THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22822, 1 September 1937, Page 20

THE LEAGUE CODE

CHAMPIONSHIP DECIDED RICHMOND'S CONSISTENCY A POWERFUL COMBINATION The success of Richmond in the Auckland Rugby League's; senior championship is well deserved, as its form has boon consistent throughout the season and the team lia.s always played spectacular football, even in defeat. A feature of the competition was that the honours were in the balance right up to the final, series. The matches on Saturday were followed with great interest, as both Marist and Mount Albert, had chances; of winning the championship. The nutnnei.' in which Richmond defeated Newton was ample evidence of the former's right to be the champions for 1937. With the exception of lo minutes in the first half, when Newton pressed home a series of strong; attacks, the result was not in doubt. Richmond settled down and delighted the spectators with a high-class exhibition of the code, and it would have taken a formidable combination to have lowered its colours. The passing of both backs and forwards was a. revelation, and. the manner in which the forwards backed up made she task of Newton all the more difficult. It was no disgrace tc bo beaten by Richmond, which gave its best display this season. In all 14 matches were played, Richmond ; winning 10, losing three, while one was drawn. North Shore, Ponsonby and Marist were the teams which defeated Richmond, while .Manukau drew with the champions.

The second meeting of Manukau and Richmond will be remembered by many as one ol: the finest matches seen for years. On this occasion Manukau fielded ■% very strong team, but brilliant play by Richmond, combined with superior fitness, carried tin; day. Several times since then Richmond has emerged victorious against powerful opposition. It is no secret that the Richmond players pay more attention to training than rjiose of other clubs, and this was a vital factor in their success. The fact that the club was able to field the same thirteen uach Saturday assisted the team in working up an excellent combination.

Richmond players to represent New Zealand in the recent matches against Australia, were: —N. Bickerton, W. Tittleton, H. Tetley, E. McLeod, J. Satherley. G. Mitchell played for the New Zealand Maori team against Australia.

PROMISING SIDiES MARIST'S GREAT IMPROVEMENT Mount Albert and Marist,. wh'ch wero equal for second place, one point behind Richmond, both played good football. diarist showed great improvement and was not defeated in the second round. The backs, which "included several young players, played attractive football. Mount Albert gave promise early in the sea son of playing a prom intuit part in the championship, but its backs failed *:o develop combination. No fault could be found with the forwards, which compared favourably with any pack in the competition. The Mount Albert forwards play a type of football which is solid rather than brilliant. On wet days the pack was very effective. Mount Albert 'lacked inside backs capable of making openings for the threequarters. The best was not seen of McCallum arid Stewart, the two wings. They would have been more prominent with reasonable opportunities. Injuries affected the playing strength of Mount Albert. Both L. and B. Schultz, tho live-eighths, suffered broken legs. " s ATTRACTIVE DISPLAYS MAN UK ATI'S POPULARITY Manukau, which won the'championship last season, finished third in this year's contest after having ill luck owirifj; to injuries. The loss ot: S. Watene, the captain, was a severe one, as his leadership had a marked effect on tho Maori team. Then J. Hemi was forced to retire with a leg injury just when he was showing brilliant form. The Manukau team can be credited with many spectacular displays, which made it a favourite side at Carlaw Park. The dub introduced several prominent Rugby players into the code, notably the Chase brothers, avlio are a big asset to the game. The Manukau team did nbt"appear to be as fit as some of the other teams, and on several occasions players showed signs of distress in the concluding stages of matches Pon.sonby and .North Shore could not be classed as consistent teams. Several times on No. 1 ground Ponsonby gave, high class displays, hut thai;, form was not maintained on other grounds. North Shore started off really well and in the first round was. in a leading position. Its victory against .Richmond in the first round was decisive, but like Pon.sonby, North Shore's form was inconsistent.

City won only three matches and drew one, while Newton, which finished at the bottom of the table, won only two. Both these teams, however, have good material on which to work.