VICTORY BY A POINT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22421, 18 May 1936, Page 14

VICTORY BY A POINT

RICHMOND WEAKENED In spile of 1 he fuct that (ho mnrgin was one point only. Mount Albert deserved ifh win over Richmond, bint Hfiißon's chnmpions. Richmond fielded a weakened team. C. Satherjey and Mincham having to stand down owing to i n i n ri eft-. The (euin was further disorganised when Fletcher retired with an injured ankle in the first spell. The forwards were evenly matched for the best part of Iho game, but the Mount Albert vanguard was all over the opposition in the final stages. EaTlv in the game the Richmond backs, with Bickerton prominent, were seen in some nice passing movements. Mount Albert, however, had a distinct advantage in hooking arid its backs had a feast of the ball The Mount Albert rearguard showed improved form, chiefly through L. Schultz lotting the ball out nnd not attempting too much alone. When Helmltr. did some solo work he was generally successful and his form was much better than that of the previous week. ■Richmond put 'up a stubborn defence, but its form and general tactics fell well below the standard of last senson. The forwards did not keep together well, while there was a noticeable improvement in this department with Mount Albert. The Mount Albert vanguard appeared to have profited

by its lesson of the previous week and the short passing game was indulged in at times with success. Crnnch fullback for Mount Albeit, played a safe game and often ran up and set his backs in motion. B. Schultz and Halsev were a pair of determined wingers and ran strongly when the opportunity offered. Pnlerson. centre, played a good game, while L. Schultz nnd Morrissey, five-eighths, combined effectively in some nice movements. Watkins was not so good as tmttal at half, being too slow in hiH movements. Petersen was the brst forward and he is playing lino footbnll at present. Ho received good support from Shadbolt. Herring and PlanafcC'lll. Marshall, the Richmond custodian, is » good kick, but he was ensily bustled and repeatedly lost ground for his side. Nevertheless ho shows promise find with more experience is likely to make good in tho position. The rearguard wns disorganised nnd W. Tittleton played first five-eighths, where lie did some good all-round wor]j.. Tetley, who played second five-eighths, was always in tho picture and in some movements handled the ball as many as three times. Powell, who wns handicapped through Richmond losing tho ball in the serums, eamo through a hard time on defence with credit. J. Satherley and Metcalfe were the best forwards.

Richmond led nt half-time by 8 points to 5. Mount, Albert won by 13 to 12. For Mount Albert Shadbolt. Flanngnn and Halsey scored tries. Morrissey converted two. For Richmond Metcalfe and Bickerton scored tries and Marshall kicked threo penalty goals, 7dr. M. Wetherill wus roforoe.