THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23400, 17 July 1939, Page 15

THE LEAGUE CODE

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP MARIST SIDE IMPROVES DEFEAT 'OF NORTH SHORE MOUNT ALBERT IN THE LEAD The surprise do font of North Shore l>y Miirist wtis the feature of the senior grade championship of the Auckland Hugby League, which was continued at Carlaw Park on Saturday. Marist, which won the championship last season, played greatly improved football. In the principal game, fast, open football was witnessed, and Mount Albert narrowly defeated Manukau.' which at one stage looked certain to win. .Mount Albert, liowevOr, deserved its success, and is now loading in the championship by one point from North Shore. North Shore was leading for many weeks. Pa paklira and Newton played a drawn game on No. 2 ground, after the former had led until the last few minutes. City defeated Ponsoiiby in the curtain-raiser after a well-contested game. The mam ground was in surprisingly good order, alter heavy rain. The attendance was largo and, with few exceptions, all the recently-selected Now Zealand players turned out to assist their clubs. H. Banhani, the Now Zealand five-eighths, showed remarkable determination. He left the field ou three occasions, and returned with his injured head plastered. Later medical attention was found necessary, and several stitches were inserted in his wound. Hesults of the games were as follows: Mount Albert, 21; Manukau, 19. Marist, 18; North Shore, 5. Newton, u; Papakura, o. City, 13; Ponsonby, 8. A CLOSE CONTEST EXCITING PLAY WITNESSED Better team play by Mount Albert was largely responsible for its victory over Manukau, although the difference between the teams was not great. In fact, a tactical mistake by Hemi," when Manukau was only one point behind, probably lost Manukau the points. Manukau was awarded a penalty kick right in front of the Mount Albert goal posts and, instead of taking the easy shot at goal, ilemi elected to punt in an attempt t'i score. The ball failed to reach the mark and a scrum was ordered, from which Mount Albert scored a converted try. The game was full of thrills, and the spectators enjoyed exciting football throughout. Within a minute of the kick-off. Nenia. at five-eighths, dashed in between several Mount Albert players, knocked the ball over the goal line, and recovered it before touching the ground, to score, a spectacular try. Mount Albert evened the scores, after a very fine tossing movement, in which Leatherbarrow changed his direction smartly and used his pace, to improve the position. The Manukau backs had many chances, but there was no finesse to their movements The Mount Albert packs, particularly Baitham and Harilgrave, played splendidly just before half-time. The Mount Albert forwards worked better as a pack. Gunning and Cameron being prominent. At half-time. Mount Albert led by 8 "points to T. The Ahuiukau forwards thrilled the crowd with fast raids after the resumption and, for a time, played like a winning side. Weak play by Broughton. however, gave Mount Albert a chance, which Cunning was quick to take. Both backs and forwards then combined effectively to increase the lead by I I points. Manukau was up against great odds, but a brilliant run by Ilemi, and a further great solo effort bv Chase, added two converted tries.

The last ten minutes produced the most exciting play, seen this season, Manukau trying Jhard to get a much-needed try. Brodrick made two good efforts to reach the goal line, but fine, low tackling by Donaldson anil Banham saved the day. for Mount Albort. Brodrick revealed possibilities as a wing-three-quarter. and the New Zealand team could be strengthened in this position. Among the Mount Albert players, Banham was outstanding, and got through a lot of heady work. He exploited the stab kick judiciously. Donaldson was prominent on attack. Hardgrave was the best threequarters on the ground. Behind the scrum. Walker played a fine game, and made clever openings, frequently changing the direction of the attack by reverse passing to the forwards. Mclnnarney, on the wing, was disappointing. Hansen was not a success at fullback, and his place is undoubtedly in the forwards. Marshall, at centre, played a good game. „ In the Mount Albert forwards. Gunning played a splendid game, and is considered one of the unlucky forwards not included in the New Zealand team. Cameron accomplished useful work in the loose and in the scrums. Leatherbarrow was always prominent, as was Shadbolt, who is considered to be the best front row forward in Auckland. For Manukau, Hciiii and Chase were the best of the backs, particularly the latter, who was in nearly every movement. Ncpia played soundlv until lie retired hurt just before halftime. The halfback, Mahima, was a thorn in the side of the opposition, being clever on attack. Among the forwards, Hiriliui, Brodrick and Marsh pla.ved well. For Mount- Albert, tries were scored by Hardgrave (2), Leatherbarrow, Marshall and Gunning. Donaldson converted three tries. For Manukau. Nepia. Hemi and Awhitu scored tries. Hemi converted three and kicked two penalty goals. • Mr. S. Billman was referee.

