THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23015, 18 April 1938, Page 13

THE LEAGUE CODE

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP SECOND SERIES OF MATCHES RICHMOND DEFEATS PONSONBY Open and attractive football in which there was some high scoring was witnessed at Carlaw Park on Saturday when the second series of matches was decided in the first round of the senior championship of the Auckland Rugby League. Ground and weather conditions were ideal and there was a good attendance. Richmond and Ponsonby provided the chief attraction, the former taking the honours after the score was even at half-time. Both teams made the play open and a reliable goal-kicker would have won the game for Ponsonby. ►Several kicks were missed from easy positions. In the curtain-raiser Mount Albert made a fine recovery to defeat Newton. A fast and exciting match was provided by Manukau and North Shore on the No. 2 ground, Manukau having a margin of five points in its favour. Making its first appearance this season City gained a last-minute win over Papakura. Results of Saturday's senior matches were as follows: Richmond, 18; Ponsonby, IU. Mount Albert, 25; Newton.. 18. Manukau, 26; North Shore, 21. City, 23; Papakura, IS. MANY MISTAKES! POOR GOAL-KICKING Although there wen several nic* combined movements many mistakes were made in the match between Ponsonby and Richmond. The latter had most of the ball from the scrums, but poor passing and at other times selfish play lost tries. Ponsonby, on the ether hand, which was without Kay and Kiev, never seemed to settle down, the inside backs having no penetration. There was little to choose between the teams, although Richmond held an advantage in fhe forwards. Richmond was freely penalised and a good goal-kicker would have won the game for Ponsonby. Easy kicks near the posts were missed.

Ponsonby did the early attacking and from h second penalty W. Stockley gcaled. Play was scrappy until Richmond went away in a nice rush which Furnell spoiled through cutting in with support offering. Xot to bii denied Richmond staged a splendid passing bout in which McLeod handled tivice before scoring. Furnell converted. Richmond continued to throw the ball about from all positions. After a run by Mills the ball came infield and Devine scored. 6. Tittleton converted. Petersen broke away from a loose scrum arid made a good opening. Young, racing in support, took the pass and veered infield to score behind the posts. Black converted. Richmond was frequently penalised and Ponsonby missed easy goalsi. Petersen made another fine effort to get over, the ball eventually going ont to McNeil, who touched down, making the half-time score:— Richmond, 10; Ponsonby, 10. Early in the second half Cootes made a good opening and a try seemed c?rtain until Young slipped and fell near the line. Play was confined to the forwards and iherc was a good deal of offside. Mills lost a,try for Richmond when he failed to hold his pass. Bickerton making a good opening after handling twice. McLeod was pron\inent To: fine work and with Tetlpy went close to scoring. Tetley threw a long pass to \V. Tiltleton, who collided with a goal-post, but touched down with two men iti support. Furnell converted. Black, the Ponsonby halfback. A-as injured and retired. Watkins next made a fine try when he broke clear, "dummied" Nurse and McLeod (lashed over. Just on time TTalloran, Cootes and Morgan were associated in a nice movement. Morgan touching down. The final score was: —Richmond. IS; Ponsonby, 13.

Powell, who played fullback for Richmpnd, was' safe but was caught in possession too much. Mills showed speed on the wing, but his handling was nncertain. On the other wing G. Tittleton had few opportunities. A fine game in the threequarter line was played by Furnell. centre, who usually fills the fullback position. Furnell showed cleverness above the average both on attack and defence. His one fault was a tendency to hold possession too long. W. Tittleton did a lot of good all round work and Bickerton was prominent for clever attacking. Watkins, formerly of Mount Albert, plaved a sound and heady game behind the scrum. McLeod and Tetley were the outstanding forwards The Ponsonby hack.: were n.it a happy combination, but there was improvement when Halloran went up to half from fallback after Black retired. Halloran did some clever work on attack. Stockley was outstanding for some splendid defence, while Young played a fine all round game. Morgan. Middleton and Cootes were prominent forwards. Mr. F. Thompson was referee'.

