THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22814, 23 August 1937, Page 16

THE LEAGUE CODE

SENIOR COMPETITION

LEADING TEAM DEFEATED MANUKAU ALSO BEATEN The seriior championship of the Auckland Rugby League was continued on Saturday under ideal conditions, the improving Marist team causing a surprise ,by defeating Richmond, the leader in the competition. As a result the championship has become decidedly interesting as Richmond now leads by only one point from Mount Albert and Marist, which are equal in second place.

Marist well deserved its win on Saturday, although there was little between the teams, Down 8 points to 20 at half-time Richmond made a fine recovery in the second spell, but Marist held on tenaciously and went ahead again in the final stages. Mount Albert and Manukau fought -an even game in the curtain-raiser, victory going to the former by one point. On the No. 2 ground l'onsonby easily . accounted for North Shore, while NeWton gained its second win of tho season by proving too strong for City. "Results of the senior matches on Saturday were as follows: Marist, 30; Richmond. 24. Mount Albert, 20; Manukau, 19. Ponsonby, 23; North Shore, 9. Newton,' 34; City, 19.

BUSTLING TACTICS

/ SUCCESS OF MARIST

By using bustling tactics well Marist took the honours from Richmond in the principal attraction on- the Xo. 1 ground at Carlaw Park. The Marist fast forward raids and short centre-Kicks' proved so effectivo that the team was leading by the surprising margin of 'JO points to S at half-time. The lively bounce of the ball on the fast ground proved troublesome to mariy of the players and the fielding was net always as accurate as has been the case in previous matches this season. The crowd got an early thrill when Crocker, the Marist halfback, went over in a handy position from a scrum and Anderson added the goal points. From this stage Marist never let up. the forwards playing very well in the loose and tackling soundly. There were flashes of brilliance in the play of both sides, especially the combination of .the Richmond backs. Only the sound tackling of the Marist team saved its line on several occasions. There was not, however, tho snap and* pace in several of Richmond's attacks, the ball being lobbed or transferred poorly to a support. Richmond always played better as an all-round team, but tho individual brilliance of some of the Marist backs combined with the fine all-round work of the forwards proved the deciding factor. Richmond rallied splendidly after the interval and twice got within a point of its opponents' score, but Marist held command in the final stages and eventually finished with an.advantage of six points. Soon after Crocker had spored for Marist' Bickerton made a fine opening in a Richmond back attack. W. and G. Tittleton raced into the movement, the latter touching down behind the pasts. Fnrnell added the goal points. Richmond took the. lead when J. Satherlfiy scored in spite of being finely tackled previously by Glover. McLeod gained possession and sent Satherley over. Quick tries by Donovan, Anderson and McLaren, all of which were converted by Anderson, ga/e Marist a lead of 12 points at half-time. . Brilliant passing movements by Richmond swept the full length of the field and finally the ball came across to G. Tittleton. who Ecored. Mincham missed the kick. Tetle.v charged down Glover's kick, and went over under the posts, but was recalled for a knock-on when gaining possession. Richmond rucked, hard toward the Marist line and Powell was awarded a try from a host of forwards amid a hostile demonstration from the grandstand. G. Tittleton converted with' a good kick. Fnrnell rushed up to taj<e the ball, elude Midgeley's tackle and transfer to Powell. • who sent G. Tittleton over. Furnell missed the kick. McGreal'scored between the posts from a cross-kick and Anderson converted. McLeod then scored n brilliant try from the loose. G. Tittleton converted. From a cross-kick by Halsey the bounce beat the two Tittletons and .Midgley Fathered to score in a handy position. Anderson converted, making the final scoro: Marist, 30; Richmond, 24. Glover played a sound game at fullback for Marist, his fielding and kicking being good, while he showed himself to be a fine tackier. Halsey and Midgley did not have irianr chances on the wings, but displayed plenty of flash. Uhlmann, formerly of Brisbane, showed promising form, at centre. Donovan and McLaren, the latter especially on defence proved an effective combination at five-eighths, while Crocker was an elusive and brainv halfback. Among the forwards Breed and McGreal were always in the picture and Anderson did fine work in, the Furnell <tnade a few mistakes at fullback for Richmond, but he still shows his early piomise as the makings of a fine custodian. He did a lot of clever work in this position. G TiHlfton was the better of the. wintrs. with Wilkie good on defence. Mincham did n lot of useful all-round work. white. excent for going high on a couple of occasions, W. Tittleton played a "solid game. Bickerton was well marked, but occasionally flashed through the defence in penetrating runs Powell plaved bis usual sound game behind the srrnm. Of the forwards McLeod was outstanding, whether in the loose or tight play. H<* wps in pvervthintr and his try was a brilliant effort in which he eluded several tarklers in a hard r»n down the Bid "line from near half-way. Mitchell and J. Satherley also worked hard throughout. llr. F., Thompson was referee.