FOOTBALL SEASON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23312, 3 April 1939, Page 15

FOOTBALL SEASON

THE LEAGUE CODE

OPENING FIXTUEES

WATCHES ON SATURDAY LAST I NARROW WIN FOR RICHMOND GOOD DISPLAY BY FORWARDS Keen and exciting play was a feature of the successful opening of the Auckland Ilugbv League season on Saturday at Carlaw Park where there was a \rrge attendance. The visit of an Australian team next Saturday, and the tact that a New Zeland team is to bo selected to tour England and France has aroused plenty of enthusiasm. The ground was in splendid order, although barcl alter a tdrv spell. In the principal game Richmond was a little lucky to defeat City in- a margin of one point. The play of tho forwards was very impressive. In the curtain-raiser, Mount Albert showed good form to win comfortably against Papakura. i'onsoiiDy fielded one of the fastest back divisions seen for some years and beat Manukau in a high scoring game. The Ponsonby backs showed surprisingly good combination. Marist, last year's champion team, beat Newton after an evenly contested game.

Mr. Ivan Culpan officially opened the season by kicking off in both matches. It was in recognition of his 21 years as secretary of the Auckland liugby League. Results, were as follows: Richmond, do; City, 14. Marist, lo; Newton, 5. Ponsonby, 29; Manukau, 22. Mount Albert, 24; l'apakura, 10.

MARGIN OF ONE POINT

CITY TEAM'S FINE FORWARDS

Splendid tackling by City and dashing forward play was a feature of a narrow and rather lucky win tor Richmand in the principal game. City dominated the play for the greater part and roused enthusiasm by its consistent raiding tactics. However, Richmond showed hotter all-round combination, particularly the'backs, who will improve with a few more (rallies together. On occasions, .Richmond delighted the crowd with superior positional play, and only faulty handling checked dangerous movements. /The City forwards outplayed Richmond., B»th in the loose and in scrum work, City' was superior. The team's weakness, however, was round the b;jse of the scrum, where Hnlchirison. at halfback, was erratic. With better judgment in the last ten minutes, Hutchinson only had Ho feed hi«i backs, and the winning try looked' certain, but he preferred to kick Richmon 1 unfortnriate on the score of injuries. J Satherley, the hooker, and Fletcher, on the wing, were forced to retire. The game was played at u fast pace, in spite of deadly tackling. Soon after the kickoff, City attacked strongly and upset the Richmond backs with hard, low tackling. City was awarded several penalties, which were "turned to good acconnt by Greer, formerly of Canterbury, who was playing his first League game: A fine run round the blind side by Watikins gave Richmond a chance and Devine passed to Broadhcad, who was splendidly tackled by Greer. The City forwards, with Donald and Jackson in the van. swept over <he opposition. -From the loose. Hutchinson snapped" np and scored near the post. Richmond's hetter positional play saw Waikins, Broadhtad, ' Kilgour and Mitchell handle, the tatter scoring a fine try. A minute after half-time, Mills, on the Richmond wing, followed up, a cross, * kick, and gathering the ball on the bounce easily scored. Half-way through the spell, McLeod started s movement, and Jack beat the defence nicely «nd paused to Tiltleton. who burst through, ji'nd Mills finished off the ilush with a good try. City renewed the vigour of its attack Bind Kindly raced away. From a melee on Richmond's line, Mataira, who was the best forward on the ground, scored. In the final rally, City pressed hard to pull the game out of the fire, but a dazzling run by Tittleton saved the day for Richmond. For Richmond. Magill. at fullback, made few mistakes, although his handling was a little uncertain in the second spell. Mills Mood out as the best of the wings and is is. dangerous player near the goal line. Tittleton took some time to settle down, but was

