THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22820, 30 August 1937, Page 14

THE LEAGUE CODE

RICHMOND CHAMPIONS NEWTON TEAM OUTCLASSED TEAM WORK OF WINNERS Tho Auckland Rugby League senior grade championship was won by Richmond, which easily defeated Newton in' the principal gaino 011 Saturday at Carlaw Park. Newton was expected to extend Richmond, but the latter team's combination proved too strong. Clever positional play by Richmond backs was a feature of the game. The form of Newton was very disappointing. With tho championship, Richmond wins tho Fox Memorial Shield. Marist and Mount Albert won respectively against Ponsonby and North Shore, and finished equal for second place in tho championship, ono point behind Richmond. On No. 2 ground, City caused a surprise by narrowly defeating Manukau, last year's champions, in a fast, open game. Tho conditions were perfect, although players seemed unaccustomed to the hard grounds. The results were as follows: — Richmond, 30; Newton, 9. • Mount Albert, 38; North Shore, 22. Marist, 17; Ponsonby, 8. City, 23; Manukau, 20. BRILLIANT COMBINATION RICHMOND BACKS EXCEL Brilliant team play by Richmond was a deciding factor in its comfortable win over Newton, which gavo a disappointing display. At no stupe of the game did Richmond supporters have cause to worry. Tho team gave an exhibition of positional play that had not been seen at Carlaw Purk previously this season. The backs attacked from all positions and Newton's rear division was clearly outclassed. It was only for the first ten minutes that Newton dominated tho cranio. Tho backs got numerous chances on attack, but after the Hrimble brothers had opened up play effectively from tho scrum, tho ball seldom reached tho wing thrcequartcrs. lhero was an absence of team work in the movements of tho Newton backs and matters were made worso by badly-directed passes. Newton forwards battled gamely in the closo work, but were 110 match for the Richmond vanguard in the loose. Many times in tho second half tho Richmond forwards raced to support tho backs, and they cut deeply into the defence. After Newton had opened the scoring with a penalty goal, Richmond hacks launched an attack and Bickerton figured in the movement three times before W. Tittleton, McLeod, Tetley and Broadhcad handled for the last-named to score a very fine try. A few minutes later, Richmond backs again excelled in clover passing, and Bickerton, who was always dangerous, made a fine opening and passed to Greenwood and W. Tittleton for a try under tho posts. jSowton had a territorial advantago for some time, but its backs lacked penetration, although W. Brimble unsupported frequently beat the defence. Newton got within three points of Richmond, which, however, further increase! its lead when Greenwood ran straight and shook off Hill. Ho passed to Bickerton. and McLeod scored. Richmond forwards were always trailing in support and twice Satherley scored runaway tries. Bickerton cut In cleverly, with Broadhead, McLeod and letley in support, tho last-named scoring unopposed. For Richmond, Furnoll played a good game at fullback, and got his team out of trouble by clever running, Bickerton was easily tho best back and is a much improved playor. Ho made numerous openings and was always in the attack. W. Tittleton also played well, and showed perfect understanding with Bickerton. Greenwood, who replaced Mincham, played fine football in tho second half. Powell was at his best behind the pack. Both the wings, G. Tittleton ana Wiikio, played good games. McLeod was the outstanding forward, and ho was well supported bv Mitchell and Broadhead. Satherley plnyed his best game this season, while Tctloy nnd Hadle.v were often prominent in the loose. For Newton Dempsey. at fullback, was caught too much in possession. Both Sissons, five-eighths, and Young, centre threequarter, were overshadowed by the opposition. Brimble played a heady game on attack and W. Brimble, halfback. the best back. McNeight was tho pick of the Newton forwards, while Eraser and Clemm also played Richmond tries were scored by Ratherlev (2). Broadhead, W. Tittleton, McLeod arid Tctlev. Furnell converted four tries and kicked a