THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23382, 26 June 1939, Page 16

THE LEAGUE CODE

NORTH SHORE LEADS DEFEAT OF RICHMOND TARANAKI BEATS NORTHLAND An interesting scries of maetlies was played at L'arlsuv Parle oil Saturday, when the Auckland Rugby League continued its senior grade competition, and a representative trial name was decided between Tarsinaki and Northland. After a. well-contested game. Taranaki won comfortably by 20 points to K5. The New Zealand selectors. Messrs. J. A. Redwood and A. T. Mc(.'lyinont, witnessed the play, which was not very spectsicitlar. Tlio Tstranaki forwards, however, played well as si team, silthough few stood out proniinently. Weak handling in passing bouts resulted in few of the backs getting opportunities to show their true iorm.

The principal game in the senior championship, between North Shore and Richmond, was a striking contrast in play, and the big crowd witnessed a high-class display of the code. In the second hall', the standard rose to great heights, and Richmond made herculean efforts to achieve si victory, tlowever, North Shore defended desperately, and held its single point lead. This success gives North Shore the leading position in the senior grade championship. Mount Albert, which had the bye on Saturday, is now in second place, ono point behind North Shore.

The game on No. 2 ground, between Newton aml Pun.sonby, was very exenl.v contested until tlie last live niinuto.s, when Newton showed the better finish to its work. In tho curtain-raiser, diarist ilefeateel City comfort ably, and showed general improvement in form. At Onehunga, .Maiiukau beat J'apakura after a splendidl.y-eonte.sted game.

The ground conditions at Carlaw Park were surprisingly good after heavy rain, and the crowd was one of tlu» largest to attend this season.

The results of the senior games wero as follows: —

North Shore, 0; Richmond, 8. Newton. Jo; Ponsonby, tj. Marist, -0; City, 5. Manukau, 2i; I'apakursi, 16,

NORTH SHORE AGAIN NARROW WIN FROM RICHMOND North Shore scored a very narrow win over Richmond ia the principal club fixture, in which some brilli'int football was witnessed a! times. Richmond v. as a lit'.to unlu»;ky lo lose, scoring two tries, against one_ obtained by North Shore. 1". - Scott, Norlh Shore forward, '.wis very lucky in scoring a most unusual Iry. When V. Scott had a long kick at goal, the ball hit the crossbar, rebounded high against (lie posts, and thcii bounced over the Richmond line. K. Scott, following through fast, actually knocked the ball out of a Richmond player's hands t<; score a spectacular try. The conversion placed North Shore one point- in the lead. Earlv in the same, the Richmond backs dominated play and indulged in some brilliant pausing Solomon was <n splendid form and repeatedly burst through the defence. It took North Shore a long time to settle down, bul its forwards soon made their presence felt. In a great sweeping attack. Jones, the North Shore forward, just missed a try at tho corner. Smith missed two fairly easy* penalty kicks, although North Shore led at half-time by points to

Richmond rearranged its backs in the second spell. -Mid Tor a time Tittleton went in alongside of Solomon, nt five-eight lis, Graham playing at centre. North Shore's backs tackled \ery effectively and checked several dangerous movements Richmond made great efforts to save the game. Webb, the halfback, made a good opening and pas.-ed to Tittleton. v\;ho had plenty of support, but chose to barge into Smith, and a certain try was lost A pass to any of the six supporting players would have placed the result of the game beyond doubt. North Shore forwards did a lot ot useful work in the last few minutes of play and really deserved the honours.

