THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22398, 20 April 1936, Page 13

THE LEAGUE CODE

OPENING OF THE SEASON benefit matches played WIN FOR MOUNT ALBERT A fast, open game between Mount Albert and /Richmond was a feature-of the opening of the Auckland Rngby League's season at Carl aw Park on Saturday. A series of unofficial matches , V ere played as a benefit for J. Laird, the New Zealand forward, who was badly injured last season. The attendance was excellent and the games were keenly contested. Mount Albert showed fine form s . id caused a surprise by defeating Richmond, last year's champions. Good team work by the Mount Albert forwards gave the backs plenty of opportunities. The passing among the forwards was excellent, ai d Mount Albert has bright prospects this season. The Richmond backs handled well on occasions and were often dangerous. Many new players were seen in the early match between Marist and Newton, which resulted in a win for the former. After having a good lead, Uity fared badly in the second half and Ponso-nby snatched a last-minute win. Following are the results: — Mount Albert, 22, Richmond, 15. Marist, loj Newton, 5. Ponsouby. 21, City, 17. BRIGHT DISPLAY MOUNT ALBERT IN FORM, A j A bright exhibition of 'she code was witmessed in the principal game between Richmond, last year's champions, and Mount Albert. The latter caused a surprise by outclassing Richmond in the early stages and maintaining the advantage to win comfortably by 22 points to 15. The Mount Albert forwards played good football, especially in the loose, the set handling well and giving the backs excellent support. Good play round the scrum bj Watkins and L. Schultz, paved the way for some nice movements. Halsey, a niiw player to the code, showed a lot of dash and scored a nice try with, a splendid swerving run. The Richmond backs, on occasions, gave n glimpse of their best form. The first try scored by Couper was easily the best of the match. W. Tittleton, the former Waikato and New Zealand representative, made two beautiful openings and just missed i,coring. TLe Mount Albert forwards, howliver, were always superior and should prove hard to beat this season. Play was hard lit times, and Broadhead, Richmond, was ordered off. Petersen, a former Hawke's Bay forward, made a good impression, and Constable and Herring were always prominent. For Mount Albert triei were scored by Constable, Halsey, Shad bolt, L. Schultz, Pawson, and Stewart. Herring converted one try, and Morrissey kicked a penalty goal. For Richmond, Couper, W. Tittleton and' Wilkie scored tries. C. kicked a penalty goal and converted one try. G Tittleton also converted one try. Mr. S. Billman was referee. WIN FOR MARIST NEW / PLAYERS APPEAR Superior back plajr by Marist and the appearance of ,twc well-known former Rugby players, R. Aro, halfback, and R. Haslam, five-eighths, were a featv.re of the match against Newton, which was beaten by 15 points to 5. Early in the game the Marist backs showed good form ind Aro and Haslam combined well to pare the >vay for a try by Anderson, the former South Island forward. A few minutes later Aro scored a nice try after beating the Newton inside hacks with a/tricky run. The Newton forwards put up strong opposition as the j. anie progressed, but Marist appeared the ft team. The Marist backs handled well on oc> eions and there was plenty of thrust ~ the attack. Newton was not up to full titrength, several juniors being given a chance to make" good. Loader played a good game on the wing, while Haslam and Aro will be great acquisitions with more experience. Carter, Woods and Keane were the best of the Marist forwards. T Dempeey, at fullback, was easily the best Newton player. Brimble played a good game behind the scrum. Clemm and Nathan ably led the forwards. For Marist Aro, Haslam and Anderson scored tries. Anderson converted one try and kicked a penalty goal. Aro converted one try. For Newton Brimble scored and converted a ' try. Oft.-r Mr. P. Rogers was referee. CITY'S EARLY LEAD '/ —— '',4; PONSONBY TAKES HONOL'f The City hacks played clever fon ball in the first half against Ponsonby and at one stage led by 17 points to 5. Play was rigged throughout, although City at times appeared to have the material for a good team. Ponsonby's ' forwards were beat' - by a heavier set and in thi3 departmen. ity should have a formidable scrum. In he second half, the Ponsouby backs placed good football, and the set made the most of City's mistakes. Most of Ponsonby's tries, however, were the result- of ' individual efforts and there was little team work. Ponsonby won by 21 points to 17. I Dye. a City forward, received a nasty head injury and was removed to the hospital. Paton, at fullback for Ponsonby. played a sound game and is a good goal kicker. Kay and Halloran were the best Ponsonby backs. Tawhai. five-eighths for City, was the best back on the ground »nd made several nice openings. Clarke ai,d Herring were the best forwards. For Ponsonby. tries were scored by Davis, Kay, Holland. Leatherbarrow and Hallorm. Baton converted three tries. For City Tawhai scored two tries and Clarke, Rata and Portaous one each. Wiberg converted one try. Mr. "W. Simpson was referee DEVONPORT BEATS PUKEMIRO Devonport defeated Pukemiro, South Auckland, at North Shore by seven points to five, after an interesting game. The visitors forwards played with plenty of dash and were superior throughout the first half, •fetter combination by Devonport, howsaved the day and a last-minute effort by the backs won the game. *°r Devonport Scott scored a try. MiliCIC l S? I * ver^e d and also kicked a penalty ???. scored a try for Pukemiro and ■ir a penalty goal. •Mr. R. Otto// was referee. SENIOR B GRADE In a senior B grade match played at PapaJtura on Saturday Papakura. 38. beat Point V/lievalier. 5. matches in christchurch [BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION] ' / CHRISTCHURCH, Sunday league football matches played yesterday resultedHornby, 24, Addmgton, 12: Lin--wood, 14, "Waimniri, 11.