THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23358, 29 May 1939, Page 14

THE LEAGUE CODE

PONSONBY'S GOOD JVIN DEFEAT OF RICHMOND MOUNT ALBERT STILL LEADS Matches in the Auckland Rugby League's senior championship competition were played at Carl aw Park on Saturday under ideal conditions, and before another large attendance. Jn the principal game Ponsonby played brilliant football at times to defeat a strong Richmond team. Although the margin was only small. Ponsonby was superior in every department, and with a reliable goal-kicker, would have won easily, No fewer than six kicks were missed from easy position, and only one goal was registered from ] 1 attempts. Contrary to expectations, Ponsonby "■forwards outplayed the heavier Richmond pack, while the backs were superior all round to the Richmond set. which was opposed to one of the fastest back divisions seen at Carlaw Park for some years. The appearance of D. Solomon, ox-Rugby All Black, with Richmond, attracted considerable interest, but his form behind the scrum was not so impressive as on his initial appearance in the 'code. It seemed a tactical error not to have played Solomon in his accustomed position at five-eighths. In the curtain-raiser, Mount Albert retained its position at the bead of the championship table by comfortably defeating City in a fast, open game. Fast play was a feature of the game between Newton and Manukan, the latter being defeated after holding the lead until the final quarter-hour of play. Newton's form was very impressive. North Shore easily beat Papakura, which failed to score. The results of senior matches on Saturday were as follows: — Ponsonby, 14; Richmond, 10. Newton, 16; Manukau, 10. Mount Albert. IS: City 7. North Shore, 21; Papakura, 0. PONSONBY TOO FAST RICHMOND OUTPLAYED Ponsonby thoroughly deserved its win over Richmond, and the margin would have been greater but for the absence of a .reliable goalkicker. Ponsonby scored four tries to Richmond's two, and all four were the result of brilliant backinc-up by the forwards. Clever hooking by Flanagan gave the Ponsonby backs a Rood share of the ball and the rear division rose to the occasion splendidly to finish ofT some fine openings, made mostly by the centre McManus. who was the best back on the ground. Richmond supporters expressed surprise, when Solomon was played at half-back, and although he is not a stranger to the position, it Tvas the general opinion he would have been more effective at five-eighths. For once, the Ponsonby forwards combined as a pack, and on the day outplayed the Richmond set, which was not so good as usual in the looso. Another factor in Ponsonby's success was the good tackling of the backs, who also penetrated the defence by fast and straight running. Ponsonby led at half-time by 0 points to 5. Richmond, was unfortunate in losing Mitchell, who was injured just before the spell ended' and his place in the second half was taken by S. Broadhcad. In the second half Ponsonby backs treated the crowd to some surprise attacks, and a frequent scissors pass and quick rli;inj<e of direction had the opposition bewildered. A brilliant effort by M'-Mafus. in which speed nlaved its Wirt. .Ponsonby the best Irv of the game. In this fast movement Kuv Dormer. Peterson and Morgan who scored, showed the advantage of real combination and unselfish play, In the last 10 minutes Richmond made jrreat efforts and its backs played better football than at any other stage of the frame, A fine run by Furnell and Potter saw Solomon brilliantly beat the defence, but again quick cover-defence checked the ex-All Black as he raced for an opening winch might have turned the tables in Richmond's favour. For the winners. Martin, at fullback, was in fine form, and only requires experience to develop into a high-class plaJ". KUej and Nurse, on the wings. o ?„ cdh -.."" were freonently m the P'cture with their speed atul clever running. McManus. at centre, played a fine game and made several onenings. which paved tho. way for tries He is one or the most promising backs s,»cn at headquarters for some time. ha> excelled with excellent' defence and his tßrklintr saved two tries. On attacK, ever he was difficult to follow, and should refrain from throwing unorthodox passes Young, at five-eighths, played well, biit kir.ked a little too much.in the second ){"%P on y r . did voeman service at half-back, ills tie fence was sound. Of a fine set <>r forwards. Petersen stood out pronnnentlv nnd was the best on the ground. His speed and tackling were features of the game. Morgan pi! his usual good aame. and showedl excel!lent nnticiniiion Bell also got through a 101 of useful work, as did Middleton. While Solomon™ not so noticeable on attack he was alwavs a thorn in the side of the OPP O *' tion. His defence greatly impressed, and at times he showed initiative in making the extra back. Potter played a good game a five-eighths, but Graham was not so KO° d .£* usual. Mills played a dashing game on the wing and Tittleton. at centre, defended abb Until he retired. Mitchell was the pickof the- forwards, and Devine. Hadlej and Ale "firtSir? "r™"«'« ►£ goal. Mr. M. Wetherill was referee.

