THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23346, 15 May 1939, Page 16

THE LEAGUE CODE

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP FAST PLAY WITNESSED LEADERS STILL UNBEATEN Fast and spectacular football was witnessed at Carlaw Park on Saturday when matches in the senior championship of-the Auckland Rugby League were continued under ideal conditions. In the principal game Marist, last year's champion side, made a fine effort to defeat Mount Albert, the leading team, which however, scored points in the last 20 minutes and maintained its unbeaten record. At one stage Marist had a comfortable lead, but better combination and splendid goal-kicking turned the advantage in favour of Mount Albert. In the curtain-raiser Richmond showed superior combination to beat Manukau in a fast, open game. The winners had brilliant combination at times.

On the No. 2 ground Ponsonbv, with superior pace all round, beat Papakura, which, however, put up a valiant fight. At Devonport, North Shore won comfortably from Newton. The attendance at Carlaw Park was again large. The results of the senior matches oil Saturday were as follows: — Mount Albert., 20; Marist, 13. Richmond, 15; Mamikau, 5. Ponsonby, 15; Papakura, 4. North Shore, 12; Newton, 7.

MOUNT ALBERT TOO GOOD

MARIST'S FINE EFFORT

Mount Albert maintained its unbeaten record for the season to date by defeating Marist in the chief match on No. 1 ground, although at half-time it appeared that the leaders for the championship would suffer defeat. Marist made a very determined bid for the honours and throughout the first spell dominated' the play in almost every department. During: this period Marist secured more than an equal share of the ball from the set scrums and loose rucks, and infused plenty of dash into the play. However, the loss of Breed through injury upset the scrum formation, and the return to the hooker's position in the Mount Albert scrum of Leatherbarrow, in place of Pinches, saw the advantage of possession swing definitely in favour of Mount Albert during the second spell. The Mount Albert backs, too. were a much improved combination in the concluding stages i and made full use of their opportunities. whereas Marist's efforts were chiefly individual. Mount Albert has a very wellbalanced thirteen, whose play reveals a complete understanding of tactics, with Donaldson, at second five-eighths, the bright star. He was easily the best back on the ground and always dangerous in possession, but requires to curb a tendency to kick too much at times. In this respect on Saturday he was following the tactics of Banham. first fiveeighths. who was inclined to overdo the short stab kick over his opponents' heads. However, misunderstanding among the Marist backs more often than not brought rewards for such change of tactics. Marist started with a great rattle and was first to score, but Mount Albert soon equalised. Breed retired with a leg injury and Murdoch went into the Marist scrum, to be replaced at first five-eighths by Chalmers. There was a good deal of long-range kicking, by the fullbacks, Glover showing more reliability than MacLachlan at this stage. W. Grotte snapped the ball up from a loose ruck near Mount Albert's line, and a timely pass enabled Marist to score again. Marist went, further ahead with a splendid penalty goal fro: |V just inside halfway near touch. Marist had all the better of ihe play, and at half-time the score was: Marist. 10; Mount Albert, 5. There was a decided change of fortune in 'the second spell, when Mount Albert settled down in earnest, with Leatherbarrow girinsr the backs possession of the ball. Hardgrave was prominent' on the left wing and once got across the line, only to be recalled for an infringement. Haslam. Donovan and Matthews were prominent in the Marist defence, but Donaldson cut in cleverly to score at the posts and converted his own try, making the score even. Mount Albert then placed the issue beyond doubt with two more tries and Marist added a try in a last-minute dash, the final score being: Mount Albert, 20; Marist. 33. * Mount Albert's fullback, was rather erratic in the first spell, but played a splendid safe game in the second half. Hardgrave was the most prominent of the threequarters, while Donaldson was outstanding for all-round brillinnre at second five-piirMhs and proved a reliable goal-kicker. Walker plavcd - well behind the pack, getting the ball away smartly. Gunning. Tristram. Hansen and Herring were prominent in the forwards. Gunning was in fine form on his return to the team after an injury earlier in, the season. : Glover repeatedly saved Marist at fullback and kicked with good judgment. Haslam. Nt centre, was the mainstay of the threequarters and defended solidly. Donovan plaved a good game at second five-eighths. and'R. Grotte was m his best form at halfback, majcing many neat openings. W. Grotte was the pick of the forwards, and Finlayson. Erickson and Andersqp gave good support. For Mount Albert tries were scored by Gunning, Donaldson. McTnnamey and Pinches, all of which Donaldson converted. Halsev. Finlayson and Losran scored tries for Marist, Anderson converting one and also kicking a penalty goal. * * Mr. S. Billman was referee.