At fullback for North Shore. Smith stave a very indifferent display, well brim his usual standard. His kicking was often badly directed, and on occasions his fielding was uncertain. In defence, however. Smith did a lot of useful work. The wing-thrcetiuarters, Bennetts and Chatham, played good sallies and were often prominent on attack. V. Scott, at ccntre-thrcequarters, lacked opportunities. hut otherwise played a good statue. Most of North Shore's trouble was the result of weakness of the five-eighths, Brown and Pitt, whose handling was very uncertain. Pitt missed many passes and often made Scott stand still to retrieve had handling. Actually, the North Shore five-eighths were outplayed by Solomon and Graham. Behind the scrum, Sterling played a sound game. Among the forwards, Jones stood out prominently in the loose and was a thorn in tho side of the Richmond backs. K. Scott played a fine game and his tackling was a feature of the match. C'onden and Hapeta also played good games. At fullback for Richmond. Bra in ley did not live, up to his reputation and gave a> disappointing display. He missed numerous chances of opening up the play for the threequarters, who had a distinct advantage over the opposition. Solomon, at five-eighths, stood out :is tho best hack im the ground anil was always prominent, both on nllack and in defence. Tn the last few minutes. Solomon made some brilliant openings, but support uts lacking. Behind the scrum, Webb, ,i promoted junior, played a good game, but his passes were often wildly directed. Tittleton. who is fast regaining his best form, spoiled an otherwise good display by hanging on ton long. Graham was smart on attack and has n promising future: so has Kronfeld. on the wing. Jack, on (he other wins, also plnved a fine game. Mitchell was the pick of the Richmond forwards and was ably supported by Broadhead, Devino and McLeod. For North Shore, F. Scott scored the only try, which Smith converted. He also kicked two penalty goals For Richmond. Tittleton and Kronfeld scored a try each, and Bramley kicked a penalty goal. Mr. O. Chalmers was referee.

SUCCESS OF NEWTON

VICTORY OVER PONSONBY Newton wan a I'M lie ton strong for Ponsotiby, although (here was nol a great deal of difference between the teams. However, Newton finished very strongly and deserved the honours Had the Ponsonby barks been inure deliberate in their passing, both Kay and Xurse may have scored tries. Soon after Hie kick-off, llile.v passed wildly to Kay, alio li.id a clear rim, and Sander snapped tip the ball to score. Two spectacular runavny fr ; cs by Morgan. lor Poii.souby, were well deserved. I*lr>n:>eran gave the I'msmiby hacks plenty of the ball, but there was a lack of finish to the movements. In fact, the Xcwton backs saw very little if the b:» 1' from the sot scrums. The second half was i reposition of the first, although each attack by I'onso 11 by met with sound tackling by Sander and \V. McKenzie. Half-way through the spell, Bell made a splendid run and beat halt the Vcwlon team but his final pass to Williams «;is missed. :uid Dimpsey saved. well. In the last len minules Xewton had the belter of the iranie and its backs showed

apron ami initiate e in turnintr defence into 11 (lack. Ponsonby throw away enough chances to place the issuo beyond doubt earlier in the second spell. *\ feature of the game was the faultless display of Dempsey. al fullback for Ncwlou. Jle was lately responsible fur two (rics being scored and showed good judgment by pii^siiiLf. instead :»l kicking. S:u'der was also good at centre and outplayed Bilcy, who ran backward in bis attempts to beat Sander. Stephens and Kendall, on the wings, played good games. Perfect uuderstaiiiiin.',' by lite Brimble brothers was a full urn of the insido back play. Anion* Hie forwards, Taylor, Proctor and Blacktiws played well. The Ponsonby forwards gave a dashing display and it was through no fault of theirs that Newton won. Morgan played an oxiellent game and was in every movement. Petersen got through his work in finished style and must have strong claims for New Zealand honours as a buck-row forward. Bell, who played his best game since coining from Sydney, is a fine front-row forward. In clean hooking, Flanagan has no peer in Auckland. At lullb.ick, Martin played a sound game. Kay made several nice openings, which, however, were not well supported. Young played well al five-eightlis. Williams. ■1 promoted junior, played a fair game at hall back, hut suffered through lack of experience. for Newton, tries wore scored by Sander (•_') and \V Uriniblc. Anderson conierlrd one try. and \V. Brimble two. For Ponsonby, Morgan scored Iwo tries. Mr. G. Kelly was referee.