SURPRISE VICTORY NORTH SHORE OUTCLASSED Marist created a big surprise by easily beating North Shore, which, as a result, lost its leading position in the championship. The Marist forwards outclassed the usually reliable North Shore , pack, and its backs had more pace in passing bouts. There was not a great deal of constructive play on either side, and, if anything, Marist was the better balanced team. ,

The North Shore forwards appeared to be unduly penalised at times, and the disallowance of one try caused some surprise. However, Marist had the bettor of the game, particularly .in ,tlie first half, and in the last fifteen* minutes. The North Shore hacks did not, settle down properly, and for most of the game were on the defensive. Finlayson ,was a success as the hooker, and Marist got more of the ball than usual. The North Shore forwards did not hunt well and their play was ragged. A feature of the game was the speedy movements of the Marist hacks, who showed greatly improved form. Grotte was in good form behind the scrum and gave his hacks every chance (o show their pace to advantage. Hapeta, the North Shore forward, was ordered off in the second half. A Marist forward was lucky to escape similar treatment. Among the Marist backs. R. Grotte played an outstanding game, and much of the side's success was due to his snappy play from the base of tlu scrum, lie rarely kicked'the hall and passed on occasion when support was offered. The wings, Midgley and Matthews, two of the fastest players in the code, both played excellent games Hudson, at centre, made some nice openings, and his try was a very sound effort. The five-eight lis. Chalmers and Hughes, played well on attack. The latter is a promising player. Glover was very sound at fullback and his tackling was without (law. W. Grotte, Finlayson and \nderson were the pick of the Maris! forwards. The best of the North Shore backs was Brown, who played a sterling game at fiveeight lis. lie made some fine openings, but lacked support. Cheater, on the wing, showed a lot of speed. .T. Smith was handicapped with an early injury, and, when moved to centre-threequarters, he played well. V. Scott was sound at fullback. Behind the scrum. Sterling got through much useful work, but was inclined to run too far. K. Scott was the best of the forwards ,and he received good support from Macintosh, Condon and Jones. For Maris! Hudson ('2), Midgley and R Grotte scored tries. Anderson converted two and kicked a penalty goal. Macintosh scored a try and Smith kicked a penalty goal for North Shore. Mr. J. Donovan was referee. DRAWN GAME PLAYED PAPAKURA AND NEWTON Hard but uninspiring play marked the game between Papakura and Newton on No. 2 ground. The former team held the advantage until the last few minutes, when Newton managed lo draw level. The forward exchanges were fairly evenly contested, whatever advantage there was resting with Papakura. However, the backs on both sides showed poor combination and kicking was much overdone. Tlie absence of Cosscy, the Papakura five-eighths, made a marked difference. After half an hour's desultory play, in the course of which Anderson had four unsuccessful penalty shots at goal. W. Brinible registered the first points for Newton with a good penalty goal, which was the only score in the first spell. In the second half a Papakura attack ended in the wing-threequarter, Anderson, being awarded a lucky try when he lost possession in attempting to ground the ball. A penalty against a Newton player for a lato tackle then saw Mclnnest increase Papakura'a lead. Loose forward rushes, typical of Papakura 's style, worried (he Newton defence, and in one of these Smith dived across, only to be recalled for an infringement. Newton changed the scene of activities in the concluding stages and, after a number of determined attacks on the line by the forwards, R. Proctor forged his way across to mako the score .Vail. Reeve, five-eighths, McTtmes. threequarters, and Crocker, halfback, were the pick of the Papakura rearguard, while Fogart.v and Milliken were the most prominent forwards. Hempsoy went from fullback to centre to improve Newton's thrust in the second .spell, but few chances came his way. Kendall played well as substitute fullback. All the backs were inclined to kick 100 much instead of retaining possession. Blacklaws. who retired injured shortly before the finish, was always prominent among the forwards, who found the opposition more than a match in the loose rucks.

For Papakura, Anderson scored a try and Mclnnes kicked a penally goal. For Newton. R. Proctor scored a try and W. Brimble kicked a penalty goal. Mr. 0. Chalmers was referee.