RICHMOND'S VICTORY

• BETTER CONSTRUCTIVE PLAY Superior constructive play by Richmond ■was the deriding factor in its comfortable win against Manukau. although the margin was in no way an indication of the game Richmond- scored one try only in the second half and it w-as very doubtful. McLeod Knocked the ball over the goal line, and ap» peared ag.iin to mishandle in the touch-in-goa! area before grounding the ball. The crowd in the grandstand expressed surprise when the try was awarded. However, the Richmond (backs were often dangerous, and the forwards gave excellent support in passing movements. To some extent, weak tackling bv the Manukau,- five-eighths let Richmond over twice. Panapa and Brimble were no match for Graham and Bickerton. In the first half Richmond settled down quickly, to throw the ball about, and frequently had Manukau on defence. Faulty handling by the Manukau backs checked a promising movement in which Nepia was prominent. The weakness was definitely with the five-eighths and. although .Mahima sent out many good passes, they were all taken with Panapa and Brimble standing flat-footed. It was surprising that Chase was not brought in from the wing. Just before half : time Hemi made a brilliant run through the opposition and passed to Chaso. but Bramley, with a fine tackle, stopped Chase a yard from the goal line.

Richmond was seen at its best in the second half, and only the sound defence of Nepia 'kept the score down. A brilliant movement started in Richmond's territory by TVatkins saw Graham easily beat Panapa and play swung quickly to Mills, who sent the ball back infield, and four forwards handled, only to see Nepia rush in and tackle Devine. •who had "raced Broadhead into a scoring position! The Manukau forwards made great efforts in the last ten minutes, but luck was against them in passing bouts. Bramley, at fullback, gave at sound dis•plav -for Richmond, and excelled both in fielding and accurate kicking. Graham, fiveeighths. was playing his first nenior game this season, and made a good impression with some very fine openings. But for an occasional weak tackle, Bickerton played a good game. Tiftleton, at centre, bore tho brunt of the tackling, and did a lot of sound work on attack. Behind the park. "VVatkins defrndrd ablv and passed accurately from the r.crum. The wings, Mills and Fletcher, played well with limited opportunities. Devine was the outstanding forward, and was always prominent in the loose. Mitchell was also a tower of Strength, and both McLeod and Broadhead played good frames. . Nepia showed vast improvement on bis form last Saturday, and rarely made a mis- - take. His quick return kicking when pressed was a feature of the game. Hemt was the best, of the thrcequarters. and made several spectacular runs. Chase also played a good game, and Mahima showed to .vlvantage behind tho scrum, Gault played a dashing game in the forwards, and he was well supported by Broderick and Ririnui. McLeol< and McGuire also played well. For Richmond, tries were scored b.v Kit-, chell/ Bickerton and McLeod. Devine cmverted two fries and kicked a penalty goal, Gault scored a try and Hemi kicked a penalty rroal for Manukau. Mr. R. Otto was referee.

EVEN FIRST SPELL INDISCRIMINATE KICKING Papakura more than held its own in the first half against Ponsonbv, which tcr.k a long time to settle down. The Ponsonbv lacks kicked incessantly in the first lialf end this was surpirsing, in view of the superiority of Flanagan as hooker. The Papaknra forwards put up stem opposition, especially uk loth •Evans and Herkt were not available. Late in the second half the Ponsonby backs gained the upper hand, and their superior siced gave a decided advantage. The Papakura backs were no match for a better-balanced combination. Ponsonby nculil have scored more tries but for a tendency of some of the backs to bold possession too

