SPEEDY FORWARDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22415, 11 May 1936, Page 14

SPEEDY FORWARDS

RICHMOND ATTACK UPSET Manukau caused a great surprise by defeating Richmond in a game full of excitement. Early in the first half Manukau showed excellent combination, and did most of the attacking. The speed of the forwards and the resolute tackling of the backs completely upset Richmond At one stage in the first half Manukau outclassed last year's champions, and a big ccore looked possible. Hemi was responsible for the first points, the result of a fine penalty goal. A few minuteu later the Manukau forwards swept over the opposition. Pickering, easily the best forward on the ground, snapped up in the loose to score a fine try. The Richmond back* attempted to open up the game, but met with great tackling. Trevathan, the new five-eighths from Dunedin, did splendid work on defence, and nullified all the effort* of Fletcher and Powell to make openings. Some of the Manukau players showed little kaow-

lerlge of the rules and they were frequently penalised. However, four goal kickers were tried by Richmond without success. At halftime Richmond had failed to score, and Manukau led by 12 points to 0. In the second spell the Richmond backs sot plenty of the ball, and their speed soon had Manukau defending. Splendid tackling was a feature of the spell, each Richmond attack being repulsed. A nice opening by Powell, who was well supported by Fletcher, enabled Metcalfe to secure a good try. For a time Richmond beat Manukau badly and the champions looked dangerous each time the backs gained possession. The loss of Mincham for a period in the second half was a handicap. Hemi showed his goal-kick-ing ability by registering two points with a kick 3yds from halfway. Richmond did most of the attacking, but failed to win one of the moet exciting games seen for years. At fullback for Manukau Hemi played a fine game, and proved a great defensive player. His powerful kicking ofton gained 00yds. Broughton and Mason were often conspicuous for heady play in the first half. Behind the scrum, Phillips did a lot of useful work. Pickering was the outstanding forward, and was always a thorn in the side of the opposition. Watene, Kawe and Ruthor lord also plHyed good games. W. Tittleton .wa« the best of the Richmond backs, and he was well supported by Mincham and Powell. Tetley played a good allround game both as a back and as a forward. Telford and C, Sathcrley wore often conspicuous For Manukau tries were scored by rioker* ing and Broughton. Hemi converted both tries nnd kicked two penalty goals. For Richmond Metcalfe and W. Tittleton scored tries, and Mincham kicked a penalty goal. Mr. O. Chalmers was referee.

DEFEAT OF CITY PONSONBY TEAM'S SUCCESS Ponsonby defeated City owinfr to its better combination. Play wm even in the first, half, and on occasions the City backs were a little unlucky not to score. Ponsonby had an advantage by winning the ball from a majority of the scrums, its inside backs making good openings. The Ponsonby forwards played a prominent part in gaining the ufper hand. In the loose the vanguard followed up fast and frustrated City's attempts to attack. The forwards handled well nnd gave the backs excellent support. There was not a great deal of variety in City's attack. Rata and Tawhia combined effectively when the ball came cleanly from the scrum, but the attack usually broke down at the centre. On the other hand, the Ponsonby backs sent the ball smartly along the line and often the wings were dangerous. The score, 31 point* to 10, however, was not a true indication of the game, although Ponsonby was the better team. The backs are likely to develop excellent teamwork later in the season Paton was a little uncertain at fullback, being slow to move 'when pressed. Both Kay and Riley played splendid football, especially the former, who made several nice openings. Halloran was also good behind the ecrum. Morgan was the best forward, and showed up prominently with Davis in the loose. Leatherbarrow also played well. Rata, at five-eighths, was the best of the City backs. I*. Brown did a lot of good work, but often got hia wings into trouble by going too far. Porteoue felayed good football behind the scrum. Dye and Iveson were the best of the City forwards. The latter also played well at fiv©*eighths after \Yiberg r< For d Ponsonby tries were scored by Jones. Blood. Halloran, Leatherbarrow and Holland. Paton converted three tries, tor City Allen and L. Brown scored. Rata converted one try and Wiberg kicked a penalty goal. Mr, M. "Wetherill was referee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS

Senior Reserve Grade.—Marist, 48, Newton, 0; Mount Albert. 24, Devonport. 10; Ponsonby, 11. City, 2. Senior B Grade.—Otahuhu, 5, Green Lane. 2 Second Grade.—Glenora. 7. Richmond. 3; R.V., 13. Mount Albert, 12. . Third Grade.—Manukau. 9, Point Chevalier A 8; Ellerslie, 6, Devonport, 0; Paipakura. 0, drew with R.V., 0; Richmond, 17, Marist. 3; City, 12, Newton. 3; Ponsonby, 5, Northcote, 0; Mount Albert, 24. Ponsonby, 2. „ , Fourth Grade.—City. 84, Point Chevalier. 0; Richmond. 26, Devonport, 2; Ellerslie, 2. Marist. 0; Mount Albert, 26, Ponsonby, 2. Fifth Grade.—Eden, 32. Takapuna, 0. Sixth Grade.—Eden, 12, Panmure, 3; Green Lane, 3, Papakura, 0. Seventh Grade.—Northcote, 17, Point Chevalier, 2; Otahuhu, 6, Marist, 5. Schoolboys.—Senior grade: Ponsonby, 0, Mount Albert, 3; Devonport, 8, Richmond, 3. Intermediate grade: Otahuhu. 11, Marist, 8: Richmond, 26, Newton, 0; Ellerslie, 20, Avondale, 2; Grfen Lane, 13, Mount Albert, 3. Seven-a-side Competition.—Newton, 3, Otahuhu, 0; Ellerslie, 3, Avondale, 0; Richmond, 3, Mount Albert, 0. CONTESTS IN THE SOUTH [from herald correspondents^ Tauplrl.—Playing in the South Auckland senior competition at Taupiri, Huntly South drew with the home team, each side scoring eight jjcints. Huntly South juniors defeated Taupiri juniors by 11 points to 0. Wellington.—St. George, 23, Central. 22: Petone, 46, Hutt, 0. Chrlstchurch.—Addington, 19, Lin wood, 8: Hornby, 15, Sydenham, 6.