THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23364, 5 June 1939, Page 15

THE LEAGUE CODE

SPECTACULAR PLAY • HIGH SCORING GENERAL M OUNT ALBERT STILL LEADS •Ifoitilt Albert retained its lending gj t ion in the Auckland Rugby r»gt'p!s se,lior « ratl ° I'lmmpionship by •K- beating Ponsonby in the prinS gallic at Carlaw Park on Sntur'i • The high, scoring in favour of Voilht Albert was a surprise, as Pon*%)V was expected to extend the grade Vailers. Mount. Albert gave a highy exhibition" and outclassed PonC n Hv in every department. j n ' the curtain-raiser Newton put up sterling performance to boat Richmond in « fnst - °l lon oxhiljition - H, " h nriii2 «as a feature of the series. Manukau comfortably beat Marist. jk or th Shore was much too good ? Citv- As :1 result of its victory Mount 'Albert is now leading North 'shore by tw° championship points ami i'oii'onbv is in third place. The games ire played tinder ideal conditions, and Ibcri; was a hu£e attendance at Carla* Park. The results were as follows: Mount Albert 42; Ponsonby, 13. North Skoro. -<>; C ity lb. Manukau, 26, Marist, 11. • 22; 'Richmond, 11. PONSONBY OUTCLASSED BRILLIANT FORWARD PLAY Mount .Albert gave a fine exhibition of the code and completely outclassed Ponsonby in' ewry department. Ponsonby was unky to lose McMnrius a minute after the kick-off The result ' ho,vever> was a Pl ,arent "when Mount Albert scored Ul points in as m a nv minutes and., had much the better ~f ,i ie rame. Although the Ponsonby forwards on the ball from most of the scrutns, its hacks could do nothing right. Mount Albert's, riirision on the other hand combined .ff/rlivelv and it would have taken a formid.Wf learn to have held the winners. A great deli of credit can'be given to the Mount u'hert vanguard, which is the most-improved &t in the competition. The manner in which ,h,v raced up to support the backs was a delation, and nothing better has been seen I, cnrlaw Fark for many years. Vount Mbert scored almost at will after (hp'interval and Ponsonby was a disorganised . iH , The Ponsonby defence crumbled under Sweat attack and weak tackling gave Mount Albert some easy tries. Mount Albert Irored ten tries and Ponsonby three. Splendid goal kicking by Donaldson was a feature Cf For e Mount'' Albert. MacLachlan at fulllicfe played a llawless game and showed Undid initiative, in opening up passing hauls The wings. Hardgrave and MrTnnar"«v played brilliantly, especially the former, Tto<e clever running and quick side-step Suited in two tries. Marshall at centre r!aved well and made the most of the good writ performed by Donaldson,, who was in tne form at live-eighths. Donaldson kicked t« magnificent goals from the sideline. Banhiim was the outstanding back on the around and was a thorn in the side of the opposition. He is at present the best five(lEhths in Auckland. Useful work was done by Walker, the halfback, whose heady play 'tot the defence on many occasions. Even fith the score running high, Walker never iissed a chance to improve his team's position. Among a formidable set of fovwards Guanine played a splendid game and must bt in line for selection in the New Zealand team. Hansen was also a tower of strength, i! wss Cameron, whose work in the loose ias outstanding. Shadbolt, Herring and katherbarrow also played splendid games. At fullback for Ponsonby, Martin made io mistakes in fielding, but his defence Ht a lot to be desired. Kay was easily the left back, and came through a trying ordeal *ith credit. "Riley also played a good gnmc. Pitersen was the best of the forwards, while M and Flanagan played good games. "For Mount Albert tries were scored by Hirdgrave (2). Gunning (2). Donaldson, TUshwi. Shadbolt, Hansen, Leatherbarrow ad Mclnnarney. Donaldson converted five (tits and Herring one. For Ponsonby. Kay. Ttesra and Young scored tries and Kay two. Ht. J. Donovan was referee.

