THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22541, 5 October 1936, Page 13

THE LEAGUE CODE

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS RICHMOND BEATS MANUKAU WIDE MARGIN OF POINTS A large crowd witnessed a fast, open game at Carlaw Park on Saturday, when Richmond easily defeated Manukau, winners of the senior grade championship, in the annual champion of champions fixture. Richmond showed its best form this season and after tin even first half scored some splendid tries. Mannkau was without the services of three of its regular players, but it is doubtful whether Richmond would have been beaten by the strongest Manukau thirteen. The fine play of the Richmond backs was a feature of the match, which was witnessed by representatives of Auckland and suburban local bodies, who were the guests of the Auckland Rugby League. Bv winning the match, Richmond holds the William Stormont .M emorial Shield. Ponsonby defeated .Marist in a close game and won the Phelan Shield. Results wer6 as follows: — Champion of Champions.—Richmond, .'3O; Manukau, 9. Phelan Shield. Ponsonby, 13; Marist, 9. BACKS TOO FAST EXCELLENT COMBINATION The Richmond backs proved too fast and gave a brilliant exhibition of the code against Manukau, which was without the services of Kawe and Whye in the forwards, and before half-time lost S. Watene, who retired with an injured shoulder. The game was played at a fast pace throughout, particularly the first half, in which Richmond scored tries through excellent combination. Minchain was in brilliant form at centre and his speed cut the defence to ribbons. Manukau made poor efforts to check Mincham, who made the most of the weakness of his vis-a-vis. The Manukau backs were outclassed in positional play. There was not a weakness in the Richmond team. The forwards did their share in supporting the backs, who were favoured by a large share of the ball. Manukau put up a good fight in the first half, but early in the second spell Richmond _ proved its superiority and almost scored tries at will. Richmond, which fielded a very fit team, scored eight tries to one by Manukau. The game was marred by several incidents of rough play in which some Richmond forwards were aggressors for no apparent reason. After C. Satherley had kicked a penalty goal, Richmond attacked from its own twenty-five, and the ball went smartly to Mincham, who made a nice opening, but held on when Wilkie could have scored easily. From a splendid passing bout, however, Bickerton cut in nicely and after each back handled in turn, Wilkie sent infield to Mincham, who scored a fine try. Broderick was prominent in a great dash for HO yards, and tackled Tetley near Richmond's goal. Gault snapped up the ball and Brimble was over in a flash. There was always a Richmond forward in support of an attack and after Tetley dropped a pass J. Satherley gained possession and passed to Wilkie, who scored. Two fine penalty goals by Hemi made the game interesting, and at half-time Richmond had a lead of one point. Richmond did all the attacking in the second half, and its backs gave one of the best exhibitions seen at Carlaw Park this From a scrum near halfway Powell passed smartly to Bickerton and Tittleton gained good ground. The movement was splendidly finished off by Wilkie, who neatly side-stepped Murray. Good combination by Powell and several Richmond forwards resulted in Telford scoring on the blind side. Shortly afterwards Powell, who was playing a fine game, again used the blind side and Minchain scored. From a passing bout Mincham burst through the centre and Greenwood scored. Manukau tired badly and Richmond had little difficulty in scoring against a disorganised team. Powell was again prominent and from a nice passing bout Telford scored his second try. Then the defence weakened and Tittleton scored easily. The high scoring caused a surprise, but the game was a fitting conclusion to a highly-successful ! season.

Two Richmond players, Mincham and Powell, gave the best display seen at Carlaw Park this season in their respective positions. Although the opposition had a day off both played right up to form. Fowell made some clever play rourtd the scrum and beat Mahima, Manukau halfback. Mincham has undoubted talent as a centre and his play on Saturday was excellent. Both Bickerton and Tittleton, at five-eighths, played good games, especially the latter. Wilkie, on the wing, played with plenty of dash, and his try was a fine effort. Greenwood also 'played a'good game on the other wing. Beyer was sound at fullback. The Richmond forwards played well in the loose and packed a good C. Satherley, Broadhead and Telford were the pick, while J. Satherley and Tetley were also prominent. Mahima, behind the f scrum, was the best of the Manukau players. He was faced by strong opposition, but played well. Brimble and Hemi also played good games at fiveeighths. Broughton and Hollis were below form, especially the former, who was overshadowed by Mincham. Broderick and Pickrang were the best forwards on the ground and did a lot- of useful work. Gault was handicapped with an ankle injury and limped throughout the game. . For Richmond tries were scored by \v ukie (2), Telford (2), Mincham (2), Greenwood and Tittleton, C. Satherley converted one try and kicked a penalty goal. Beyer also con- I verted one try. For Manukau Brimble scored and Hemi kicked two penalty goals and converted the try. Mr. M. Wethefill was referee. PHELAN SHIELD FINAL i ~i SUCCESS OF PONSONBY In a fast, open game Ponsonby defeated Marist by 13 points to 9 in the final of the Phelan Shield competition. Possession of the ball from most of the set scrums, aided Ponsonby, whose backs played good football. Marist went close to scoring on several occasions. Ponsonby had the better of the first half and established a lead of eight points. Haslam was prominent in a fine run through the Ponsonby defence, but. Stockley tackled soundly. After a fine run Pengelly scored for Ponsonby. Good play by Kay, at centre, threatened the Marist line and again only good defence kept Ponsonby out. Just before half-time Jones made a nice dash and scored a good try. Early in the second half Loader received a long kick, and cleverly beat the opposition to score a good try. The Ponsonby backs, however, ' had more finish to their play and from a nice passing bout McKinney scored. Marist pressed hard in the concluding stages and Haslam went close to scoring. .... For Ponsonby Stockley played an outstanding gaine at fullback. His fielding was very certain while good tackling stopped two tries. The wings, Jones and McKinney, played fine games. Kay, at centre, was the most dangerous back on the ground, while at five-eighth Pengelly gave an impressive display. Morgan, Davis and Middleton were the best of the forwards. „ , , For Marist Haslam, Loader and Murdock plaved well. Aro did a lot of useful work at 'halfback. Breed and Serra were the pick of 'the forwards. For Ponsonby tries were scored by Pengelly, •Tones and McKinney. Jones converted two. For Marist Loader scored a try and Anderson kicked two penally goals and converted the tryMr. R. Otto was roferee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS Senior Reserve Grade.—Stallard Cup, final: Marist, 14, Richmond, 13. Third Grade.—Knock-out: Manukau, 21, Point Chevalier, 6. Seventh Grade. —Walmsley Shield, final: City, 3, Richmond, 3. Primary Schools. —Senior grade: Devonport, 18, Mount Albert, 5. Intermediate Grade. —Knock-out final: Marist, 1, Richmond, 0. Junior Grade.—Richhiond A, 6, Newton A, 0; Ellerslio, 3, Marist, 0; Mount Albert, 0, Green Lane, 0.