THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23654, 13 May 1940, Page 12

THE LEAGUE CODE

CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES CLOSE VICTORY FOF! CITY NEWTON STILL WINNING A peculiar feature of both tlio matches played on No. 1 ground at Carlaw Park on Saturday in tlio Auckland Rugby League's senior championship was that no try was scored, tlio few points registered coming ns a result of penalty kicks. Before an attendance of about 6000, City had a closo victory over Marist in the principal fixture, while Manukau and Richmond drew. North Shore did not experience much difficulty in; accounting for Ponsonby in the curtain-raiser on No. 2 ground, and Newton had an easy win over Papa'kura in the throe o'clock gamo.

Following were the results: — City, 1; Marist, 0. Richmond,' 1; Manukau, 4. Newton, 2ts Papakura, 5. North Shore, ID; Ponsonby, 6. The points scored to date by the teams aro 0S follows: —Newton, S; North Shore, (>; Manukau, Richmond, 5; City, 4; Papakura, Marist, 2; Mount Albert, Ponsonby, 0.

STRENUOUS ENCOUNTER HARD FORWARD PLAY A. strenuous battle between tho forwards, relieved at intervals by bright back play, was witnessed in the meeting of City and Marist in tha principal attraction at Carlaw Park. The first half did not provide many bright incidents, the forwards of both teams straining for a mastery and any initiative shown by tho backs being nullified by. sound tackling and quick smothering, but tho opposing rearguards fanned out repeatedly in the second spell. Marist especially making stern endeavours to force its opponents' dour defence. No try was scored during tho gamo. City taking the decision by four points to nil'as a result of two penalty goals by Clarke. Marist was handicapped in tho closing stages through losing its halfback, Crocker, who broke an arm. An excellent, exhibition at fullback was given for the losers by Glover, whose handling, positional play and kicking were impressive. He frequently drove tho fast-raiding City forwards back with neatly-placed kicks to vacant spots in the field. McWilliams was the best of the Marist threequarters, showing determination on attack and also saving cloverly by neat, backing up. Chalmers and Hughes both handled well at five-eighths, and ran strongly, in spite of the adamant defence of the oppositi6n, whilo Crocker was performing well at tho base of the scrum prior to his injurv. J' l a hard-working set of forwards Breed, G tie, Anderson and McLood were the most impressive. Tho handling of the City backs broke down on many occasions in the first half, whon the City forwards were winninp the ball regularly from the scrum, but it must bo conceded that they did not have a great deal of scope, the opposing backs playing closo up on them. Raesbeck gave a smart display behind the scrum, getting the ball away with a minimum of delay, while Silva and Hughes were fine attacking five-eighths. Tho threequarters did not receive many opportunities, but wero conspicuous for good tackling. The Mataira brothers, Thompson and Donovan worked most successfully in a very even •crum.

The only, points scored were two ponaltios by Clarke, of City. Mr. S. Billman was referee.

HONOURS EVEN RICHMOND AND MANUKAU Bright back movements interspersed with •olid forward play mado the Richmond-Manu-kau contest an att-ctive one, and the struggle for supremacy dur ; the last 20 minutes had the crowd enthusiastic. Tho result, a 4-all draw, was a good indication of the run of the play, in which sound defensive methods were a dominant feature. The packs were evenly, matched, there being little to choose between them either in the tight or the loose, while both back lines used incisive tactics to make ground. Solomon and Graham were the outstanding players among the Richmond backs, although the latter was not given the scope that he received the previous week. Nevertheless, both he and Solomon ran straight and took a lot of stopping. Bramley was safe at fullback, while Tittleton and Kronfeld proved daiigerous threequarters. Hadley, Devine. Potter and Davis got through some valuable work in the vanguard, their dribbling and handling being splendid. Hemi was a staunch defender at fullback for Manukau. his tackling and kicking being of their usual high standard, while he several times opened up play for his backs. Tawhai and Martin were an efficient combination at five-eighths, with the former showing tho greater initiative, while Butler, Chase and Broughton, moved freely when in possession and conceded little ground on defence. Mahinia was as volatile as usual behind the scrum, although coming in for considerable attention from the fast-breaking Richmond forwardsi It tfas difficult to differentiate between the forwards, Brodrick and Maguire standing out slightly in a fast and powerful set. Bramley/kicked two ponalty goals for Richmond and .Hemi .two for Manukau. Mr. K. Mclver was referee.

