THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22535, 28 September 1936, Page 14

THE LEAGUE CODE

ROOPE ROOSTER FINAL MANUKAU DEFEATS CITY WINNERS' FINE COMBINATION In the final of the Auckland Rugby League's J?oope Rooster competition on Saturday Mannkau played fino football and easily defeated City. The match was fast and open throughout. The ground at 'Carlaw Park was very hard and stoppages for injuries Avere frequent. There was a large attendance. Manukau gavo its best display this season and its excellent combination was too good for the opposition. Manukau has now Avon tho Fox Memorial Shield for the senior championship and the Roope Rooster. Richmond, as run-ner-up in the senior championship, will meet Manukau next Saturday in the champion of champions contest. In the semi-final of tho Plielan Shield Ponsonby narrowly defeated Devonport and will now play Marist in the final. During the curtain-raiser play was stopped for a, few minutes, while tribute was paid to the memory of tho late Mr. J. Stormont, a trustee of the Auckland Rugby League. Sympathy was also extended to Mr. J. llukutai, a member of the management committee, in the death of his wife. Results of matches were as follows: — Roope Rooster. —Manukau, 23; City, 10. Phelan Shield. —Ponsonby, 19; Devonport, 15. BETTER TEAM WINS CITY DISAPPOINTS City gave a disappointing exhibition and on the day Manukau was decidedly the better team. The Manukau forwards wero outstanding, although they were beaten for possession of the ball from tho set scrums. Thoy linked up well in thrustful passing bouts, but weak tackling by City was responsible for some easy tries. Manukau scored points quickly and soon had a lead of 18. Nevertheless play was always interesting and the score was not a true indication of the run of tho play. City combined well on occasions, but at other times the backs lacked finish. After the Manukau forwards pressed Brown, Wiberg and Tawliai thrilled the crowd with clever scissors passing. Then from its own 25 Manukau brilliantly attacked and Watene, fullback, joined in a passing bout, Hemi scoring a splendid try. Watene converted. Lynch made two nice openings and only uncertain handling cost City likely tries. Although tho City forwards won • the ball from the set scrums, the Manukau vanguard was superior and lrom neat passing Broderick scored.' A few minutes later Briinble scored nnd Watene converted. Soon after Hemi scored a fine try, which he converted. Wateno retired lit this stage with an injured shoulder. City was awarded a penalty in front of Manukau goal, and Dufty prepared for a place kick. Instead he punted to an unmarked wing and McLaughlin scored. Dufty converted with a fine kick. City again pressed hard and McLaughlin just missed a try. Broderick made a fine run before being tackled by Tawhai. The City backs had numerous opportunities, but their passing was wild. Hemi added a penalty goal from a good position. Mahiina " dummied " the City backs and Whye scored after Rata had made a feeble tackle. City was completely demoralised as the result of weak tackling. After Manukau had had the better of the play, Porteous snapped up and passed to Wiborg and Lynch made a nice opening to score. Dufty converted. The Manukau forwards were in brilliant form and each offensive looked dangerous. The final, scoro was:-—Manukau 23, City 10.The City backs were weak and took their passes flat-footed. When Dufty was brought into five-oighths, he spoiled any combination there was. He invariably kicked, while both Rata and Tawhai throw too many high passes to give the wings any chance of getting through. The City forwards fought gamely but were beaten in tho loose by a superior set. ' ', Until he retired Watene played a brilliant .game at fullback for Manukau. His fielding and splendid kicking often saved his sido in tho early stages. In a passing bout Watene was unnocessarily bumped after he had passed the ball and retired 'with an injured shoulder. Murray who filled his place at fullback, played a sound game. Mahima, halfback, was perhaps the best of the rearguard. A remarkable burst of speed on several occasions was a feature of his play. Hemi, five-eighths, also played well and showed a lot of pace in passing bouts. Brimble proved a clever player on attack, his try being a brilliant solo- effort. Bro.ughton played a heady game, at centre. Pickrang was in every movement, and stood out for great tackling. Broderick was perhaps tho best forward. Many times his speed and splendid handling paved the way for tries. Kawe and Gault, one of tho most promising forwards in the code, also did good work. For City, Wiberg and Brown were the only backs to play up to form. Raymond and Clarke wero iho best of the and Herring also played well. Dufty did a lot of good work in the first half. Mr. M. Wethcrill was 'referee. PHELAN SHIELD MATCH PONSONBY BACKS SUPERIOR The game between Ponsonby and Devonport in the Phelan Shield competition was evenly contested and better combination by tho Ponsonby backs proved tho deciding factor. The forwards were well matched, Devonport holding a slight advantage in the loose. Ponsonby had much the hotter of the first half, and only good defence kept tho score down. Ponsonby's first try, was tho result of splendid handling and superior speed by tho threequarters. Stockloy made a fino opening in this movement and five backs handled before Black got over. Fast play followed, with Ponsonby dominating the game. Good play In tho looso by tho Devonport vanguard resulted in two tries, and at halftime thero was only ono point between tho teams. The second half was equally woll contested, and at ono stage Devonport looked likely winners. However, tho Ponsonby basks finished off some good work, and tho team eventually ran out winners by 11) points to 15. For Ponsonby, Jones played a splendid game on the wing and was often dangerous. Kay was the pivot of tho attack and made some nice openings. McKinney put plenty of dash into*his play. Halloran, halfback, and Stockley, five-eighths, combined well on attack, whilo Rush was sound at fullback. In the forwards, Leatherbarrow, Morgan and Cartor played good football. For Devonport, Kerr played a good game at fullback, his defence being very sound. Hunt and Thorpe wero prominent on occasions, and Cowan played well behind tho pack. Sawtor, Cossill and B. Scott woro tho pick of the forwards. For Ponsonby tries wero scored by Black, Kay, Halloran, Stockley and Davis. Jones converted two tries. For Devonport, Thorpo, 13. Scott and L. Scott scored trios. V. Scott converted one try and Kerr kicked a penalty goal and converted a try. Mr. W. Simpson was referee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS Senior Reserve Grade. —Stallard Cup semifinal: Marist, 23, Point Chovalier, 3. Third Grade. —Championship final: Ellerslie, 5, Ponsonby, 3. Knock-out competition: Newton, 14, Marist, 0. Seventh Grade.—Richmond, 27, Point Chovalier, 0. Primary Schools.—Senior grado: Devonport, 15, Richmond, 0; Mount Albort, 12, Ponsonby, 8. Intermediate Grade.—Manukau, 24, Northcote, 0; Marist, 32, Balmoral, 3; Nowton, 9, Otahuhu, 0; Green Lane, 5, Ellerslie, 0. Junior Grade.—Ponsonby, 3, Northcote, 0; Marist, 3, Green Lane, 0. NORTHLAND CHAMPIONS [from OUR OWN correspondent] WHANGAREI, Sunday In tho chnmpion of champions contest of the Northland Rugby League, played yesterday, Kamo beat Ilikurangi by 24 points to 10. The Kamo teum has thus won tho senior championship, the senior knock-out competition and the champion of champions, and went through the season undefeated. In the fourth grade match City beat Portland by 10 points to nil. AUSTRALIAN PLAYERS OFFERS BY ENGLISH CLUBS LONDON. Sept. 25 The Yorkshire Observer reports that the Huddersfiold Rugby League has made overtures to tho Australian test threequarter players Reardon and Crippen, each of whom aro asking for a bonus of £IOOO. As a result Huddersfleld is not going any further in the matter. Dave Brown is reported to have refused one club's offer of £1250. His figure is now supposed to be £ISOO. Brown captained the Australian team during the recent tour of the English playera.