THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22463, 6 July 1936, Page 13

THE LEAGUE CODE

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP TWO GAMES END IN DRAW MOUNT ALBERT STILL LEADING The third series of matches in the senior championship of the Auckland Rugby League was decided on Saturday under good conditions. The principal match, between Mount Albert, the leading team, and Richmond, attracted considerable interest and after a keenlyfought struggle the result was a draw, each side scoring 11 points. Richmond led at half-time by 9 points to 3, but Mount Albert played much better in the second spell. The chief on the No. 2 ground between Marist and Devonport also resulted in a draw. In the curtain-raiser to the principal fixture Manukau took the honours from Ponsonby just prior to time. City continued its winning way by disposing of Newton. 'Mount Albert is still leading in the championship by one point from Richmond. Devonport, Manukau and Marist are all equal in third position, two points behind the leaders. Results of Saturday's senior matches were as follows: Mount Albert, 11; Richmond, 11. Manukau, 14; Ponsonby, 12. Marist, 8; Devonport, 8. City, 28; Newton, 22.

RICHMOND CHECKED MOUNT ALBERT RECOVERS Tn spite of the fact that it scored three tries to Richmond's one Mount Albert was a little fortunate in making the match a draw. In the first spell Richmond was practically the only side in the picture and it should have scored more points. Thero was far more polish and finish to Richmond's movements and when Richmond led at half-time by !> points to :? it appeared the side would have an easy victory.

A great surprise was in store, however. | Immediately on resuming the Mount Albert 1 forwards, who had been holding off in tho ; tight plav and looking for the loose, settled i down to hard work and determined tackling. ! The Mount Albert backs, who were practically starved throughout the first half, gained a liberal share of the ball and by changing , their formation —Morrisey went to fullback and J. Shu It 7. came to centre—there was a decided improvement in combination. One of the features of the game was the splendid tackling of L. Sehultz, who made his first appearance for several weeks, at second fiveeighths, and J. Sehultz, at centre. This held in check W. Tittleton and Mincham, who had proved very dangerous in the first spell. Richmond attempted too much tricky work when it was unnecessary. More determined running instead of the scissors pass would have brought better results on occasions. Great credit is due to Mount. Albert for its splendid defence, and also to tho forwards, who overshadowed the opposition in the second spell. There were some hard and thrilling forward exchanges and both sides aro deserving of praise for tho clean spirit in which (lie game was played. .T. Sehultz played well at fullback in the first spell and was one of the outstanding barks on the ground. When moved to centre he put more sting and thrust into the hack line. Morrisey was not. in his best form at centre, but played a good game at fullback, often running up and joining in passing bouts. On one occasion this made the extra man which led to Dunn's try. L. Sehultz was in his best form after having to stand down for some time owing to an injury. A clever movement on his part, when he swung the defence out of position, made a try for llalliwell. Hailiwell, who started on the wing, but moved into first five-eighths when Pawson retired injured in (he first spell, played a good game. He speeded up the inside attack and tho new formation of the backs combined much more effectively than tho old. B. Sehultz, on the wing, did not have many chances, but did fine work on defence. Watkins played a heady game at halfback, being smarter than usual on attack, while his defence was very solid. Gunning, Shadbolt, Petersen and Flanagan stood out for splendid all-round forward forward play. Greenwood, the Richmond fullback, was erratic, and his uncertain fielding cost his team much valuable ground. G. Tittleton played another good game on the wing, his determined running always making him dangerous. Wiikio, on the other wing, was too well marked to have any scoring chances. Mincham, at centre, made some splendid openings in the first spell, but sound tackling kept him in check in tho second half. W. Tittleton, second five-eighths, played a sound all-round game. He was well watched by L. Sehultz, whose low tackling repeatedly frustrated Tittleton's usually strong running. Bickerton, first five-eighths, was always in the picture, but he kicked too much and several of his kicks were not well placed. Powell, halfback, was one of the best players on the ground. Whether on attack or defence he was always handy and lie had a hard time in tho second spell in stopping the Mount Albert forwards. Telford, J. Satherley and Davis were the best forwards. For Mount Albert' Hailiwell, Flanagan and Dunn scored tries. Morrisey converted one. For Richmond G. Tittleton scored a try and Mincham kicked four penalty goals. Mr. W. Simpson was referee. CITY WINS AGAIN BACKS IN GOOD FORM City continued its run of successes, and in an interesting game defeated Newton by a margin of six points. The City backs were in good form and in tho first half completely dominated the game. A large score looked likely, as at one stage City led by 23 points to 11. The ground was very soft in places, but the football was always bright to watch. Newton attacked strongly from the kickoff and its backs beat City in several nice passing bouts and quickly added two tries. Better positional play by City resulted in one of the best tries seen this season. Rata made a nice opening near half-way and quickly changed direction to find tho extra man in the chain and McLaughlin scored. Tho City forwards were favoured with a fair share of the ball from the set scrums and on occasions (he backs attacked cleverly from defensive positions. Excellent team work was seen when Porteous and Tawhai broke away and the latter passed to Clarke. Dufty came fast on the inside and the fullback scored a splendid try.