long. Both Young and Simpson, at fbeeighths, delayed passes, and Riley, at centre, did not run straight, enough for tne wines. Campbell and McManus, to show their spred. Tho backs should have stood deeper ;n ti-e field, especially when they had a ii'ouopob of the ball from the scrums. The Ponsonby forwards idayed their usual good game in the loose, and tMo set had nioro speed than the Papakura pack. In the tight ruckini:: play, however, Papakura out UP really strong opposition. A feature of tho game was the good play of Petersen and Morgan in. the Ponsonby forwards. Both showed a lot of speed in the loose, and their fast following up frustrated any attempts tlio Papakura backs made to open up the name. Bell, the ex-Eastern Suburbs forward, also played a sterling came. and gave excellent support to Flanagan. who is meeting with considerable success as a hooker. Middleton played easily his best came for some time, and* compared favourably with any forward on the ground. Until lie retired hurt. Dormer played a sterlinc came behind the scrum. Simpson, at five-eichths, was disappointing in the first half, and was inclined to kick too much. Campbell, on the wine, was in fine Torm, as also was McManus. Nurse is wasted at fullback, and his spocd would improve the tbreequarter iine. For Papakura, "Wright. at fullback, ulayed a jrood game, and is an acquisition to tho team. Keeves, at centre, and Cooke, fiveeichths. were also prominent. McKay, on the nine, did a lot of useful work. Millikrn was the best forward, while "Wells and Cossey. usually one of the five-eichths. did a lot of g °For"ponsonby. tries were scored by fiddleton (--'i and Peterson. Nurse converted the three. Mclnnes kicked two penalty goals for Papakura. Mr. J. Donovan was referee. WIN FOR NORTH SHORE INJURY TO BLACKLAUS The match between North Shore and Newton at Devonport was one of hard and solid work, with few spectacular incidents. The final score of 19 —12 in favour of the homo team hardly did justice to its superiority on the dav. Newton- was weakened halfway through* bv the loss of its outstandinc forward, Blacklaus, who was carried from the field with broken ribs. The first half was even, neither side scoring until well on when Smith was successful with a penalty for North Shore. Tho lead was soon lost, however, when McKenzie scored for Newton, Dempsey converting. The next try went to Jones as the outcome of the hard, bustlinc tactics that characterised North Shore's game in the first half. Smith added the. extra points. Sterling, following up well, picked up after a good run by Scott went over to score, tlie kick again beinc put over by Smith. A penalty, taken by Dempsev for Newton right on half-time, brought' the score to 12—7 in favour of the j home team. . I Early ill the second spell the visiting team was badly weakened by tho injury to Blacklaus He had been the outstandinc forward in the Newton pack durinc the first half. North Shore renewed its attack ami Smith kicked another coal from a penalty. Dempsev was successful shortly afterward for Newtoil A spectacular run by the Maori Mor- ! can, ended in his scorinc in the. corner. Smith converting. Newton was combining toadlj at this stage, the loss of Blacklaus having disorganised the pack. North Shore missed several chances, but a run by the fullback. Smith, nearly yielded a trv. A final effort by Newton just before the whistle was rewarded when Stephens went over to score after a neat sideline run. The final score was 10 —12 in favour of North Shore. ~ , - , The North Shore forwards combinedmcelj and hunt I'd well as a pack. Both fullbacks. Smith and Dempsey, kicked accurately. Ihe rest or the backs on either side, however, were ragged and it was a forward game. Mr. O. Chalmers was referee.

LOWER GRADE RESULTS Senior Reserve Grade.—-Marist, 10, Mount •Vlbert. 5; Richmond. 30, Manukau, 0. * Senior B Grade.—OtaUhu, <,EllerslW .. Third Grade.— City B, .J. B.Vo cote. 2S, Tonsonby, :J; Avondale. 8, Glenora. o. pity, 5, Papakura, 3; Manukau, 1-1, Ncw--01 Fourth° Grade.— City, 11. Northcote. 0: Otahuhu, 35, Nortli Shore. 4; Richmond. -0, Papakura. 5; Mount Albert, 18, R.\... Fifth Grade. —Newmarket. 14, Glenora. o, Richmond, 16. Marist. 7; Marist, 13, •Vlbert. 0: Elierslie. •>-. Manukau, O, -Avondale °X, Point Chevalier, 2. Sixth Grade— Richmond. 28. City. 3; North Shore. 21, Ellerslie, 0; Otahuhu. 11. M °Seventh ber Grade. —Richmond, 11, PapakUra' 3 SCHOOLBOYS' GAMES

Senior' Grade. —Newton. 5, Mount Albert, 5; Richmond. o, Otahuhu 3. Intermediate Grade.— Ponsonby, 6, Isewton 0; F.llerslie, 11. Tvewmarket, 0; Ponsonbv. 6. Newton, 0; Glenora won from Mannkau'bv default; Richmond. 17, Avondale. 0. Tniilor Grade. —Newmarket, 34. St. I atrirksO; Green Lane. it. Point Chevalier. 3. Sevcn-a-Side.— Papakura, 3. Ponsonh.v, 0: Marist, -i, Mount Albert. 0: Manukau. 6. Richmond, 0.

MATCHES AT WHANGAREI [from our own* correspondent]

WHANG AH F.I, Sunday

The outstanding match in the Northland football competition yesterday was that in which the City and Portland teams met Citv had the advantage in the first spell and during this period compiled its 1!) points with tries by D. Parkes and Pickering and two penalty coals by Bradley. In the second sjiell Portland was unlucky in not scoring more than 8 points, tries by R. Paki and T. TVallbnnk. one beine converted by Mackie. In the other senior match Hikurangi beat Kamo United by 30 points to 6. SOUTHERN CONTESTS [BT TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION'] Wellington.—Central, 43, Newtown, 14; Petone, 21, St. George, IS; Miramar, 20, Randwick, 31. Christchurch.—Addington. 8, Waimairi, 2; Linwood, 17, Riccarton, 14. ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP SALFORD BEATS CASTLEFORD (Received May 14, 5.5 p.m.) DOXDON,' May 13 The final of the English League football championship was played to-day, when Salford defeated Ca6tleford by 8 points to 6. . 4