THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22826, 6 September 1937, Page 13

THE LEAGUE CODE

ROOPE ROOSTER MATCHES BIG SURPRISE BY CITY CHAMPION TEAM OUTPLAYED One of the greatest surprises in the history of the Roope Rooster competition of the Auckland Rugby League was created in the first series of matches at Carl aw Park on Saturday, when City defeated Richmond, winner of the senior championship. Richmond established a lead of eight points in the first spell, but thereafter City had control and* their victory was very popular with the spectators. Ground conditions were perfect. Three juniors played outstanding games for City. ]n the curtain-raiser, Marist defeated Xewton. after a fast, open game. On No. 2 ground, Ponsonbv just defeated North Shore in an exciting finish, while Mount Albert qualified for the second round by easily beating Manukau. Results were as follows: — Cityj 21, Richmond, 13. Marist, 15; Newton, 6. Ponsonby, 23; North Shore, 21. Mount Albert, .'35; Manukau, 18. CITY TOO GOOD JUNIORS PROMINENT City surprised even its most ardent supporters by comfortably defeating Richmond in oiiq of the best games Reen this season. City played four juniors in its team anil took a long time to settle down, but once the younger members gained confidence they outplayed the usually smart Richmond backs, who were also badly bustled by City's fine tackling. Early in the game Tiichmontl had much the better of the play and looked easy winners. On one occasion Bickerton intweepled n high pass, but Tetley knocked the ball on under the goal posts. Richmond's inside backs revealed all their usual cleverness on attack and had the opposition beaten at halftime, when City had faijed to score. The second half opened sensationally and in quick succession Welch, one of the thirilgrnde five-eighths, scored two spectacular tries and gave his team a lead of two points. Throwing the ball about in great style. City gave the, crowd more thrills, and after a dashing run by Donald, Ryan scored. A few minutes later Donald made another determined dash and the ball was smartly handled by three City players, bat I'orteous was pulled down a few feet from the Richmond line. Richmond was unfortunate to loose W. Tittleton, who retired with an injured shoulder. City forwards infused plenty of dash into their play and shock tactics bustled the Richmond backs. McLaughlin made a nice run and sent a back-hand pass to Porteous, who raced over. A few minutes later Hutchinson, the diminutive City halfback, dropped a porfect field goal. Play was exciting and all in favour of City in the last ten minutes. McLaughlin scored just on time.

A feature of the gamo' was the excellent, form shown by the City backs, including four third-grade players. Cyan, Gibson. Welch and Hutchinson. The last-named, at halfback, was the oustanding player and was always prominent on attack. His defence was equal to the best seen at Carlaw Park this season. Both the wings, Gibson and Ryan, have only played twice previously in the senior team, and are promising players. At live-eighths, Welch did a lot of useful work, especially when he was opposed to two of the best backs in the code. Rata, at centrethreequarter, played a fine frame, and made many nice openings. At fullback. Tawhai made few mistakes and repeatedly started passing movements by running the threequarters into position. The City forwards played splendid football, with Donald and Raymond-outstanding. The latter, in the second half, did good work as a rover. Wehner was successful in getting a stood share of the ball from set scrums. McLaughlin played a good game in the loose. For Richmond. Bickerton was the outstanding back and was often a thorn in the side of the opposition. The retirement through injurv of Tittleton upset the combination with Bi«<certon and City made the most of his absence. At fullback Furnell played a fine game, although he got bustled in the final stages. Powell played a good game behind the scrum. Greenwood was prominent on attack, but he frequently let- the City backs through. Among the forwards. McLeod was easily the best, while Satherle.v and Telford played good games. Tctley spoilt a good game by many breaches, which gave City penalty kicks. Broadhead played well in the loose. For Cit.v, tries were scored by Welch (2). Ryan, Porteous and McLaughlin. Hutchinson converted two tries, and kicked a field goal. For Richmond, G. Tittleton, W. Tittleton and Broadhead scored tries and Furnell. converted two tries. Mr. S. Billman was referee. LAST-MINUTE TRY PONSONBY'S NARROW WIN Although there was little to choose between the team on the day, Ponsonby thoroughly deserved its victory over North Shore in the early game on No. 2 ground. After being four points down at half-time, Ponsonby rallied well in the second spell and finished strongly to score the winning try in the final minute of play. For the greater part of the game play was hard, but seldom spectacular. Although the ball was thrown about with abandon, there were few good combined movements. The best football of the match was seen in the final stages when Ponsonby combined in several bright dashes, two of which resulted in fine tries. The first movement was started in Ponsonby's own twenty-five and the ball changed hands a number of times until Nurso dived over beside the posts. At this stage Ponsonby was a point behind North Shore, which was defending desperately. Another clever passing rush saw Rile.v, who' played an outstanding game throughout, cross wide out for his second try, which placed bis team two points in front. Territorially there was little between the thirteens,' North Shore, if anythng, having slightlv the better of general play. At times forward play became very strenuous and just interval three North Shore players. Bennetts, Thomas and Hunt, were all injured simultaneously. , , Tries for Ponsonby were scored by Riley (2), Kay, Blackman and Nurse, Jones converting four. For North Shore, G. Hunt and Souter scored tries. Smith converted three tries and kicked two penalty goals, and V. Scott kicked a field goal. Mr. F. Thompson was referee. WIN FOR MARIST NEWTON MISSES CHANCES The game between Newton and Marist was well contested, and it was not until late in the second half that Marist gained the ascendancy. Newton missed many opportunities soon after the kick-off, when its forwards pressed hard on attack. Newton lost a trv wtien Gibson raced away, only to see n 'breach by his supports right on the Marist line, a scrum resulting. A few minutes Inter, however, Brimblc made a nico opening, and from a splendid passing bout Gibson scored a fine try. Marist forwards, however, were putting in effective work, ami Anderson and Haslam went close to scoring. Marist led at half-time by eight points to six. In the second half, Newton adopted unusual tactics and played with only five forwards, having the i