In the second half Newton made a splendid recovery and more than held the advantage. On occasions the City defence failed badly and twice Bright ran clean through the team, the players making feeble efforts to cheek him. City was lucky to he awarded a try by Brown from a knock-on. From this stage Newton fought an uphill battle and was on top in the last 15 minutes. Newton added 11 points in the second half and City five. Rata, the City centre, was tho outstanding player on the ground and made some brilliant openings on attack. His try was full of merit and his duels with Bright were interest-, ing. Brown played a splendid game on the wing and was always dangerous. McLaughlin is now playing his best football. Tawhai and Wiherg were prominent at five-eighths. Porteous got through a lot of sound work behind the scrum, while Duffy played a sound game at fullback, lie retired half-way through tho second half with an injured shoulder. Clark was easily the best forward. McCarthy, Spiro and Raymond also played good games. For Newton Bright played a fine game at centre. His clever swerve and speed in making an opening make him one of the most dangerous backs in the code. Each of his tries was full of merit. Dompsey did a lot of useful work at fullback, although his kicking was not so accurate as usual. E. Hrimblo and W. Brimble did a lot of good work, especially in the second half, when the pair were effective on attack. Johnston was the pick of the Newton forwards, whilo Clemm, Hutt and Wall played well. For City Brown (2), Tawhai, McLaughlin, Rata and Dufty scored tries. Dufty converted three tri"S and kicked a penalty goal and a field goal. For Newton Bright (3), Hutt (2) and Voung scored 'Aries. W. Brimblo converted two. Mr. S. Dillman was referee.

RAGGED DISPLAY MARIST AND DEVONPORT The game between Marist and Devonport was very ragged and neither team seemed anxious to open up the play. The first half was a succession of kicks and thero was littlo passing witnessed. The Devonport forwards did the better work in tho first half, although "the backs wero evenly matched. Early in the game Simpson broke clean away, but kicked when a pass to a support would have resulted in a try. A good run by L. Scott saw Seagar show surprising pace and ho scored a nice try. Donald converted with a fine kick from tho sideline, Anderson was not in his usual goal-kicking form and missed three kicks from fairly easy positions. The Marist forwards played with dash in the loose, but fine defence by Kerr saved many dangerous attacks. Play was mostly confined to the forwards and was dull to watch. Tho heavy ground for the first time this season was not to the advantage of the players. Soon after the kick off Marist pressed hard, but L. Scott intercepted a wild pass and raced CO yards to score a spectacular try. Marist, however, gained tho upper hand and good following up rewarded lireed with a try after Loader had gained useful ground. Marist continued to havo the better of tho game and its backs were successful in breaking through. Haslam was prominent in a nice solo run and ran strongly to score a good try. Anderson converted with a beautiful kick from the sideline. A drawn game was a good indication of the run of tho play.

