LEAGUE FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22523, 14 September 1936, Page 15

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

ROOPE ROOSTER MATCHES SECOND ROUND DECIDED CITY TEAM DEFEATS RICHMOND A splendid gamo was witnessed at Carlaw Park on Saturday, when City narrowly defeated Richmond in the second round of the Auckland Rugby League's Roopo Rooster competition. City did all the attacking in the first half, although Richmond led hv 6 points to 2 at half-time. The City backs roso to the occasion in the second half and they executed some splendid movements. Although the winning team's margin on points was a small one, City was the better combination 011 the day. Manukau comfortably defeated Papakura, which put up a really good showing in the first half. In the Plielan Shield competition Ponsonby defeated Mount Albert, while in an exciting game Marist beat Xewton. Results were as follows: — Roope Rooster.—City, 10, Richmond, 8; Manukau, 18, Papakura, 8. Plielan Shield.—Ponsonby, 23, Mount Albert, 13; Marist, 15, Newton, 11.

SURPRISE VICTORY CITY BACKS IN FORM City ranged the surprise of the season by beating Richmond in the principal came at Carlaw Park. Reverse passing and clever positional play by both baiks and forwards pave City a territorial advantage, while Richmond rarely appeared dangerous. Richmond's forwards played splendidly in the loose, but their efforts were offset by solid tackling. Swift covering by the opposing defenco cheeked most of Richmond's attacks. In the first half City lost two good chances of scoring when selfish play cost certain tries. Early in the came Porteous sent Johnson away, and the forward gained useful ground. Brown was loft in an easy position to score, but the pass was delated. A few minutes later Brown started a nice movement, in which McLaughlin, Clark and Porteous _ wore prominent. Right, underneath the Richmond goal posts Herring hung on when the defence was hopelessly beaten. City took the lead when Dufty kicked a penalty goal. Richmond attacked, and Mincham fielded a weak kick by Brown, the forwards raring away in perfect combination. Broad head showed pace in a fine dash down the sideline and scored a nice try. For the first time City's defence weakened, and the backs made poor efforts to ti.cklo Tctley and Mincham. The latter made a nice opening and Greenwood scored a welldeserved try. The City forwards then swept o\er the opposition and had Richmond defending. City's determination on attack was rewarded when Porteous scored. Clark and Raymond were associated in a good dash which threatened the Richmond line. City was awarded a penalty and Dufty kicked a perfect goal, which, to the surprise of tho crowd, was disallowed. It was afterward stated that tlie kick was not taken opposite tho mark. City s backs frequently exploited the scissors pass, and from a movement between Rata and Blown tha latter ma«lo a brilliant run before passing to Raymond, uho scored a fine try. In the concluding stages Richmond made great efforts to regain tho lead and trave City an anxious time. However, solid defenco checked promising attacks, and City retained its advantage. ' , Wiborg plaved an outstanding game at fullback for City. He gave one of the nest exhibitions seen this season, his accurate lir.ekicking being a feature of tho game. Brown played brilliantly on the wing and was the best back on the field. McLaughlin, also, showed plenty of pace in passing movements and ho made two excellent runs through a crowded defence. Tawhai and Rata placed well, especially the former, who made several nice openings. Dufty &rot through an amount of useful work, and he kicked judiciously on occasions. Behind the scrum, Porteous played a sound frame. He gave tho backs every opportunity. Tho play of Clark and Raymond compared favourably with any forward work seen at Carlaw Tark this season. Clark was often dangerous, tnd his clean handling was very noticeable. Raymond promises to develop into a fine forward. Herring and Johnson also played u:ood Barnes. Bever at fullback for Richmond, tackled soundly and made few mistakes. Mincham was easilv the best of the threcquarters, althouch G. Tittleton did good work on the wing. His