THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22754, 14 June 1937, Page 14

THE LEAGUE CODE

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP RICHMOND MAINTAINS LEAD MANUKAU TEAM DEFEATED The final series of matches in tho first round of the Auckland Rugby League's senior championship was played on Saturday under good conditions. Jri the host match of the season to date Richmond defeated Manukau after being down up to the filial stages and maintained its load in the championship by two points from Mount Albert. Staged as the principal attraction at Carlaw Park the Richiiiond-Manukau game more than fulfilled expectations. A great pace was set throughout and at one stage Manukau led by eight points. The fitness and team play of Richmond in the last ten minutes carried it to victory. There was little between tho teams. Manukau was strengthened by R. Chase, second five-eighths, and 1\ Chase, centre. The former celebrated his debut in tho game by scoring three good trios and drop-kicking a goal. The curtain-raiser between Marist and City was disappointing, both teams, especially City in the second spell, losing many opportunities, Marist eventually ran out winners by seven points. M. Mataira, tho former Rugby forward, playing for City, was injured in the first spell and retired. Two matches were played on outside grounds. In a close game at Northcote Mount Albert defeated Ponsonby, while at the Devonport Domain North Shore proved too strong for Newton. Results of senior matches on Saturday wore as follows: — Richmond, 22; Manukau, 18. Marist, 11; City, 4. Mount Albert, S; Ponsonby, 3. North Shore, 13; Newton, 0. FINE EXHIBITION WIN FOR RICHMOND In a fine exhibition of the code Richmond took the honours against Manukau, which was perhaps a little unlucky in not dividing the points. However, the superior team play of Richmond and the fitness of tho players told its tale in the last 10 minutes. During this period a brilliant movement, tho best seen on the ground this season, was executed by the Richmond team. From a scrum in its own twenty-five Richmond hooked the ball and Powell sent his backs away, Furnell, tho fullback, joining in. The ball went along tho chain and clever reverse passing saw Bickerton touch down. Furnell converted and gave his team the lead for the first time. Richmond had easily tlic better or the Anal stages and added another converted try.

Richmond held a great advantage by hooking the ball from the scrums, especially in the second spell, when the Manukau backs had to make play chiefly from the loose. When Manukau got the ball in the first spell its backs were seen to advantage, especially R. Chase, at second five-eighths, who scored three tries. A fine typo of player, Chase did somo brilliant work 011 attack, running strongly and straight and showing ability in making an opening. He also defended strongly. The fitness of the Richmond forwards enabled them to show up when the Manukau prick was tiring. The.v were superior in passing and handling and in the second spell started many movements and joined in again with the backs. The Manukau forwards were good in the loose, while individually somo plavers stood out The, vanguard, however, lacked the team work of its opponents. In the first spell the Richmond backs were bustled into errors, but when settled down played fino football. For Richmond Furnell played a good game at fullback. He made a few mistakes, but generally his all-round work was good. Ho handled cleanly and kicked, except on a few occasions, with good judgment. lie had 110 chance of stopping R. Chase on one occasion as the weight of the Manukau player carried him over. Another time, however, he saved a certain try near the line with a great tackle. CI Tittleton again played well on the wing, showing plenty of determination and running strongly. He was also seen to advantage on defence. Mincham was in form at centre and did much clever work, chiefly in the second spell. Wilkie was well marked on the wing, but showed determination. On two or three occasions lie made the mistake of going infield. W. Tittleton and Bickerton combined well at five-eighths and did much effective work, both on attack and defence. The former proved hard to tiring down once he had speed up. Powell spoiled a good display by kicking too miirh, often into Homi's hands at fullback The Richmond forwards were all hard workers, with Telford, Hadley, Mitchell, Davis and McLeod perhaps the most prominent. Hemi played well at fullback for Manukau. his strong kicking beinc of great advantage io the, team. Tie made a weak attempt to tackle Davis, when the latter scored by the posts. Bronghton proved elusive on the wing nnd plaved a good all-round game. The best back was R. Chase, while P. Chase, centre, showed promise of developing into a fine league player. These two recruits from the Hugby game have undoubtedly strengthened Manukau considerably. Hrimble did some clever work on attack at first five-eighths, while Mahima played a good game at halfback. Broderick was the best forward and he was well supported by Gault. and Ricki* For Richmond Davis, n. Tittleton f2) and Bickerton scored tries. Furnell and Mincham each converted two and (1. Tittleton kicked a penalty goal. For Manukau R. Chase scored three tries and Allen one. R. Chase potted a goal and Hemi kicked two penally goals. Mr. M. Wetherill was referee.