WIN FOR CITY TEAM PONSONBY'S WEAK DISPLAY City experienced little difficulty in defeating Ponsonby in a poor exhibition of the codo in the curtain-raiser oil No. 2 ground, which was in a heavy condition. Both sides were weakened by absentees. Ponsonb.v never appeared likely to settle down as a combination and its efforts were very spasmodic. The absence of Kay and Riley from the backs evidently accounted (o a large extent for the disappointing display of the rearguard, but the forwards also played without cohesion. "City was easily the better combination, both back and forward, and always held a territorial advantage. However, neither side attained average standard, and individual ofl'orl.s provided the bright spots in an exhibition which lacked snap and vigour throughout. Ponsonby registered first points with a nenalty goal by Nurse. City went ahead when Simpson intercepted and Gould outpaced the opposition for a try. Silva increased the lead with a penalty goal, and Ponsonby came back with a loose rush, which ended in Briggs batfling his way over at the other end. Just before half-time Gould, who was playing a fine game as left wing-!hreeqiiarler for City, snapped the ball up after a loose rush by several City forwards and crossed unopposed for his second try. Silva converted and Citv led. 10—5. Simpson and Gould repeated their movement of the second spell, when the former cut in neatlV, to give Gould a clear run in. Williams relieved Ponsoiiby's display with a fine solo effort, in which lie dribbled the ball right through the defence and fell on it for a well-earned try. Gould and Simpson, threequarters. and Silva. five-eighths, were the outstanding City backs. Gould showed much promise on the wing, anticipation and determination being marked features of his play. Silva was good, both on attack and defence, while Simpson Was responsible for many clever openings. In (the forwards, Magee, Jpckson and Wehner 'were prominent. Peterson was in the limelight as left wing-threequarters for Ponsonby. making many determined runs, which, however. lacked support. Nurse did a lot of hard work at centre, but indulged in too much kicking. The forwards were overshadowed by the opposing pack and failed to settle down. For City, Gould scored three tries, one being converted by Silva. who also kicked a penalty goal. For Ponsonb.v, Briggs and Williams "scored tries, and Nurse kicked a penalty goal. Mr. H. Tate was referee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS Senior Reserve Grade. —Mount Albert, 44, Manukau, 4; Papakura, IS. Newton 8; Ponsoiibv. 22, City. 5; North Shore, 10, ~B Grade. —Otahuhu beat R.V. by default.

Third Grade. —Otahuhu, 9, Marist, 2; Point Chevalier, 6; Ponsonby, 6; Newton, 7, Ellerslie. 6. Fourth Grade. —Ponsonb.v, 21, R.V.. 0; Manukau beat Newmarket by default; Mount Albert, 13, Otahuhu, 0; Richmond, 16, Northcote. 0. Fifth Grade. —Newmarket, 3, Marist, 0; Ellorslie, 5, Richmond, 5. Sixth Crude. —Richmond, 20, Manukau, 0. Seven (It Grade. —Ponsonbv. 13. Northcoie. 0; Richmond, 11, Point Chevalier, 3. HIKURANGI TEAM'S SUCCESS [llV TKI.KGIIAI'H —OWN C'OHKKSI'ONDKNT] WHANG AREI,. Sunday The third Auckland League footl>a 11 team lo visit Whangarei (his .season., the Richmond senior reserves, beat a combined team drawn from Northland clubs by 13 points to nil. At the outset (lie visitors showed ureal superiority in their back line, but this was countered by the effective spoiling of the Whangarpi forwards and (here was no score until more than ■_'(> minutes after half-time. Then Sale accepted t Webb's pass to break through. Within a few minutes Purvis scored from an opening by Hilton. Both these tries were converted by Takle. Oil the call of lime C. Williams cut through and handed on for Graham (o score. With only one defeat in nine games. Hiknrangi has won the Northland Rugby League's senior competition, winning by default from Portland yesterday. The runner-up is City, which have been beaten only once. MATCHES IN THE SOUTH ("nr Tur.Ef!haph —rur.ss association] Wellington.—.ln the final of the senior championship Central heat Petone by 18 points to 13. Other senior results in the second series of games in a special one-round competition for the Board of Control Cup wore: SI. George, 2'_\ Miramar, 10; Randwick, Hi. Newtown. 13. Christchureh. —Addinglon, 22; Linwood, 8; Rakaia. 27, Hornby, 13; Waimairi, 21, Sydenham, 3.