THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22203, 2 September 1935, Page 17

THE LEAGUE CODE

EOOPE ROOSTER MATCHES SEMI-FINALS DECIDED RICHMOND AND NEWTON WIN The semi-finals of the Auckland Rugby League's Roope Rooster competition were played at Carlaw Park on Saturday when a good crowd witnessed two last and open games, A sharp shower halfway through the main game spoiled otherwise good playing conditions. In the principal game, Richmond proved too good for Mount Albert, which was beaten comfortably. In the curtainraiser Newton caused a surprise by defeating City, which played disappointing football. Richmond will play Newton in the final next Saturday. Additional games for tho Phelan Shield were also played. Ponsonby beat Otahuhu and Devonport defeated Marist. Players in all matches wore white arm bands as a mark of coiulolenco with Mr. T. A. McClymont, the New Zealand selector and coach, in tho death of his father. Following are the results: — Roopo Rooster. Richmond, 20, Mount Albert, 6; Newton, 17, City, 11. Phelan Shield.—Ponsonby, 27, Otahuhu, 3j Devonport, 34, Marist, 22. BACKS IN FORM RICHMOND'S GOOD WIN Richmond maintained its good form and dofeated Mount Albert comfortably in a well contested game Toe Richmond backs firava one of their best displays and outclassed tho opposition on occasions. Better positional play assisted Richmond in some good movements and the backs were faster on attack. It took Mount Albert a long time to settle down, especially tho forwards, who were not so prominent as usual. In the loose, tho forwards did not play with the same dash, while there was not the usual understanding with tho rearguard. Tho first half was even and there was not a great deal between tho teamß. Richmond scored two tries and converted one, while Morrissey kicked three good penalty goals for Mount Albert. Richmond opened up smartly in the second spell and quickly added two tries, as tho result of excellent support by the forwards. Tho Richmond backs wero too fast for Mount Albert, and speed played a big part in tho victory. Tho Mount Albert inside backs did not combine effectively and played too much individual football. A feature of tho match was the splendid form of S. Prentice, who played an outstanding gamo at five-eighths. Prentice made two beautiful openings which resulted in tries, besides doing a lot of useful work on defence. Cooko played a very sound game at fullback and repeatodly turned dofence into attack by running the backu into position Both tho wings, McNeil and Mincharu, played good games, especially tho former. Fletcher and Bickerton wore prominent on attack, while Powell behind the scrum did his work well The Richmond forwards played splendid football. Lawless was perhaps tho best, while Telford and Tetley were also prominent.

At fullback for Mount Albert, Morrissey played a fine gamo and was easily the best back. He fielded well and kicked with splendid judgment. On one occasion Morrissey went close to scoring after starting a movement from his own twenty-fivo. Wilson was prominent nt five-eighths in the second half. J Schultz, centre, and B. Schultz on the wing, played good individual games. Hassan was not in his best form behind tho scrum. Herring, Spiro and Gunning were tho best of the forwards. For Richmond tries were scored by Bvoadhead, Telford, Powell, Fletcher, J. Satherley and Mincham. C. Satherley converted one try. For Mount Albert, Morrissey kicked three penalty goals. Mr. M. Welherill was referee. CITY DISAPPOINTS FORWARDS OUTCLASSED Newton was in good form in the curtainraiser, and was always l-laying a winning game against City, which disappointed many supportera, Newton won tho bnll from tho majority of the scrums and its backs made good with smart attacks. City, with the exception of tho last fifteen minutes, could do nothing right and its backs at no stage played with confidence. The forwards failed badly and were outclassed by the Newton set.J Tho City backs looked dangerous only halfway through the second half, when they pressed home several strong offensives. In the first half Newton was decidedly superior and gained a comfortable lead at half-time. Tho inside backs moved fast on attack, and Brady, on the wingr, Bhowed a lot of dash and scored two spectacular tries. He kicked a great goal to convert his second try. In the second half City did bettor with a rearranged rear division. Brown came into centre and speeded up tho attack. The Newton . backs, however, were altvays keen to play open football and more than held their own. There was a tendency on the part of the City five-eighths to kick tho ball, and this checked several promising movements. Brady was tho best back on the ground and scored 15 of the 17 points registered. Ho must be considered unlucky to miss a place in the Auckland team. Dempsey played a sound game at centre, although he was inclined to kick too much. Franich spoiled a good game by holding on too long. The five-eighths. Young and E. Brimble, played splendidly on attack. Behind the scrum W. Brimble started many nice movements, although he rerely retired after the ball was put in the scrum. Kerr played soundly at fullback. Quirke was the besi forward, being well supported by Cleinm and Middleton. For City, Turei at fullback fielded well but was a little uncertain with his return kicks. Brown has played bettor games and although prominent on attack, he was hard to follow. Cooney was in good form at five-eighths as was Hapi on tno wing. Ford made several nioe openings in tho second half, but often ran away from his supports. Watene tackled well and played improved football in the scram. Wiberg, without the ball, was handicapped, but did useful work behind a beaten pack. Herring was easily the best of the forwards. Clarke also played well. For Newton, Brady scored three tries, converted one and kicked two penalty goals. W. Brimblo also kicked a penalty gon!. For City Wateno. Hapi and Dye ecorod. Wateno converted one try. Mr. W. Simpson was referee. PHELAN SHIELD PONSONBY'S EASY VICTORY In tho Phelan Shield match Ponsonby outclassed Otahuhu in a ragged game on No. 2 ground. Tho Ponsonby backs were superior throughout. Otahuhu extended Ponsonby in the first half, the latter securing a five points' margin. The Otahuhu defence crumbled after the interval and tho Ponsonby backs added *1163 with ease. The Otahuhu forwards put up a solid fight against a heavy pack ard there was not much to choosj between the vanguards. For Ponsonby Kny (2), Leatherborrow (2), Stockley, Jones .and Hutt scored tries. Stockley converted ono try and kicked a penalty goal. Jones also converted one try. For Otahuhu Greenwood scored a try. Mr. O. Chalmers was referco. DEFEAT OF MARIST Devonport proved too good for Mariat, which was defeated in a high-scoring game on No. 2 ground. Devonport had much the hotter of tho first half. Neither team took matters seriously, but the football was, nevertheless, interesting to watch. The Devonport backß had a better share of tho ball and made tho most of tho good work of tho five-eighths. The Marist forwards wore good in tho loose. For Devonport, Hall (2), Hunt (2), Thompson, Rhodes, L. Scott and Milicich scored tries. Milicich converted ttireo tries, and Rhodes and Souter one each. For Marist, Bakalich (2), Loader, Keane, Laird ajid Chalmers scored tries, Chalmers converted two. Mr. S. Billman was referee. SOUTHERN TOUR ! AUCKLAND PLAYERS CHOSEN ■ Tho Auckland Rugby League selectors Messrs. E. K. Asher, H. Avery and W. Minchum havo chosen the following players to tour South, matches to bo played* at Wellington, Christchurch and Greymouth:— Backs.—C. Dompsoy (Newton), A. E. I Cooke (Richmond), L. Brown (City), w! Hall (Devonpoit), C. Kay, B. Riley (Ponsonby), W. Hassan (Mount Albort). H Fletcher (Richmond), E. Brimble (Newton). Forwards.—.T. Laird (Marist), L. Hutt (Ponsonby), H. Simpson (Devonport), D. Herring (Mount Albert), C. Satherloy, H. Tetley (Richmond), D. Keano (Marist).