MANUKAU BEATEN NEWTON BACKS IMPROVE Splendid individual effort? by the Brimble brothers were a feature of the game between Xcwton and Manukau, in which the, latter appeared certain to win half-way through the second spell. Newton, however, played with renewed vigour, and showed good ,-ornhinalinn in scoring the winning points. Round the scrum, thr Newton hacks were superior to the oi)poHition, and turned the tide against Manukau. In the first half, Manukau obtained a useful lead of five, points and held the advantage b.v a single point at halftime. Brilliant, defensive play by Hemi, at fullback, checked several dangerous Newton attacks. However, Anderson placed Newton in the lead with a penalty goal, and for a time Manukau had to defend its goal line. Brilliant runs by the Brimble brothers resulted in Sander scoring, to place tlio result beyond doubt. Both teams missed opportunities, especially the Manukau forwards, who did not handle so well as usual. The Newton backs showed much improvement, and this team may cause further surprises. The back play compared very favourably with that of last season. • At halfback, TV.. Brimble played an outstanding game, anil his clever work round the scrum often turned defence into attack. E. Brimble, at five-eighth's, showed some of his best form. McKenzic, at five-eighths, and Sander, at centre, also played good football. Stephens, on the wing, played easily his best game sinco returning from England, and was 'seen to advantage in .several good runs. '.Dempsey played a sound game at fullback. Taylor, Anderson and Qnirke were t ho pick of the forwards. Hemi, at fullback, was the outstanding player Tor Manukau. rind saved his team many times with clever play. Awhitu. on Iho win*, is improving each game. Brimble and Chase were also priminent at five-eighths. Among the forwards, Shelton, Ririnui and Brodrick played good games. For' Newton tries were scored by Stephens (2), McKenzic and Sander. W. Brimble converted one try and Anderson kicked a penalty goal. For Manukau B. Brimble and, Awhitu scored a try each. Hemi converted ono try und kicked a penalty goal. Mr. J. .Hawkes was rclcree.

BETTER SET OF BACKS MOUNT ALBERT BEATS CITY In a well-contested game Blount Albert defeatwl City, which, however,. put up a splendid showing: for most of Ihe game. Hut for an occasional weak tackle, City would have given Mount Albert a much harder task. A factor in Mount Albert's success was tlio superior work of the backs, who combined splendidly in the concluding stages to score two fine tries. Mount Albert had a good deal the better of the first half and established a lead of seven points. City played better after half-time and its forwards gave Mount Albert a torrid time. The scores were eriual after 'JO minutes' play in the second spell, and then Hutchinson and Whittle were associated in a good passing bout. Mataira racing over the line in a spectacular dash, but in attempting to improve the scoring position, he stepped over the dead-ball area. From this stage, Mount