penalty goal. G. Tittleton also converted a try. For Newton, Fraser scored n try, and Dempsey kicked two penalty goals arid Hill ono goal. Mr. M. Wethcrill was referee. HIGH-SCORING GAME MOUNT ALBERT TOO STRONG The main attraction on No. 2 ground between Mount Albert and North Shore was remarkable for the high scoring by both teams, 00 points being recorded in tho course of the game. Mount Albert was superior in most departments, but, except for ono period toward the end of the second spell, when Mount Albert scored thrco tries in quick succession, North Shore fought back gamely. The final score, 38—22 in favour of Mount Albert, is a fair indication of the play of the teams, for fast and clever attacks wero made in rapid succession by both sides ngainst which the 1 defence could do little. Tho outstanding back for Mount Albert was McCallum, who mado good use of his speed and caught the North Shoro defence unpropared in tho early stages of tho game, when lie scored three brilliant tries. Cranch, at fullback for the winners, impressed with strong defence and a safe pair of hands. Ho would havo met with more success, however. if ho had run his backs into position in trio first spell rather than kicking when ho was not pressed. Smith had a successful day, securing many points for North Shore from place-kicks and also scoring a good try. Bennetts, playing 011 tho wing for tho losers, ran with determination and speed when ho had a chance. Mount Albert's chief superiority lay in tho forwards, who wero too strong and fast for their opponents. Mr. A. Lennio was the referee. MARIST AGAIN DEFEAT OF PONSONBY I —— Marist proved too strong for Poiifionb.v in ft ragged gamo as curtain-raiser to tho principal fixturo, Ponsonby backs gavo a very poor display, and on many occasions selfish play was responsible for easy tries being missed. Marist forwards played with plenty of dash in tho looso, and gavo tho backs excellent support. Several decisions by the referee met with disfavour from a section of the spectators. The first half was evenly contested, and Marist had a slight advantage territorially. Soon after half-time Stockley mado a nico run and fivo players lined out for tho pass. However, ho hung on and an easy try was missed. Marist backs got plenty of tho ball from the scrum, and both McLaren and Haslam wore dangerous. Play became very ragged . in the second half, and it was apparent the hard ground hnndicapped tho players. Marist had all the better of the final stages and won comfortably. , • For tho winners, Glover played a sound game at fullback, although inclined to bo too cautious. Ilaslam, at ccntrc-threoquartcr, was the best back, and 110 made several nice openings which resulted in tries. Haisoy played with plenty of (lash on the wing. Brhind the scrum, Crocker did a lot of useful work, as did McLaron, at five-eighths, Anderson was tho outstanding Marist forward, and was always a thorn in the sido of tho opposition. McGreal. Breed and Bakalich also played good games. For Ponsonby, Black, at halfback, was easily tho best baoJ§, and lie ninde several fine runs. Hailoran tackled soundly. The best was not seen of Stockley, nnd Kay was prominent for clever anticipation .Tones, at fullback, was much below form. Morgan i was tho pick of the forwards, while Midclleton and Da vies played good games.' For Marist, tries were scored by Midgloy, McLaren and Haslam. McLaren kicked a penalty goal, and also a field goal. Anderson converted two tries. For Ponsonby, Kay scored two tries, and .Tones converted one. Mr. T. Mcintosh was tho referee. SURPRISE WIN FOR CITY SUPERIOR COMBINATION Tho early match on No. 2 ground between Manukau and City, which resulted in a surpriso win for tho latter, was not productive of much good football. Too mnch kicking was indulged in by both sides, making it impossible for oither backs or forwards to work) together with any marked success. Contrary to general expectation, play in tho first part of the game was in favour of City and a lead was established by means of a penalty goal and a converted try. the'latter being gained from a good opening mado by Welch,

