THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22784, 19 July 1937, Page 17

THE LEAGUE CODE

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP VICTORY FOR PONSONBY LEADING TEAM DEFEATED' Tho third series of matches in the second round of tho Auckland Rugby League's senior championship was played on Saturday, when Ponsonby caused a mild surprise by defeating Richmond, the leading team. The game was played at a fast pace throughout, the Ponsonby forwards giving a fine exhibition and taking tho honours from the opposing vanguard. The Ponsonby backs were hindered through losing the ball in tho scrums, but they made play well for themselves on occasions and their defence was splendid. Although there was only a point between the teams Ponsonby thoroughly deserved its victory, Which was very popular with the spectators. Close matches resulted between Marist and Mount Albert and North Shore and City. Marist took the honours by two points and there was a similar margin in favour of North Shore. Manukau gained an easy win at the expense of Newton. Results of senior matches wore as follows: Ponsonby, 10; Richmond, 9. Marist, 15; Mount Albert, 13. North Shore, 9; City, 7. Manukau, 22; Newton, o. SPLENDID FORWARDS * RICHMOND BUSTLED The splendid all-round play of tho Ponsonby forwards, who wcro well supported by tho backs, carried the team to a welldeserved victory over Richmond. From the outset tho Ponsonby pack played a bustling frame and their fast raiding had the opposition very worried throughout. Great credit is also due to the fino defenco of tho Ponsonby rearguard, and in this Halloran played an outstanding game.

There was a lack of tho usual sureness about the work of the Richmond backs. Their handling was not good at times, while the lob pass was often given. Usually the Richmond backs are (juick to take advantage of mistakes by tho opposing rearguard, but on Saturday they failed to penetrate far against sound, low tackling. On one occasion the Richmond backs went to tho attack in their own territory. Tho movement broke down and, in a flash. Halloran picked up and made a good opening for Stockley, who beat G. Tittleton badly and scored betweon the posts. This was one of tho best movements of the game.

Tho Richmond forwards strovo hard to gain tho ascendancy and, although they played well, they had to submit to a better pack on the day. Tho Richmond backs had a monopoly of the ball from the scrums, but the fast smothering of tho Ponsonby rearguard allowed them little room in which to move.

Ponsonby, started with great clash and, early in the game, rushed play to tho Richmond line, whore G. Tittloton mulled and Pickrang scored. It took the Richmond forwards :i time to settle down, and then they attacked strongly. Telfird sent out to Minchara and with tho defence out of position Wilkie scored wide out. Then came Stockley s try, which was converted by Jones. Richmond soon retaliated and from a strong rush \\. J ittleton scored. Jones added a penalty goal for Fonsonby, making the halftimo score:—l onsonbv, JO; Richmond, 0. The only score in the 'second half was when Petersen failed to take a high kick and Tetley scored from a scramble near the line. , Although he made a few mistakes Jones did well at fullback for Ponsonby. His defence was good and he was very unlucky on one occasion in losing the ball when diving for the line after coming into a back movement. Riley and Nurse, the wing ; thrcequarters. showed plenty of dash and Kay did some irreat all-round work at centre. 1 he best hack, however, was Halloran, who was very nippy on attack and a tower of strength 011 defence. Black did good work 011 attack at. i outstanding forwards for Ponsonby | were Pickrang, „Cootes and Davis, They were nlwavs in the picture, whether in the tight or open, and were dangerous 111 the loose with the ball at toe. Thev hunted and tackled splendidly throughout. Brown also played a K °?lt a ßichmonr fullback, G. Tittleton. was weak and let the side down through poor handling. Tetley was not at home on the wing, but Wilkie, on the other wing made some bright dashes. Mincham and W. Tittleton were too well marked to be dangerous, lhe former saved the side more than once with good tackling. Powell played a sound allround game at halfback, while Bickerton •was conspicuous for good play in the first spell. McLeod, Mitchell and Telford were the best forwards. Mr. M. Wetherill was referee. FAST DISPLAY SUCCESS OF MARIST The game between Marist and Mount Albert was well contested and a fast paco was maintained throughout. Marist had much the better of the first half and had an eight points iead at halftime. Its backs played good football and showed improved combination. The Mount Albert forwards were too eager on attack and gave away several penalties, which were turned to good account by AnderS °l*n the second half, however, Mount Albert dominated the game, and was unlucky not to score on one occasion. Patterson, at fiveeighths, made a nice opening and the hall was sent along the line to Stewart, who slipped in an attempt to improve the position. I his incident made all the difference to the result, and perhaps Marist was a little lucky to keep its line intact. In the concluding stages the Mount Albert forwards repeatedly broke awav, and only sound defence by Glover saved the 'day. Marist is the most improved team in the competition, and it was a good performance to defeat Mount Albert. Ihe latter lost Hamilton, halfback, early in the game, when ho was playing well. A feature of the gome was the excellont goal kicking of the former South Island forward, P. Anderson, who kicked five penalty goals and converted one try. At fullback, Glover played a sound gnnic and did a lot of useful work in defence. Murdock and McLaren were tho best of the Marist backs and on occasions turned defence into attack by smart passing. Donovan did not play as well as usual and was inclined to pass before drawing his man. Both tho wings, Matson and'Midgeby, played good games, with limited opportunities. Behind the scrum Crocker played ably and fed his barks well Breed and Anderson were the pick of tho Marist forwards, and received good support from McGreal and Finlayson. For Mount Albert, two new players. Pntterson and Hamilton, played good games, especially the former, who mado several nlco runs. Cranch was a little hesitant at fullback and was often caught in possession. Stewart, on the wing, was perhaps the best back on the ground, and is a promising player. L. Schnltz played his best game for some tune. He was outstanding hotli on attack and defence. Herring was the pick of the forwards, whilo Lcatherbnrrow and I nstram also plaved well. , For Marist Crocker scored tho only try. which was converted by Anderson, who also kicked five penalty goals. For Mount Albert tries were scored by L. Schultz (2) and Stewart. Satberley converted two tries. Mr. S. Billman was referee. CLOSE CONTEST NORTH SHORE AND CITY A closely-contested game was witnessed on No. 2 ground between North Shore and Cit.v. which had the belter of the second half. A few minutes before time Rata and I'orleous broke clean through the Xorth Shore defence and a forward puss to Mataira .spoiled the winning try. North Shorn pressed strongly early in the game and cood handling by Its forwards kept City defending. North Shore was unlucky to miss a try when Smith made a nice dash and had Wiberg beaten for pace but V. Scott collided with Smith in attempt ing a scissors pass. One of the best move mepts came from the Cit.v backs when Tawhai made a clover opening. Four players handled before Bluett, raced over near the posts. North Shore led at half-time by 9 points to 5. The olily points scored in the second half went to City when Tfata kicked a penalty goal. Xorth Shore did a lot of good work in defence and. as in the game against Richmond, good tackling kept out the City forwards. Smith and Zane were the. best of (he North Shore backs, while L. Scott showed a lot, of dash on the wing. His form is still good and he should be considered for representative honours. V. Scott was not impressive at centre. Behind the. scrum Sterling played a good game. Simpson, Sowter and Hunt were the best of the Notib Shore forwards.

