THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23442, 4 September 1939, Page 14

THE LEAGUE CODE

REPRESENTATIVE GAME AUCKLAND TEAM'S SUCCESS VICTORY OVER WELLINGTON LOCAL BACKS SUPERIOR Superior back play by Auckland was tlio deciding factor in tho defeat of the Wellington Rugby League representatives in a fast, open game played at Garlaw Park on Saturday. The ground was heavy in places, but good combination was shown by both teams. Auckland won by 23 points'' to 9. The visitors' forwards made a, good impression and in the loose more than held their own against an experienced Auckland vanguard. The local backs, however, dominated tho game in the second half and showed a better knowledge of positional play. The Wellington backs, however, were by no means outclassed, Auckland scored five tries and Wellington three. The visitors lost points through inferior goal-kicking. Tho teams were as follows: — Wellington.—Fullback, A. Askew; threequarters, H. Edio, R. Cleland, L. Duff; fiveeighths, M. Patrick, A. Gollop; halfback, H. Barrett; forwards, H. Cootcs, G. O'Halloran, .T. Garland. D. Mustchin, P. Hcrkt, F. Leahy. Auckland.—Fullback, C. Dempsoy; threequarters, R. Nurse, N. McKcnzie, 11. Hardgravo; five-eightns. B. Donaldson, A. Graham; halfback, \V. Walker; forwards, A. Broadhead, H. Flanagan, M. Dcvine, W. Cameron. R. Shadbolt, C. Petersen. Backs Combine Well As a combination tho Auckland backs wcro superior, but there was no outstanding player. Dempsoy, at fullback, showed plenty of initiative, and both the wings, Hardgravo aud Nurse, used their speed to advantage, especially Hardgravo, who was elusive on attack. McKcnzio played a good gnmo at centre and paved tho way for two tries. Donaldson played an outstanding gamo at five-eighths, in spito of fjood tackling by Patrick. Graham was prominent on attack, but several times was inclined to run away from his centres. Ho overdid tho roverso pass to the forwards. Behind tho scrum Walker did a lot of valuable work. His defence was very sound. Tho local forwards played with plenty of dash, and the best wero Cameron and Petersen. Tho former put in a lot of useful work and is improving with each game. Petersen used his speed to good advantage. Dcvine also played a good gamo, aud Flanagan proved a most successful hooker. Both Broadhead and Shadbolt justified their inclusion. . . Tho best Wellington back was Edio, who played a splendid gamo on the wing. Ho showed plenty of speed and good anticipation on attack. Cleland, originally selected as a forward, played a fino gamo at centrethreequartcr, and somo of tho openings he mado cut tho Auckland defence to ribbons. His tackling was a fcaturo of tho game. Among tho insido backs, Patrick, at fiveeighths, mado *a good impression, and with more experience should develop into a highclass back. Ho was really responsible for tho try scored by Hcrkt. At fullback, Askew made few mistakes and his defcnco saved Wellington on several occasions. Visiting Forwards Impress Tho visiting forwards played splendid football and moro than held their own, against good opposition. O'Halloran, tho hooker, and Leahy, the lock forward, played good games. (Leahy was outstanding in the loose, and, considering it was his first gamo for some weeks, his form was impressive. Coottes played well in tho first half, and Mustchin was also prominent with good all-round play. Soon after tho start Petersen broko away and kicked past Askew, but Edio camo round fast and checked the movement. O'Halloran and Mustchin headed a sweeping attack which was stopped by Graham, tleland penetrated deeply and gavo the visitors a chance. Duff sent the ball back in \to Hcrkt. who raced over at the corner, bcatjing Hardsrrave and Dempsey. O'Halloran failed to convert. Wellington. 3; Auckland, 0. Auckland's backs had numerous chances and ITardgrave and McKcAizie raced well into the visitors' territory,, whero Cameron received. Tho Auckland Storward went on to scoro a splendid try. * Donaldson failed to convert, nnd the scores [wero level. One of tho best passing bouts ill the gamo camo from a good run by Cleland and Gollop, and Patrick gave excellent wapport. Edio raced for tho corner and • sen? the ball back to Cleland, who was pushed out a yard from Auckland's line. Patrick received from Barrett and passed to Cleland, who mado a fino opening beforo sending the ball on to Edie. Tho last-named Dempsey's tackle to scoro a good try. O'jlTalloran failed U) convert. A few minutes later Donaldson kicked a penalty goal from, the sideline.

