THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22429, 27 May 1936, Page 20

THE LEAGUE CODE

SENIOR COMPETITION

AN INTERESTING POSITION TWO TEAMS NOW EQUAL The defeat of Devonport, tho leading team in the Auckland llugb.y League's senior championship, and the success of Ponsonby on Saturday have made tho competition most interesting and the ultimate winners are still difficult to select. Devonport and Ponsonby are now equal with six points, followed by all the other teams, with the exception of City, with four points. The leading teams have each suffered a defeat. City has so far failed to win a match while Richmond, Marist, Manulcau, Mount Albert and Newton have each been beaten twice.

The management committee of tho Auckland Rugby Loague is faced with a hard task to choose the best games lor the No. 1 ground next Saturday. The draw is as follows:—Richmond v. Newton; Ponsonby v. Marist; Manukau v. Mount Albert; Devonport v. City. The match between Richmond and Newton, judging on tho form of the teams last Saturday, would appear to be the best attraction, with Manukau and Mount Albert as tho curtain-raiser, especially in view of the t;oal-kickinc ability of Homi.

STANDARD IMPROVES BRILLIANT FIVE-EIGHTHS The standard shown in the principal match between Ponsonby and Mount Albert last Saturday was easily the best to date this season. It is sonic time since such a thrilling second spell was witnessed, Both teams threw the ball about with abandon and many clever movements were carried, out. There is [ little doubt that under dry ground conditions Ponsonby will be very difficult to defeat. Its backs are being welded into a splendid attacking force and they by no means play the orthodox game. Riley, the Ponsonby second liveeighths is playing outstanding football. Of ideal build he has all the attributes for the position—brains, speed, side-step and a most deceptive swerve. On his present form his inclusion in the New Zealand team should be beyond question. Riley is also a sound defensive player, a very necessary qualification for higher football. The Ponsonby halfback, Halloran, is also showing splendid form this season and must have claims for representative honours. His all-round play has greatly improved and a good deal of Ponsonby's success against Mount Albert must go to his ci"edit. Ponsonby has a fine all-round forward in Morgan. He played a great game on Saturday whether in the tight or in the loose. His try, after a determined run in which he beat several tacklers, was a gem, and would have done credit to an international winger. Fast and a good handler Morgan is destined for the highest honours in the code. Morrisey, the Mount Albert captain, was the brains of the team and proved a very capable leader. He did yeoman service both on attack and defence and he also must come well into the running for representative honours.

HEMI'S GOAL-KICKING

THIRTY-TWO POINTS TO DATE

The goal-kicking ability of Hemi proved the deciding factor in Manykau's success over City In all Hemi kicked five goals, three penalties and two conversions. No kick was from an easy angle and his great penalty goal from three yards outside halfway aroused the enthusiasm of the spectators to a high pitch. Six goals went to the credit of Hemi on the previous Saturday, five from penalties and one conversion. In the second series of matches ho kicked two penalty goals and converted two tries, while on opening day he kicked one penalty goal. In the four matches to date "Hemi has therefore scored 32 points, 11 penalty goals and five conversions.

DEFEAT OF DEVONPORT NEWTON'S EASY WIN The defeat of Devonport for the first time this season was one of the features of last Saturday's matches. Few expected Newton to register such a comfortable victory and at no stage of the game did Devonport appear likely to maintain its unbeaten record. The Newton backs gave a really good display and teamwork proved the deciding factor in an easy victory. The combination of the inside backs, E. Brimble and W. Brimble, gave Sisson* and Bright plenty of opportunities. Not for some' time has Bright played such a splendid game. He sharpened ud the attack with nice, straight runs. Besides scoring two tries. Bright was responsible for another. Should Bricht remain sound he will have strong claims for recognition when the Auckland team is selected. E. Brimble also stood out prominently on attack and made several beautiful openings. His passing was always well timed and there was an entire absence of selfishness which on occasions has marred his play. No excuses can be found for Devonport, which played much below thp form it showed earlier in the season. Rhodes has not yet recovered from n mouth injury and this may have been the reason for weak tackling. The Devonport forwards did not play with their customary dash, and most of the work was done individually. Newton's forwards played open football and handled the ball well in passing bouts. Clean passing by Quirke and Johnston gave Hutt a good try. Witih Brady again on the wing Newton is a much improved team.

MARIST DISAPPOINTS BACKS' WEAK DEFENCE Marist showed disappointing form after having all the better of Richmond in the first half. It looked at one stage as though Marist would win easily so well did hnth hacks and forwards combine. In the second spell, however, tin* Marist backs failed badly on defence and some of the efforts to stop Hirhmond from scoring were lamentably weak, The rear division lost all sens<* of positional play, and big gaps were made by tho Richmond players going straight through. No blame can be attached to the Marist pack, which wax called upon to do a lot of stopping. Anderson, who scored*two tries for Marist, was always on the ball and showed excellent anticipation in the loose. A feature of the game was tho good display of Bickerton, who has settled down well at centre for Richmond. His first try was tho gem of the game, and he showed more speed off the mark than formerly. Mincham does not seem suited to tno five-eighths position usually occupied by Fletcher, who stood down owing to injuries.