For City Wiberg did not play so well as usual fullback. McLaughlin showed improvement on the wins:, llata was the best City back and made some clever openings. Hutchinson, hulfback, and Fortcous. fiveeighths. played well. Raymond, Donald and Mataira were the outstanding forwards. For North Shorn tries were scored by V. Scott (2) and Hallows. For City Bluett scored a try and Itata kicked two penalty goals. Mr. T. Mcintosh was referee. WIN FOR MANUKAU NEWTON FIGHTS HARD After Newton had put up a sterling fight in the first half Manukau gained tho upper hand. It wus mainly the better pluy of tho Manukau forwards that paved the way to victory. The Manukau backs took a long time to settlo down, and their form was disappointing. Players held possession too long and several good opportunities were lost. Some of tlie forwards also attempted to go too far. Bright play by Newton was a feature of tho parly stages of the game when the Newton backs threw the ball about in good stylo. Manukau, however, settled down and half-way through the first spell the Chase brothers were associated in good play, from which two tries were scored. Just before half-time Newton attacked strongly and Brimble, Sissons and Dempsey played a prominent part in a ■try scored by Crooks. The Manukau forwards proved too solid and swept over Newton in the second half. In spite of good tackling, Newton was demoralised by constantly stopping its heavier opponents. A feature of tho game was the clever play of Mahima, at halfback. He made some beautiful openings and repeatedly turned defence into nttack by clover running. Wilson, a wing-threoquarter from the newly-formed Bay of Plenty League, played a good game. R. and T. Chase played fino football on attack, and took part in most of tho scoring movements. Hemi was also In pood form. Brodrick. Watene. Kawe and Gault nla.vod good frames among the forwards. For Newton Dempsey got through a lot of useful work at fullback. His tackling was very sound. Gibsen was prominent on the winpr. while Brimble and Hill played well against strong opposition. Quirko, Frascr. Clomm and Cinders were the most prominent forwards. , For Manukau tries were scored by K. Chase, Watene, Kawe and Mahima. Honn converted four tries and kicked a penalty goal. For Newton Hill scored a try and Sissons kicked a penalty goal. Mr. O. Chalmers was referee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS Senior Reserve Grade.—Richmond, 13, Ponsonby, 3; North Shore. 5. City, 4; Mount Albert, 12, Marist, 2; Manukau, 0, Newton. 2. Senior B Grade. —Northcote, 8, Richmond. G; Green Lane, 10, Newton. <1; Papakura. (J. K.V.. 'J. Third Grade. —Richmond. G, Point Chevalier, <1; Marist, 13, Papakura, G; City. '23. Papakura B, 5. Fourth Grade. —Ellerslic, 17, Northcote. 3. Fifth Grade. —Ellerslic. 7, Northcote. 3: Richmond, 25. Devonport, 0; City, 15, Avondale, !). PRIMARY SCHOOLS* MATCHES Sonior Grade.—Richmond. 19, Newton, 3; Point Chevalier, 13, Ellerslie. G. Intermediate Grade.-—Newton, S, Marist. 5; Mount Albert, 11, Ellerslic, 3; Ponsonby. 31, Northcote, 0; Otahuhu. <>, Richmond, a. Junior Grade.—North Shore, 3, Manukau, (); Ellerslie, 0, Newton B. 0; Ponsonby. 15. Point Chevalier, 0; Marist. 0. George Court's B, 0; Avondale Convent, 0, Balmoral. 3; Newton A. !), Green Lane, 0; Gcorgo Court's A, 3, Mount Albert, 0.