THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22427, 25 May 1936, Page 16

THE LEAGUE CODE

SENIOR COMPETITION PONSONBY TEAM'S SUCCESS NEWTON DEFEATS DEVONPORT The fourth series of matches in the Auckland Rugby League's senior championship was played at Carl aw Park on Saturday under splendid conditions and drew a large crowd of spectators. All the games wore keenly contested, the principal fixture between Ponsonby and Mount Albert providing a thrilling and fast exhibition, especially in the second spell. There was little between the teams, but Poftsonby, which won by a margin of two points, thoroughly deserved its victory. Newton created a surprise by easily accounting for Devonport, the leading team, in a fast contest on the No. 2 ground. Ponsonby and Devonport are now equal in the lead for championship honours. In the curtain-raiser to the chief match Manukau took tho honours from City by a five-points margin, while a good recovery by Richmond in the second spell gave it a win at the expense of Marist. A feature of the series was the splendid goal-kicking. In the chief match, Paton, the Ponsonby fullback, kicked three penalty goals and converted two tries. For Mount Albert Morrisey converted three tries and kicked a penalty goal. Playing for Manukau against City, Hemi kicked three penalty goals and converted two tries. Most of the kicks were from wide angles and one was from three yards outside halfway. Eesults of senior matches were as follows: —

Ponsonby, 22; Mount Albert, 20. Manukau, 16; City, 1J Newton, 23; Devonport, 5. Richmond, 23; Marist, 13 ' FINE EXHIBITION THRILLING SECOND SPELL Easily the best exhibition of the code to date this season was given by Ponsonby and .Mount Albert. In the early stages both sides made mistakes, but when they settled down there were many fine movements executed. Especially in the second spell the exchanges were very thrilling, play moving up and down at a fast pace. This told on the Mount Albert forwards toward the close and the Ponsonby pack was the fitter at the finish. The Ponsonby backs, who were penalised through Mount Albert getting the ball from most of the scrums, were always dangerous and were not afraid to make play for themselves. A gre.it deal of credit in this respect must go to Halloran, the Ponsonby halfback, and Riley, who was in brilliant form at Becond five-eighths. The Ponsonby rearguard was also called upon for some hard defence and it never wilted at any stage. One or two of the Mount Albert forwards at times were inclined to be over keen and it is a credit to the lighter Ponsonby players that they stood up to the opposition and came out with the honours. The tackling of both teams was good in spite of the fact that the scoring was high. The majority of tries resulted from clever movements in which the attack was swung Quickly from one side to the other. Ponsonby missed two fine chances through the player in possession passing the wrong way, but Mount Albert also fuiled narrowly on occasions. The margin of two points in Ponsonby's favour is a fair indication of the merits of the teams on the day. If Ponsonby could have obtained more of the ball from the scrums, however, it would have come out an easy winner. The even nature of the play can be judged by the scoring. Ponsonby led at half-time by 12 points to 10 and each side added 10 points in the second spell. Paton, the Ponsonby fullback, played a sound all round garni and his goal kicking was of great value to the side. He made play nicely for his backs at times and his line-kicking was generally good. The only mistake he made wus a feeble attempt to stop Petersen when the Mount Albert forward scored. The threequarter line, Jonce, Kay and Holland, were in good form. Both wings did sound defensive work, while Kay made some nice openings. Kay at times, however, wus inclined, to pass -wildly and there was a noticeable improvement in his play in the second spell. Easily the best back on the ground was Riley. A strong, fast and deceptive runner he made some brilliant openings. W. Stockley played a sound defensive game at first live-eighths. Hallorni, at half, is a much improved player and he did invaluable work both on attack and defence. The outstanding forward was Morgan, who played a great all round gam.'. He was always in the picture whether in the tight or open play and he" scored r. fine try in a determined run in which he brashed aside several tacklers. Morgan cleverly blocked _ Davis, the opposing half, on the blind side. He received good support from Davis, Blood and J. Stockley Cranch again played a good game at fullback for Mount Albert whose backs, in spite of the absence of L. Schullz. gave their best exhibition to dale. Moirisey was the best Mount Albert back, at second fiveeighths He did some clever work on attack and his defence was excellent. Halsey, at centre, once threw awtty a certain try through holding on, but otherwise played a sound game. Halliwell, first five-eighths, was inclined to kick too much. Watkins gave an Improved display behind the scrum getting the ball away well while he scored a clever try from a movement in v hich he handled the ball twice. Petersen, except for a tendency to play offside, was the best Mount Albert forward. Constable, Gunning and Flanagan also played well. Tries for Ponsonby were scored by Morgan (2), Riley and W. Stockley. Paton converted two und kicked three penalty goals. For Mount Albert Petersen, Davis, Gunning and Hahey scored tries. Morrißey converted three and kicked a penalty goal. Mr. S. Billman was referee.