extra man in the backs. This formation, however, did not prevent Marist from gaining the advantage. A good goal-kickor would liavo turned the advantago in favour of New ton, as fivo kicks were missed. Marist lost a try by an unusual happening in the second half. The ball travelled along tho back line to Midgley on tho wing, who had a clear ,run in. Ho grounded tho ball over the line but hit tho romcr flag with his foot and tho try was disallowed. Marist showed the better combination in the final stages. For Marist, Glover played a good gnmo at fullback, although his kicking was badly directed. Both McLaren and Crocker, the inside hacks, spoiled a good game by kicking too much, especially the former, who got numerous chances in the second half. Midgley was prominent on the wing. At five-eighths, Donovan did a lot of useful work. Anderson and Haslam were the pick of the forwards, while Breed and Finlayson played good games. For Newton, Petnpscy. at fullback, was the outstanding player. Young did a lot of smart work at centre, but lacked support. Behind the scrum Brimble played an excellent, game and was often dangerous on attack. In the forwards. Clemm plaved a sound game and was also prominent when moved into the hacks. McNeight and Fraser also worked hard. For Marist, tries were scored by Haslam. McLaren and Anderson. Anderson converted two tries and also kicked a penalty goal. For Newton, Gibson and Ginders scored tries. Mr. R. Otto was referee. MOUNT ALBERT IN- FORM SATHERLY'S GOAL KICKING After being five points in the lead at the interval, Manukau failed to withstand the combination of Mount Albert in the second spell on No. 2 ground and was finally defeated by a margin of 17 points. Mount Albert scored seven tries to its opponents four, which is a fair indication of the relative merits of the teams on the day. Manukau was at a disadvantage for most of tho game in being without iho services of its halfback. Newton, and one of its best forwards, l\awe, who were injured and replaced in the first spell. Up to the interval the Manukau team staged some brilliant combined movements and all the side's points were secured in the first half. Mahima. at first five-eighths, was playing an outstanding -game, his penetration' being very clever. He scored two tries, the second being the result of a great individual effort. After halfi time, however, the determined straight runI ning of tho Mount Albert backs and the j rugged play of the forwards had Manukau i continually in difficulties. The Mount Albert j forwards, especially, were in great form, i Sutlierley, Leatherbarrow and Herring being outstanding. They were assisted by weak : tackling and poor positional play on the part of Manukau. The game was played at i a fast pace throughout and there were frequent dashes of brilliant play by both teams. Tries for Mount Albert were scored by • Leatherbarrow (2), Cranch, Bickerton, Her- ! ring, Verrall and McCallum. Satherley con- ; verted six tries, some of them from awkward : angles, and ho also kicked a penalty goal. ! For Manukau, Mahima (2), Brodrick and Wilson scored tries, three being converted by T. Chase. Mr. M. Wetlierill was referee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS

Senior B Grade. —Papakura, 12, Point r 'Grade.—Ellerslie. 11, Papakura, 2; Otahuhu, 20, Marist. 12. , _. Fourth Grade. — Knock-out final: Richmond, 20, North Shore, 9. ' Sixth Grade.—Green Lane, 8, Papakura, (l " PRIMARY SCHOOLS' MATCHES

Senior Grade.—Ellerslie, 32. Newton, 0. intermediate Grado. Richmond, 15, Avondale. 0; Ponsonby. 3, Isewton, 3; Otahuhu, '-'7, Ellerslie. O. Junior Grade. —Geo. A, 3, Mount Albert, 0; Ponsonby, 12, Newton B, 0; Marist, 0, Manukau, 3; Richmond. 3. Geo. Courts B, 0; Northcote, 3, J^orth/Shore, 0; Ellerslie won by default from Avondale; Point Chevalier won by default from Balmoral; Newton A won by default from Green Lane.