THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22519, 9 September 1936, Page 22

THE LEAGUE CODE

ROOPE ROOSTER GAMES SOME KEEN CONTESTS GOOD FORM OF PONSONBY There were several keen games at Carlaw Park last Saturday, and there is every indication that a good standard of football will be witnessed in the Roope Rooster final. The splendid showing of Ponsonby against Manukau, winner of the senior championship, and the close contest between City and Newton, were features of the first series. The appearance of three prominent Jlugby Union backs also added interest to the games. In the main game most of the luck was with Manukau, which was pressed throughout to retain the lead. At no stage of the game was Manukau definitely a superior team, except perhaps in the forwards, which proved a formidable set in the loose. The splendid play of Pickrang and Broderick (Manukau) and Morgan (Ponsonby"' was one of the outstanding features of the game. On one occasion Morgan ran into a fast back movement, and when a try looked certain Pickrang dived low and Morgan just failed. Broderick was also prominent in several dashing runs and he proved hard to stop. He is one of the fastest forwards in the game, and promises to develop into a champion League player.

The Ponsonby forwards more than held their own in actual scrum work. Blood got the ball well, particularly in the second half, when the Ponsonby backs did everything but score. With a little more finish to some good work by W. Stockley the Ponsonby threequarters would have scored two The Manukau backs kicked more than usual, especially Hemi, who, although he played a good game, frequently had his forwards running needlessly "round the ground. The try scored by Gault came from a beautiful opening by Hemi, who left the opposition standing.

EXCITING GAME CITY IN SEMI-FINAL By defeating Newton in an exciting game City has gained a place in the semi-final. On several occasions this season City has shown splendid form, but it has also been erratic. Against Newton on the No. 2 ground, which was very heavy, City did not play with its usual dash, and its opponents soon had a comfortable lead. The first half was easily in favour of Newton. It took City some time to settle down,, but half-way through the second spell its backs wore Newton down and eventually equalised the score. Under the rules of the competition two five-minutes spells were ordered, and it was in the first spell that Dufty kicked a fine penalty goal. Just prior to this Dufty kicked an even better goal after Wiberg had scored. Dufty was the prominent player m the game. His goal-kicking was of a high standard, considering the heavy ball and ground. His line kicking was also good, and he repeatedly turned defence into attack with good placements. Rata, centre-threequarter, also stood out on attack, and he is one of the most dangerous players in the code. The City backs were served with more of the ball than usual and if the forwards can win the ball next Saturday Richmond is likely to be fully extended to remain in the competition.

FORMER RUGBY PLAYERS APPEARANCE FOR MARIST Considerable interest centred in the appearance for Marist of two prominent Rugby Onion, players—Fletcher, formerly of Grammar Old Boys, and Murdock, Technical Old Boys. With these additions Marist was considered to have a good chance of winning. However, after a well-contested first half, Richmond played with excellent combination, and showed its best 1 -form for some time. The rearguard proved too speedy for Marist, which was beaten in positional play. Good handling and elusive running by Mincham, Tetley and Bickerton paved the way for several good tries.

Beyer, the ex-Auckland Hup;by Union fullback, played a more impressive game than in his opening match. Although inclined to be a little slow in his running, Beyer was, nevertheless, very sound, and his tackling twice saved dangerous attacks. A judicious crosskick by Mincham gave Wilkie a very spectacular try when the Marist backs were all out of position. Little was seen of Fletcher, who mado several good runs, but was injured and did not return after halftime. Murdoch, at five-eighths, played a heady game arid got through a lot of useful work on defence. He is likely to be seen to advantage with more chances on attack. Another consistent game came from Devonport, which easily defeated Mount Albert. The latter was disorganised by several players beinc absent, and failed to uhow its usual combination. The Devonport forwards were too good in all departments. The heavy ground assisted the vanguard, which showed a lot of pace in loose rushes.