FAST DISPLAY MANUKAU IMPROVES j In a fast, open game, Manukau narrowly defeated North Shore, which at one staee of play had a lead of eleven points. It was only the better condition of Manukau which prevailed, as there was little to choose between the teams on actual play. The Manukau forwards took a long time to settle down, and it was not until lafo in the second half that Xorth Shore was overshadowed. The first half was played at a fact pace, and only brilliant kicking bv Henii turned defence into attack. Throughout the first half, North Shore was on top and clever play by Banham gavo tho thrceauarters plenty of chances. At half-tima North Shore led by 19 points to 8. T. Chase and Hetni were responsible for several brilliant runs in the second half when the forwards gave excellent support | As the game progressed Manukau developed I splendid combination and its form was very j impressive. The backs were greatly strengtli- ; ened by the inclusion of J. Ilemi and M. j Panapa, the latter being last, stason's Xorth I Auckland iiugby Union halfback. Ilemi I played a splendid game and besides making I an opening for a try. he kicked four goals, j Panapa, although obviously out of position. ! played a good game at five-eighths, and he I is an acquisition to the code. Mahinia played ; a splendid game behind the scrum and made j two openings in the second half, which led to tries. His well-directed passes were a feaj ture of the game. 7. Chase stood out for j some clever vurk in defence, hut on several occasions he held on when AVilson had a ! good chance of scoring. W. Brimble was also j prominent on attack. j Among the Manukau forwards Brodrick i played a dashing game and proved difficult to stop. Oaiilt was also prominent, while Whyo showed his best form. North Shore wa-» somewhat disorganised by the absence of several good players, but ! nevertheless the altered rear division put up a splendid showing, and at one stage of the game victory looked certain. Xt was only the superior j lay of the Manukau forwards that dominated the game in the second half. R. Banham, tho player-coach, played a brilliant game and his try was easily the best seen during the game. Banham did his work well in defence, and was never afraid to go down to the big Manukau forwards. ,T. Smith played a good game at fullback and often raced his backs into scoring positions. Behind the scrum Sterling got through a lot of useful work. G. Zane, cn the wing, played a good game, but just lacked siied to fini,sh off several promising attacks. Tho North Shore forwards put up a good showing against a heavier pack. Hunt. L. Scott E. Scott were prominent throughout. For Manukau tries were scored by T. Chase ('_>). Brodrick ('_>), Brimhlo and Hetni Henii converted four tries. For Xorth Shore Ti. Scott. Banham and Sowter scored tries, while J. Smith kirked two penalty goals and converted three tries. D. Smith also kicked a penalty goal. Mr. S. Billman was referee.

GOOD RECOVERY WIN FOR MOUNT ALBERT Mount Albert ifadc a great recovery against Newton. which dominated play until the last vnw.ri""h »%, ,o P k °' l rer,nin for Blount ■Albert. but its forwards staged 11 remarkablo recovery and swept over the opposition twice in succession to save (he game. Although Mount Albert led nt halftfime by a converted try to a (ry, Newton had much the net (or of the second half, which gave I he spectator* plenty of (brills. Soon after the kick-off in the second half. AAV-Brimble made a clever opening: and his brother scored near the posts. The Newton forwards maintained the attack and outclassed one of the best packs in the competition. Nathan and McNeight led a strong rush, and Fraser dived over to score a spectacular try. A penalty kick was turned to advantage by Newton, and a few minutes later E. Brimble scored, placing Mount Albert 11 points behind. With only 20 minutes to go the Mount Albert forwards rose to the occasion, and Walker mart,* a nice opening before passing to Mincham, who sent C'ranch over for a good try. Herring and Gujining next paved the way for Hansen to race for the line and a timely pess sent Leatherbarrow over. New-

