THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23406, 24 July 1939, Page 16

THE LEAGUE CODE

MOUNT ALBERT LEADS VICTORY OVER MARIST NORTH SHORE AGAIN BEATEN Fast and attractive football was witnessed at C'arlaw Park 011 Saturday, when exciting finishes in two vital championship games were a feature of the senior grade competition of the Auckland Rugby League. In the principal game t Mount Albert overhauled Marist ten minute,s before the final bell and narrowly won a •really good match. Marist looked certain to win at 0110 stage, but its defence crumbled against a . heavier team and Mount Albert scored two converted tries in the last five minutes. Mount Albert has now regained the lead in the championship, being three points ahead ot North Shore. On the No. 2 ground Now ton defeated North Shore by a single point after the latter had staged a great recovery in the second spell. Newton led b v 11 points at one stage and in the last ten minutes North Shore put on ten points. The loss practically shattered North Shore's hope of winning the championship. In tho curtain-raiser on No. 1 ground Manukau proved too good for Richmond,- which played several of its promising juniors. Ponsonby easilv beat Papakura in the early came on No. 2 ground. A largo, crowd showed keen interestin the principal matches, but owing to the delay with the ceremony ot farewell for" Auckland members of the New Zealand team the "final stages were played in failing light. Results of the senior matches were as follows:- —

Mount Albert, 24; Marist, 15. Manuknu, 23; Richmond, 14. Ponsonby. 19; 'Papakura, 9. Newton, 11; North Shore, 10. AN EXCITING FINISH MOUNT ALBERT BEATS MARIST The pam. between Mount Albert and Marist was remarkable for (he changes in fortunes, and, without discrediting the winners, it can be said Marist was a little unlucky to lose the lead ten minutes before time. Herring should have been tackled by either Chalmers or Hughes and a forward before he passed to Hardgrave, who scored. Had the movement broken down, Marist would probably have won the day. However, Mount Albert rose to the occasion splendidly in the last exciting minutes, and its forwards swept aside the Marist defence. The honours, however, were with Donaldson, whose goal-kicking contributed 12 points in Mount Albert's score. The winning team registered four tries and Marist three. The backs of both teams played attractive football, particularly Marist, who are a greatly improved set. Mount Albert had the better forwards, Vho played dashing football in the concluding stages. From the kick-off Marist backs showed excellent combination. Chalmers passed to Hudson, who made a beautiful opening, and the ball was handled by four other backs before Halsey was pushed into touch. Mount Albert lost a possible try when Walker cleverly beat the defence and sent Donaldson away, hut the pass to Gunning was forward. Donaldson opened the store for Mount Albert with a penalty goal. Marist forwards, showed speed in the loose and Erickson and tinlayson beat all but Hansen, who saved well. From a scrum in Mount Albert's territory Hughes cleNerly changed direction and raced over to score a fine try, which Anderson converted. Marshall, the Mount Albert centre, had a clear run in, but elected to pass, and what seemed'a certain try was missed, loliowing several fast movements, Donaldson received the ball and kicked a beautiful field goal. Maiist hacks, however, were giving a fine displav. R Grotte raced away and 'Chalmers- improved the position, but \\. Grotte dropped the final pass and an easy try was lost. However. Marist was awarded a "penally and Anderson kicked a goal. Donaldson caused excitement by kicking a fine goal from .-JO yards out. At half-time Marist led by 7 points to G. On resuming, Tristram led a rush by the Mount Albert pack and Herring scored. A few minutes later. Donaldson, who was in splendid form, kicked a penalty goal. Walker cleverly worked the. blind side and passed to Hardgrave, who evaded the defence with a smart turn infield and touched down for a good trv. Banhain snapped the ball up and passed to Shadbolt, who raced 50 yards, but Matthews came fast to save a certain to. Marist made splendid efforts to wipe out the deficit. Hughes kicked through and Anderson snapped up the ball and passed to Barchard, who returned the pass for a try. Grotte made a great run through the defence and passing between Hughes Hudson and Halsey enabled the last-named to race over near the posts. Anderson added the goal, giving Marist a one point lead. However, several tacklers failed to stop Herring and Hardgrave scored. Mount Albert forwards rushed into the attack and Tristram scored a Cine try just before time was call™, the game ending:—Mount Albert, 24; l'. 1Hardgrave. on the wing for Mount Albert, gave one of the best displays seen this season and must be considered unlucky to ha\e missed a place in the New. Zealand team. He used judgment in beating the opposition. and revealed more speed than most of the wing-lhreequarters in Auckland Marshall, at centre, was always prominent, and on numerous occasions his smart thrust the wings scoring chances. Donaldson plaud a clever t?amc at fivc-cisrliths, as did . » alKi r behind the scrum. Banlmm's defence was verv sound. Among the forwards, Instram ami Shadbolt played sterling games, especially the forme . Gunning. Cameron and Herring were also prominent. Leatherbarrnw took the honours at. hooking. Hughes, at five-eighths, was the.most impressive of the Marist backs. He compared verv favourablv with the. more experienced opposition. H. Grotte. behind the scrum, was again In splendid form, and lie used admirable judgment on attack. Halsey. on tho wing, also played well, and only has to retain his present form to gain provincial representative honours. Hudson, at centre, was also prominent, and Chalmers, at fiveeighths. did smart work on attack. Ihe torward* were very even Erickson, Harchard and \V Grotte played fine games in the loose. For' Mount Albert tries were scored by Hardgravef Herring and I ristram. one each. Donaldson kicked three penalty goals, a field goal and converted two tries. For Marist, Hughes, Halsey and Anderson scored a try each, Anderson converting two and also kicking a penalty goal. Mr. G. Kelly was referee.

