THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22706, 19 April 1937, Page 13

THE LEAGUE CODE

OPENING OF SEASON SENIOR GAMES PLAYED , HIGH STANDARD SHOWN A high.standard of football was witnessed at Carlaw Park on Saturday when the Auckland Rugby League opened the season with a series of senior games prior to the commencement of the championship. The innovation proved a great success and the games were enjoyed by a large crowd. . In the principal game Manukau, last year's champion team, was defeated by Richmond alter an exciting second half. Manukau ran up nine points in the first half, but Setter play by the Richmond backs gained the advantage. Two brilliant dropped goals by J. Henri were a feature of the game. The curtain-raiser between Mount Albert and Ponsouby was well contested until half-way through the second half, when Mount Albert showed excellent form to run out easy winners. On the No. 2 ground Marist played with better combination and defeated City in a wellcontested game. North Shore outclassed Newton, which did not field a strong thirteen. The results were as follows: Richmond, 15; Manukau, 11. Mount Albert, 21; Ponsonbv, 10. Marist, 27; City, 22. ,North Shore, 34; Newton, 8.

BRILLIANT TRIES DEFEAT OF MANUKAU Three brilliant tries by E. Mincham, .captain of Richmond, anil more finish to back play were the deciding factors in Manukau being narrowly defeated after having much the better of the first half. Manukau fielded much the same team as that of last season when it won the senior championship. In the first, half the Manukau forwards played with great dash and narrowly missed scoring tries. For so early in the season the Manukau pack gave the impression that it will take a formidable set to hold it. The Richmond backs, however, proved more than a match for their opponents when it came to open play. Without the services in the second spell of S. f Watene, wlio played a fine game in the first half, the Manukau backs were beaten by better positional play. Mincham was in brilliant form at centre, and his three tries came from excellent support by the inside backs, who had fi good share of the ball from the set scrums. In the first half Manukau plaj-ed good, open football and scored nine points. A beautiful field goal by Hemi from 40 yards out and near the touch-line gave the crowd a -great thrill. He repeated this in the second half from near halfway and in front of the goal. Manukau made several changes in the second half, but these did not improve the combination. Richmond well deserved its victory, and with Cooko in the team from next Saturday it will take a good side to defeat the lioope Rooster winners of last season. Manukau has a great asset jn its forwards, which are easily the heaviest in the competition. Broderick and Goult played outstanding games, particularly the former, whose speed and fine handling were one of the features of the game Kawe was also prominent. For Richmond' G. and W. Tittleton gave Mincham excellent support, particularly the former, who played one of his best games since coming • from the Waikato, and also added three nice goals. Broadhead, Telford, J. Satherloy and Metcalfe were the best of the Richmond forwards. Playing on the wing for Manukau, Shalfoon made a good impression, and Ilollis, at five-eighths, was also good. , i" For Richmond, Mincham scored three tries, which G. Tittleton converted. For Manukau Gault scored a try which Hemi converted. Hemi also kicked two field goals and Watene a penalty goal. Mr. M. Wetherill was referee.

PONSONBY BEATEN GOOD BACK PLAY Mount Albert showed good form and defeated Ponsonby comfortably after tho latter had halfway through the second half equalised .the score as the result of good back play. Mount Albert gave the impression of a welltrained team and Watkins' try in the second half came from one of the best movements seen during the whole of the play on Saturday. Five backs handled smartly and gained 30 yards before Halsey, on the wing, lost possession. Watkins, who started the passing, was on hand to score a fine try. It is evident that the Mount Albert forwards are a strong set. The pack played with great dash and gave the'Ponsonby backs little time to move. Bad handling cost Ponsonby several tries, and Kay was an. offender, although he did a lot of useful work on attack. Hanson, a new player to Mount Albert, was outstanding among the forwards. He was always on the ball and tackled soundly. C. Satherlev, who was transferred from .Richmond, Herring and Shadbolt also played good games. L. Schultz, five-eighths, and Halsey were tho best of the Mount Albert backs. Watkins also played a good game at halfback. For Ponsonby, Miles played well at fullback, and Halloran was the best of the &ve-eighths. The Ponsonby forwards were beaten b*>f a belter set in the loose, although several new players showed good form. Browne, Blackman and Jvcanc played good ga ?or" Mount Albert, Watkins (2), Satherley, Shadbolt and Hanson scored tries. Satherley converted two tries and kicked a penalty goal. For Ponsonby, McKinney and Black scored tries, and Jones kicked two goals. Mr. J. ilawkes was referee.

WIN FOR MARIST . ( ' . FORWARDS SUPERIOR Marist was a fitter team than and won a well-contested preliminary at 2 ground. A rearrangement of the Marist backs in the second half had much to do with the team gaining the ascendancy. City was beaten

in the forwards, but the backs were well matched. The combination of City at times was excellent, and several tries cames from clever back play. The advantage, however, was always with the Marist forwards. Breed, Anderson and Donaldson showed good form. Crocker and Donovan were the best of the backs. The best, back on the ground was McLaughlin, who played a fine game on the wing for City. 11 api and Tawhai were also prominent. Hutchinson, who played behind the scrum in the first half, was superior to Potior, who Was the halfback in the second half. SEVERAL NEW PLAYERS NORTH SHORE AND NEWTON There were many new players in the North Shore and Newton teams, which played the curtain-raiser on the No. 2 ground. North Shore had easily the better of the game and outclassed Newton. The North Shore backs played fast, open football and scored several tries from good movements. Newton will need to strengthen its team to hold other clubs in the championship competition. MATCHES IN CHRISTCHURCH [by telegraph—PßESS association] Christchurch.—Linwood, 35, Hornby, 13; Addingfon, 27, Sydenham, 0.