ton held the lead until Gunning scored in a most exciting rally, and Mincham's kick placed his leafa in front. Xewton tired badly and in the last few minutes Mount Albert again scored. For Mount Albert, Pitt played a sonnd game at fullback and tackled soundly. Cranch, who usually plays fullback, did gootl work on the wing. Minchan and McNeil were the pick of the threequarters. The former made several nice openings, and McNeil used his speed to advantage. "Walker gave a good display behind the scrum and his variation of tactics was mainly responsible for Mount Albert's victory. Herring was the best forward on the ground and .jvas very conspicuous in the final stages. Leafhcrbarrow, Hansen and Gunning also played good games. The outstanding placer on the ground was W. Brimble, whose play behind the scrum has not been equalled for a long time. He rarely failed to make an opening and showed a lot of speed from the base of the scrum. ,At fullback, Kendall did a lot of useful work. Nathan and McNeight were the pick of the forwards and received good support from t'raser and Jones. For Mount Albert,'tries were scored by McNeil (2), Leatherbarrow (2), and Cranch one. Mineham converted three tries and kicked a penalty goal. Cranch convej-fed his own t/.v. For Newton tries were scored by McNeight, E. Brimble, W. Brimble and Fraser. W. Brimble converted two tries and Hill kicked a penalty goal. Mr. P. Rogers was referee.

SUCCESS OF CITY MATCH WITH PAPAKURA City scored a spectacular last-minute victory against Fapakura, which had a little the better of the second half. Each team had turns in the lead. City was the better team on the day and deserved its success. Papakura was first to attack and a few minutes after the kick-off Craig-Smith scored from a good dash by the forwards. The City backs went away and Rata gained ground. Hutchinson followed a kick and scored. Lvans and Lilburne led a Papakura rush with the ball at toe, and A. Burgess snapped up to send Fogarty over for a good try. City soon afterward equalised and McCarthy scored. Papakura took the lead with P, en ?' y klck . but just before half-time McCarthy scored his second try, and City led by 13 points to 10. Good play by Osborne placed Papakura in an attacking position and its forwards ? we Pj over City for Fogarty to score. A try by R. Burgess from a passing bout placed 1 apakura five points ahead. McLaughlin made a splendid dash for the ftne and McCarthy scored his third try. Exciting play followed and just when a draw seemed certain Rata made a nice opening and the City backs raced away for Ryan to score. I'or City Rata played a fine game and made some nice openings. Behind the scrum Hutchinson did useful work and gave his backs plenty of openings. Hughes played a sound game at fullback. G. McCarthy. McLaughlin and Donovan were the pick of the forwards. N. Campbell, the former New Zealand representative, played well at fullback and his fielding and excellent kicking often saved Papakura. A. Burgess was prominent at fiveeighths and was well supported by KeJlv behind the scrum. Evans, Herkt and Fogarty played good games among the forwards which were a better set than City. For City McCarthy scored three tries and Hutchinson and Ryan one each. Hutchinson converted three tries and "VYyberg one. For Fapakura tries were scored by Fogarty (2). Craig-Smith and K. Burgess. Mclnness converted one try and kicked a penalty goal, and Kelly converted one try. Mr. T. Mcintosh was referee. PORTLAND CLUB'S OFFICERS [from our own* correspondent] WHANGAREI, Sunday The following officers were elected at the annual meeting of the Portland League Football Club.-—-Patron, Mr. T. H. Wilson; president, Mr. D. Lornmer; secretary, Mr. D. Conlon; committee, Messrs. J. Williams D Ihomson. ,T. Hill. J. Eru and H. Gordon! delegates to the Northland League, Messrs. D. Lorriiner, D. Thomson, H. Gordon and J. Williams; senior team manager, Mr. J. \\illiams; coach, Mr. D. Thomson; junior team manager and coach, Mr. H. Gordon. A. Cordon was presented with the cnp. donated by Mr. J. Williams, for the most improved player for the previous season.