LEAGUE FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22529, 21 September 1936, Page 6

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

ROOPE ROOSTER CONTEST i CITY WINS SEMI-FINAL MARIST DEFEATS RICHMOND The semi-final of the Auckland llugby League's Roope Rooster competition was won by City, which defeated Devonport in a good game at C'ar!i>w Park. After an evenlj'-con-tested first half, the City backs played splendid football and scored two converted tries. The final of the competition will be played next Saturday, when City will meet Manukau, winners of the senior championship. High-scoring games were witnessed in tho Phelan Shield competition, when Marist won easily from Richmond and Ponsonby defeated Papakura. The results were as follows:

Roope Rooster Semi-final.—City, 20; Devonport, 10. Phelan Shield series:— ; Marist, 17; Richmond, 3. . I Ponsonby, 36; Papakura, 4. DEVONPORT DEFEATED CITY SHOWS IMPROVEMENT After showing poor combination in the early stages City developed into a good scoring team and won comfortably . from Devonport, which had the better of the first half. Devonport tired badly in the second half, which . was played without Kerr, who retired with a head injury. City was tho fitter" team, and during the second half its forwards dominated the game. Tho City forwards showed great improvement, and the handling and support they gave tho backs was a feature of the game. The City backs opened up the game with & good passing movement, which had Devonport defending. A few minutes later Tawhai made a nice opening, but his pass to Rata : was intercepted by Seagar, who kicked after running to half-way. After an exciting race-Hunt dived to touch down for a good try. Two penalty goals by V. Scott gave Devonport a useful lead. It took City a little time to settle down, but its backs were often dangerous on attack. Raymond snapped up in the loose and gained useful ground before passing to Porteous, and McCarthy outpaced Kerr to score. A few minutes'later City's backs were seen in one of the best movements seen this season. Six players handled the ball from a scrum near halfway and McLaujghlin raced into the pass- ' ing -to make the extra man. The ball travelled .fast to Brown, who made a brilliant run down the line, before placing, the ball near the posts. Just before • half-time the Devonport forwards gained the upper hand and scored from a.forward rush. .City, was not long in settling down to play fast, open football. McLaughlin was prominent in a fine run, which placed City on attack. Devonport lost Kerr at this etage and played Seagar at fullback and E. Scott at centre-threequarter. The City rearguard did most of the attacking and some clever play was seen. Johnson charged down a kick, by Hunt, and score a simple try. Both backs and forwards combined well for City, which did everything to open up , the game. Clever reverse passing between . Wiberg and Brown gained useful grcund, while a bright dash by L. Scott was the only incident to favour Devonport. A-few minutes before time Porteous started a passing bout and Lynch, who was playing his first game in the League code, scored near the posts. On the run of play City deserved its success, although the scores could have been closer. " Several times in the first half Devonport failed to finish off promising atv- tacks, uncertain handling costing the losers at least one try Had Kerr remained on the field City would have had a much harder task Seapar, who went to fullback, was altogether too slow. He limped badly in tho last 15 minutes. For City, Wiberg played another outstanding game at fullback. His ability to start passing bouts often turned defence into attack. Wiberg is one of the most improved players in _tho code. Brown was brilliant on the wing and his try was that of a high-class footballer. McLaughlin, on the other wing, also played * a splendid game, and both Rata and Tawhai - did good work on attack. Lynch, a new "player from Matamata, did not impress in the first half, but improved as the game went on. Porteous, behind the scrum, did useful work. Clark, Raymond and McCarthy we're the best of, the forwards. Dufty, who played back-row forward, did a tot of useful 'spoiling work. Until he retired Kerr played fine football at fullback, and saved Devonport on numerous occasions. V. Scott, five-eighths, was perhaps the best of the backs. He should develop into a fine goalkicker. The remainder of the backs, with the exception of Cowan, halfback, were overshadowed by City. Hunt, Hallows and Simpson were the pick of the forwards. For City, McCarthy, Brown, Johnson and Lynch scored a try each. Dufty converted all four. For Devonport, Hunt and Hallows scored a <try each. V. Scott converted one try and kicked a penalty goal.' Mr. W. Simpson was referee. e •