which Ravmond completed. Manukau pressed haKnd by half-time tho score was 10-all. Manukau gained a lead immediately after tho resumption, when Brimble, fiveeighths, cut through the defence, beating several opponents by a clever change of pace. T. Chaso was in fino kicking form for Manukau, converting many of tho tries and putting over a great penalty ep" from the half-way line. The lead was held by c,lL 'j side in turn until tho end, when Donald put tho issue beyond doubt with a penalty goal. City winning 23 —20. Mataira played up to his best form for the winners but it was City's superior combination that turned tlio scale. Manukau was inclined to indi\idual effort. „ . Mr. G. Kelly was tho refereo. LOWER GRADE RESULTS Senior B Grade. —Papaknra, 23, Richm°r I!! rtf' Gra d e.—Ell e rsl le, 27, Richmond, 2. Fourth Grade. —Richmond, 33, Glenora, 2. Fifth C.ratio. —Otahuhu, 17, Richmond, 5. Sixth Grade. —Green Lano, 5, Mount Albert, 2. PRIMARY SCHOOLS' GAMES Senior Grade. —Auckland, 12, Northland, 5. Scven-a-sido (final): llikurangi, (J, Auckland, 0. Intermediate Grade.—Avondale, 10, Mount Albert, 3; Newton, S, Otahuhu, 3. Junior Crude. —Final: Newton A, 6, Northcote, 3. PONSONBY BEATS HUNTLY SHIELD FOR WINNERS An interesting Rugby League gamo was played at Swanson during tho week-end, when Ponsonby defeated Huntly by 13 points to 2. For Ponsonby. tries were scored by Young, Davis, and Pickrang. Pickrang and W. Gibbons each converted a try. Davies kicked a penalty goal for Huntly. A shield donated by Mr. I. Culpan was presented by Mr. L. Adams to S. Prentice, captain of the winning team. Mr. A. Harlock (Huntly) was referee. WIN FOR SOUTH AUCKLAND TARANAKI NARROWLY BEATEN [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT] HUNTLY, Sundny League football supporters were treated to an excellent exhibition of the code at Davies Park, Huntly, yesterday afternoon, when South Auckland narrowly defeated the Taranaki representatives by 18 points to 17. On (he whole Taranaki played the better football, its passing being cleaner and faster than that of South Auckland, and it was unlucky in not winning. Taranaki opened tho scoring with a try by Stroud, which was converted by Fraser. Shortly afterwards Lewis secured from a scrum and made a splendid run from halfway to score between the posts. Fraser converted, making 'l'aranaki's score 10. A penalty to South Auckland resulted in Moycs putting over a good shot. South Auckland's next try came when Hall struggled over from close in. From Moycs' shot at goal tho ball struck tho post and bounced inside. Bcadlo bullocked his way through to score South Auckland's next try, which Moyes failed to convert. Fraser took a free kick for Taranaki nnd a good goai resulted, bring tho halftime score to: Taranaki, 12; South Auckland. 10. Mcßoberts made a splendid run from tho twenty-five yards line to score Taranaki's next try, which Fraser converted. A splendid try for South Auckland resulted from a run by Hall, who passed to Pitt, the latter scoring in tho corner. Stevens failed to convert. Hilton secured the ball from a scrum and fought his way over in the corner. From tho twentyfive yards line Moycs put over a splendid goal, which brought South Auckland's total to 18. The game ended with no alteration to tho score. Mr. A. Waring, of Taupiri, was referee. GAME AT WHANGAREI [from our own correspondent! WHANGAREI. Sunday In tho presence of a gootl attendance and in perfect weather, the Richmond Rovers senior reserve League team yesterday afternoon defeated tho Kamo seniors, winners of the Northland Rugby League's senior championship, by 27 points to 17. Tho match was placed at Kamo., The outstanding player on tho field was H. E. Sale, the Richmond breakaway, who scored four tries and kicked three goals, contributing a total of 18 points. The other nine points were registered with tries by A. Graham, Mills and Cookall. For Kamo. tries were scorM by Hooper (2), Joab, Callaghan and Hollows, while Hooper kicked a goal. MATCHES IN OTHER CENTRES [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] Christchurch. —In a match for tho Vivian Cup the Hornby and Linwood teams played a draw of 13 points each. Wellington.—Addington (Christchurch). 25, Hutt Valley, 10; St. George. 13, Central. 11.