DISAPPOINTING MATCH MARIST AND CITY Tho curtain-raiser between Marist and City was a game of lost opportunities, especially by Cit.v in the second spell During this half City should have scored tries, but mistakes in handling and poor passing spoiled the movements. Marist, too, lost opportunities and the backs never settled down to combination. There was a good deal of kicking by both sets of backs and tho game resolved itself into a loose contest between the forwards. Glover gave a good display at fullback for Marist. tackling and kicking well. Midgle.v showed dash on the wing. but. like Ilalsey, had few chances. Haslam was the best back at centre, but did not see much of the ball owing to Crocker, at halfback, holding on. McLaren did some nice work at five-eighths. Anderson. Breed and Bakalich shone in the forward line.

Wiberg played a vor.v sound game nt fullback for City and Ruin niado some stronn runs at fivo-Viu'litlis. Raymond, centre, did not handle well and once n certain Iry was lost, when ho dropped his tiass. An outstanding game was played bv Hutchinson, at hallback He made many bright flashes from the serums and with belter support tries would have resulted. Hutchinson also did great- work on defence. Among the forwards Mataira. playing his first game, was prominent until lie had to reliro with an injury to his head. Donald. Sniro, Wohncr ami Johnson also placed well. For Marist TTalsey, "Rakalicb and, Anderson scored fries. Anderson converting one. Wiberg kicked two penalty goals for City, Mr. A. Lennie was referee.

NARROW VICTORY MOUNT ALBERT'S SUCCESS A fast, open game was played at Norlheole between Pnnsor.by and Mount Albert in aid of the King George V. Memorial Fund. The hitter narrowly won, but a drawn- game would have been a better Indication of the play. Moth teams missed kicks at goal from .in front of the posts. I'onsonby, early in the first half, missed a (r.v when Davis dropped the ball after being tackled by ('ranch over the Mount Albert goal line. However. Mount Albert backs showed greatly improved form, especially in the first half, when good combination was a feature The first try, scored by MeCallum. resulted from good passing from the base of the scrum and excellent support by the inside hacks had I'onsonby beaten. Mount Albert led at halftime by .'I points to i). The I'onsonby backs settled down to play good football and for a time looked likely to win. A nice run by Schultz was finished off by Stewart, whose pace carried him over near the posts. The I'onsonby backs could do nothing right, and twice passes went astray when Iries might easily have been scored. Only one goal was kicked during (lie game. As in previous matches, the Mount Albert forwards paved the way for victory. The vanguard was superior in the loose and did a lot of useful spoiling work. The I'onsonby backs lacked finish lo several nice movements which might easily have turned- defeat into victory. Passes were, badly directed, especially when the ball was hooked so cleanly from set scrums.

For Mount Albert Cranch played soundly at fullback, although a little uncertain in fielding, Tho wings, McCallum and Stewart, showed plenty of *speed and wero dangerous on attack. L. Schultz was a tower of strength on defence. Watkins played ably behind the pack. Leatlierharrow stood out as the best forward, and he received good support from Gunning and Sutherley. Kay was the best of the I'onsonby backs and would have made it harder for Mount Albert had he gone more alone. Many times Kay completely beat the opposition, but his passes wero often missed. Stockley played soundly at five-eighths and did a lot of useful work. Black, halfback, and llalloran. fiveeights, played good games. Morgan and Davis were the best of the forwards and Keane was prominent in fast following-up. For Mount Albert McCallum and Stewart scored tries and Satherle.v kicked a penalty goal. For I'onsonby Storkle.y scored. Mr. P. Rogers was referees.