mm SHORE SUCCEEDS j CITY'S DEFENCE FAILS There was not a great deal of difference Mtfwn North Shore and City, but the former Mly deserved its victory. The winners were tasted considerably by the splendid goal ticking: of J. Smith, who scored JO points, .forth Shore had much the better of the first ti!f. but in the second spell City dominated fe same and was unlucky not to score more fiuits. North Shore did all its scoring in the fct half with the exception of a penalty goal, wile City put on two converted tries in the wcond spell. Early in fhe frame North Shore attacked strongly and twice Smith was reffonsihla for tries. He actually started a MTement and scored a try from fullback. 1 rare feat. City was rarely in the picture «(1 at half-time was 21 points behind North Shore. In the second half City settled down Ud played vastly-improved football. Tho forurds heat North Shore in the loose and !»rned mistakes to advantage by fast follow- •«* ap< Both backs and forwards excelled, and not been for the splendid defence of ™lh, the scores would have been much closer. North Shore wns the better team, s»a City ran / only blame weak defence for wrly lead the winners secured. Smith, at fallback for North Shore, was J 'born In the side of the opposition. His cefence iras brilliant and most of the attack's? movements were the result of his heady * or «- V. Scott played a sound (tame at "aire-threcquarter and opened up the game «Wly mpasainar. bouts. He is improving each *7*' Behind the scrum. Sterling played wel ™ did a lot of useful work in the second "•J- Among: the forwards. Scott played a J?™ Pame. especially in the second half. his swift- cover defence checked several t-;n "I* movements, Jones, Condon and played good games, ti. v » "Rata at centre-threequarter, was eat back on the ground. He made some owning* anil was well supported by «Pson at five-eig-hths. At fullback. Whittle • . u ' his tackling could be improved, ■raid on the wing larked opportunities, but ih W Promising player. Matairn, Jackson j.„.°were the pick of the forwards. Shore, tries were scored J»v y bmith, Bennets, Sterling and Field. With converted three fries and kicked a ijfrL*?? l - For C : tv. I?ata scored two tries t.2J? ifataira one each. Rata conWed two tries. % 8, Bilhtmn was referee.

WELL-DESERVED WIN Newton shades Richmond Hifl'mi 0 !! 'i well-deserved victory over ln , a fast. n Pen £rahip in which Li.' ® oa [ kirkinar by Anderson was a f «m(r «[.! game: Anderson, who is a fm..| „, )dn fy forward, kicked five goals. N'fTtnn" J'h'fh were from difficult ansles. and *?,* hacks Played excellent footlmll HirtnJV Ul '. erior hoth ' n speed and tactics, "lifcin® ! H i hacks wp re unlucky, narrowly m oiid tn on ,wo occasions. The Kich'"rnipriv*3^s arp nnl Playing as well as *ho«/t„ m- *' frp beaten bv a virile set. harks p , n<r upset the "Richmond inside sicrMtf.il - breaking from the scrum was !, L n holtlinz up Solomon. who Richn.n,"i- Early in the came Cni hacks showed to snlendid advantfrom IS 0 ! 1 . making two clever orient nets 'ii' h»tu , W(,ro scored. Richmond had Meadn/ P P'avand at half-time had '°ihplh.,l i ~oi n l f- In the second half New* nru ' " s hacks showed speed Ci *e weak tackle by Fnrnell n '"lln» a ' rv - Richmond could do ' s cklln» . on attack, and hard 6|, W«intf'i?' V i <,n ' on rattled several of the ''franlae-. u * T '-iiake.« w<re turned to good One nf ii, n , le fas t Newton rearguard. Bfjnihi, movements came after 13. nice nn.'nH ® v e-ciJrhth« for Newton, made a J ' f r , or i> his own goal line. Briinblf f°tv.iril« . yai " (ls and hr.lh the backs and frNntr "vit the opposition with short ' ,( l a III)! 