THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23134, 5 September 1938, Page 14

THE LEAGUE CODE

EOOPE BOOSTER GAMES SECOND ROUND DECIDED MARIST TEAM DEFEATED Dashing play by the North Shore forwards was a feature of the siirpiise defeat of Marist on Saturday in the second round of matches for the Roope Rooster competition controlled by the Auckland Rugby League. Marist was tho winner of the senior championship but on Saturday met a team superior all round on a ground covered with mud. The game was marred somewhat by rough play near the end, and two .Marist forwards and a North Shore forward were ordered off.

Richmond proved too good for Ponsonby in a fast game in tho curtainraiser. The winners played high-class football in spito of the bad conditions. City followed up its victory against Mdunt Albert by beating Newton in a well-contested game on No. 2 ground. Manukau defeated Papakura comfortably at Papakura. Results were as follows: — North Shore. 8; Marist, 2. Richmond, 10; Ponsonby, (5 City, 10; Newton, 3. Manukau, 28, Papakura, 6.

SUCCESS DESERVED

FORWARDS PLAY WELL North Shore deserved its success against Marist, and although the margin was slight, tho winners always dominated the game. The North Shore forwards played splendid football and adapted themselves to tho conditions better than Marist. The champions' backs had several good opportunities, but owing to sound tackling they were unable to score. Smith and Brown did fine work in defence, especially the former, whoso- covering was very thorough. There was too much playing the mail, particularly in tho second half when tempers became frayed. Soon after the start North Shore scored a rather lucky try after Glover had lost the ball over his own line, and Jones dived on it. Play went up and down the ground at a great pace, and E. Scott, and Simpson, beat the Marist backs for Souter to score. Smith converted with a great kick. Anderson added a penalty goal for Marist and no further points were scored throughout the game. The Marist backs made great efforts in the second half, and a fine run by Matthews deserved a try. It was only the greasy ball which prevented Woods from taking cleanly with a clear run in. The North Shore forwards maintained a strong offensivo and took the honours. „ „ ~ The fullback for North Shore. V. Scott, played ft splendid game, and was never bustled by the rushing tactics of the Marist forwards. Scott, however, could greatly improve his play by using the touch lines more. J. Smith, at centre threequarter, was a thorn in the side of the opposition,, and repeatedly saved his team with good positional play and excellent defence. Both the wings, L. Scott and Bennetts, played good games, being prominent on attack, and tackling well. A lot of credit goes to .the five-eighths. Brown and Sterling. The latter, who was only recently promoted, did great work on defence. Sterling played the only game possible. In the second half when the halfback passed the ball, Sterling closed up the game by kicking" for touch. Behind the scrum, L. Scott was a tower of strength to his team. Ihe North Shore forwards played inspiring football and beat the opposition badly in the loose. Jones was perhaps the best and *\a* alwavs prominent in the loose with fast following up. Mcintosh, the breakaway forward. also played a fine game, while Simpson, Souter. Hunt and Barnett did a lot of effective work. , , ... . . While little fault could be found with his defence, (i lover missed many chances on attack, and his kicking straight back to Scott was not so effective as kicking for the touch-line. Matthews played a good game on the wing, but Midgley lacked opportunities Bakalich did good work at centre, while TTaslam, at five-eighths was not so prominent as usual, although his defence -was superb. Woods was easily the best forward and he received excellent support from Butler and Anderson. , „ . For North .Shore. Jones and Sowter scored tries, and Smith converted one 1-or Marist Anderson kicked a penalty goal. Mr. R. Otto was referee.

RICHMOND'S SUPERIORITY

PONSONBY BEATEN Richmond was a better team than Ponsonbyon the day, although the score was not a true indication of the play, was awarded two tries which appeared dmibtful The Ponsonby backs found the opposition strong and (here was a lack of finish tn their iilav. The backs attempted to pa.-s when the short punt would have been more effective. Richmond's forwards played splendidly in tho loose and bent the opposition by hunting better as a pack. BraniW played a fine game at fullback for Hiciimond and pleased the crowd with his ability to gather the greasy ball .racing at lop speed. W. Tlttlcton, at fhe-eighths. did some great tackling. A player to .Impress was Potter, at live-eighths. He tackled s Mindly and showed excellent initiative on attack Behind the scrum, Wntkins varied his play well and rarely missed a chance on attack. Bickerton was dangerous on attack and bis quickness in changing direction often upset the Ponsonby backs. MrLcod was the pick of the forwards, whilo Davis was especially scootT In the ioopp. Rrofldhcftd» Devine and Hadley also played well. Young at five-eight lis, was the best of the Ponsonbv backs, and made some nice openings, besides bring prominent on defence. Hush, a reserve grade player, gained applause for several clever runs through the ounosition from halfback. Martin was sound at fullback, but Kay and Riley did not get many chances on attack, Petersen played a greai game and was well supported by Cookes and Schroeder. For Bichmond tries were scored by Davis ('_>), Mill-!. Devine ami Potter. Bramley and Devine each converted a try. For Ponsonby Young scored two tries. Mr. F. Thompson was referee.

