THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23448, 11 September 1939, Page 13

THE LEAGUE CODE

BOOPE BOOSTER GAME MOUNT ALBERT'S VICTORY RICHMOND NARROWLY BEATEN The semi-final of the Auckland Rugby League's Roope Rooster competition provided one of the brightest games seen at Carlaw Park this season, and in the main match Mount Albert defeated Richmond by «i single point. At one stage of the game Richmond had a good lead and was playing superior football to Mount Albert. Iho latter, however, rose to the occasion splendidly and, as a result of brilliant play and goal kicking by Donaldson, the champions secured a fine victory. Richmond can be considered a little unlucky to bo beaten. In tho curtain-raiser, Marist easily defeated Manukau, find will play Mount Albert in tho final.

In tho Phelan Shield game, played at Papakura, Newton narrowly defeated tho local thirteen. The results were as follows: —

ROOPE ROOSTER Mount Albert, 22; Richmond, 21. Marist, 31; Manukau, 15. PHELAN SHIELD Newton, 14 { Papakura, 12. IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE RECOVERY BY MOUNT ALBERT Mount Albort, winner of the senior grade championship, was responsible for a very impressive performance in defeating Richmond, which looked certain to win half-way through the second half. Tho Richmond team had nover played better football, and some of tho attacking movements wcro brilliant efforts. The backs enjoyed a greater share of tho ball as tho result of good hooking by Sathcrley, and for most of tho timo Richmond held a territorial advantage. Throughout the first half Richmond had much tho better of tho game, and tho play was highly spectacular. A brilliant solo try by Graham and Boveral excellent goals by Webb roused the enthusiasm of the crowd In favour of Richmond. At half-tlmo Richmond led by 19 points to 12. Mount Albert took some timo to settle down, but onco tho backs got tho ball away cleanly they wore always dangerous. Cato, a recent convert from tho Rugby codo, made two very fine runs, from which tries wore scored. Tho Mount Albert forwards gradually gained the upper hand, and frequent pelaltlcs appeared to demoralise the younger Richmond backs. Donaldson was in splondid goal-kicking form, and turned soveral penalties to good advantage. A very spectacular try by Hardgrave, whose spoed and elusive running was a featuro of the game, made the scores equal. In the last ten minutes Richmond attacked strongly and kept Monnt Albert busy defending. The goal-kicking of Donaldson and Webb was of a high standard. A featuro of tho gamo was tho excellent play of the forwards of both teams. The handling was good, and on every occasion the bacKs were supported by fast forwards. Among tho Richmond forwards, Hadley and Sathcrlcy were prominent throughout, especially tho former, who has never been seen to better advantage. In comparing the fullbacks, McLachlan. Mount Albert, outplayed Magill, who was weak on occasions. Behind tho Mount Albert pack. Walker played n heady game, especially in tho concluding stages. Cato, tho first five-eighths, was impressivo for his first game, and did excellent work on attack. Donaldson was In every movement which was constructive Ho always drew the defence and, after sending out his pass, he usually camo Into the movement a second time. Marshall at ccntro din not play so well as usual, and dropped several passes, when tries might bavo been scored. Donnellv. on tho wing, played a good game, while Hardgrave was often a thornY, l " eido of tho opposition. His try was a reallj brilliant effort, Cameron. Gunning, Tristram and Herring all played well among tho forwards, and Shadbolt Kavo Pinches, the hooker, ablo support. .. . . Richmond fielded a complete division of young players in tho backs, and all played with distinction. Graham did some fine work at five-eighths, and behind the scrum Webb was very elusive. His goal-kicking was verj accurate. Both Potter and Bramlei. tho centres, wero conspicuous, and showed pcrfeet understanding. Besides Hadley nnd SaUi" erley, Davies. Metcalfe and A. Broadhead Dlaved good games among the forwards. For Mount Albort tries wcro scoml bl Gunning. Donnelly. Hardgrave and Donaldson Donaldson converted ono try and four penalty goals. For Richmond, Metcalfe. A. Broadhead and Graham scored tries Webb converted three tries and kicked penalty goals. Mr. G. Kelly was referee.

RAGGED PLAY MANUKAU OUTCLASSED Marist proved too good for Manukau in tho semi-final of tho Roopo Rooster competition, and outclassed its opponents. iho Marist backs played fast, open football, and some good movements wero witnessod Manst won tho ball from a majority of tho set scrums and, aided by weak tackling, tries wero easily scored. Manukau rallied a little in tho second half, but tho l ) ' a y wns V ?P[ ragged, nnd there was no finish to the movements. Among tho Marist backs. Matthews, on tho wing, showed a lot of speed and scored several good tries. Hudson at centre was very sound, and frequently changed direction to good advantage. Behind tho scrum, Nicholson, a promoted -'un'or, played a fine gamo. Tho forwards wero ably led by W Grotte. Barchard, Anderson and was easily tho best of tho Maimkau backs and Mahinm and Ham also piayed well. Watcno, Maguiro and Marsh wero tho best of tho forwards. For Marist, tries were scored by Matthews (q\ Hudson (2), Barchard and Midgloy. Anderson converted five tries. For Manukau. Maguiro Awhitu and Knahoa scored a try each and S. Watcno kicked two penalty goals. Mr. 8. Billman was referee.

NEWTON BEATS PAPAKURA Newton defeated Papakura in a Phelan Shield gamo played at Papakura by 14 points to 12. For tho winners, banders (—), Brady and Stephens scored tries and Dempsey kicked a field goal. Trios wero scored for Papakura by Fogarty and Hoslccn, Mclnnes converting two and kicking a penalty goal.

RESULTS IN LOWER GRADES Senior B Grado.—Otahuhu, 5, F.llcrslie, 8. Third Grado. —Richmond, 14, Glenora, 13. Fourth Grado. —Mount Albert, .22, Green Lane. 5; Richmond. 23, Ponsouby, 3. Fifth Grade.' —Ellerallo, 10, Point Chevalier, 0. NEW ZEALANDERS' TOUR DEWSBURY TEAM DEFEATED MARGIN OF TWELVE POINTS (Received September 10, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Sopt. 0 Owing to tho raising of the ban on sporting fixtures in certain areas, the New Zealand Rugby Lenguo team was ablo to continue its tour to-day. Th« visitors defeated Dowsbury by 22 points to 10. Tho honours of tho first half of tho game went to Dowsbury, which was strong in tho scrummages, and repeatedly gained possession, compelling tho Now Zealanders to spend thoir timo chasing tho other sido. Dowsbury just about deserved its two-point lead at the interval.

Herni levelled tho scores with n magnificent goal from near tho touch lino. Ho kicked with prodigious length and fino judgment.. Solomon and Kay did capital work, which was countered by the clover offensive mothods of Hunter, Nicholson and Higgins. The Now Zealanders played a storming game, and both sides distinguished thomselvcs with their speed and skill. Dowsbury vigorously rallied, but Solomon relieved a hot attack on the Now Zealand lino.

Smith's superb run for a try was one of tho best features of tho game, but Wood similarly replied for Dowsbury. Bcadlo scored a try for tho visitors after a forward rush and Hemi converted. Wood scored for Dewsbury, but Jerniaino failed to convert. Kay added a further try for Now Zealand and Hemi converted, tho latter repeating the performance after Leatliorbarrow had crossed tho homo team's lino.

Dowsbury secured two croals and two tries against Now Zealand's fivo goals and four tries. The takings totalled £430. Tho attendance was 5000.