THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22457, 29 June 1936, Page 13

THE LEAGUE CODE

SENIOR COMPETITION

RICHMOND BEATS MANUKAU

MOUNT ALBERT IN THE LEAD

The second series of matches in the second round of the Auckland Rugby League's senior championship was decided at Carlaw Park on Saturday in dull but fine weather. In the principal attraction Richmond defeated Manukau in a fast, open game, tho winners

having .a good margin at tho finish. Richmond carried the day owing to its superior team work. The curtain-raiser between Mount

Albert ana Devpnport was disappoint-

ing,. the former winning by a margin , of two points! A fast and thrilling game was witnessed on the No. 2 ground between City and Ponsonby, the former gaining a narrow victory just prior to time. Another close match resulted in the curtain-raiser between Marist and Newton, theS- former winning by two points. There was a large attendance of spectators and the grounds were in good order. Mount Albert is now leading in the championship by one point from Richmond. Results of senior matches were as follows: — Richmond, 27; Manukau, 11. Mount Albert, 9; Devonport, 7. City, IS; Ponsonby, 16. Marist, 14; Newton, 12.

BETTER COMBINATION

RICHMOND'S GOOD FORM

Superior in team work and general tactics Richmond gained a somewhat easy victory over Manukau. Richmond went into the fray with determination from the kick-off and had 11 points up in as many minutes. It led at the interval by 14 points to four, Manukau's total being from penalty , goals. During the first spell Richmond had a monopoly of the ball from the scrums, and the backs were seen in bright passing bouts, the inside men making many splendid openings. For once the Manukau forwards were outplayed, the Richmond pack keeping together well and using the short passing game to good purpose. Richmond supported players in possession and covered on defence far better than the opposition^For a period in the second spell, Manukau, getting more of the ball from the scrums, held its opponents, and at ono stage was within three points of libera. However, Richmond quickly asserted its superiority again and ran out comfortable winners. Richmond revealed its best form this season, and will prove hard to beat for the championship. The Manukau forwards were good in the loose, but the backs were not a happy combination and their work was mostly confined to the individual. There was a weakness in tackling by the inside backs on occasions, and Richmond exploited this to full advantage.

Greenwood, ,at fullback Tor Richmond, played fairly well, but his kicking was at times badly directed. His inexperience cost his side a try when he was unprepared for a long pass back in a defensive position. Both the wings, Wilkie and G. Tittleton, showed plenty?of' dash, the former scoring three tries. Mincham played a fine game at centre, his speed and ability to make openings giving his wings f every opportunity. Mincham is decidedly unlucky to be omitted from the players chcsen to practise in view of the matches against England. SV. Tittleton is at the top of his form and his strong running resulted in many splendid openings. He also did a lot of effective work on defence. Blckerton played a good game at first five-eighths, and was always in the picture. Powell was in fine form behind the scrum and got. the ball away well. He once mai'e a brilliant opening from halfway, throwing the defence out with a clever change of direction and making an easy try for Wilkie. Telford. J. Satherley, Hadley and Metcalfe were prominent among a good set of forwards

Murray, the Manukau fullback, brought off some fine saves and tackled well. Neither Mason nor Hollis, on the wings, had much opportunity, but Broughton played well at centre Trevathan, second live-eighths, was Manukau's beat back and ho had a lot of hard defence >to carry out. Newton, first five-eighths, was not prominent, while Mahiraa, halfback, was below his best form. Pickrang, Kawe, Gault and Watene were the pick of the forwards. For .Richmond Wilkie (3)„ W. Tittleton, Telford, G. Tittleton and J. Satherley scored tries. Mlncham converted two tries and: G. Tittletoa one. All Manukau's points were scored by Watene, who scored and converted i try and kicked three penality goals, Mr. M. Wetherill was referee.