THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22832, 13 September 1937, Page 14

THE LEAGUE CODE

KOOPE ! ROOSTER CONTEST PONSONBY AND MARIST WIN \ RICHMOND AGAIN DEFEATED The Bemi-fmals of tho Auckland Rugby League's Roope Rooster competition were played at Carlaw Park on Saturday, and the successes of Marist and Ponspnby leave these two teams to play off in the final. Several showers late in the afternoon made the ball II greasy. In the main game, Marist defeated City, which showed disappointing form after its victory against Richmond the previous week. On the day, Marist was easily the better team. L)i the curtain-raiser, Ponsonhy gave a good exhibition to beat Mount Albert comfortably. The teams not in the Roope Rooster contest played for tho Phelan Shield, and wins wero recorded by North Shore and Manukau, which were successful against Richmond and Jsewton, respectively. Results were as follows: — Roope Rooster, semi-finals:— Marist, 14; City, 2. Ponsonby, 21; Mount Albert, 10. Phelan Shield: — North Shore, 15: Richmond, 14. Manukau, 17; Isev.'ton, 15. MARIST ON TOP ' WEAK DISPLAY BY CITY

Th 6 principal game between Marist and City was very disappointing and never rose to any great heights. Marist was always the better team and for most of tho game had City on the defensive. Weak tackling by the City backs gave Marist several easy tries, and the younger members of tho team, who excelled against Richmond, were much below form. City was without Wehner, its hooker, and the Marist backs had a good advantage by getting tho ball from the scrum. Too much kicking by both teams spoiled many scoring opportunities. In this respect, the City backs gave Marist possession too many times. A feature of the game was tho excellent play of tho Marist inside backs, which gave Haslam, at centre, plenty of chances to test the defence. Haiilam proved difficult to stop, and paved the way for two tries. City played with only five forwards, being content to allow Raymond to play as a rover. He did a lot of effective tackling. However, Marist backs were always dangerous, and their ability to penetrate the defence put City off its game. Much of the play was confined to the forwards, and it was not at all spectacular. In the second, half the forwards of both teams came to blows, and one Marist forward, who had been penalised frequently, was lucky to escape with a warning. Early in the first half City gained a temporary advantage, the result of good play Dy Mataira and Raymond. However, Marist forwards play to City territory, where Haslam and Donovan raced Midgley into s perfect scoring position, but the final pass was delayed and Hutchinson tackled Donovan. Eventually the ball was kicked over City's goal'line, and Bakalich touched down for a try. A few minutes later the Marist backs attacked and Haslam made a fine opening for Midgley to score. Then the same pair were prominent and Haslam raced across. City's only points, a penalty goal, came from a kick by Hutchinson. Soon after the start of the second spell Marist forwards dominated play. Bakalich broke through several • weak tackles and cleverly cross-kicked for Anderson to score between the posts. City fought desperately to get the advantage, but there was no finish to the play of the hacks. The greasy ball was hard to handle and i just before time Marist went close to scoring again. For Marist, Glover played a splendid game at fullback, and was frequently applauded for sound tackling. Haslam was the best of the three-quarters and made some nice openings .with powerful straight running. On the wing. Midgley was elusive and used his pace to good advantage. L'hlman also played with - dash. Both the five-eighths, Donovan and McLaren, played good games, especially the former, who backed up well. Behind the scrum, Crocker showed good form. Among the forwards, Anderson and Bakalich played good games. Breed was also prominent in the loose. Hutchinson and Tawhai were the best of the City backs. Welch, at five-eighths, failed to produce the form he showed against Richmond and his defence was weak. Ray» mond, who played as an extra back, -did a Jot of useful work, especially on attack* Mataira, Donald and H. McCarthy were the pick of the'forwards. For Marist, tries were