MARIST IMPROVES

CITY OUTPLAYED On No. 'J ground Marist showed greatly improved form and easily defeated City. The score, however, was not a true indication of the play, for it was only in the concluding stages that the City defence weakened and tries came quickly. The first spell was evenly contested, Marist scoring only one try. In (ho s"cond half, however, Marist completely dominated the game and its backs had too much pace for City. Good handling and superior speed enabled the Marist Ihreequarters to outplay the opposition. Marist forwards, too, played well and gave the opposing vanguard plenty of work. The City forwards did not show the same dash as characterised their play in the early part of the season. They failed lo keep together in support and often left wide gaps in the loose rushes. The tackling of the backs was weak. For the winners, R. Grotle, at halfback, played a splendid game and was the best player on trie groiynd. He made several fine openings and paved the way for two tries. Midgley. on the wing, gave easily his best display this season. He has only to repeat this form lo be given a trial in the representative matches. Chalmers, at five-eighths, was in every movement and in the second half particularly played splendidly. Matthews, at centre, ran strongly and bis pace gave Midgley good opportunities, (ilover, at fullback, played a sound game. Krickson. Finlayson ami W. Orotic were the best of the forwards. Logan is also a promising player. Whittle, at fullback for City, played well and his sound tackling was a feature of the game. Simpson, five-eighths, made nice openings. but lie lacked support. Behind (lie scrum. Hughes was a lilt If too slow and got the five-eighths into much trouble by badlydirected passes. Gould and Brassey are promising wings. Malaira was easily the best forward, and Wehiier. Jackson and Donald played splendidly. Donald pluckily played throughout the second half with an injury which was subsequently found to be a broken bone in the forearm.

For Marist tries were scored by Midgley C;j). Logan. Krickson and Ilalsev. Finlayson converted one try. For City. Simpson scored a trv which Donald converted. Mr. K. Mclvor was referee.

BRILLIANT FORWARDS MANUKAU BEATS PAPAKURA An outstanding forward game by IT. M. Milliken and brilliant goal-kicking by ,1. Ileini were features of the match between Manukau and I'apakura, which was played at Onehunga. Success for Manukau was only j gained in the last few minutes, when Ririnui scored a dashing try. I'apakura put up a] splendid showing and its form is improving with each game. I'apakura started off really well and soon had Manukau on the defensive. A lead of six points at half-time gave I'apakura supporters reason to rejoice. However. Ileini was very consistent with his goal-kicking and he was responsible for giving Manukau the lead. The last 'JO minutes was played at a fast pace and eventually Manukau gained the upper hand. For Ihe winners W'iberg played a_ very sound game at fullback and ably filled Nepia's place. Brnughloit. on ttic wing, did a lot of good work, as did Chase. Hemi .showed his usual cleverness on attack and was a thorn in (he side of Ihe opposition. Ririnui anil Brodrick, for Manukau. and Milliken. for I'apakura. were responsible for some of the finest play seen in the code for a considerable time. Milliken showed surprising speed for a big man and his form all round was very impressive. The two .Manukau forwards mentioned were iu brilliant form. All throe forwards have excellent prospects of selection in the New Zealand team. McLeod. Manukau. and Evans and Dobbyn I'apakura. aLo played good games among the forwards. I'apakura was unlucky lo lose Fogart.v. who retired with an injury. For Manukau tries were scored by Ririnui C2) and Uroughlon. Another try wa- also awarded for obstruction. Hemi converted three tries and kicked three penalty goals. For I'apakura. Hosken scored a try and a penalty try was awarded. Mclnnes kicked three penalty goals and converted one try. Greer kicked a field goal. Mr. J. Donovan was referee.

TARAXAKI TOO STRONG REPRESENTATIVE TRIAL GAME There was not a great deal to enthuse over ill the representative game between Tarunaki and Northland, which was also a trial for the selection of the New Zealand team lo lour England. Tarunaki won comfortably, although Northland provided strong opposition until half-way through Ihe second spoil. The handling by the backs of both teams was shocking, and there were few effective combined movements.

