THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22718, 3 May 1937, Page 14

THE LEAGUE CODE

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

OPENING MATCHES PLAYED SUCCESS OF RICHMOND TEAM The Rugby League championship was opened in Auckland on Saturday under good playing conditions and an interesting afternoon's football was witnessed. Most of the teams appear evenly matched and some thrilling games are promised before the eventual winners are found.

In the principal fixture Richmond proved a little too strong for Mount Albert in a hard-fought contest. The result could have gone either way right to the final whistle, but Richmond ■would have been unlucky to have lost. Manukau, last season's champions, provided a bright curtain-raiser with North Shore. After being down eight points at the interval Manukau gained tho advantage with better team play.

Ponsonby ran out comfortable winners over City in the chief match on the No. 2 ground, while Marist easily accounted for Newton in tho curtain-

raiser. The results, of senior matches were as follows: — Richmond, 13; Mount Albert, 10. Manukau, 19; North Shore, 12. Marist, 27; Newton, 10. Ponsonby, 21; City, 9.

HARD FORWARD PLAY BACKS MAKE MISTAKES The game between Richmond and Mount Albert was strenuously contested and thero were som« hard forward exchanges. Thero was little between the teams. Both sides made several mistakes, chances being lost through wild passing after good openings had been made.

In thd early stages Richmond took up the attack and narrowly missed' tries. Mount Albert retaliated, but, like Richmond, lost opportunities through lack of finish. Mount Albert, was getting the ball from the scrums and the team took the lead with a penalty goal and then a try after some close forward play near the Richmond line. The team held its five points advantage until half-time. Mount Albert lost a certain try. when Hassan gave McCallum an impossible pass with the defence beaten. Richmond made desperate efforts to open its score, but the passing was too long and misdirected. Another opportunity was missed by Mount Albert when McCallum kicked over Cooke s head but knocked on in attempting to gather possession near the fee. Shortly after the resumption, Mitchell, a fine stamp and new forward for Richmond, gained possession from a scrum, and, although tackled, his weight took him over. The same player scored again when a fine movement by the backs saw the ball sw'ung infield again. Richmond was now on top ana was soon j over again after the Mount Albert fullback nad fumbled. The teams were trying all they knew and Mount Albert's turn came just prior to time, when Stewart final' ised a back movement which beat the defence. Cooke, who made his reappearance for Richmond after a season's spell, saved his team with clever kicking and sound tackling. He came into several passing movements in the second spell when Richmond was getting the ball from the scrums. G. Tittleton was the best of the threequarters and scored a nice try. Mincham was too selfish at centre and often upset the combination. W. Tittleton played a sound game at five-eighths, while Bickerton, except for a tendency to kick too much and run across the field, did some fine work. Powell played a solid game at halfback. Mitchell, J. Satherley, Telford and Tetley were always prominent in the forward line. Except for one mistake, Cranch was reliable at fullback for Mount Albert, his strong kicking proving .of advantage ihe team has a very promising) wing in McCallum, who showed football ability and an amazing turn of speed. Stewart did well on the other wing and J. and L. Schultz placed sound games. Watkins did a lot of cle>er work behind the scrum. C. Satherley, Shadbolt, Gunning and Hansea played well among Mitchell (2) and G. Tittleton scored tries. &■ Jittleton and Mincham converted one each. For Mount Albert Gunning and Stewart scored tries. C. Satherley kicked a penalty goal, and Cranch converted one try. Mr. M. Wetherill was referee.

BRIGHT DISPLAY SOUND TACKLING There was plenty of bright and open play in the match between Manukau and North Shore. The latter team was unfortunate to lose 'its halfback, Cowan, in the early stages owing to an injury, and then Hollows, a forward, who was injured in a tackle in the second spell. ~ It took Manukau some time to settle down, but the backs always looked dangerous on attack and they received splendid assistance from the forwards. Several spectacular movements-* just failed to register t tries but> great credit must go to North Shore for its defence. The tackling and covering of both sides saved the situation at critical moments^ With the North Shore forwards playing well in the first half the team led at the interval by 12' points (two converted tries and a penalty goal) to 4 (two P® na, ty soals). Manukau started the second half w:ith p!lenty of vigour, and. getting more of the hall, the backs were associated in some clever movements. There was a tendency, however, to make the play too much for Broderick, oll One splendid piece of play in which the reverse pass was used effectively should ha\e resulted -in a try, Gauit going oyer, but allowing himself to be pushed over the deadball line The Manukau backs threw the ball about well and harassed the opposibon until the end. Manukau added lo Points during the spell, while North Shore failed t0 fullback. S. Watene, was safe kicking with judgment and often running up to make the extra man in passing bouts In spite of the fact that his handling was faulty at times, Broderick on the wing, did some spectacular work and Proved hard to bring down. Murton, on- the other win,., did not have so many opportunities as Broderick, but showed promise. On one occasion he scored a nice try by going determinedly for the corner flag. Brought on proved an effective link in the chain at_centrc. The five eighths, Brimble and H. cm J> combined well. Brimble made some brilliant openings which paved the way for tries, wlnle Hemi also proved a clever attacking player. His kicking was a great asset to t f Mahima played a heady game at halfback. He changed his tactics to advantage and combined well with Brimble. Among a good set of forwards Kawe, Gault, Rickitt and Phillips were prominent throughout. Kerr, at fullback for North Shore, had a hard afternoon, but ranic through well. His kicking and tackling saved his side on many occasions Tnc threequarters did no see much of the ball. Zane played a good game at five-eighths, while Sterling, who replaced Cowan at halfback, shone on attack with limited chances. Hollows, Sowter, Hunt and Simpson were tho best forwards. For Manukau, Broderick, Broughton and Murton scored tries. Watene converted one and Hemi kicked four penalty goals. For North Shore, Zane scored two tries. J. Smith converted both and kicked a penalty goal. Mr. P. Rogers waff referee.