scored by Bakalich, Midgley. Haslam and Anderson. Anderson, converted, one try. For City, Hutchinson kicked a penalty goal. Mr. F. Thompson was referee. PONSONBY'S SUCCESS BACKS * BEAT MOUNT ALBERT Ponsonby arid Mount Albert played a wellcontested game in the enrtain-raiser and the margin of eleven points in favour of the former was not a true indication of the play. Mount Albert forwards played with plenty of dash and over-eajrerness cost them at least two tries. Ponsonby backs played brilliantly in patches and it will take a good team to beat them in the final. Splendid handling by Ponsonby was a feature of the game! In the first half, Ponsonby was always on top and quickly gained a lead of eleven points. In the second half, however, Mount Albert played good football, but Its backs failed to improve on tho work of the forwards. The fault was the failure of the inside backs; to open up the game. Mount Albert forwards often gained possession, but there was no variety in the attack, which met with solid tackling by Stockley and The short kick should have been .exploited throughout the second half to beat the defence. However, Ponsonby was the better team and fully deserved its success. For Ponsonby, Kay, at centre-threequarter, was the outstanding player and often made gaps in the defence by using his pace to advantage. Both Halloran and Stockley combined well arid proved sound in defence. Rush was only fair at fullback. Black played a fine game and undoubtedly is a very improved halfback. Tho wings. Riley and Nurse, placed well with limited opportunities. Davis was the best of the Ponsonby forwards, while Morgan and Pickrang also played good games. For Mount Albert Cranch played a good game at fullback. Verall, at five-eighths, / was impressive in the second half. Watkins, behind the scrum, gave his backs plenty of chances and sent out welldirected passes. Herring, Gnnmng and Satherley were the best of the forwards. . For Ponsonby, tries were scored by Black 1(2). Riley (2) and Pickrang. Black converted one' try and kicked a penalty goal. """ Stockley also converted a try. For Mount Albert, McCallum and Gunning scored a try each, and Satherley kicked two penalty goals Mr. It. Otto was referee. NORTH SHORE SURPRISES DEFEAT OF RICHMOND ii ■ | On No". 2 ground, North Shore defeated Richmond by a point in the semi-final for the Phelan Shield. The game was well contested and at no stage was there much difference between the teams. Jsorth Shores victory was both surprising and popular, although Richmond did not field its best team. Good goal-kicking by J. Smith pave North Shore the advantage. For the winners tries were Bcored by Smith (2) and Zane. Smith converted two tries and kicked a penalty goal. For Richmond Wilkie and Mincham scored two tries each. Furnell converted one try. Mr. M. Wetherill was referee. ? a —— WIN FOR MANUKAU : NEWTON BEATEN IN SECOND HALF In the Mrly game Mannkan narrowly defeated Newfon after the latter hfld led at half-time. Manukau backs made the frame open, especially in the second half, when good football was witnessed. From a fine run by Broughton Wilson scored the winnlntc try. Newton made great efforts to regain the lead, but the defence was sound. For Manu'tau, tries were scored by Zane (3). Mahirca and Wilson. Broucrhton con-' verted one try. For Newton, Qtiirke. Crook and Dempsey scored tries, and Beattie converted three. Mr. S. Billman was referee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS Senior Reserve Grade.—Ponsonby, 12, •Richmond, £>; Marist. 8, Mount Albert, 5. Senior B Grado. —Richmond, 5, Green Lane, 5. Third, Grade.—Knock-out final: Ellerslie, 18, Otatiuhll, 6. Fifth Grade.—Knock-out final i City. 10, Otahuhu, 0. Sixth Grade.— City, 11, Papakura, 3. Seventh Grado.—Richmond, 15. Otahuhu, fl. PRIM ART SCHOOLS' GAMES '• Senior Grade.—Marist, S, Richmond, 0; Point Chevalier, 11, Ellerslie, 2.

Intermediate Grade. —Knock-out Bnal: Richmond, 9, Newton, 5. Junior Grade.—George Court s A, 3, Rich' mond, 0; Ellerslie, <3, Marist, 0.

MATCH AT HAMILTON [from oub own* correspondent] HAMILTON, Sunday A League match played at Claudelands between tne visiting Northcoto senior B side, from Auckland, and Frankton, resulted in a win for Northcote by 12 points to 5.