LEAGUE FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23625, 8 April 1940, Page 12

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

OPENING OF SEASON PRELIMINARY GAMES PLAYED SERIES AT CARLAW PARK The Auckland Rugby League opened its season on Saturday with a series of preliminary matches, which attracted a large crowd. There was a number of new recruits to the code and several soldiers on leave turned out to assist their clubs. Four players from Australia had a run, among the best known being F. Tottey, a New South -Wales and Australian wing-throequarter. The principal name on Xo. 1 jrronnd. between Richmond and Marist. was pla.Vfd at a fast pare. Hirlunond obtained an early lea< and its backs combined effectively on occasions. However, the Marist forwards infused plentv of dash into their play and scored a well-deserved try just, before half-time. Marist gained the ascendancy in the second spell, although Richmond played the more finished football. The Marist backs showed plenty ol speed and promise to develop irilo a good combination. Among the Richmond backs D Solomon, at five-eicrht lis. Webb, halfback. Mills, wingtlireeoiiarler. and Poller, centreshowed excellent form. I". Fnriiell, the R'y 1 ' n.ond fullback, broke an arm lo hospital. Among the forwards Mitdiel w.is outstanding and lladley and I>iivis p aye.!l well. Marisl's best backs were Matthews. iJuglu% Donovan and Orotte. Breed showed form in the forwards. The game resulted in a draw of eight points each. For Richmond Peyme and Mills scored tries, Furnell converting one I'or Marist Midgley ami Barclianl scored, and Anderson converted one. .\[r. IT. bite was An oiitslanding game by P. Ririimi, the Xew Zealand forward, was a feature or an interesting game belween Manubaii and t-il.\. Ririimi scored two splendid tries and his dashing runs often cut the defence to ribbons. Maniikau lidded a number of new Players, including Tawhai. a North Shore Rugin nvecighllis, who played a splendid game. Butler, a former Hokia'ntra Rugby wing-threeriiiarter also showed impressive form. Ihe forwards included Rei. who played last season for I ecnnica! College Old Boys. The best Maniikau back was T. Chase, whose clever play on attack paved the way for sever;, tries. The Citv forwards played with plenty of dash ami won the ball front set scrums lie rear division, however, handled h-idlj and lost tries on numerous occasions. City had much the better of Ihe final stages and went close to winning. The best forward was IT. Mataira, who was well supported by Fmdlater. a former Waikato representative, and Thompson, w 'h° showed speed in the loose. Smith, on the wing, was the pick of the backs. Maniikau won by 10 points to }.T. tor Mannkan tries were scored by Ririnui (-), Dunster and Tawhai. Chase convertivl two. For City Smith scored two tries and Bnisse.v one. Smith converted two tries. Mr. J. Gcdje was referee. . . . Mount Albert, Inst year's champion team, turned out a very ?tronir thirteen and rauirr easily defeated Newt on. The Mount Albert backs showed excellent form, while the forwards were seen to advantage in passing movements. Beside F. Tottey on the wing, I lie rear division Included R. Mansill, the Auckland amateur sprint champion. He showed a lot of speed in scoring his try. Han ham also played, well and his accurate goal-kicking gave Mount Albert six points Bis tacklin-r was very sound. Xewton fielded several big forwards and Hie pack promises lo hold its own when serious competition is commenced. Richards, a five-eighths -from the Rugby code in the King Country, was prominent and scored a nl 'Mount' Albert won by 0:1 iwints.to tl. For Mount Albert tries were scored by Flower (_), Mclnnarney. Mansill and beatherbarrow, Bantin m converted three tries and Marshall one. L«'o- Vewton Richards scored a try and Anderson kicked three penalty goals. Mr. A. Pearson va< n*feree , . , Ponsonhy narrowly beat Papakura, which included two men from the military camtr Ponsonbv was not up to full strength, while Papakura fielded a number of last years team. 11. Milliken, a former All Black, who came over to the code last year, was conspicuous in the forwards. J. Agnew. a forward from the Bay oT Plenty district, is an nrouisilion. , ... .. Ponsonhy won by 10 points to s. T-or I onsonby Fnnnell and Dunning scored tries. Boyd and l>ormer converted them. For Papakura Bilke.v and Osborne scored a try each and Mclnness converted one. Mr. E. Pope was ireferec.