brother, at five-eighths, did not handle as well as usual. Bickerton played ably at fiveeighths, while, behind the scrum. Powell was not prominent, but his indifferent display was probably due to Tetley. who frequently got in the halfback's way. Bioadhead was the best of the Richmond forwards, while 0. and J. Satherley gave good support. For City, Porteous and Raymond scored tries. Dufty converted one try and kicked a penalty goal. For Richmond, Broad head and Greenwood scored tries and C. Satherley kicked a penalty goal. Mr. M. Wotherill was referee. CLOSE DECISION MAR IST SUCCESSFUL A fast curtain-raiser game was witnessed on No. 1 ground between Marist and Newton. Victory went to Marist only in the last few minutes, when Newton looked certain winners. Play was even throughout and tho first half ended with the scores equal. The Marist forwards dominated the game in the first half, although the Newton backs did effective work. Fletcher was prominent early in the game, and he gained good ground in a nice run. Haslain gave excellent support and passed to Chalmers, who scored near the posts. Good play by \V. Brinible on the blind side resulted in Hutt scoring. Nowton had the better of the game in the second half and for a time looked comfortable winners Two fino tries came from excellent combination. On one occasion five Newton players handled in turn, and, when tho movement broke down, Young ran through quickly to score a spectacular try. F» c >nK a deficit of six points, Marist dominated the game and Fletcher scored a fine try aftcr a good solo ran. A minute before time, Kcano followed up a cross-kick and scored. A drawn game would have been a good mdicatioHasiamhowa!f y t'he best Marist back and.ho proved difficult to stop. His powerful running was a thorn in Newton's side, iletcher mado a good impression on the wing and Uy was an excellent one. Aro played well behind the scrum while Bakaiich was prominent on the wire Finlayson, Serra and Kcane were the best of the Marist forwards. Dempsey played a fine game for Newton, as did Sisinns and Young. Gibson was als9 seen to advantage on attack wh.lo W Bnmblo performed useful work at halfback. Jiutt, i roc tor and Clemm played good game* among th ChiUrriers, FfotcSr and Kcane scored tries for Marist. Aro converted ono try and k ,cke( ' a penally goal, and Anderson converted ono trv Tor Newton, Hutt, Gibson and Young scored tries and Sissons converted ono. Mr. P. Rogors was referee. SUCCESS OF PONSONBY MOUNT ALBERT DEFEATED After havinpc all the belter of the first half Mount Albert failed to impress in the second half, and was comfortably beaten by Ponsonby. Play was ragged and there was a lack of combination on both sides. Uncertain handling cost Mount Albert several tries in the first half, and the margin in its favour should have been larger. In the second half Ponsonby's backs dominated the game and' scored some good tries. Tho superior speed of tho Ponsonby team was the deciding factor. Tho margin of 10 pointsI inf favour of Ponsonby was not a true indication of the play. The Mount Albert forwards did useful work in tho loose, but there was a lack of finish in the play of tho backs. Kav at centre threequarter, was tho outstanding Ponsonby player. He made openings for most of the tries. McKinney, on the winK also played with plenty of dash, lie is a promising player Jones was also promnent on attack. Rush, at fullback, played a sound game, while Morgan Leatherbarrow and Davis were tho best of the forwards. L. Schultz was the outstanding back for Mount Albert while Dunn and Watkins also played good games. Herring and Peterson were the pick of the forwards. For Ponsonby, Leatherbarrow (2), Morgan, Davis and McKinney scored tries. Leatherbarrow converted three tries and Jonc_s kicked a penalty goal. For Mount Albert, Peterson. Watkins and Constable scored tries. Watkins converted two tries. Mr. W. Simpson was referee.

LATE RECOVERY MANUKAU DEFEATS PAPAKURA The Manukau senior team played Papakura, the winner of the senior B grade championship, at Papakura. For nearly three-quarters of the game the Papakura team was on top. Eight points clown at half-time, Manukau staged a good recovery, winning by 18 points to 8.