AN EVEN GAME

HEMI'S GREAT KICKING

There was little to choose between Manu,kau and City in the curtain-raiser to tho principal fixture. Both teams made the game open and fast up and down exchanges resulted for the most part. The positional play of the Manukau backs was nql good on .occasions, but City could not take advantage of this fault. Play generally was more or less of the individual nature. The best try of the match was scored by L. Brown for City after Ivpsen had mado a splendid opening. Manujtau led at half-time by nine points to eight and Hemi's kicking again proved tho deciding factor, the team winning by 16 points to 11. One of Hemi's goals from three yards outside halfway was a great effort and he received a fine ovation from the spectators. Hemi played a sound all round game and his defence was good. The three-quarters did not see much of the ball, but Broughton did some good work at centre. Trevathan mado some nice openings at first five-eights, which were lost through poor support. Pickrang. Watene, Why and Proctor all played well among the forwards. Wiberg played a good game at fullback for City. Ho had a hard afternoon's work and started attacking movements cleverly. Brown did his best to start movements, but generally they broke down through poor handling. Porteous was in good form at half, while for a forward Ivesen filled tho fiveeighths position with credit. Clark was easily the best forward for City and was conspicuous throughout. /•'or Manukui Mason and Why scored tries. Hemi converted both and kicked threo penalty goals. ' Herring, Brown and McLaughlin scored tries for City, Wiberg converting one. Mr. W. Simpson was referee. NEWTON IMPROVES BACKS OUTPLAY DEVONPORT A vastly improved Newton team, showing excellent combination, easily beat Devonport, which had won three consecutive matches. The play was always open, and fast exchanges marked the early part of tho game. The Newton backs were always superior, and their good positional fclny was a feature of the game. The second try by Bright was one of the best movements seen for some time. From a scrum near half-way W. Brimble sent out a smart pass, which his brother, E. Brimble, took moving fast. Sissons gave excellent support before passing to Bright, who cut in nicely and left the opposition standing. The speed of

the Newton backs caused Devonport's downfall. The Devonport backs were hopelessly outclassed and beaten by smart passing and straight running. | Newton's forwards also proved cauitl to the Devonport set, and in the loose the winners' vanguard did a lot of backing up. The Devonport inside backs failed to impress and made Jew attempts to vary their play. Both Crooks and Miller dropped simple transfers and their weak defence often let E. Brimble through. The Newton backs, on the other hand, wore sound all round, and when mistakes were mado speed played a lar»e part in retrieving the errors. Dempsey played a sound game at fullback, und often proved a thorn in the aide of the opposition. Several times he showed oxcellent anticipation and started effective attacking movements. Bright stood out as the best back on the ground, and scored two clever tries. His neat sidestep when racing at top speed often cut the defence to ribbons. Brady made his first appearance this year with Nowton und played well on the wing. Young was also prominent. Excellent understanding was shown by the Brimble brothers, and the pair had a lot to do with Newton's succcbs. Speed off the mark makes both players dangerous on attack. Sissons also did a lot of useful work at second fiveeighths. Hutt was the outstanding forward and both Johnston and Cinders showed up prominently. . „ Kerr, fullback, was the only Devonport back to show up. He did a lot of useful work, but got vciy little support. li. Scott was perhaps the best of the threequarters, while Cowan at halfback defended ably. Hunt was easily the best forward. Fast following up and splendid handling were a feature of his play. E. Scott also played well. For Newton Bright (2), Wall, Hutt and Ginders scored tries. Brady converted one try and kicked a penalty goal. Sissons conVerted two tries. For Devonport, L, Scott scored a try which Milicich converted. Mr. R. Otto was referee.