CITY WINS AGAIN

FORWARDS IMPROVE The City forwards were acain responsible for a good performance by beatinz Newton in ft well-contested game, Play was mostly confined to the forwards, and in the loose fit v played good wet day football. Good following' up and incklinn nullified any attempt, the Newton backs made to open up the game. The greasy ball was difficult to handfe, and mistakes cost both teams tries fitv owes its success to a greatly improved pack an I it will occasion no surprise to sen the to.iiii gain further victories In the competition. , . Leg-fc, who scored a fine try. was perhaps the hest of the City hacks. 110 showed a good knowlodge oT positional play at centre and should improve the team's attack. Banham, who was injured, pluckily played on, moving from his usual position at five-eight lis to \vinir-threei|u.irter. llaoi did useful work at five-eighths and was always hard to stop. Whit'le also played well, as did Hutchinson behind the scrum. Hughes, at fullback, was verv sound. Thompson played a dasliinur game, leading the City pack by fast following up. Jiicksrn, Mngee and McCarthy, whose tnrl<line was a feature of the game, were also prominent. Xe.vtoi was without its usual five-eighths, F.. Brlinhle and Sissons, and both W. McKrn/ie and Hill, who filled the positions, found the opposition too strong. Dempsey when moved from fullback to centre played a solid game, and Kendall made few mistakes at fullback. W. llriinlile got, through a lot of useful work behind the scrum. Cinders, Lnwson and McNcighl were the best of the forwards. For City trrs were scored by Thompson and Legge, Banhnm converting one nnd Hutchinson one For Newton, Cinders scored a try. Mr. S. Billman was referee. MANUKAU TOO STRONG Mannkau proved ton strong all round for Papaknra and won comfortably by 2S points to (J. The Mannkau backs played clever football and combined well with the forwards, who hardlcd better than tho Papaknra vanguard. Manukau scored IS points to 3 in the first spell. Piipakiira in the second lihU played with much more dn«h and held Mannkau on the defensive until a few minutes before the final whistle, when Manuknti added a further 10 points to J'apaklira's 3. Chase, Hem! and Ririhnl were Manukau's outstanding players. Chase, In particular, at fullback played a brilliant game. For Papaknra, Ilerkt, Dobbin and Foggarty were the nick. For Manukau tries were scored by Cliaso (2). Droughton. Ilemi, Wilson, and McQ.uire, Heini converting five. For Papaknra, Burgess nnd Crocker scored tries, Mr. T. Evans was referee. DRAW FOR SEMI-FINALS Following is the draw for the Roope Booster semi-finals, and Phelan Shield competition, to he played next Saturday:--Rnope Booster: Bichmond v. North Shore, City v. M.mnknii, Phelan Shield: Hnntly v. Papaknra, Marist v. Mount Albert, Newton v. Ponsonby.

RESULTS IN OTHER GRADES Reserve Grade.—Stallard Cup: Mount Albert, -10, Pap-ikura, 4. Third Grade. —Richmond, 9, Point Chevalier. 0 Fourth Grade,—City, 10, 3j R.V., a, Papakura, 3.

Fiffa Grade. —Northcote, Green Lane, 2. Fourth Grade.—City, 10, Richmond, S.. Sovonth Grade.—Richmond. IS, Hiknrangi Junior?. 8. Schoolboys' Games.—Junior, grade: Georgo Court's, IH, Northcote, 0; Marist, 4, St. Patrick's, 0; Ponsonhy, 1 '2, Ntewton; 0; Avondale, 4, Balmoral, 3; Manuksui, 9, Glenora, 15; Ellerslio, 12, Green Lane, 0; Eichmond, 10, Mount Albert, 0.

MT. ALBERT BEATS >VHANGAREI The Mount Albert third, grade League team travelled to Whangarei on Saturday and heat Portland, the winner of the Wlinngarei junior championship, by eight points to fivo. The visit ins: pack held tho heavy Portland forwards very well. For Mount Albert Haswell scored two ti;ies. one of which/ was converted by Shndbolt. Bland scored a/ try converted by Gordon for Portland.

KAMO BEATS HIKURANGI [by TELEGRAPH —OWN correspondent] WHANGtAREI, Sunday Kamo sprang a surpriso in the Northland League's Knock-out competition when it. defeated Hikurangi by S points to 2. Tries for Kamo were scored by J. Taylor and H. Abbott, and Doel kicked i field goal. For flikuransi a penalty goal was kicked by C. Hamilton. Kain fell during tho matchand tho ground was heavy, with a. greasy ball. MATCHES IN THE SOUTH, [llT TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] Wellington.—Central, 3(}. Petone. 0. Central won tho Board of Control Cup. The match between Wellington and St. George was postponed. Chrlstohuroh.—Addington, 5, Hornby, 0:/ Waimairi, 0, Linwood. 7.

SYDNEY CHAMPIONS THRILLING FINAL GAME (Received September 4, 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, Sept, 4 The Canterbury-Bankstown te<am won tho Rugby League premiership yesterday by defeating Eastern Suburbs by 19 points to 0. The half-time score was 4 to 3 in favour of the winners. A thrilling contest was witnessed by 20 000 spectators. Canterbury-Bankstown gained the mastery in the last 15 minutes.