Papakura attacked strongly from the start, and completely dominated the play during the first, half. Packing a solid scrum, Papakura secured tho ball. After '_'o minutes' spectacular play, E. Popo scored and K. Burgess converted. A few minutes later R. Burgess raced from halfway to score a brilliant, try. The Manuknu forwards made great efforts in the loose, but they were at a disadvantage in the scrums. When play was resumed after half-time a great struggle commenced between the forwards. The Manukau pack, led by Watene, attacked with vigour and had Papakura defending. Hemi opened Manukau's score with a penalty kick, after which Papakura was completely overshadowed. Manukau soon evened the scores, Papakura at this stage being a tired team. Manukau secured a 10-point lead in as "many minutes. Manukau was ably led by Watene, and his team's victory was due to a timely change of tactics. Papakura can attribute its dofeat only to the weight and fitness of their opponents. Watene, Wh.ve, Gault and Maligna scored for Manukau, Homi conveiting two and kicking a penalty goal. For Papakura, Pope, and It. Burgess secured tries, the latter converting one. Mr. F. Thompson was referee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS Senior Reserve Grade.—Stallard Cup: Marist, 22, Mount Albert, JO; Richmond, 7, Ponsonby, 2; Devonport, 10, Newton, (J; Point Chevalier, 11, Manukau, 2. Third Grado.—Northcote won from Marist by default; Richmond, 11, Glenora 7; Manukau, <5, Green Lane, 5; Ponsonby, 31, Point Chevalier B, 5; Newton A, <i, Point Chevalier A, 3; R.V., 21, City Club (Whangarei), 15; Ellerslie won from Papakura by default. Fourth Grado. —Knock-out semi-final: City, 13, Richmond, 7; Ellerslie, 3, Marist, O. Sixth Grade. —City, 28, Green Lane, 0; Richmond won from Papakura by default. Seventh Grade. —City, 5, Marist, 1; Richmond, 11, Glen Ora, 5; Ellerslie, 10, Papakura, 0. Primary Schools' Matches. —Senior grade: Richmond, 18, Ponsonby, <j; R.V., 21, Whangarei City juniors, 15. Intermediate Grade.—Avondale, 17, Northcote. 0; Marist, 8, Richmond, 8; Otahuhu, (5, Ellerslie, 3; Newton, 10, Mount Albert, 5. Junior Grade. —Ponsonby, 0, Richmond B, O; Richmond A, G, Northcote, O; Marist, 0, Otahuhu, 0. Inter-house Match. Wisemans, 10, Tuckers, 10. NORTHLAND COMPETITIONS [from our own correspond t .nt] WHANGAREI, Sunday Following are the results of matches played yesterday under tho control of the Northland Rugby League:—Kamo seniors, 27, Mount Albert (Auckland), second grade. 8; Mount Albert fourth grade, 12. Hikurangi juniors. 0. In tho senior knock-out competition Whakapara, 10, beat Takahiwai, 8. SOUTHERN COMPETITIONS [BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION] Chrlstchurch. —Hornby, 14, Addington, 3. PRESIDENT HONOURED PRESENTATION TO MR. LEE As a mark of appreciation of his services to iho code, a presentation was made to Mr. J. A. Lee, president of the Auckland Rugby League, during tho interval in the principal match at C'arlaw Park on Saturday Mr. Lee, whoso recent appointment to the position of Parliamentary Under-Sec-retary will necessitate his living in Wellington in tho future, was presented with a silvermounted oak inkstand. In making tho presentation, tho chairman of tho Auckland Rugby League, Mr. G. Grey Campbell, paid a tributo to the assistance given tho code by Mr. Lee and congratulated him on his elovation to the position of Parliamentary Under-Secretary. Expressing appreciation of tho gift, Mr. Lee said that ho did not know of anything he had done to deserve it. His association with tho codo had been tho result of the high regard ho had for tho game and tho peoplo connected with it. \ presentation was also made by Mr. Grey Campbell to Mr. I. Culpan, secretary of the Auckland League, in recognition of the great amount of work ho had performed in connection with the recent visit of tho English team. Mr. Culpan was presented with a dressing-table set.