THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22790, 26 July 1937, Page 14

THE LEAGUE CODE

SENIOR CIIAMI'IONS'HIP GAMES IN SECOND ROUND MANUKAU'S EASY VICTORY The fourth series of matches in the second round of the Auckland Rugby Lottie's senior championship was played nt Carluw Park on Saturday. Manukau defeated I'onsonbv by a comfortable margin in the principal game. Prior to this match both teams were equal in second place on the championship table. Manukau gave a good display and its forwards outclassed a powerful Ponsonbv pack. The game was played at a fast pace, with good back juovcmcnts. In the curtain-raiser [Richmond, the leading team, had a close call against. City, which made a bold bid for victory in the second half. There wore only four points between the teams at the finish. Marist took the honours from North Shore on No. 2 ground and showed improvement all round. In the curtain-raiser Mount Albert easily defeated Newton. The ground conditions on No. 1 were tho worst experienced this season. Results were as follows: — Manukau, IS; Ponsonby, 6. Richmond, 10; City, 6. Marist, IS; North Shore, 10. Mount Albert, 29; Newton, 5. FINE ALL-ROUND PLAY MANUKAU IN GOOD FORM The splendid all-round play of the Manukau forwards, who were nicely supported by the backs, carried tho team to a well-earned victory against Ponsjnby. The Ponsonby forwards failed ,to repeat the good form shown in recent games, and there was little dash in their open play. Manukau's backs played good football throughout, and much credit is due to Hcmi, at fullback, who started several movements, which resulted in tries. Tho Manukau forwards were a tower of strength in the. looso and rarely failed to take advantage of mistakes made by the Ponsonby backs. A feature of (he game was the fast follow-ing-up of the Manukau forwards, who showed great speed in the loose. Many times during the second half Ponsonby's backs were upset by the bustling tactics of the opposing forwards.

Heini played an outstanding game at fullback for Manukau, besides kicking well, his defensivo play was faultless. T. Chase, centre, was also prominent, and ho used pood Judgment with his kicks. Broughton showed a lot of dash on (he win sr. and was unlucky not to score on one occasion, when the had ground caused him to slip after he. had beaten Jones. B'rinible, at first five-eighths, did a lot of useful work, while Wilson on the wing was also prominent. R. Chase played a fine pa me at second five-eighths, and did some great allround work on attack. Mahima, behind the scrum, was a tower of strength.

Watene, the Mantikau captain, is fast gaining his best form. lie was proininpnl on attack and did some excellent work with solid tackling:. Gault, Kawe and Wliye ably supported Watene. Riley, on the wing, was the best of the Ponsonby backs, while Kay was elusive at centre, although he lacked real scotintr opportunities. Both the five-eighths, Stockley and Halloran, were hampered by the fast-raiding of the Manukau forwards. Nurse, on the wing, had limited chances. Jones, the fullback, got through a lot of useful work in the first half, but was less prominent in the second spell. Black played well behind the scrum. Morgan was the best of the forwards, while Pickrang, Keane and Brown also played good games. For Manukau tries were scored by Watene (2), and Wilson and Gault. TTemi converted two tries and kicked a penalty goal. For Ponsonby Jones kicked three penalty goals. Mr. S. Billman was referee. RICHMOND TEAM EXTENDED ROUGH FORWARD TACTICS City fully extended Richmond In a very close game in the curtain-raiser to the principal fixture. The City forwards played splendidly, particularly in tho second half, when they went close to scoring on several occasions. Early in the game Richmond attacked strongly, and its forwards swept over City, McLeod scoring. Just before half-time the City backs attacked, and from a passing bout Rata scored a fine try Mataira gathered up in the loose and hurled himself over the line for a good try. City made strenuous efforts to beat the grade leaders, and at times went close to gaining this objective.

The Richmond backs did a lot of useful work, and frequently checked dangerous City attacks. Powell, Tittleton and Mincham combined well to turn defence into attack. There were a lot of unnecessarily rough tactics between the forwards, and several players of both teams were lucky not to be ordered off. Richmond scored two tries in the first half, but failed to cross City's line in the second. Solid forward play was a feature of the second spell, and City had much the better of the play. " For Richmond Furnell did well at lullback, and he is one of the most promising players seen for some time. W. Tittleton was the best of the Richmond backs, while Mincham was also prominent. Bickerton did a lot of good work on attack, but his defence was very weak. McLeod was easily thq best of the Richmond forwards. Telford and .Davis also played good games. Rata was the outstanding City back. Both the wings, Bluett and McLaughlin, played gcod games. Wibcrg was sound at fullback. Behind the scrum. Hutchison was a tower of strength to his team. Among the forwards Mataira played a dashing game, and received excellent support from Donald and Raymond. For Richmond,' McLeod scored two tries and Furnell kicked two penalty goals. For City Rata and Mataira scored a try each. *Mr. F. Thompson was referee. WEAK NEWTON DEFENCE MOUNT ALBERT \VINS EASILY The early game on No. 2 ground between Mount Albert and Newton was very patchy, with the former always holding an advantage. A lot of aimless kicking and passing was indulged in by both teams, and Newton's defence was weak, particularly in the second spell, when Mount Albert settled down to more concerted attacks. The condition of the ground was not in favour of bright football, but, nevertheless, Mount Albort brought off some good passing movements, just failing to add to its score on several occasions. McCallum showed his paco to finish off three such attacks with tries, and Watkius and L. Schultz combined well behind the pack. Of the forwards, who fairly consistently secured the ball from the scrums, Tristram, Gunning, Herring and Lcathcrbarrow were prominent. Brimblc and Dempsey did the lion's share for the Newton backs, whose efforts on attack lacked cohesion. Failure of the forwards to securo the ball threw Newton on the defensive for most of the game, its only score resulting from fumbling by the Mount Albert backs near the goal posts, when Eraser dashed across for a try, which Sissons converted. For Mount Albert, McCallum (3), Herring (2). Leatherbarrow and Stewart scored tries. Leatherbarrow, Satherley and Shndbolt each converted a try, and Crunch kicked a penalty goal. The final score was:—Mount Albert, Newton, 5. Mr. A. Farrell was referee.