Both the fullbacks, Glovor (Marist) and Kerr (l)evonport), played sound games. Their fielding of the heavy ball was excellent. Kerr excelled in splendid defence. L. Scott played a dashing game on the wing and will be

unlucky if ho misses a game against the Englishmen. Seagar played well and often got his side out of trouble with j.udicious kicking. Behind the scrum, Cowan played a heady game and went close to winning the game from a One solo effort 25 yards out. Donald, Hollows and Simpson were the best of the Devonport forwards. Haslam was easily the best of the Marist backs and was outstanding on attack. His try was a fino effort. Chalmers played well at five-eighths, especially in the second half. Aro, behind the scrum, was also in rood form. Finlayson, a forward from North ~ land, played a good game, while lireed, Anderson and Keane also worked hard. For Devonport, Scott and Seagar scored tries, Donald converting one. For Marist, lireed and Haslam scored tries, Anderson converting one. Mr. M. Wetherill was referee.

BRILLIANT TRY DEFEAT OF PONSONBY A brilliant try by Moate, a former East Coast five-eighths, who was playing his first game of League, gave Manukau a sensational win against Ponsonby, which led by 12 points to !! with one minute to go. The Ponsonby backs played with more finish and held Manukau in open play. The Manukau forwards, however, kept up a series of sweeping offensives and gained the upper fraud in the final stages. Play was even in the first half, although the combination of Kay and Riley often threatened to score. Early in the second half Manukau took the lead from a fine try by Broughton, who beat Jones in a spectacular dive. A few minutes later Riley made a clever opening and the ball passed through three hands back again to Riley and Kay cut the defence to ribbons to score a brilliant try. Trevathan kicked a penalty goal and only one point separated the teams. Exciting play followed and for a time Ponsonby held the advantage as the result of better back play. Jones increased Ponsonby's lead with a nice penalty just before time. However, Manukau roso to the occasion and from near halfway Wateno passed to Moate, who dazzled the crowd with a fast, tricky run, beating four Ponsonby players on his way to the goal. It was left to Watene to convert and give Manukau victory. For Manukau. Murray, at fullback, got throuch a lot of sound work. He frequently started passing bouts. Broughton played an enterprising game at centre. Trevathan was very sound at five-eighths. Moato made a good impression and is an acquisition to the rode. Mahiina played well behind thf scrum. Watene was outstanding among a good set of forwards. He gave the backs splendid support. Pickrang, Whyo and Kawe wore also prominent. Kay played a heady game for Ponsonby and iie and Riley were the best barks on tlio ground. Riley showed some of his best form and seems to play better further away from the scrum. Holland played with dash on the wing and Halloran was good at halfhack. Morgan was the pick of the forwards, whilo Carter and Davis also played well. For Manukau, Broughton and Moate scared tries. Watene kicked two penalty goals and converted a try. Trevathan also kicked a penalty goal. For Ponsonby, Riley and Kay stored tries. Jones converted one and kicked two penalty goals. Mr. W. Simpson was referee.

LOWER GRADE RESULTS Senior Reserve Grade—Marist, 10, Devonport. 0; Ponsonby, 27, Manukau, 10; Mount Albert. 11, Richmond, 7. Second Grade.—Richmond, 8, Glen Ora, 2. Third Grade.—Ellerslie, 14, Point Chevalier A. It: Ponsonby, 8, Marist, 0; Richmond, G, Otahuhu, O; City, 40, Point Chevalier. 0; Papakura, 7, Green Lane, 0. Fourth Grade.—City, 30, Devonport. 2; Marist, 33, Ponsonby, 2; Mount Albert, 24, Point Chevalier, 2. Fifth Grade.—Glen Ora, 7, Devonport. 0; Papakura. 27. Newton, 0.

Sixth Grade.—Avondale, 7, Papakura. 0; City, 5, Richmond, 0. Seventh Grade —Otahuhu, 2, City, Oi Richmond, 3, Ellerslie. 0. Primary Schools.—Senior grade: Richmond. 8, Mount Albert. 0; Devonport. 33. Ponsonby, 8. Intermediate Grade.—Marist, 10, Northcote, 0; Richmond, 13, Mount Albert, 3Manukau, 0, Ellerslie, 3; Avondale, 12. Newton. ."i. Junior Grade. —Richmond A, 6, Manukau, 3.