Tho team io not the best available. With a view to keeping players in training for the Auckland match against the Australians, the following additionol players are required to attend practice at Carlow Park to-morrow and Thursday evenings;—Campbell (Marist), Prentice, Mincham, Powell, Telford, Lawless (Riohmond), Watene (City) and Woods (Marist). LOWER GRADE RESULTS Senior Reserve Grade.—Green Lane, 11, Mount Albert, 5; City, 10, Pupakura, 7; Richmond, 2, Marist, 2. Second Grade.—R.V., 8, Mangere, 0: Richmond, 20, Ponsonby, 2. Third Grade.—City, 21, Green Lane. 3. Fourth Grude.—Newton, 13. Glen Ora. 0: Richmond, 24, Point Chevalier, 0; City, 29, Northcote 9. Fifth Grade.—Final knock-out: Richmond A. 7. Ellerslie, 2. Schoolboys' Gamea.—Ellerßlio won from Avondalo Convent by default; Richmond, 23, Marist, 0; Green Lane B, 3, Avondale, 0: Green Lano A, 3, Dovonport, 0; City, 18. Akarana, 0. Soven-a-side Games.- Richmond A, 3, Avondalo Convent, 0; Ellerslie," 0. Green Lane, 0. WIN FOR HAWKE'S BAY [iJY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON. Sunday Down by 16 points to 3 in tho first half, ill which they played against the wind, the Hawko's Bay Rugby League representatives made a splendid recovery in tho second half to defeat the Wellington representatives by 29 to Iti yesterday, Tho ground was almost aa hard «s a pavement. The game was bright and provided a fast exhibition of the code, but the visitors possessed pace and determination, which Wellington could not copo with in tho olosing stpges. Mapuhi, the Hawke's Bay fullback, tilayed an exceptionally fino game, as did Staples at contro. The combination of tho insido backs, Gommell and liihi, was an object lesson, Cushing, Rota and Purccll, of tho forwards, played towering games. Wellington's outside backs were disappointing, but tho play of tho team on tho whole was a distinct improvement on that of its game against Richmond (Auckland) earlier in the season, and the team should be able to make a good showing against Auckland at Wellington on Saturday next. CONTESTS IN PROVINCE [FROM HERALD CORRESPONDENTS] Whangarei.—ln a match at Jubilee Park, City, 24, defeated Kensington, 3, in the knock-out competition for tho Cadman caps. The following players have been soleoted to represent the Whangurei schools in a matoh noxt Saturday in Auckland against tho primary school representatives for the Golden Bloom Banner:—Brott (2), Mason Gibson. Parkes, Spice, Taylor, Morton, Jeryns (Whangarei). Pink, McKenzie (Portland), Laid, Phillips, Ritson (Hikurangi), Lennie, McLeod (Kamo). Huntly.—Huntly, 13, Pukemiro, 8. Waiuku.—Fifth grado: Waiuku, 11, Northcote, 0. Schoolboys: Waiuku, 20, Northcote, 0.