very solid in the- second half. Kilgonr, a Rngby convert from the south, made an im- >, pressive debut ,He has tine physique and ' plenty of speed. Behind the scrum. Watkins raried his play well, bnt »ras inclined to overdo in-passing, to the breaking forwards. Jack was clever on attack McLeod and .Devine stood out as the plick of the forwards. particularly the latter, who was in all attacks McLeod made a good substitute for the injured hooker. Broadhead and Mitchell were also prominent. Mataira, the ex-All Black, gave a fine display, and nsed his weifrlrt to advantage. Kindly, Jackson and Donald also played •R-ith great dash. The City backs were not Impressive as a combination. Greer, fullback, Ls an acquisition, and his prowl tackling was J featnre of the gainie. Gould, at five-eighths, ind H. Hulton, on the wing, were the best of the backs, , , For Richmond tries were iscored by Mills (2) and Mitchell one. Devine converted three tries. For City, Hutchinson, and Mataira icored. Greer converted botii tiries and kicked iwo penalty goa's. Mr» S. Bilitnan was refereis. r RATHER RAGGED DISPLAY, MARIST DEFEATS NEWTON Play was very patchy in the early game ijn.Xo. :! ground, and, although Marist, last reason's championship winnrcr, deserved its victory as the result of better understanding ;imong the backs, neither Marist nor Newton displayed anything like championship form. 1 Newton's backs, with the bright exception of Dempsey, at fullback, were at sixes and (evens during the whole game and never appeared likely to develop understanding or 'Omblnation. The forwards, however, revealed themselves as a solid pack and gained possession of the ball from most of the set Scrums, only to be let down badly through fepeated weak play of the inside backs. Marist. as usual, was Qiiink to profit by its opponents mistakes and the nippiness "id generalship of the backs, vrho have undergone no change since last season, finally turned the scale in the team's favour. Both jiides will lwve to improve considerably on 'Saturday's showing to figure in this season s championship. . . Anderson drew first blood with a penalty iroal after Hi minutes of ragged football. A ifrreat run bv Dempsey, who' took the ball •It top speed on the full, and ran his forwards :nto. position, saw the hall b;o to Lawson and •Blacklaws, for the latter to register a fine try, Marist retaliated with a passing bout, \-halmers cutting in neatly tfl l pave the way tor a try by Midgley, and Marist, led at half- • time by ;j points to 3. These were the only bright spots in an I otherwise dreary display. After the interval, blover initiated a smart movement, kicking 'high and following up to recover the bali cleverly. W! Grotte and Anderson were in tJose support, and. although Anderson juggled ' the ball under the posts, he never lost position. He converted his own try. A penally Koal by Brimble was Newtononly score in tile - second spell, while R. Grotte registered n typical, halfback's try from a set scrum <!? the goal-line, following another cut-in by tbaimers

Murist's forwards lieeled quickly and Grotte "dummied" his way right through Newton's nark, making the final score:—Marist. 13; Newton, 5.

Glover A-as safe, but was never seriously tested at fullback, while Haslam. at centre, was chiefly noticeable for generalship. Matthews cauf.'hit the eye on the wing for speed and ability to open up thti play, and Chalmers, at fife-eighth:), was prominent always on attack, making gaps in the weak opposition. O'Kane. Y\ Grotte and Anderson were Ihe leaders of the forwards, but tho last-named was often caught offside.

Deuipsey was outstanding among the Newton backs, kicking and running with good judgment. Brimble. at half, was the only other back lo show anything like his real form. Ste\ens. who recently returned from England, was right off colour on the wing. 'I he most prominent of a solid pack were Blacklaws, also just returned from England, Taylor an;l Lawson. Taylor made a few neat openings, but lacked support. Later he filled the breach at wing-thrceauarter when Sanders, the young King Country recruit. retired injured. For Mnrist, Mid|jley. Anderson and R. Grotte scored tries, and Anderson kicked a penalty go;il and converted a try. For Newton, Blacklaws scored a try and Brimble kicked a penalty goal. Mr. A. Kinnaird vas referee.