The Taranaki forwards infused plenty of dash into their play, and all round were much stronger than the Northland pack. The hooking was clean, and the general scrum formation better than is usually seen in the case of Auckland club packs. Thu result was that the Taranaki backs got numerous opportunities, and several of lliem showed combination 011 attack. Both Croniti. at fullback, and Mcßoberts. on the wing, were resourceful in turning defence into attack. The Northland forwards conceded a lot of weight and were beaten in the rucks. F. Pickrang. a former N<w Zealand representative, showed some of his old-time form, and was the outstanding Northland forward. The most impressive of the Taranaki backs was Mcßoberts. on the wing, who scored a very nice try as Ihe result of keen anticipation. lie has plenty of speed and is a srood handler. Behind the scrum. Keonan did a lot of useful work, and rarely failed to open up Ihe game. Good coaching and experience should gretlly improve Keenan. Fenlon. at fh o-eighl lis. revealed a good knowledge of Ihe cranio, but, like Maluku, Ihe other fivoeighths, was a little slow in attacking movements. C'roriin, at fullback, was very sound ami his tackling was a feature of the game. Amonir the forwards, Hieklaud, Clarke and L. Lewis were Ihe best. Lewis has only lo improve his handling <0 develop into a highclass forward. Mitchell, the hooKor, cave his leant a srood share of the ball and was proniinent in the loose.

The best of '.lie Northland hacks was Murray, who played a fine game al five-eighths, llis' defence against heavy odds was always sound. Bradley, at halfback, was nol so effective as Croniti. but lie did well with fewer opportunities. Hamilton, al centre, was very uncertain in his handling, and Ihe wings. Fleslter and I'ieknell. suffered accordingly. Pickranjr was always leading the Xorthlanu pack, and be received plenty oT support from L Payne, V. Payne and Crump. |.'or Taranaki. I l ies were scored by Keenan CJ), L. Lewis. Iliekland. denies, Mcßoberts and Clarke Clarke converted four trie.s. !• or Northland, I'ickrang. R. ' , : u 1 n,1 ;, , " , ll Fleslter scored tries, two of which C. Hamilton converted. Mr. S. Bill man was referee. RESULTS IN LOWER GRADES Senior Reserve Grade.— Ponsonby, 'Jii, Newlon. I'J: City. Marist. •>; I apakura, 11. M Senior''B' Grade.-Fllerslie. 'j:t, R.V.. 0; :««. Manuka,,. Mount Albert. 5. F.llerslie. <•; Cty A. Newton. 10.

Fourth Grade.—Green Lane. •», £enmarket. 0; Mounl Albert. 'JI, Ponsonby, (>j Richmond, 03, Manukuu. 0; J*orthcote, 10. Ota'"s'ixlii Grade.—Richmond 11, Ellerslio, 5; Olahiihu. 2. City, 'J. Seventh Grade. —Ponsonby, 0. City, 0.

SCHOOLBOYS' CONTESTS Senior Grade. —Xortlieotc, 8, Mount Albert 3; Olahiihu, •_'o, North Shore, 0; Richmond Grade.—Kllersllo 17, Mann kaii (i: Newmarket, m. North Shore. 6 C.roon Lane. 5. SI. Patrick's. 0. Junior Orade. —C.reon Lane. fi. Men or a O- Northeote. "J7. Point Chevalier. U; New. market. 20. Manukau. 3.

DEFEAT OF CANTERBURY

WEST COAST SUCCESSFUL

[BY TKfiKGJIAI'IT —I'll ESS ASSOCIATION] GRKYMOUTH, Sunday

Superior in all departments, Ihe West Co-ist League representative defeated (. anterbury by 11. points to 5. at O.reyinouth to-dav in a South Island trial match. I lie irime was played on a rain-soaked ground, which made handling difficult. West Coast owed its victory to brilliant loose forward nlav which continually harassed Ibe CanterInirV backs, who failed to show combination. In spite of the slippery ground and a greasv ball the West Coast backs indulged in brilliant passing movements, but the inside, backs failed to lake full advantage of the opportunities which would have given West Coast a more substantial victory. .1. Newton a West Coast forward, and C. Monntford. fullback, were outstanding players. Tries for West Coast were scored by Kiel.\, (;|vim and Newlon, the latter also kicking a 'penaltv goal. For Canterbury Bouterey scored a try and Davidson kicked a penaltj goal.

GAMES IN WELLINGTON [by TEI.E(;RAPn—PRESS ASSOCIATION] "WELLINGTON, Sunday League football matches played yesterday resul'ed as follows: —Petone, IT. Central, 13; St. George. S, Mirainar. 2; Randwick, 19. Newtown, 1".