THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23460, 25 September 1939, Page 14

THE LEAGUE CODE

MOUNT ALBERT WINS CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS MARIST TEAM DISAPPOINTING After a fast and open display Mount Albert defeated Marist comfortably in the Auckland Rugby League's champion of champions match played at Carlaw Park on Saturday. Tlu; previous Saturday Marist won a fine game by two points, but in the second meeting this form was not repeated, and Mount Albert had much the better of the game.

The first half was evenly contested, but in the second spell tho Mount Albert forwards dominated the game anil eventually won by 21 points to nine. .Mount Albert lias now won the l"'ox Memorial Shield lor the senior grade championship tiiul the Storniont Memorial Shield for champion of champions. Mr. J. Storniont presented medals to the Mount Albert players at (lie conclusion of the match on Saturday.

Otahuhu gave a pleasing exhibition of tho codo to defeat Bichmond by JU points to six, and win the third grade championship. The game was played as a curtain-raiser to the principal match. Marist gave a disappointing display and Mount Albert was not seriously extended at any stage. The losers had a monopoly of the ball from set scrums and it was surprising to see Chalmers kick repeatedly. These tactics gave liardgrave, on the Mount Albert wing, ninny chances to attack and he freciuentlj carried the ball back infield to the forwiuds. The Mount Albert vanguard was right on its game, being splendid in the loose. Ihe Marist forwards put up a solid showing in the first half, but fell away badly ha fway through the second spell. Some of the Marist backs tackled weakly and, this was more noticeable once Mount Albert proved its superiority. After IJardgrave had scored two fine tries in the second spell, the defence crumbled and there was not nearly so much interest in the game. On the day Mount .Albert was easily the better team all round. The game was won by the Mount Aim rt forwards, and perhaps the pick were. f«ui ■ niiig, iiansen and Shadbolt. luinning was in every movement and showed exceptional spied in several passing bouts. Hansen the captain proved a good leader, much of Ins 1011trol assisting Mount Albert to play the game in a good spirit. Cameron also played a good game, especially in the loose, iristranis work stamped him as one of the most consistent forwards in the game. AVn ,i.„, Mount Albert was unlucky to lo.se \\ alkor its halfback, late in the first half, but Clements, who replaced him, played a good game, liardgrave, on the wing, was the outstanding player. Tie used his speed to good advantage and was always difhiult to stop. Donaldson played a heady game on nttac,;. while Marshall, at centre, did everything soundly. Crunch, one of the reserve players, was also good and impressed so much as to win a place in the Auckland team. At fullback. MacLachlan tackled well and fielded splendidly. , .. . . Hudson, at centre, was perhaps the best of Mie Marist backs, and his tackling was a feature of the game. With the exception of Hughes, at five-eighths, the others gave a disappointing display. Frickson, Logan and Barehard were the best of the forwards'. For Mount Albert tries were scored by liardgrave <;s). Hansen and Donaldson one each. Donaldson converted two tries and Cato kicked a field goal. For Marist Matthews, Midgley and Finlayson scored tries. Mr. S. Billman was referee.

FINAL OF SEASON PAKEHAS AND MAORIS The Auckland Rugby League's season will bo brought to a close next Saturday, when teams representing the pakehas and Maoris will be matched at C'arlaw Park. The following teams have been selected:— Pakehas.—Fullback: C. Dcmpscy (Newton); threequarters, R. Hardgrave. (Mount Albert), B. Crunch (Mount .Albert), b. Nurse (Ponsonby): five-eighths, J. Cato ("Mount Albert), \V. McKenzie (Xewton); halfback, J. Walker (Mount Albert); forwards. J. ft uniting (Mount Albert), L. Petersen (Ponsonbv), W. Cameron (Mount Albert), R. Shadbolt (Mount Albert). J. Flanagan (Ponsonbv), D. llerrintr (Mount Albert). Reserves: Backs, .7. Mclnnes (Papakura), C. Brown (Xortl'i Shore); forwards, R. Fosrarty (Papakura), W. Bell (Ponsonby), \V. Fields (North Shore). Maoris.—Backs: Nepta, hindall, Creeory. Tukere, Ilapi, Donaldson, Taoho, Brunble (Xewton). Mahima. Forwards: Blacklaws, Ilapeta. Brodrick. Tristram, Proctor, Hansen, Honsbam, Watene. Bri'-'ss. The team is to practise at Carl aw Park next Thursday at 7.30 p.m. Any player who is not available is requested to notify Mr. •E \slier immediately. „. , , None of the Marist. City or Richmond nlavers was available for the pnkelia team. Citv and Richmond will be engaged in the final of the Phclan Shield next Saturday.

RESULTS IN LOWER GRADES Third Grade. —Final: Otahuhu, 13, Rich mond (i. Knock-out: Mount Albert. 15, >or(h cote 10; Newton, 20. Manukau. 0. Fourth Grade. —Mount Albert, t Ponsonby 0* "Richmond won by default from .Olnhiinti. 'Schoolboy Games.—Newmarket, l'-\ acw ton, 0.