SENIOR CONTESTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23323, 17 April 1939, Page 13

SENIOR CONTESTS

THREE GAMES PLAYED PONSONBY TEAM DEFEATED SURPRISE BY NORTH SHORE In conjunction with the principal game at Carlaw Park on Saturday the Auckland Rugby League senior grade competition was continued. A .surprise of the series was the defeat of Ponsonby hv Xorth Shore. The winners were playing for the first time together and there was a lot of merit in. their victory. In the curtain-raiser on No. 1 ground Mount Albert narrowly defeated Newton in a fast and exciting game. On the No. 2 ground City proved too good for Papakura and won comfortably. The results of the club matches were a,s follows; North Shore, 26; Ponsonby, 8. City, 24; Papakura, 7. Mount Albert, 11; Newton. 9. \ TEAMS EVENLY MATCHED BRILLIANCE OF BANHAM There was not a great deal of difference between >,ewton and Mount Albert in the curtain-raiser and a drawn game would perhaps have been a better indication of the play. Halfway through the second spell Newton took the lead, but brilliant play by Banb»m turned the game in favour of Mount Albert. The first half was evenly contested, hut neither team showed much combination. I'lay was confined to the forwards and generally Mount Albert had a slight advantage in loose. On one occasion, however, Sander, this J\ewton wing, just missed a try, which would have given Newton a lead in the first half. Play fluctuated in the second spell after Enmble made a splendid run and Taylor simt Stephens over for a good try. Newton nsa.de desperate efforts to maintain the lead, bat five minutes before the final bell, Banham. in a brilliant run, beat four Newton players cleverly before passing to Tristram, who gave Mount Albert the winning try. For Mount Albert, MacLachlan. at fullbick, played a sterling game and his duels with Dempsey, Newton, were a feature of the game. On the wing. Hardgrave showed some of his best form, although his chances were few. ' Marshall, at centre, made the rcost of chances given by Banham. who was the best back on the ground. The Mount Albert forwards all played well, with Cameron, Hansen and Shadboit outstanding. Herring was often prominent, but spoiled a good giime by dropping passes in an attempt to ti.ke them wnth one hand.

Sander, on the wing for Newton, made an impression and is a promising player. Kendull, at centre, was another player to show out; on attack. Brintble was speedy from the strum and it was not his fault that the hicks failed. Taylor and Blacklaws were tlie pick of the Newton forwards, while Ginders was good in the loose. For Mount Albert tries were scored by Leatherbarrow, Hardgrave and Tristram. Herring kicked a penalty goal. For Newton Stephens scored the only try and Brimble kicked two penalty goals and Blacklaws one. Mr. J. Hawkes was referee. CITY BEATS PAPAKURA GREER'S FINE GOAL-KICKING form « Bngby; All Blacks, H. M. Mllliken and H. Mataira, and a former Canterbury Rugby representative, R. Greer, were anong the more prominent players in the mun game at No. 2 Carlaw Park, in which City defeated Papakura by 24 points to 7. A-feature of the game was the outstanding kicking of Greer, who converted one try and kicked five penally goals. Greer scored 12 of his side's total of 2-1 points. He also a fine exhibition as fullback, handling the ball well and was not afraid to run hii backs into position. Milliken was very solid, although not brilliant among the Papakira forwards. In the City forwards, Mataira w»us outstanding. He put in good work iD both the tight and loose, and was always on tiiß_ ball, while his tackling was sound. lor the greater part of the match, play was rugged, the ball seldom travelling right aiding the backline. Too many of the forwards Pjnyed a roving game, and did not get into thu tight play enough, while many promising passing movements were spoiled by the backs failing to pass at the right time. A player wfeo showed considerable promise was J. Gtuld, City's wing-threequarter. Gould, who is only 17 years of age. has plenty of speed and determination. With more experience he should do well in senior football. Tries were scored for the winners by Mata ra, Smith, Rata and Jackson, Greer converting one and kicking five penalty goals. For Papakura Crocker scored a try and McInnes kicked two penalty goals. Mr. G. Kelly was referee. PONSONBY DISAPPOINTS NORTH SHORE'S SUCCESS The North Shore thirteen gave a good display in the early game at No. 2 Carlaw Park to gain a convincing victory over Ponsonby by 2ft points to 8. The winning team gained the lead early in the game and was nerer afterwards seriously troubled by its opponents North Shore's tackling; was for the mcst part sound and the passing rushes bv tho reargurad often gained much ground. The display of the Ponsonby team, taken all round, was disappointing. Time and again the rear-, gu.ird had opportnnities of scoring, but, due msinly to over-eagerness or bad passing, almost certain tries were lost. The forwards did not play up to standard, and too often th<y did not keep up with play. Of the North Shore backline, J. Smith was outstanding, 14 of his side's points coning from penalties and conversions. He was always sound at fullback, and often extracted his side from difficulties. V. J. Scutt and Casey were also prominent. Morgan and Mackintosh were noticeable for good work among the forwards. The Ponsonby rearguard was not np to for.m. Several times opportunities were lost through the inside men holding on too long. Kay was brilliant at times, but his good play wad nullified by bad errors. McManos did not show to advantage inside Kay. E. Morgan put in some hard work among the forwards and was always on the ball. Tries were scored for North Shore b.v Casey (2)„ Morgan and Stirling, Smith kicking three penalties and converting four tries. For Ponsonby Campbell scored two tries and Fra.ser kicked a goal. Mr. A. Kinnaird was referee. CANTERBURY SEASON OPENS [Br TELEGRAPH —PRKBS ASSOCIATION"] CHRISTCHURCH. Sunday The Canterbury Rugby League's competition: games commenced yesterday, results being as follows;—Addington, 2ft. Sydenham, 14; Riccarton, 20, Hornby-, 2; Rakaia, 15, Linwood, 0. «