THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22756, 16 June 1937, Page 20

THE LEAGUE CODE

MATCHES POSTPONED

VISITS TO OTHER CENTRES VARIOUS SENIOR THIRTEENS Owing to the second Soccer test between the English amateur team and New Zealand being played at Carlaw Park next Saturday there will be 110 senior Rugby League contests. Various teams will pay visits to other centres and these should prove of benefit to the code. The methods adopted l>y Auckland teams are sure to be keenly followed and valuable lessons learned thereby. The following fixtures have been arranged Ponsonby v. Wellington dubs, at Wellington; North Shore v. South Auckland, at Huntly; Mount Albert v. Taranaki clubs, at New Plymouth; Marist v. North Auckland, at Whangarei; Manukau v. Ray oi Plenty, at Taneatua; City v. Taupo, at I'okaanu, CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES CONSISTENCY OF RICHMOND The first round of the senior championship has now been completed and Richmond is leading by two points from Mount Albert. Richmond thoroughly deserves its position, as its form has been more consistent than that ol anv other team. Judging on the general improvement shown by other teams, however, Richmond will have some hard contests in the second round. Easily the best game of the season resulted in the meeting of Manukau and Richmond last Saturday and both sides were seen to advantage in many clever movements. Strengthened by R. Chase and P. Chase, two former Rugby exponents, at second five-eighths and centre respectively, Manukau made a bold bid for victory and went down onlv in the final stages.

It would have been a different story if Miuiukau could have gained possession from the serums. When the team was successful in this department in the early stages the Manukau backs, although making mistakes, brought off some good movements. 1 R Chase made a most auspicious debut in the code by scoring three tries ami potting a goal. Ho is undoubtedly a fine player, while P. Chase also showed great promise. The latter, however, on one occasion threw away a try and almost a certain live points by potting at goal when close to the posts with plenty of support. The teamwork of Richmond A'as seen at its best in the last 10 minutes, when the side took the lead for the first time.

The Manukau forwards tired and the defence, which had been good up to this stage, wilted a little. Richmond was quick to take advantage of its opportunities, thus turning what appeared certain defeat into a brilliant victory. But for the better goal-kicking of Richmond, Manukau would have won. PROMISING HALFBACK YOUNG CITY PLAYER The City team has a very promising halfback in Hutchinson, who played an outstanding game against Marist. He frequently made openings with deeply penetrating runs which would have been turned to advantage with better support. Hutchinson is also a plucky defensive player and gets the ball away well from the scrums.

The action of tho Auckland Rugby League in playing senior matches on outside grounds last Saturday proved popular with residents across the harbour and there M'as a good attendance at both North cote and Devonport. The game between Mount Albert and Ponsonby at Northcote was well contested and there was little between the teams. Mount Albert, however, deserved its success, as it played sound football without doing any spectacular work. The Mount Albert forwards packed a solid scrum, and the vanguard tackled soundly in the loose. Ponsonbv's backs showed up well only in stages. At times the rerir division played brilliant football and threatened to score. However, there was a lack of finish once Kay and Stocklev had given the threequarters reasonable chances. A lot of good defensive work for Mount Albert was done by L. Schultz and Watkins. Mount Albert will play Richmond in tbo next flub fixture and it should prove a good test for the latter team.

North Shore proved too strong for Newton in the ma toll played at Devonport. The winners' harks were quick to take advantage of Newton's mistakes and turned two to account. Newton, however, is building up a stronger team each week and may cause a surprise in the second round.