SUCCESS OF MANUKAU TOO STRONG FOR RICHMOND Mannkau showed more finish to its attack and comfortably defeated Richmond, which fielded several juniors among the backs. The ureater experience stood lo Mannkau and the fact that, tlio winners played their three New Zealand representatives proved a hurdle for Richmond. A feature of the game was the brilliance of Chase on attack, and the sound defence of Nepia at fullback. Early in the game Rirlnui and Chase were associated mi a good passing bout, from which Maeuirc scored. Tackle kicked a Fine pena'ty goal foY Richmond, which was unlucky lo lose Satherley through injury. Manukau revealed the better combination and Mahima raced through to start snappy passing in which Hemi changed direction and sent Wilierg across. Ririnui was again a tower or strength and penetrated deeply for Brodrick to score at the comer. Good play by Webb, at halfback, gave Richmond its first real chance, and Mcl>eod passed to S. Broadband, who scored. Tempers became frayed among Hie forwards and A. Broadhead was ordered off. Play in thy second half was more Interesting, although soon after the start Rirlnui scored. Richmond backs threw the hall about in great stylo and hud Manukau defending. McLeod gained useful ground and Devinc gave (rood support, the ball travelling fast to Potter, who scored. The margin of points was decreased when Tackle kicked a penalty goal. Chase made a brilliant opening and raced to half-way before passing to Wijierg, but Hemi appeared to obstruct Kronfeld, who had no chance of catching Mnliinia. and the try was not allowed. A minute later Nepia turned defence into attack and brilliantly evaded the defence to send Chuse over for a fine try. The final score was:—Manukau. -J.'!; Richmond. 14. The outstanding Mannkau player was undoubtedly Chase, who played a brilliant game at ccnlre-tlircenunrter. 110 was always in position to improve the attack and paved the way for most of the tries. Hemi also played a good game and showed a wonderful burst of speed on attack. His kickitiß often turned defence into attack. A feature of Iho game was the splendid, form at fullback of Nepia, H'ho was hurt early In the game, but pluckily carried on. One of his runs was a' really brilliant effort. On tlio wing, Brodrick played a good game, while Wibers:, at five-eicrhths, sot through a lot of good work on attack, although his defence

was not very sound. Behind (he scrum. Mahima was a tower of strength lo his team and there is no halfback in Auckland with greater variety. TUrinui was the outstanding forward find played easily his best game this season. Ririnui is in splendid form to commence tho English tour. Marsh also played a fine game ami was well supported by Collins and Maguire. Richmond backs include some very promising players, and the best is Graham, at fiveeighths. He made some nice openings and was often dangerous on attack. Behind the scrum, Webb played a good game and compared very favourably with Mali iron. Potter, at centre, made a good impression and showed ho is a player to be considered in future big games. Among the forwards, Dovine and McLeod were the pick. Satherley received a nasty face injury and was treated at hospital. For Mamikau tries were scored by Maguire. Wiberg, Brodrick, Ririnui and Chase, llenii converted three tries and also, kicked a penalty goal Fo>- Richmond, S. Brosidhead and Potter scor.'d tries and Tackle kicked four penalty gpa's. Mr. K. Mclvor was referee.

PONSONBY IMPROVES FAST PLAY AGAINST PAPAKURA Ponsonby showed great improvement on its display of the previous week and had no difficulty in defeating Papakura, the superiority being most marked in the backs. Ponsonby scored five tries and Papakura one, which illustrates the disparity in the pjay of the respective teams. Ponsonby was given possession of the ball with almost monotonous regularity by the hooker. Flanagan, and the backs look full advantage of the position. The efforts of the Papakura rear division were very ragged in comparison, and the forwards, without their leader. Milliken. could not cope with the opposition. Weak tackling enabled Carr lo open tho scoring with a try, after he had beaten Hie whole of the Papakura defence. Smart passing bouts gave Funnell and Dunning tries, and Ponsonby led lI—U at half-time. Greer gave Papakura a start with a penalty goal, but Ponsonby kept the upper hand. Mcjnnes saved a sure try when he overhauled Nurse, following a breakaway by Morgan. However, Briggs got acros« and Morgan goaled, for Ponsonby to led Hi—2. Then Mclnncs made a great run from fullback to score under the posts and convert. A solo dribbling effort by Williams from a scrum at the Papakura twenty-five resulted in a good try, and Mclnncs retaliated with a penalty goal, to make the final score: Ponsonby, 10: Papakura, ... Nurse and Peterson were outstanding in tho Ponsonby threeijuarler line, running strongly and making good openings. Martin was safe at fullback and Williams and Young combined well behind the scrum. Williams sharp ened up his passing to good effect. Carr was responsible for good work at five-eighths, cutting through the defence neatly to open up scoring movements. Morgan. Briggs and Dunning were noticeable for consistent work in the forwards. Anderson, wing-threeuuarter. and Mclnnes. who in the second half went from centre to fullback, were the most prominent of the Papakura backs, whose attempts at combined play were rather feeble. Fogart.v, Wells and Smith caught the eye among the forwards for consistency. For Ponsonby, Carr. Funnell. Dunning. Briggs and Williams scored tries, two of which were converted by Morgan. Mclnnes scored a try for Papakura. which he converted himself." Penalty goals were kicked by Greer and Mclnnes. Mr. O. Chalmers was referee.

