played an improved game. Hunt, Donald and Simpson were the pick of the forwards.

Hughes was safe at fullback for City, but Brown was easily the best back. Ford, a recruit from Rugby, played well at fiveeighths. Clarke was the best City forward. Herring and McLaughlin also played good games. For Devonport Hunt and Souper scored tries. Milicich converted one try and Seagar kicked a penalty goal. Johnson and Brown scored tries for City. Mr. M. Wetherill was referee.

LOWER GRADE RESULTS Senior Reserve Grade.—Marist, 8. Ponsonby, 2; City, 5, Devonport, 5. Senior B Grade.—Otahuhu, 13, Point Chevalier, 0; Papakura, 35, Waiuku, 5. Second Grade.—Ponsonby, 8. Papakura, 7; R.V., G, Glenora, 6; Mnnukan, 6. Green Lane, 5; Mount Albert, 12, Richmond, 2; Richmond, 2, Mount Albert, 0. Third Grade.—City, 13, Devonport, 10; Ponsonby, 37, Green Lane, 0; Marist, 21, Northcote, 3; Otnhuhu, 12, Marist B, 0; Richmond. 0, Manukau B, 4; Ellorslie, 15, Manukati A, 0. Fourth Grode.—Point Chevalier A, 5, Ponsonby. 3; Richmond. 3, Newton, 0. Fifth Grade. —Newton, 9, Papakura, 0; Akarana, 3, Richmond B, 0; Ellerslie. 23, Mount Albert, 0; Richmond A, 21, Devonport, 2. Seventh Grade.—Richmond, 8, City, 2.

NEW GROUND AT WHANGAREI SUCCESS OF NEWTON TEAM [FKOM OUR OWN correspondent] WHANGAREI, Sunday Yesterday afternoon marked a very important advancement in the activities of the Northland Rugby Football League when the Mayor. Mr. W. Jones, officially opened Jubilee Park, the new home of Rugby League in Whangarei. There was a large attendance. Mr. Jones expressed hisf great pleasure at the League taking over such a spl.endid pieco of ground. He extended, on behalf of the citizens of Whangarei, a very hearty welcome to Mr. 11. R. Miller, secretary of both the New South Wales Rugby League and the Australian Board of Control. He also extended a welcome to Mr. N. C. Snedden, chairman of the New Zealand Rugby League Council. On behalf of the Australian Board of Control, Mr. Miller wished to thank all League supporters for the assistance they had given the code in the Dominion.

A game was played, subsequently between the Newton Bangers team from Auckland and the Whangarei representative team, Newton winning by 20 points to 14 points. An outstanding feature of the game was the splendid goal-kicking of Sisaons, who kicked four goals and was responsible for 11 points. On tho only occasion lie missed, the ball hit a post and rebounded. Tries for Newton were scored by I)empsey, Sissonß, Nathan and Quirke. Sissons converted three tries and kicked a penalty goal. Parkes, W. Meyers, Merrick and Toki scored for Whangarei, Parkes converting one try.

A curtain-raiser to the above was a North versus South junior match, resulting in a win for North by 8 points to 7.

MATCH AT WELLINGTON. [BY TELEGRArH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON. Sunday In a League football match yesterday Central beat St. George by 18 points to 7. GAMES IN COUNTRY CENTRES [from herald correspondents] Tuakau.—Manaia, 20, City, 12; Pukekohe, 0, Mercer, 0. Waiuku.—Junior match: Waiuku, 11, Waipipi, 3. Huntly,—Seniors: Huntly, 6, Ngaruawahia, 3. Juniors: Ngaruawahia, 11, Huntly, 3.