THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23329, 24 April 1939, Page 17

THE LEAGUE CODE

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP WET WEATHER CONDITIONS DEFEAT OF RICHMOND TEAM The third series of matches in the first round of tho Auckland Rugby League's senior championship was decided on Saturday under wet weather conditions. Heavy rain following tlu? long, dry spell, had little effect on the turf, but the slippery ball proved a great handicap to the majority of tho players. Several teams were" weakened owing to players .suffering from influenza, and in this respect Richmond was a heavy loser. In the principal attraction, North Shore scored a popular win over Richmond in a close and interesting game. Richmond lost many good scoring opportunities, while North Shore was quick to take advantage of mistakes. In a close curtain-raiser, City took the honours from Marist by a single point. Another even, game resulted in the chief match on the No. 2 ground, Ponsonby having a margin of four points over Newton at the final whistle. Playing in the curtain-raiser, Manukau scored tho best win of the' day at the expense of Papakura, taking tho honours by 20 points. Considering the conditions, there was a fair at Carlaw Park, where the four senior matches were staged. Results were as follows: North Shore, 7; Richmond, 0. City, 4; Marist, .3. Ponsonby, 10; Newton, 6. Manukau, 20; Papakura, 0. A GOOD WIN • J. SMITH OUTSTANDING "With its ranks depleted through influenza, the Richmond team failed to settle down in the i.uvtch against North Shore, which gained a well-merited victory. Devine and McLeod were missing from the Richmond forwards, while the hacks were without the services of Tittleton, Branilay and Jack. Richmond had plenty of opportunities, but the five-eighths, "Watkins * and Greenwood, v ere weak, while Potter was not a strong link at centre. Wat kins, who played first fiveeighths in the first spell, persisted in kicking, and his punts were frequently placed to disadvantage. Greenwood, who changed places with Watkins in the second spell, often ran into trouble, and as a result the Richmond rearguard /never functioned smoothly at any stage. The North Shore backs did not have man? chances, but the inside men also were at faul*, and (he threequarters rarely saw the ball. North Shore was quick to take advantage of the opposition's mistakes, and made good ground. The kicking of .T. Smith, fullback, and V. Scott, at centre, was much better placed than that of the Richmond players. There were many close forward tussles in the first spell, the North Shore vanguard showing to advantage in rush stopping and ability to get out of trouble. The only score in the first spell was a penalty coal to North Shore. j The second spell was much more lively, but again Richmond missed some great scoring chances through mishandling. At other times j'layers went too far with the ball or failed to draw their man sufficiently as the occasion demanded. A feature of the spell was the splendid opening made by the North Shore fullback, J. Smith, which resulted in a try. Gathering the ball on the full in Richmond's halfway. Smith beat three or four opponents and then centre-Kicked cleverly. The try was scored ten minutes before time, and from this stage North Shore had all the better of the play. * . For the winners, J. Smith played an outstanding game at fullback. His handling and kicking were faultless, and he showed plenty of dash in racing up to start attacks. His fine grubber line-kicks often gained valuable grouud. On this form Smith seems assured of a place in the New Zealand team to tour England. V. Scott did good work on defence, but had few chances on attack. Pitt, fiveeighths, was also prominent on occasions, while Stcriing did a lot of work at halfback. North Shore has a young set of forwards who will improve with experience. The.v showed plenty of dash, and good games were played bv Morgan, Jones and E. Scott. Powell, at halfback, was the best of the Richmond rearguard. Hadley, Mitchell and Satherlc/ were the most prominent forwards. For North Shore. J. Smith kicked a penalty goal, and Morgan scored a try which was converted by V. Scott. Mr. G. Kelly was referee.

AN EVEN MATCH GREER'S FINE DEFENCE The City forwards played pood football against Marist, and were a shade superior to their opponents in a very even frame. Although only one point separated the teams, Marist tried hard in the concluding stages, and it was only the superb defence of Greer, the Citv fullback, that kept the line intact. Eaifly in the game Marist went close to scoring, and Thompson was lucky to force. Matira made a great dash from halfway, being lowered near the Marist line. The greasy ball was difficult to handle, and the Marist backs made mistakes in passing bouts. Haslam. playing in the Marist forwards, broke away, but Greer saved with a good tackle. Marist had the better of the game at this stage, and Midgley penetrated far before losing the bail. However, the City forwards were always prominent, turning defence into attack by fast raiding tactics. ... City led at half-time by two penalty goals Soon after the start of the second spell Midgley received as pass from Anderson and Donovan was unlucky not to score. Donald. Mataira and Magee rushed play to the Marist line, where the City forwards pressed hard for some minutes. Play came back to City territory and Grotto did good work, Erickson scoring a well-deserved try. Greer, at fullback for City, played a very sound game, and rarel.v made a mistake. His present form is very impressive. Hutton, at half was perhabs the best back on the ground. He made'several penetrat ing runs which almost resulted in tries. Could, on the wing, played with a lot of dash. Mataira stood out as the best forward, and did a ot of useful work. He controlled the ball well, and his handling waf? faultless. Donald, Thompson and Ilapi wcro also prominent. Plaving on the wing for Marist, Midgley showed some of his best form, and was more enterprising than usual. Grotte did a lot of useful work behind the scrum, while Donovan, at centre, also played a good game. In defence f!!ovcr compared very favourably with the Cily fullback. Haslam and Anderson were the pick of the Marist forwards For Citv, Grerr kicked a penalty goal and a field goal. Erickson scored a try for Marist. Mr. E. Mini-ham was referee.