Albert dominated the play, and twice Donaldson acd Bauhatn cleverly beat tho dofence, two good tries resulting. The improved combination of Mount Albert's hack division was 100 much for City, although the margin was not a true indication of the game. City forwards put up a sterling fight against a verv strong opposition, and if anything had a little the better of the play in the loose. Mount Albert forwards tackled very soundly and wero responsible for checking any attempts the City five-eighths made at opening up the game. City was strengthened by the inclusion of Simpson, tho Ponsonby five-eighths, who played a good game on the wing. For tlie winners Hnrdgravo gave a fine display on the wing and used a very effective side-step to good advantage. Both the five-eighths, Banhani and Donaldson, stood out prominently, especially the former, who Is fast gaining his form of last year. Donaldson was seen at his best in the closing stages of play, when he evaded apparently good tackling with a clever side-step. Behind j the scrum, Walker played a sterling game, j and there was plenty of variety in his j methods. Gunning played a fine game among ! a good set of forwards, and was well sup- i ported bv Cameron. Hansen and Leather- [ barrow. For City. Rata, at centre, was often j prominent, and Simpson would probably have made a lot of difference if played at fiveeighths. Hutchinson was a tower of strength behind the scrum. Matalra was outstanding among the forwards and was ably assisted by Donald, llapi and Jackson. For Mount Albert Walker, Lcalherbarrow. Hardcrravo and Banham 'scored a try each. DouaMson converted one try and kicked a penalty goal, and T.catherharrnw converted one try. For City. Hapi scored a try. which Rata converted, and Hutchinson kicked a penalty goal. Mr. 0. Chalmers was refereo. NORTH SHORE'S EASY WIN J. SMITH KICKS SIX GOALS Good goal-kicking by J. Smith for North Shore was i feature of the game against Papakura. which was beaten in almost every department- of the game. Papakura, however, put. up a good showing in the second hair, j and North Shore only added five points o • its score of the first half. Smith kicked six ( goals, five in the first spell and one in the second North Shore was without the ser- | vices of V. Scott, who is suffering from an ; iniured knee. The game was mostly confined : |o the forwards, and the North Shore pack | proved good spoilers in the loose. l -'P^ ra j improved in the second balf. and the van K uard went close to scoring on several oic.isions. Several times good movements froi 1 the j scrum broke, down as tho result of weak hand- ; ling and North Shore was better able to | turn these mistakes to advantage. J lay was j very ragged, and there was not a great deal of constructive play on either side.. Smith tlm North Shore fullback, kicked two remarkable goals One f r . 0 '" * penalty to yards out, and a field koal from near half-way was a splendid effort. Ills , general pUv was good alt round. Merlin;,, : behind the scrum, played a good game a-nd larelv failed to open up tho game for l is |,a rk ; At five-eighths. Axeman tackled j <iOundlv, but lacked speed ln passing bonis. Bennetts on tho wing, showed a lot of dash. Among the forwards Jones and I Tlcpa a were , prominent for good play. lor I;' < k , st ' Cossev, at five-eighths, was easily tho best, back ' and given better support in the half ' would Ve scored two tries. On one nrr'ision he beat half a dozen placers, but { a forward pass to Fogart.v checked the move- j ment, Mclnnes and Crocker were also-- prom - , ent. All the forwards played well, with Fogartv, Herkt and Milliken outstanding... - For North Shore, tries were scored by Tones E. Scott and Axeman. Smith converted three tries and kicked two penalty goals and a field goal. Mr. R. Otto was refereo. LOWER GRADE RESULTS Senior Reserve Grade.—Newton, 7. Manu-] knu, (i; Richmond, 20, Ponsonbj, 0,1 a) i kura, i t, North Shore, b; Mount Albert, 1.8, J B Grade.—Green Lane. 12 Ellers-1 lie 31; Point Chevalier, 11, RA •. uia | Third 'c,riu"e.—OUll iuhu, 21,.Mount Albert, t); Pukemiro, •, Papakura, •>, 1, ' ril ' Newmarket. 0; City A. <>, ller '^.' p ' B Ht, Point Chevalier, 2; Newton, i, Mannkail, 0; K.V., n, North Shore •$ Fourth Grade—Otahuhu. ~ 1 on^ on ( , >; \-\ Pmakura Manukau, Mount Alben. 5 City. 2; Richmond, ">l, North Shore, (. ; j Green' Lane. S, Northcote, O Fifth Grade.—Marist. :t, Newmarket. 0, , Point Chevalier, S>. Glenora, 0; Richmond, j 38 SiS""&o!-X«"l. Sh r . M. Albert 7; Richmond, b. Lllerslie. 0. City, i 6 ' Sev"<nth" c'rade.—Richmond, a Ponsonby, i r>; Papakura, 28. Northcote, 0; Point Chevalier, 0, City, 0. SCHOOLBOYS' GAMES Senior Grade.—Mount Albert. 22. North j Shore, 0; Newton, 27, Avondale,. 0; Northcote. «. Kllerslie, 2. Intermediate Grade.— Ponsonby, ... Kuhmond. 0; Newton. 0. Point Chevalier 0; St Patrick's JR. Manukau. 0; rsowmarket, | 2d", North Shore, 0; F.llerslie, I.">, Green Lane. 0. . Junior Grade.—Point Chevalier 1,, St. Patrick's, 0: Green Lane. 32. Manukau O. Seven-a-side. —Papakura, !>, North Shore, 0; Manukau, 9, Newton, 0; Kichmond, 0, Newton, 0. WIN FOR SOUTH AUCKLAND A League football match was played at Hiintlv yesterday between the South Auckland representatives and the Maoris, tho former winning by 19 points to B.,The game was played in fine weather and a large crowd witnessed a fast and open exhibition on a dry ground. MATCHES AT WHANGAREI [PY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] WHANGAREI, Suiulny i Splendid weather conditions were experienced for the Northland Rugby League's matches yesterday. In the senior compeiiiton Kensington' made its first appearance this year to h beaten by City by 21 "oints to 0. For City, the try-getters were W. Lester i2) D. Parkcs (2). Pickrang and Murray, Bradley converting two tries and Pickrang one. In the other senior match, Portland beat Hikurangi. 23 —0. Juniors: Kensington. 23. Iliktirangi, 0. GAMES IN THE SOUTH [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] Wellington.—Miramar. 12. Newtown. 5; Central. iS, St. George, 1.1; relone, 3D, Randwick, 23. Chrlstchurch. —Hornby, 16. Addington, 1(>; Waimairi, 12, Linwood, 3; Rakaia, 13. Riccarton. 5.