Hardgrave "Makes Opening Tho Auckland backs excelled on attack, and Hardgrave. picking up smartly, beat Duff before passing/ to McKenzic, who scored. Donaldson converted. .Tust before half-time ■Leahy made a flß.o dash of 30 yards for the lino and only missed his objective by a yard. Petersen extricated Auckland from a difficult position and passed t-o McKenzie. Nurse joined ia.and scored. Donaldson failed to convert, an/i half-timo came with tho scores:—Auckland, 13; Wellington, 6. Soon after /tho kick-oIT Hcrkt was prominent among,', tho Wellington forwards. O'Halloran nival o a good dash for tho line. Wellington missed several kicks at goal. Tin: visitors' •' forwards mado tireless efforts, but were unr/blc (o break the defence. Auckland gained ;in advantage from superior positional play Rind Dempsey started a passing bout which /(gave Donaldson a try between the posts. Donaldson converted. In a pr/i*ii lg bout Donaldson raced up to make Iflt'o extra back and Nurse scored at the cflpner. Donaldson kicked a great goal. Wellington struggled hard and tho forwards /were rewarded when Leahy and Carroll Imoko away. Tho latter scored, but ■O'llallonwi missed tho kick. Tho gamo ended with thot/scorcs: —Auckland, 23; Wellington0. 1 Mr. E. Simpson was rofereo.

RQIOPE ROOSTER MATCH ma'nukau wins semi-final In ftlio semi-final of tho Boone Rooster competition, Manukau gavo a really good displny to defeat Pap!ikura"by 27 points to 12. Excellent team-work on a heavy ground was a Mature of Mauuknu's play. Papakura had a little the better of tho first half, and led by !12 points 'to 8. In tIK) second half, howcvfc}.\ Manukau's bucks were superior throughout/ and twice Greuory, nt centre tlireoqu/irter, paved the way for tries. A nice opening by Nepia from five-eighths gave Hapi p, < good try. Near the end of the game, Wibcrg, from fullback, followed his own kick, TO score a spectacular try. / Watcnc, who captained the New Zcalnnd /team four years ago against England, was 'the best forward on tho ground. Gregory, nt centre for Mannkati, is ono of the most promising players in tho code. Fognrty, tho Papakura captain, played a fine game in tho forwards, nnd Gray, at five-eighths, was tho best of the backs. For Manukau tries wero scored by Wateno, A whit ii, Marsh, Hapi, Gregory. Brimble and Wibcrg. Nepin converted threo tries. For Papakura, Anderson and Mclnnes scored a try each. Mclnnes converted two tries and kicked a penalty goal. Mr. G. Kelly was refereo.

PHELAN SHIELD GAMES Two frames in tho Phelnn Shield competition were played at Carlaw Park on Saturday. City bent North Shoro by 0 points to 3 anil Nowton beat Ponsonby by 30 points to 14. Tries wero scored for City against North Shore by Silva, Racsbeck and Smith. For North Shore, Brown scored a try. Tries were scored for Newton against Ponsonby by Howsham. Proctor, Stephens and Blacklaws. Anderson and E. Brimblo each converted a try. For Ponsonby tries wero scored by Dormer. Briggs, Saunders and Carr. Morgan converted ono try. RESULTS IN LOWER GRADES Senior Reserve Grade.—Richmond, 28, Newton, 0-, Otahuhu, 13, Ponsonby, S. Third Grado. —R.y., 17, Point Chovnlior, s 'Fourth Grade.—Cit.v, 5, Mount Albert, 3; Ponsonby, 10, Otahuhu, 0: Richmond, 44, North Sliore, 4. t ' , Fifth Grade. —Richmond, f>, Avoildalo, 0. Sixth Grade. —Richmond, 5, Otahuhu, 3. t SCHOOLBOY GAMES Senior Grade. —Newton. 37, North Shore, 0: otahuhu, 2, Mount Albert, 2; Richmond, 14, Ellerslio. 0. . Intermediate Grade.—Ponsonby, ti, Point Chevalier, 0; Ellerslio, 2S, Green Lane, 0. Junior Grade. —Green Lane, 8, Newmarket, 3 ' Seven-a-Side. —Papakura, 0, Manukau, 0; Nowton beat. Ponsonby by default. WELLINGTON CONTESTS [by teleghaph—press* association] WELLINGTON, Sunday In Wellington Rugby Leagiio matches on Saturday between City and Suburbs, Suburbs won tho senior game, 33—8, and was successful in the junior contest, 11—8. SYDNEY PREMIERSHIP (Received ScptembeV 3, 8.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, Sept. 3 Tho Sydney Rugby League premiership was won yesterday by Balmain, which overwhelmed South Sydney by 33 points to 4. Balmain last won tho premiership in 1024. ,