THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22850, 4 October 1937, Page 16

THE LEAGUE CODE

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS

MARIST BEATS RICHMOND FAST AND OPEN DISPLAY Fast, oppn football was the feature of the Auckland Rugby League's final matches for the season, which drew a large crowd to Carlaw Park on Saturday. The chief fixture was the Champion of Champions contest between Marist Old Boys, winner of the knockout Roope Rooster competition, and Richmond, winner of the senior championship. As on the occasion of their previous meeting, the all-round effective combination of Marist proved too much for the weakened Richmond team, which was without the services of W. and G. Tittleton. MacLeod and Furnell. In spite of the hard ground conditions, play was solid and willing, good tackling being noticeable on both sides. Marist, which is the most improved team of the season, took advantage of most of the opportunities offering, btlt the honours went to the captain, Anderson, who accounted for the whole 12 points which gave his side victory. It was Anderson's opportunism that gave him a runaway try in the first spell when Tetley and Magill fumbled, and Marist led at half-time by 7 points to 2. With a determined run from just inside half-way in the second spell, the Marist captain forced his way across at the corner for his second try and then put the issue beyond doubt with a spectacular field goal ■in the closing stages. The winners received a hearty ovation from the crowd and Mr. A. Stormont presented medals to each of the Marist players in a brief ceremony after the match. The Stormont Memorial Shield also goes to the winners.

North Shore and Mount Albert contested the final of the Phelan Shield competition as the curtain-raiser, and North Shore played - one of its best games of the season to secure an exciting victory in the last few minutes of play by 22 points to 18. Following are the results: — Champion of Champions.—Marist, ,12; Richmond, 5. Phelan Shield, final. —North Shore, 22; Mount Albert. 18. MARIST IN TOP FORM WEAKENED RICHMOND TEAM Richmond's usual machine-like movements among the backs were not so evident against Marist as the result of the inclusion of a number of junior players, but it was at full-back /that the side missed its usual custodian, Furnell. Matjill was not reliable in fielding when bustled and Marist profited by his mistakes. There was also a lack of penetrative effort by Greenwood at fiveeighths and Tetley was not at home at centre However, a rearrangement in the second half, when Tetley returned to the scrum. Mincham moved to centre and Davis left the forwards to take the right wing, resulted in considerable improvement, but the Marist back line was always - the superior combination and proved hard to pass. Forward, the teams .were evenly matched, with Marist holding an advantage in the set scrums. Several scoring opportunities were missed on both sides and though Marist attacked consistently it was not till Anderson snap-kicked his field goal that the issue was definitely decided against Richmond. There were some lively exchanges and smart passing bouts which greatly pleased the spectators. . , Glover gave his usual very safe display at fullback for Marist, and Hasiam, at centre, was the "brains" of the threequarter line. The wings, Midgely and Halsey. ran with determination and made the most of their chancea, Donovan was the more prominent of the five-eighths, but McLaren was safe on defence. Crocker, at half, gave his backs the ball at every opportunity and was always right up with the play. Among the forwards, Anderuon, McGreal. Woods and Breed were noticeable for solid work, and all' participated in passing bouts with accnrate handling. Magill showed promise for a junior at fullback for Richmond, but was inclined to be bustled into costly errors by the fast-raiding Marist forwards. Powell. Bickerton and Mincham were the pick of the backs, with snappy, penetrating runs and safe handling. Powell was responsible for .a good solo try. MacLeod was badly missed in the forwards, of whom Mitchell. Hadley and Telford were the most prominent. Play opened at a fast pace with attacks by each side in turn, till Anderson added another penalty goal to his season s tally with a good kick from the twenty-five. Tetley was trapped and sent a hard pass back to Magill, who fumbled, and Anderson snapped up the ball to race across between the posts, with Hasiam in' support. The scorer converted, but gave (I penalty for offside a few minutes later and Mincham goaled. Marist was getting the lion's share of the ball, but could not finish off the attacks, and at half-time the score was: Marist 7, Richmond 2. Richmond attacked strongly on resuming and finally- Powell dived through the ruck to score. However, the Richmond backs were not a happy combination and their passing was erratic. Anderson next secured the ball just inside his opponents' half and with a strong, determined run forced his way over at the corner. In a further passing effort McGreal' transferred to Anderson, who quickly screw-kicked a splendid field goal and the game ended with the score: Marist 12, Richmond, 5. Mr. 'M. Wetherill was referee.

