THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22161, 15 July 1935, Page 14

THE LEAGUE CODE

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP TWO TEAMS AGAIN EQUAL RICHMOND DEFEATS MAR IST The senior championship of the Auckland Rugby League has reached a most interesting stage as a result of Saturday's play. Richmond and Mount Albert are again equal in the lead with two more series of games to be decided. Richmond has only one match to play, as it has a bye in the final series. With an improvement in tbe ground j conditions the standard in the chief j match at Carlaw Park was high, and j until the last 20 minutes Marist held | Richmond in some thrilling exchanges. The better condition of the Richmond j team then told its tale, and the side ran up 22 points, while Marist failed j to score. Some of the team movements j which led to tries were easily the best seen this season. The curtain-raiser between Mount Albert and Devon port proved rather disappointing, and the latter, which staged a good recovery in the second spell, was a little unlucky in not taking the full points. A fast and interesting game at Glen Lden between Newton and Ponsonby was won by the former by one point. Results of senior matches were as follows: — Richmond, 22; Marist. 0. Mount Albert, 8; Deronport, 8. Newton, 14; Ponsonby, 13. SURPRISING MARGIN AN EVEN FIRST SPELL The Match between Richmond and Marist ended in a surprising margin in favour of the former. All through the first spell and for half the second a great battle was waged between the teams, and honours were about even. Richmond could not get possession from the scrums, and this proved a big handicap, while bring of great advantage to Marist. The latter was unlucky on occasions, but it is a tribute to the splendid defence of the Richmond team that its line was not once crossed. When Marist lost Woods about 20 minutes before time Richmond continually gained possession from the Bcrunis, and both backs and forwards thrilled the spectators with some very clever football. Ihe climax to many brilliant movements came when Cooke, fullback, and Mincham. wing, were associated in a reverse passing tiout which went almost the length of the held. Cooke finalising the attack with a fine try. One of the features of the game was the excellent tackling of both sides, and it was only in the final stages that the Marist defence wilted. Each team misaed chanceß. but the Richmond combination and handling was far more convincing and successful than that of the opposition. On its present form Richmond should expertence little difficulty in again annexing tbe championship. , . Cooke played .another fine game at lullback for Richmond, and was often in passing movements with the backs. One mistake, when he slipped on fielding the ball, nearly cost a try. Mincham, wing, played right up to his best form, and was easily the best of tbe threequarters on either sicje. A determined runner and a clever player, Mincham is always dangerous with reasonable chances. Bennett, on the other wing, a promoted junior, appeared nervous and mieiiandled at times when tries were' likely. However, he made amends somewhat by showing plenty of determination when going for the line, and his d»fence was sound. Fletcher gave an improved displav at centre, his game being more in keeping with his form of last season. Bickerton, second five-eighths, is fiutLlmc hiß early season promise, and he did clever work on attack apd defence. Prentice made a reappearance for his oid team," and he played an outstanding game. It was his firet match this season, but he has lost none of his attacking ability, while his defence is as good as ever. In association with Powell he scored a fine try, the first of the match. Powell played a splendid game at halfback, and he made some fine openings for his outside men. On defence, too, he did a lot of useful work, and all round it was his best form this geaßon. , , , The Richmond forwards proved a good, even set. which gave the backs everv assistance. The vanguard played good football both in the tight and the loose, with Lawless, C. Satherley. Telford and Tctley prominent throughout. Except for getting lus kick charged, which led to Telford scoring. Campbell played a sound game at fullback for Marist. The wing-threequartere were not impressive, but Bakalich, centre, made some good openings. and with better support from his confreres these would have led to trie*. Glover did sound work on defence at first, five-eighths, but. like Chalmers, halfback, was prone to kick too much. The forwards played well throughout, and were at a decided disadvantage in the last 20 minutes when Woods had to leave the field. Laird. Keane. "Woods and Gunn were always to the fore. , , „ For Richmond tries were scored by Prentice, Telford (2), Lawless, Fletcher and Cooke. Fletcher converted two tries. Mr. M. Wetherill was referee. A FAST DISPLAY MARGIN OF ONE POINT A fast and exciting match was played at Glen Eden, and resulted in a one-point win for Newton over Ponsonby. Newton established an early lead, and looked to have the game in safe keeping. Ponsonby however, late in the Becond half, 6bowea improvement and its backs ployed fine football Flay went up and down the field at a great pace and the fortunes of the teams fluctuated throughout. A few minutes before time the Newton forwards attacked strongly and Ponsonby had to tackle soundly to ke\?p its line intact. Newton gained a slight advantage, and, amid excitement, scored a try. which resulted in a win. . , The teams were evenly matched, particularly in the backs. The Ponsonby rear division lost opportunities through uncertain handling, and these mistakes were turned to good account by the quickness of the Newton five-eigtlhs. Ponsonby was unlucky to lose two points when Jones miß&od a goal from a try scored by Hutt between the posts, The dry ground favoured the Newton backs, who recently have not shown their best form. Ponsonby's forwards were n little superior in the loobb. and shaded the opposition. The match was witnessed by n fair crowd, and the action of the Auckland league in staging the fixture was appreciated by residents of the /li^rict. For Newton E. Brimble. five-eighths and W Brimble. halfback, were the outstanding players. The former made several nice openings, which gave the. threequarters plenty of opportunities. Framch played well and Schlesinger did good work at centre Young was prominent m the second naif end made the opening which gave Newton victory. Lunn was prominment among the Newton forwnrds nnd was well supported by Middleton. Quirke and Kelsall. Riley and Kay were the best of the Ponsonby backs. The former was m good form' and often cut the defence to ribbons by clever running. Kay scored a very try. Halloran played a safe game lh nk Huti was the best forward on the ground, while Moran. Lentherbarrow and Rogers also played good ga,mcs For Newton tries were> scored by Schlee inger Sliarpe, Lunn end Quirke. W. Brimble converted one try. Butt, McDonald and Kay scored for Ponsonby, and .Tones converted two tries. Mr. S. Billman was referee.