WIN FOR NEWTON NORTH SHORE'S RALLY FAILS North Shore found the handicap of fielding substitutes for its four leading players chosen for the New Zealand team too great against the better combination of Newton, but a determined rally in the later stages of the serond spell almost snatched a victory. Newton had much the better of play in the first half, revealing better dash and understanding all round than its opponents." However, the score at half-time consisted only of two penalty goals by Anderson. North Shore put more vigour into its play after half-time, and with better combination gave Newton many anxious moments. It was Ml to Sanders. the for Newton, to avert his side's defeat when Brown intercepted and ran almost to the goal-line before Sanders.-revealing much pace, overhauled him from the rear. A marked feature of the game was that the winning team did practically all the attacking in the earlier stages, while the second half saw North Shore mainly on the attack. Play had been in progress for 20 minutes before Newton could register n score, in spite of an obvious advantage, both hack and forward. AndcF*on kicked a penalty ftoal from well out, and shortly afterward repeated his success, for Newton to lead -t—O at halftime. North Shore lost both O'Brien, forward, and . Bennetts. wing-tbreequarter. through injury in this spell, Snmmerville and G. Brown replacincr them. "Bennetts had missed a certain try through fumbling the ball at the end of a passing bout which swept through the Newton defence. The game bad not been in progress long in the second half before W. McKenzie fielded a drop-out by Pitt, the North Shore fullback. and potted a fine field coal. Then Newton went further ahead when M. Proctor. Sunders and Beattie were associated in a passing movement which gave the last-named a try. Anderson goalcd. and Newton led —o. Xort.li Shore had now settled down to better combined play, and after several sustained attacks Barnett scored, for Cheater to convert. Brown -intercepted in his own twenty-five and ran almost the length of the field before Sanders robbed him of a try with a lackle from the rear. Newton came back and Brimble was brought down right on the goal-line, hut North Shore returned to the attack and Suninierville was held up when over the goal-line. However, Barnett finally went across for his second try, which Cheater converted, the game x ending: Newton. II; North Shore, 10. , Dempsey, who played at five-eighths until injured and forced to retire near the end of the game, was very prominent in the Newton attacks, cutting in neatly ami kicking willi crood judgment. Sanders, W. and D. McKenzie and W. Brimble gave good support. Sanders, at centre, using his pace effectively. Brimble was very nippy at halfback and was unlucky not to score a try. Kendall fielded well at fullback, but . his kicking was uncertain. M. Proctor was outstanding in the forwards, with Quirke. K. Proctor and Housham also showing to advantage. Pitt, at fullback for North Shore, improved as the game progressed and made several fine runs. Axman played a fine game at halfback, particularly in the second spell, when the forwards secured a better share of the ball. Chatham was the most prominent of the inside backs, who, however, failed to combine in the early stages of play. All the forwards worked hard, with Mackintosh the most prominent. , ... For Newton, Beattie scored a try which was converted by Anderson, ktcked two penalty goals, and D. McKenzie dropkicked a field goal. Barnett scored two tries for North Shore, both of which were converted by Cheater. Mr. S. Billman was referee.

LOWER GRADE RESULTS Senior Reserve Grade, —Mount Albert. Hi, Marist, 0; North Shore. 13. Newton. 7; Potisonby, 11. Papakura. 3: Richmond won by default from Manukau. GAMES IN ' OTHER CENTRES [j)Y TKr,F.C:ItAPH —piikss association] Wellington.—Central. M. Randwick, S; St. George, 21, Newtown. 13: Petone, 24. Miraniar. 10. Chrlstchurch. —Addington, 11. Waimari. 0; Sydenham. 20. Kakaia. 3; Hornby, 3. Riccarion. 3.

WIN FOR QUEENSLAND NEW SOUTH WALES BEATEN (Received July 23, 5.5 p.m.) BRISBANE. July 23 Queensland defeated New South Wales in a Rugby League test match yesterday by 20 points to 13. At half-time Queensland led by 10 points to 5.