GOOD BACK PLAY NORTH SHORE IN FORM Good football was witnessed at Devonport, where North Shore defeated Newton in a well-contested game. The North Shore backs made the most of their opportunities In the loose anil had better combination than Newton. The latter, however, put up a good showing and was unlucky not to score two tries. Kerr again proved the stumbling block to many promising attacks by Newton. Earlv in the game Simpson anil Rogers away and from a good combined movement Hallows scored in a good position. Newton kept up a series of attacks in which Briinblo was prominent. The Newton halfback cut in nicely, but Kerr tackled Sissons a few yards from the North Shore line. A lucky interception by 1,. Scott almost gave North Shore a try. but Dempsey saved with u splendid tficklo. iNortn Shore had a five-points lead at half-time, out was by no means the superior team. On resuming the North Shore forwards dominated the game and had Newton defend ing. Hallows scored his second try after J4 Scott made a determined run down the line The Newton backs combined well and Young and Gibson went close to scoring. North Shore, however, had the better combination. A feature of 'the game was the duel between the two fullbacks, Kerr and Dempsey. 1 lie former played a fine game on defence, but Dempsey was his superior 011 attack. Ihe Newton fullback made several nice runs with the threequarters. ,1. Smith was the best of the North Shore backs, being prominent on attack. Zane and Stirling got through a lot of useful Work .while L. Scott played well 011 the wing. Hallows, Harnett and K. Scott played good football among the forwards. Bri'mble was the. outstanding Newton back, but most of his openings lacked support. Viang and Gibson were also prominent. Proctor, Quirko and Ginders were the pick of the forwards. „ For North Shore tries were scored by Hallows and J/. Scott. J. Smith converted one try and kicked a penalty goal. Mr. F. Thompson was referee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS Senior Reserve—North Shore, 10, Newton. 5. Senior B Grade.—R.V., 20, Mount Albert, 2: Green Lane. IS, Richmond, 7. Third Grade. —Ellerslic, 2ft, R.V., 0; Marist, 20, Mount Albert, 5; Papakura, 30, North Shore, 2; City, 38. Papakura, 0. Fourth Grade. —Northcote, 10, North Shore, 0; Ellerslie, 10, Glenora, 0. Fifth Grade. —Richmond, 10, Northcote, 0; Papakura. 01, Ellerslie. 3: City, 43. North Shore, 0. Sixth Grade.—Green Lane, 0, Mount Albert, O; Point Chevalier. 8, Papakura. 0; City, 311. Richmond, o. Seventh Grade. —Richmond, 22, Glenora, 10. SCHOOLBOYS' MATCHES Senior Grade. —Marist, It, Newton, 0; Richmond, 25, Point Chavalier, 0; Ellerslie, 14. Manukau, 0. Intermediate Grade.—Mount Albert, 6, Point Chevalier, 3; Avondale, 18, Otahuhu, 7; Newton, (>, Northcote, G; Ponsonby, 29, North Shore, 0. Junior Grade. —Marist, 3, Balmoral, 0; G. Court's A. !), Manukau, 0; Newton A, 12, Point Chevalier, 0; Ellerslie, 0, Avondale Convent, 0; Northcote, 3, G. Court's B, 0; Richmond, 0, Newton B. 0.

GAMES IN THE PROVINCE [FROM HE RAM) CORRESPONDENTS] Whangarei.—Following are the results of senior matches played in the championship competitions of tiie Northland Rugby League: Takahiwai, 10, lvamo, 7; Hikurangi, 33, Whakapara, 5. Juniors: Kaino, 8, City, 5. Third grade: Kamo, 11, City, 0. Fourth grade. Kamo, 11, City, 3. llikurangi won by default from Kensington. Papakura.—A feature of League games played at Papakura was the scoring of nearly 100 points by the two local teams in their engagements with the North Shore and Ellerslie teams respectively. In «he fifth grade the final score, Papakura, 01, Ellerslle, 3, was a record for the ground. Jn the third grade, Papakura defeated North Shore by 30 to 2. Jn the sixth grade game, played at Maiuirewa, the local club went under to Point Chevalier by 8 to 3. In the senior B grade, Papakura defeated Manukau by 2(i to 2. GAMES IN THE SOUTH [BY TELEGRAPH —rRESS association] Wellington.—Central, 13, Petone, 11; St. George. 11, Randwick, 8. Christchurch.— Addington. 21, Linwood, 17; Hornby, 11, Waimairi, 7. MATCH IN AUSTRALIA (Received Juno i;i, 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY. Juno 13 In an inter-State Rugby League football match yesterday. New South Wales defeated Queensland by 31 points to 3.

ARRIVAL OF NEPIA , George Nepia, the former New Zealand Rugby Union representative, who played League football in England last season, will arrive this morning by the Kotorua from England. It is understood that Nepia may play for an Auckland club should ho decide to remain in New Zealand. Nepia had a distinguished career while in England and played for a season with Streathani-Mitchani, a London club, which went out of existence. He was later transferred to a North England club. JUBILEE REUNION FUNCTION FOR OARSMEN PRESENTATION OF PRIZES The /)oth anniversary of the Auckland Honing Association was fittingly celebrated by a jubilee smoke concert and reunion on Saturday night. The .Mayor, Sir Ernest Dyvis, presided over an attendance of about 120 past and present oarsmen representative of clubs throughout the Auckland Province.

In welcoming the gathering, Sir Ernest referred to tho progress made by the Auckland association in furthering the interests of eightoared rowing, and paid a compliment to the association's enterprise in holding a regatta which included a fall class for eights. Sir Ernest later presented the trophies to the winning crovrs in the various championship events. Toasts honoured were:—The Clubs, proposed by Mr. L N. Ross, replied to by Mr. G. Oxspring; New Zealand Amateur ({owing Association and Auckland, Rowing Association, Mr. A. C. Nordeu, Mr. ('. G. Ilerdmun; Past Oarsmen and "Rod Coats," Mr. D. G. Stotter, Messrs. C. ('. Cairns and A. W. Andrews; Kindred Sports, Captain 11. H. Sergeant, Mr. L. Phillips.