SPEEDY BACKS PONSONBY'S VICTORY The speed of Ponsonby's rear division plaved a prominent part in the team's narrow victory over' Newton on the ino. 2 ground. Newton failed to cross the Ponsonby line, while the winners scored two tries from splendid passing bouts. Newton had much the better of the first half and both W. Brimblo and Taylor went close to scoring tries. It was not until the second spell that the best was seen of the Ponsonby backs, who look some time to .settle down. A fine opening bv Young started the backs 011 attack, and Campbell scored after Petersen had joined in a good movement. Hornier raced from the base of the scrum and again Young broke through for Kay to outpace the defenco and pass to Morgan, who scored, 100 much kicking was indulged in by the backs of both ! teams, particularly Ponsonby, which Jiad numerous chances from the scrum. The .Newton forwards were a little superior 111 the loose, although Ponsonby dominated the hook--1 Nurse, at fullback for Ponsonby, played a sterling game and his .speed enabled him to start many passing bouts. Ka.v and Young combined well at five-eighths. Campbell and McMaiius showed their speed on the wing and were often dangerous. Riley plnycd a heady game on attack, and Dormer did some good work at halfback. Morgan and Petersen stood out as the best forwards on the ground, especially * the latter, -whose speed nullified the defence in attempts to open up the game. For Newton, Kendall.. at centre, was tho most impressive back, /lis straight, strong running often penetrated the defence. E. Brimble played a good game at five-eighths, and \V. Brimble was a lower of strength at halfback. Taylor, Blacklaws and Ginders were the pirk of the forwards. For Ponsonby Campbell and Morgan scored fries and Nurse kicked two penalty goals. For.Newton W. Brimblo kicked three penalty goals. Mr. O. Chalmers was referee. MANUKAU IN FORM REARGUARD PROMINENT Like some of the other teams, Papaknra was affected by the prevailing influenza and missed the s'ervices of Milliken and McKay against Manukau. Thelatter, however, gave a first-class display, and its banks handled the greasy ball in splendid style. The forwards, too, were good in the loose, and Gault, | Ririnm and Brodrick played as well as tho threequartera.

Soon after the kick-off the Manukau backs showed good handling ability and several good runs by Mahima and Hemi had Papakura in difficulties. Chase scored after Gault and Ririnui had gained ground. Nepia made a brilliant run from fullback and Panapa scored. Hemi, Chase and Brodrick broke away, Mahima scoring from a fine passing bout. Manukau Jed by 13 points to 0 at half-time, and Mahima scored the only try in the second half. Papakura put up a good fight, but met formidable opposition on the day. For the winners Nepia played a splendid game at fullback and was a thorn in the side of the opposition. His ability to make play for the threequarters was a feature of the game. In the threequarter line Chase and Hemi played excellent football, while Panapa and Mahima did good work. Mahima varied his play well and was dangerous near the line. Among the forwards Gault, Ririnui and Brodrick played fine games. McGuire was also prominent. The Papakura forwards did not suffer a great deal in comparison "with the Manukau vanguard, and Fogarty and Evans played splendidly. Herkt was also good in the loose. At fullback Mclnnes did a lot of useful work, and both Cossey and Crocker came through the ordeal well. For Manukau tries were scored by Mahima Chase and Panapa. Hemi converted three tries and Nepia kicked a field goal. Mr. S. Billman was referee. RESERVE GRADE RESULTS Marist, 13, City, 3; Richmond, 13, North Shore, 3; Ponsonby, 10, Newton, 2; Manukau won from Papakura by default. SOUTHERN COMPETITIONS [pY TKT.KGRAI'H IMtKSS ASSOCIATION'] Christchurch.-—Hornby, 12, Linwood, 10; Sydenham, 26, Riccarton, 10; Rakaia, 29. Waimairi, 10. EASTERN SUBURBS TEAM MATCHES IN AUCKLAND SYDNEY, April 23 The Rugby League footballer, Ray Stehr, captain and manager of the Eastern Suburbs combined team, which arrived by the Monterey, declared that' the team had had a wonderful time in New Zealand. He denied the suggestion that the games at Auckland were played in a vindictive spirit. Stehr added that the League codo had*a strong hold in New Zealand.