devonport recovers

DRAWN GAME PLAYED

After u ruSKed start, the curtain-raiseT between Mount Albert and Devonport developetl itit ■> u fnsl enme. Rtld tne second half was full of excittnc incidents. Devonport made a creat lecovery and conn med the score just before time. Mount Albert did most of the attacking in the firs half, and was unlucky not to score a second try. On one occasion McNeil cleverly beat Seacar and passed to Herrmc. but the last-named. who had a clear run in. tripped, and a try wae lost. Ihe Devonport backs failed to k«en their positions, and Mount Albert would have scored more points but for bad handlinc The tncklinc on both Bides was Rood and a feature of the puine. The Mount Albert forwards <lid Bomc effective work in ibe scrums, and won the ball on numerous occasions. The inside back*, however, failed to drive the advantage home. The fiveeighth*. well served by Hassan, often stood fiat-footed, and were easily tackled by the fast DevonTiort forwards. There was little to choose hetween the teams until well into the second half, when Mount Albert led by 8 pointß to 8. Devonport wae awarded

several penalties within reasonable distance of the goal, but Simpson elected to kick high. Those tactics were questionable and probably cost Devonport the game. Even then, Devonport should have iwm, A fine passing bout on the terrace side carried play to Mount Albert's twenty-five, where Radonich trained further ground before passing to Seagar, The latter had a clear run over, but turned infield, only to be caught. It was one of the simplest of tries missed. Splendid passing by the Devonfiort forwards swept over the opposition, and Hunt scored a nice try just a few minutes before tune. The Devonport forwards took a lons time to gain the upper hand, and it was only in the last ten minutes that the Mount' Albert vanguard was beaten. For Mount Albert Wilson, at fullback, played li sound came, and kicked well with either foot. McNeil, on the wine, was easily the best back on the ground, and with' better support would have been the match-winner. Schultz, on the other wing, was a little uncertain in handling, wlule List playpd fairly well at centre. Neither Dunn nor Morrisiey played tip to form. Hassan got through a lot of useful work behind the scrum. Herring played a fine game among the Mount Albert forwards. Khadbnlt and Gunning were also prominent. Campbell, hooker, made a reappearance. and won the ball from set scrums. Donaldson, at fullback for Devonport. was unreliable and often caught in possession. Seagar was too slow on the wing. Hal! played with all his usual dash on the wing and was hard to stop. Rhodes was perhaps the best of the bocks. He made several nice openings at five-eighths. Cowan played well behind the scrum. Sawter played an outstanding game in the Devonport. pack, and was well supported by Hunt. Simpson and Scott. For Mount Albert, tries were scored by Schultz, and Shadbolt. and Morrissey kicked a penalty goal. For Devonport Seagar and Hunt scored tries. Milicich converting one. Mr. W Simpson was referee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS Senior Reserve Grade.—Otahuhu, 30, Green Lane, 9. Second Grade.—Richmond, 32, Papakura. 2; Ponsonby. 5. Manukau, 3; R.V., 11. Mount Albert, 5. Third Grade.—Otahuhu. 22. Devonport. 14; Ponsonby. 17. Manukau B, 2; Northcote. 30, Green Lane, 5; Mnrist A, 6, Akarana A, 6. . _ fourth Grade.—City. 8. Glenora, 2; Ponsonby, 5, Point Chevalier, 3; Papakura, 8, Richmond, 5; Newton, 22, Point ChevaFifth Grade.—Richmond A. 2">. Richmond B 7- Newton. 9, Mount Albert, 0. Sixth Grade— Northcoto. 8. Glenora, 0; City, 13. Devonport, 5; Richmond A, 24, Richmond B. 7. Seventh Grade.—City. 9, Avondale, 0. Schoolboys' Games.— Devonport, 12, Otahuhu. 3; Northcote, 31, Avondale Convent. 0; Marist, 31, Green Lane B, 0; Richmond, Seven-a-side Games. —Northcote. 0, Otahuhu, 0; Marist, 0. Green Lane, 0. GAMES IN COUNTRY CENTRES [from herald correspondents! Whangarei.—There was a good attendance at Jubilee Park, when the chief attraction under the Rugby League football code was the match between Auckland City Rovers and the Whangarei representative team, resulting in a win for Whangarei by 13 points to 11. The weather was fine and the ground in fair order after the heavy rains For 'Whangarei, Toki scored two tries and Meyer one. Parks and Wells each converted a try. For Auckland a try each was scored by Watene, Ragg and L. Brown, one try being converted by Watene. As a curtainraiser a match was played between the ■senior B representatives and the junior representatives, resulting in a win for the latter by 9 points to 3. Huntty Seniors: Ngaruawahia. 11. Huntly, 2. .Tuniors: Huntly, 3, Ngaruawahia, 6. Waiuku. —Auckland senior B grade: Point Chevalier, 25. Waiuku, 5. Tuaknu. —Lower Waikato League s cornpetition: Manaia, 21, Mercer, 13; City, 25, Pukekohe, G. GAMES IN SOUTHERN CENTRES [by telegraph—rnESß association] Wellington.— St George, 8. Central, 5; Randwick, 12, Petone, 9. Chrißtchurch.— Addington, 21, Linwood, 11; Hornby. 4. Ruru, 2: Waimairi. 11, Sydenham, 10.