NORTH SHORE SUCCESS PHELAN SHIELD FINAL Showing: its best form and combination of the season, North Shore fully deserved its success in the Phelan Shield final against Mount Albert. For the greater part of the second spell the winners were one man short, E. Scott, who waH playing a fine game, retiring with an injury soon after the interval. Straight and determined running and (rood support by the North Shore backs gave them the victory. Mount Albert also took every opportunity to makj the game open and was unlucky to miss scoring on a number of occasions. ■ ? , North Shore led at half-time by 14 points to 10, but Mount Albert reversed the position bv adding two tries early in the second half. The fortunes changed again when Smith, after repeated efforts, landed a penalty goal to place his side ahead once more and a great try by Bennetts clinched the issue, 22—18, against Mount Albert. Outstanding for North Shore were Smith, at centre, who figured in most of the back movements and gave his best display to date, and Zane. at five-eighths, who proved a clever attacking player. Smith had a day off at goal-kicking. Bennetts, on the wing, ran stronglv and was rewarded with two good tries. V. Scott, at fullback, was beaten several times through allowing the ball to bounce before fielding it, but he usually recovered well. Of the forwards, Simpson. Hunt. Rogers and E. Scott were always in the van, the first-named registering two good tries. The pick of the Mount Albert, backs were J. Scnultz and Benton, at five-eighths, and "Wilson,-at half, but they did not get the support they deserved from the threequarters. Tristram and Gunning were outstanding forwards, opening up bright movements time and again. Leatherbarrow gave valuable support. For North Shore. Simpson (2), Bennetts (2), Hunt and E. Scott scored tries. Smith converted one and also kicked a penalty goal. For Mount Albert, Drew (2), Leatherbarrow and Tristram scored tries. Cranch converting one and Vernall two. Mr. S. Billman was referee, AUGKLAND-MAORI MATCH SELECTION OF G. NEPIA The Auckland Maori League team to play an Auckland side at Carlaw Park next Saturday, in connection with the injured players' benefit'day," will be selected from the following:— Backs.—G. Nepia, J. Rata. T. Chase. N. Bickerton, W. Brimble. It. Brimble, E. Brimble, P. Mahima, Wilson, J. Tawhai. Forwards.—H. Mataira, J. McLeod, L. Cootes. J. Brodrick, G. Mitchell, T. Raymond, J. Tristain, Proctor. These players will attend at Carlaw Park tomorrow and Thursday evening for training. REFEREES' PICNIC The annual picnic of tho Auckland Rugby League Referees' Association was held at the Henderson Domain yesterday. Opportunity was taken to farewell Mr. W. Simpson, secretary for the past three years, prior to his departure for Wellington. The lTl»Went. Mr. L. E. Bull, in presenting Mr. travelling tug, referred to n»a gooa work for tho game as an official.

A popular programme of sports events was arranged, preceded by tlie presentation of the Care.V Cup to Mr. A. Mcintosh. The association handicap was won by K. D. McJvor, with A. Tate second, and the quarter-milo by A. Kinnaird. Othor events were:—Three-legged race (75yds), G. Kelly and A. Kinnaird: wheelbarrow race (50yds), Kelly and Kinnaird; hop, step and jump, T. Butt; stepping the chain, E. Longville.

RESERVE GRADE FINAL The senior reserve grade final between Marist and Ponsonby, played on No. 2 ground at Carlaw Park, resulted in a win for the former by 23 points to 5. The Glen Ora antl Ngaruawahia third grade teams played a drawn match, the scoro being 5-all.