1 1, ''oncladintr stiitres, Newton On |i,rt , . '•' , c better of the came. J fine f° r Newton. Stephenn played "n nftni'i ? ncl ,IP too!( n ,0< of »toP! ,in K 1 , v ery fast swerve makes %fd iu * i l ii! n!rfro,w hack. Kendall, who !' r JV*ounil ai "k in the second half, was rf "iuarfi>V an( ' Denipse.v. moved to centre- '. n M (,c ""'N O ni( '< > runs. Sander was hl,V; ~lf\ halfback W. Brimble Kml 1 i '" s Play so far this season. r « rii °f -the scrum to (rood adWd well J3 r ' l "bjf > . at five-eiehths. also . (fra.uJ V 1" Newton forwards rose to Mcndidl.v. Proctor, Taylor and "«'»l«n f ,I|Vi t> while flinders and Fdr -a ?? '''a.ved well. * Ktkift fiijl 1 ] 01 "' Fnrnell. at fullback, spoiled J%M a B J!}J*y ''V weak tacklincr. Solomon i,"'ttiicv and was often dangerous . Hi j h p, ter understanding among i^ r 5l!;*8 th« ! , tTl '° 'fie" could liave been If» Nw his keen anticipation, v J> ' r ?ntre and was too < Session. Behind this scrum € \

Watkins gave his hacks every chanco on attack, hut with the exception of Solomon, sparkle was missing in the rear division. Broadhcad, Devine and McLcod were the best of the forwards. ■ Hadle.v (Richmond) and Quirke (Newton) were ordered off. For Newton, tries were scored by Ginders, Stephens, Sander and Proctor. Anderson converted lour tries and kicked a penalty coal. For Richmond Solomon, Bramley and Tittleton scored tries and Solomon converted one. .Mr. B. Otto was refereti. AN EVEN STRUGGLE MANUKAU SLIGHTLY SUPERIOR A. well-contested game was witnessed between \jnnukau and Marist,, with the former showing slightly better all-round form. Mannkau took some time to. settle down, but after 'JO minutes' play Marist was forced to concede ground. The Mainiknu backs secured the ball from the scrum and were better able to turn defence into attack. Xepia played at five-eighths for a start, but; after the backs were rearranged Hemi mat]? several brilliant openings at centre-thrceciusirtcr. Manukau's backs had too much pace for the opposition, and established a lead of 1-t points in the first half. The Marist hacks did better in the second half and scored several good tries. However, there was no finich to their movements and Manukau had much the better of the constructive play. (lood play by the Manukau forwards was a feature of the game. Even the rearrangement of the Marist backs, with Glover at fiveeighths and Hasfam at fullback, could not check the opposition's speedy play round the scrum. Mahima was in splendid form and often beat the defence with tricky running and a deceptive swerve. Hmni was the outstanding back. On the wing, Chase trot through a lot of useful work as did Broughton. Good tackling ■by Nepia was a feature of the frame. Brodrick. Ririnui, Gault and Mauiiire were the best of the forwards. The Marist backs were overshadowed by the opposition and there was little force on attack. Haslanr did a lot of sound work, while on occasions Grottc and Chalmers played good games. Donovan spoiled a good game by hanging on too long. and his tackling was not as sure as usual. Finlayson. Logan and Anderson played good games among the forwards. Tries were scored for the winners by Broughton (2), M.agnire, 1"?. Chase, Gault and Brodrick. Nepia converted three and kicked one penalty goal. Anderson kicked three penalty coals for Marist and converted a try scored by Donovan, Mr. G. Kelly was