H. MILLIKEN BEST FORWARD Newton won its fourth successive came in defeating Papaknra in a fast, open contest. Half-way through the second spell H. Milliken, the Papaknra captain, was ordered off. He was the outstanding forward on the gTonnd. Xewton -was minus several of its regular team, but generally . the thirteen played good football, and it will tako a well-balanced side to lower the club's colours. The first /half was very oven, and for most of the time the Papakura forwards dominated the play. Papakura lost points throusrh poor goal kicking.' Four attempts from inside the twenty-five missed the goal posts. Nowton played its best football in the second balf, when the backs settled down, to combine effectively.' Tho passing was brisk. Most of. tho movements received the timely support of the forwards. Weak tackling by tho Papa* kura back? gave Newton several easy tries. The fact that W. Brimble played at second Eve-eighths instead of in his usual position behind the scrum did not weaken the attack. He played a fine game and gave tho threequarters numerous opportunities by reason of his quickness off the mark. E. Brimblo also played a > heady game and. did some goodl tackling. Tredrea, who replaced Silva on tho wing, was also prominent on attack. Dempsey fielded clednly at fullback and made few mistakes. Tho pick of the forwards was M. Proctor; and Morris also played well. Tho best Papakura back' was Clarke, the centre:threequar.ter, who did a lot of useful work. Both the winprs, L. and R. Halsdy. were also prominent. Besides Milliken, Bentley and Pratney played well. • .• . ' For Newton, tries were scored by Tredrea

(2), McKenzie (2), Everitt (2), Anderson and Oliver. MacKenzie converted two tries. For • Papaknra/ Buckeridge scored and Mclnncs converted.' Mr. J. Donovan was refereo.

NORTH SHORE NOT EXTENDED North Shore defeated Ponsonby rather comfortably, but at no stage of tho game was the standard very high. The North Shore backs \vgro superior in every department, in spite of tho frequency with which tho Ponsonby- set .received the ball as a result of good hooking by Flanagan. Ponsonby failed to cross the North Shore line, whilo the winners scored only thrco tries. Excellent goalkicking was a feature of tho game. Tho North Shore : backs did not get many opportunities, but those they did wero spoiled by Smith running into tho forwards. Tho North Shore forwards did some splendid wor'i in the loose, and took part in numerous runs with tho backs.

With tho exception of R. Nurse, tho PonBonby backu did many erratic things. Kay. the Now Zealand representative, made his first appearance this season but ho was not as prominent as usual. The best back on the ground was Donaldson, whoso clover play at five-eighths paved tho way for both tries scored by Evans.

V. Scott was a tower of strength at fullback, and his clean fielding often got North Slioro out of difficult positions. Evans, on the wing,'' showed speed and determination. E. Scott, Soutcr and Graham were pro: ininent among an even set of forwards. In the Ponsonby pack, Flanagan, Dunning and Gee played good games. i . For North Shoro, Evans scored two tries and E. Scott ono. Smith kicked two penalty goals and converted two tries. Donaldson also kicked a penalty goal. For Ponsonby. Kay kicked three penalty goals. Mr. R. Otto was referee. RESULTS IN LOWER GRADES Reserve Grado.—Richmond, 31, Manukau, 2; North Shore, 13. Ponsonby, 0; City. '2O, Marist, 2! Senior B Grado.—Otahuhu, 10, Point Chevalier, 8. Third Grade.—Richmond, 45, Point Chevalier, C; City, 68, R.V., 0; Mount Albert, 20. Newton, 12; Otahuhu, 31, Ponsonby. 0. Fourth Grado. —Avondale. 30, Glenora. 4; City, 3, Otahuhu, O; Ellorslie, 11, Shore. 5. Fifth Grado. —City, 3, Ponsonby, 3; Richmond, 25, Manukau, 2; Ellerslie, 20, Norlhcoto, 2; Richmond, 20. Manukau. 2. Sixth Grade.—Otahuhu. 0, Ellerslie. 5. Schoolboys.—lntermediate: Green Lane. 6, Ellerslie, 0. RESULTS IN THE SOUTH [BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION] Ghrlsichuroh.—Sydenham, 31, Hornby, 11; Rakaia, 28, Linwood, 3; Addington, 10, Waiv mairi, 7. Wellington.—St. Georgo, 41, Newtown, 8; Central, 16, Randwick, 0.