THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22838, 20 September 1937, Page 16

THE LEAGUE CODE

KOOPE ROOSTEK FINAL 'MAR IST BEATS PONSONBY DINNERS' GOOD COMBINATION The final of the Auckland Rugby League's Roope Rooster competition, played at Carlaw Park on Saturday, was won by Marist, which proved a much better combination . than Ponsonby. The game wait played at a fast pace and many good movements were witnessed. Marist now has won the right to play Richmond in tho cham-pion-of-champions fixture to be decided on October 2. In the Phelan Shield competition, Mount Albert defeated City in a high-scoring game, while Nofth Shore won from Manukau after an evenly contested match. , The results were as follows: Roope Rooster. —Final: Marist, 25; Ponsonby, 10. Phelan Shield.—Semi-finals: Mount Albert, 31, City, 22; North Shore, 16, Manukau, 10.

MARIST'S SUCCESS I ' PONSONBY DISAPPOINTING Ponsonby gave one of its worst exhibitions this season and Marist had an easy win in the final of the Eoope Rooster knock-out competition. The first half was even, each side scoring a penalty goal. Ponsonby had many chances, but the' passing of the backß was wild. In fact it, was lamentable to see the inside backs standing flat-footed and Fiassing the ball shoulder hisrh. Ponsonby orwards did a lot of effective work, but Marist backs always Dad the measure of their opponents. In the second half. PonBonby started with great dash, and Davis and Morgan were associated in a nice move- ■ xnent. which was checked when Stockley passed wildly to Riley and a try was missed. A few minutes later, Marist forwards, led by Anderson, attacked, and from a good passing bout uhlham scored. Anderson kicked a great goal from the side line. Ponsonby backs got numerous opportunities, but only Rile.y snowed any ability on attack. Kay. who was on tho injured list, was badly missed, but his presence would not have made much difference, so poorly did PonBonby backs play at this stage. From a smart run by Haslam, Breed, in support, scored near the posts. Riley was always prominent and beat the defence with a tricky run. Marist backs threw the ball about in good style and their handling and positional' play were too good for Ponsonby. Breed and Finlayson were associated in a passing bout, and Anderson secured a difficult pass to score between the posts. Marist had all.the better of the final stages and brilliant play by . Midgley and Haslam gained more points for Marist. Tho only good movement by Ponsonby came from a nice run by Black and Stockley, Riley also handling before Brown raced over between the posts. Outstanding players for Marist were Midgley, on the wing, Haslam. at centre threequarter, and 'Anderson, among, the forwards. Midgley was always prominent in passing bouts, his spoed enabling him to Ecore a good try. Several times during the game, Midgley combined effectively with tho inside backs, and further impressed his claims for consideration as a representative '■ threequarter. Haslam did a lot of good, work on attack and was a thorn' in the side or the opposition. Anderson once again proved to bo the most proliDc scorer in the code, and added thirteen points to the. Marist total. His try between the posts late in the second half was a really good effort. Glover, at fullback, was disappointing, and . many of his kicks were badly directed. Uhlmnn, on the wing, played his best game this season and! scored a really good try. Tho Marist inside backs were not impressive. Donovan and McLaren kicked too much, especially in the first half. Among-the forwards, Woods, Bakalich and Breed played-pood srames. For Ponsonby, Riley, at centre threequarter, played a good gamo on attack, bnt his efforts ract with little support. Rush, at fullback, was uncertain with his kicking, but on occasions played well. Both Stockley and Halloran were much below form.. Tho five-eighths had numerous chances in the eecond half, but there was no penetration, and the pair passed wildly. Dav!s and Pickrang clayed good trames in the forwards, as did Morean and Brown. . Fqr Marist, tries were scored by Uhlman, Breed. Anderson, Woods and Midgley. Anderson converted four trios and kicked a penalty goal. For Ponsonby, Riley and Brown scored a try- each, Jones converting one and also kicking a penalty goal. Mr. M. Wetherill was referee.

PHELAN SHIELD MATCHES NORTH SHORE BEATS MANUKAU North Shore and Maniikan provided a (rood frame in the curtain-raiser to .the .mam. match, and after interesting football tho former won by tfi points to 10. A feature of the frame was the splendid play of J. Smith, the North Shore centre. Late in, the second half Manukan played with renewed vigour and looked likely to turn tho tables'. Smith, however; scored a fine try and placed the result be.vond doubt. Brodrick, for Manukau, was also in splendid form and stood out as the best forward on the ground. For North Shore tries were scored by Brown, Cowan, Zane, and. Smith. V. Scott converted ono try and Smith kicked a penalty goal. For Manukau Brodrick and whye scored a try each. T. Chase converted one try and kicKed a penalty goal. Mr. R. Otto was the referee.

WIN FOR MOUNT ALBERT CITY AGAIN BEATEN In a well-contested though high-scoring frame Mount Albert defeated City. Mount Albert showed the better combination, and its forwards gave a good display In the loose. Good passing by the Mount Albert vanKuard was a feature of the game. At one ttase ot the same only one point separated

the teams. Mount Albert, however, swept over City in tho last few minutes and the forwards scored two good tries. C:ty . lost Mataira, who retired with a leg injury during the second half. For Mount Albert tries were scored by Leatherbarrow Shadbolt (2), Ronton, Gunning and Tristram. Verall converted two tries and kicked a penalty goal. Cranch and Leatherbarrow also converted a 'jy®® o ' l. For City, Donald, Welch, Ryan and Gibson scored tries. Hutchinson converted three tries and kicked a penalty goal. Rata also kicked a penalty goal Mr. S. Billtnan was refereo. LOWER GRADE RESULTS Senior B Grade.—Knock-out: Point ChevalieThfrd Grade.—Mount Albert, 8. Portland, 5. _ „ Sixth Grade.—City, o. Green Lane. 2j Mount Albert, 18. Point Chevalier, 11. Seventh Grade.—Richmond won by default from Ponsonby PRIMARY SCHOOLS' MATCHES Senior Grade.—Golffon Bloom Banner: Auckland, 17, South Auckland t 5. Intermediate Grade. —Champion of champions: Ponsonby, 0, Richmond. 8.. . Junior Grade.—Newton A, (1, Point Chevalier. 0; Ponsouby, 3, Northcote. 0. MATCH AT WHANGAREI [from OUII OWN cohuf.spondent] WHANGAREI, Sunday At Jubilee Park yesterday the Kensington Renior Rugby League team defeated Ponsonby Senior Reserves by 3 points to nil. J. McNeil scored a try for Kensington. Mr. J. H. Hill was refereo.