referee. REPRESENTATIVE GAME AUCKLAND AND THE MAORIS FIXTURES FOR TO-DAY Considerable interest is being taken in the. representative Rugby League match between an Auckland team and the Maoris to be played at Carlaw Park this afternoon. The frame is the first serious trial for the selection of the New Zealand side for England, and it is likely that a number of players taking part to-day will eventually find their way into the touring team, v The Maoris hnve a strong combination anil the forwards especially should provide the Auckland pack with solid opposition. The Auckland rear division includes many young players, who arc expected to give a good account of themselves against the more experienced Maori backs. The principal game will lie preceded by a senior grade competition match between Richmond and Marist. last year'n champions. The representative teams are as follows: — MAORIS Fullback.—Xepia. Threequarters.—Tukere, Henii, T. Chase. Five-eighths.—Rata, Donaldson. Halfback.—Mahima. Forwards.—Hansen, Tristram, Brodrick, Ma* taira, Hapeta. Ririnui. Reserves.—Backs. Kendall, W. Brimble, Panapa; forwards, McLeod, Marsh. AUCKLAND Fullback.—J. Smith. Threequarters.—Nurse, Riley, Mclnnarney. Five-eighths.—Banham, Kay. Halfback.—Sterling. Forwards—Shadbolt. Leal herbarrw, Gault, Herring, Gunning. Peterson. Reserves.—Backs, Walker, V. Scott; forwards, Jones, E. Morgan.

OTHER GRADE RESULTS Senior Reserve Grade.—City, 12, North Shore. 10; Ponsonby, 5, Mount Albert. 4;/ Marist, 1-1, Manukau, 3; Richmond, 70. Newton. *l. Senior B Grade. —Otalwhu, 17, R.V., 2; Green Lane. 13, Northcote, 3. Third Grade. —Ponsonby, !>; City B, 2; North Shore, 2(5, Point Chevalier. S; Mount .Albert, J), Manuknu, 2; Otahuhu, 11, Marist, 3. Fourth Grade. —Richmond, 21, Green Lane. 2; Papakura, T_', Otahuhu. Fifth Grade. —Avondalc. 3, Richmond,- 2; Paoakura, (J. Newmarket, O. Sixth Grade.—Richmond, 17, Mount Albert, 2; Otahuhu, 1), North Shore. 9. SCHOOLBOYS' GAMES Senior Grade. —Otahuhu, 12, Ellerslie, 0; Newton, 7. Richmond 5. Intermediate Grade. —Richmond. -13, Northcote. 0; Ellerslie, 0, St. Patrick's, 0; New-, I market, 3.". Manukau, 0. Junior Grade. —Norihrote, 2. Point Chevalier. 0; Green Lane. 11, St. Patrick's, 0. Seven-a-side. —Marist, 0, Manukau, 0; Richmond, 0, Newton, 0; Mount Albert, 0, Ponsonby, O. , v MATCHES AT WHANGAREI [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORUKSI'ONDENT] WHANGAREI, Sunday Superior weight and combination told the lale when the Papakura senior League team met a combined Cit.v-Portland senior team at Whangarei yesterday, the visitors winning bv 21 jloints to 12. Led by H. Milliken. a former Canterbury Rushy All Black, the i Papakura team repeatedly broke through the opposition to rattle up aUS to lead at half-time In the second spell the combined • team settled down to a better combination j and put on three unconverted tries to the j visitors' one. Th* mainstay of (he combined team was F. Pickering, a New. Zealand i League representative. For Hhe visitors the frv-getters were Fitzpatrick, Cook, Milliken, Galloway and Gibson with conversions by Cook < : 2). Mclnnes. The combined teams tries came from Murray (-)» } r * Payne and Bowyer. IT, beat Kensington, <. Juniors: Portland, 7. Hikurangi, J. RESULTS IN THE SOUTH [BY TKLKORAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION] Wellington.—St. George, ai. Petone, 22; Central. 30. Newtown, S; Miramar, Randwick, 22. ChrUtchurch. —Riccarton, 14, Hornby, O; Addington. 1.1, Sydenham, 3; Linwood, 1-. Kakaia, 3.