PONSONBY TOO FAST

VICTORY OVER MANUKAU

There was not a jjreat deal to choose between Ponsonby and Manukau, as the scoring in the first, spell indicated, but in the later stages of play, Ponsonby s combined back movements gained the advantage. Spectators saw plenty of bright, snappy football and the game was played at a fast pace. The Manukau baiks were not the happy combination revealed by their opponents and most of their etVorts were of the individual type. The forwards were we,ll matelK>d and the lighter Ponsonby pack stood up well to its heavy task. Ponsonby bids fair to play a prominent part in the competition, tho team showing already marked understanding and ability to open up piny in the most approved league style. • Neatnews and precision were marked features of the winner's back play. Simpson, Ponsonby's centre, spoilt an early chance by failing to send the ball out to his wing, anil Broughton registered the first try for Manukau. which T. Chase added to with two penalty goals, and Manukau was seven points up. Then McManus, who was outstanding at five-eighths for Ponsonby, dodged through cleverly and gave Flanagan, in support, a try. In a passing bout. Simpson kicked over his opponents' heads, and Riley dashed up to take the ball on the bounce and score a : nice try. T. Chase retaliated with another penalty goal, but a typical try by Kay. who snapped the ball up smartly, saw the score 9-all at half-time. A reliable goal-kicker would have given Ponsonby a useful lead up to this stage of the game. However, Kay accounted for a penalty goal shortly- after resuming, and Petersen made a fine opening for Simpson to score and Kay to convert, making the score 16-9 in Ponsonby's favour. Slulton sent Brodrirk off on a strong dash for the line, which resulted in a try. T. Chase added the goal, and then Mahima broke away on his own iroru half-way. Near the line he sent a long pass out to Hiipi, who scored in the corner and Manukau' took the lead, 17—16. The advantage was short-lived, however, for McManus again broke through the defence to send Kay over behind the posts. A run by Simpson and Campbell ended in the lattei scoring. Kay converted both tries. Once more. Brodrick broke away on his own for Manukau, only to lose the ball in the goal area, but Marsh was successful at his second attempt to hustle his way across the line for a try, which T. Chase converted. This was Mfinukuu's final successful effort, for Simpson added another i:ry for Ponsonby to make the concluding score: —Ponsonby, 29, Manukau, 22. McManus, an Otahuhu junior recruit, was very prominent among the winning rearguard. He made many clever openings, ran strongly, and handled the ball well. His future in the code appears bright. Simpson, ex-Mana-watu representative was another to catch the eye for neat work. Kay's anticipation and generalship were invaluable. Campbell and Riley, on the wings, made the most of their pace iird opportunities Flanagan and Petersen were the most noticeable of the forwards for consistently fine play, particularly in following up. , T. Chase was very solid as Manukau s custodian. and Mahima. at half, was the only other back of note. He was always danger ous when he elected to go on his own tn preference i:o seeing openings lost through faulty handling by his supports. Brodrick, Shilton and Marsh were conspicuous for good work in the forwards. The first-named took a lot of slopping, but his hurdling tactic# are very risky. For Ponsonby. tries were scored by Simpson (2), Flanagan, Riley, Kay (2) and Campbell, and Ka.v converted three tries and kicked a penalty goal. For Manukau, Brough ton, Brodrick, Hapi and Marsh scored tries, and T. C'haiie converted two tries and kicked three penalty goals. Mr O. Chalmers was referee.

MOUNT ALBERT'S SUCCESS

PAPAKURA BACKS WEAK

Mount Albert proved too strong for Papakura in a t:auie which was more solid than brilliant. The Papakura forwards played good football, but; lired very badly in the second half. The Mount Albert backs outplayed their opponents, vrho did not make a good showing. On the contrary, the Mount Albert rear division showed- glimpses of high-class combination. and only uncertain handling prevented the score from being higher.

With the exception of Gunning, who was injured while training, Mount Albert fielded the same fiet of forwards as last season. The appearance of H. M. Milliken, the exAll Rlack forward, with Papakura. and B. DonaMson, the Ponsonby Rugby five-eighths last vear, .vith Mount Albert, caused considerable interest. Milliken was obviously out of condition, but early in the game he displayed aggressive tactics. His powerful scrum work iva.s favourably commented upon. Donftldson dropped several passes when in good positions to score, but late in the second half showed attacking ability and speed in passim? bouts. Papakura failed to score a try and the points gained came from five penally goals by Cooke. Pnpakura's weakness was in the inside hacks, who passed wildly at times, iind their defence left a lot to be desired. . MacLachlan, fullback for Mount Albert, was wiry safe and his kicking well judged. Hargr-iia'ves. on the wing, did a lot of useful work and showed speed and a clever swerve on ntltftck. Marshall, at centre, played a goo'l game, but was hampered on occatsoins bv Mclrnarney holding on to the ball. The latter spoiled a good display by this tendency. Behind the scrum Wilson was a tower o'f strength and rarely failed to keep the backs on attack. Hansen was the pick of tho forwards, although Herring and Tristram were frequently in the picture. At l'ullback for Papakura Cooke played a good flame until he retired hurt. McKay, on the wing, was also prominent. Fogarty and Evans played well among the forwards For Mount Albert, tries were scored by Wilson (2), Donaldson C_>), Hargrave and MeInnarney. Herring converted two tries and Cowley kicked a penalty goal. I'or Papakura Cooke kicked five penalty goals. Mr. G. Kelly was referee.

SYDNEY CLUB SIDE

VISIT OF EASTERN SUBURBS

ARRIVAL THIS MORNING

The Eastern Suburbs Rugby League team, augmented by prominent, players from other New South Wales clubs, will arrive by the Mariposa Mills' morning from Sydney. Ihe visitors include a number ol State representative. | 'layers , . . _ , The side will play three matches at Carlaw Park. The first will take place against Marist next Saturday. The second will be against Richmond next Monday, while the third on the following Wednesoay has not yet been arranged finally. The personnel of the teams is as follows: Back.ii.—J. Sharman, B. Manson, A. Mitchell. F. Hy:le, R. O'Loran, J. Quiealy. L. Pickup, R. Thompson. Forwards.—J. Redman. H. Pierce. A. Smith, J. McCarthy. J. Arnold, F. Griffiths, G. Watt, R, Slehr (captain).