A GOOD RECOVERY RICHMOND BEATS MARIST A good recovery by Richmond was a feature of the game against Marist, which in the first half outclassed last year's champions and led by 13 points to 5. Marist showed excellent form in this half, and appeared to havo Richmond badly bustled. It took the Richmond backs a long time to settle down, but the set gave a display of clever football as the second half went on. The Marist backs lost their grip on the game soon after play commenced in the second half. The rear division found the Richmond backs altogether too smart in passing bouts, and at times some of the Marist backs showed a disinclination to tackle low. The Richmond backs attacked incessantly, and a nice passing bout by W. Tittleton, Minchum, Bickorton and Willtie resulted in ft fine try. Marshall was in good form and kicked three goals to givo Richmond the lead half-way through the second half. The Marist backs were on the defensive, but were unable to check the speedy attacks of Richmond. Good handling and straight running gave Bickerton a clever try. The Marist forwards, who were superior in the loose, tired badly, after being called upon to do a lot of stopping, in which the backs failed badly. Marist's form was disappointing. The rearrangement of the Richmond backs proved a succeas, and there was more initiative shown by the five-eighths. Marshall, at fullback for Richmond, after an uncertain start played a fine game. He kicked three eplsndid goals from difficult angles. Bickerton wr.s easily the best back and made several nice openings which resulted in tries. Both the wings, G. Tittleton and Wilkie, played with plenty of dash. Mincham and W. Tittleton did a lot of useful work, particularly in the second half. Powell played well at halfback. Tetley, Telford and J. Satherley were prominent among the forwards. Glover played a good game at fullback for Marist, his fielding being very certain. Robinson, a new player, made a good impression on the wing. Both Haslam and Matson were prominent at five-eighths, and in the first half Aro played ably at halfback. Anderson, Clarke and Keane were the pick of the Marist forwards, all of whom played well. , For Richmond Bickerton (2), _ Wilkic, Marshall and Metcalfe scored tries. G. Tittleton kicked a penalty goal and Marshall converted two tries and kicked a penalty goal. For Marist Anderson (2), and Breed scored tries. Anderson kicked a penalty goal and converted one try. Mr. M. Wetherill was referee.

LOWER GRADE RESULTS Senior Reserve Grade.—City, 20. Manukau. 6; Mount Albert, 25, Ponsonby, 3; Newton, 12, Devonport, 7; Richmond, 16, Marist, 9. Senior B Grade.—Point Chevalier, 13, Green Lane, 8. Second Grade.—Glenora, 13. R.V., 5. , Third Grade.—Mount Albert, 9, Richmond, 7; Point Chevalier A, 11, R.V., G; Newton B, 11, Marist, 6; Devonport, 19, Green Lane, 0; Point Chevalier, 6, Northcote, 6; Manukau, 16, Newton A. 8; Otahuhu. 15, Ponsonby, 8: Papakura. 24, Mount Albert,. 9. Fourth Grade.—Mount Albert, 33, Chevalier. 3: City. 33. Devonport. 2: Richmond, 10, Ellerslie, 5; Marist, 14. PonGrade.—Glenora, 8, Richmond, £■; Newton. 8, Devonport, 5; Papakura, 5, Otsihuhu, 0. Sixth Grade.—Richmond, 46, Papakura. 2; City, 5, Green Lane. 0. Seventh Grade.—Point Chevalier, 11. bllerslic, 8; Otahuhu, 8, Richmond, 0. Schoolboys' Guinea.—Senior grade: Devonport, 16, Richmond, 0; Richmond, 23, Mount Albert, 3. Intermediate grade: Avondaie, 20. Green Lane, 0; Ellerslie. 5, Marist Brothers. 5: Newton, 46. Northcote, 0: Richmond. 29. Manukau, 0: Green Lane, 20, Avondaie, 0. Junior grade: Richmond A, 3, Newton B. 0; Devonport. 0, Avondaie. 0. MATCHES IN PROVINCE [FROM HERALD COItRESPONDENTS] Whangarel.—Following are the resulta of senior matches played by teams under the jurisdiction of the Northland Rugby League: Ktimo, 8 (tries by \V. Meyer and L. Hooper, Verrall a penalty goal), Takahiwai, 0; Whakapara. 11, Portland, 8; Hikurangi won by default from City. J.uniors: Hiktirangi. 9, Kamo, 8; City, 6, One Tree Point, £ Fourth grade: Portlnnd-Otaika, 20, Kamo, 16; Hikurangi, 11, City, 2. Lower Walkato.—Senior matches und<»r the Lower Waikato Rugby League resulted:—Manaia, 20, To Kohanga, 0; Puk»koho, 6, Mercer, 3. Huntly.—Seniors: Huntly South, 18, Ngaruawahia, 2. .Turiors: Ngaruawahia. 15, Huntly South, 6. CONTESTS IN THE SOUTH [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] Wellington.—Petone, 23, Central. 11; St. George, 25, Hutt, 8. Chrlstohurch.—Addington, 25, Sydenham, 10; Hornby, 16, Waimairi, 0. MATCH IN AUSTRALIA (Received May 24, 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, May 24 In a Rugby League return match New South Wales defeated Queensland, 24—13.