THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23666, 27 May 1940, Page 5

THE LEAGUE CODE

PATRIOTIC BENEFIT CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURE NEWTON DEFEATS MT. ALBERT Two codes of football were witnessed at Carlaw Park on Saturday, when the Auckland Rugby League and the Auckland Football Association combined fco hold a sports day in aid of the Sick and Wounded Soldiers' Fund. The principal attraction was a League championship game between Newton and Mount Albert, which the former Avon by 8 points to 6 to retain its position at the head of the table. A curtainraiser was provided by leading Auckland Soccer players, the match being in the nature of a trial for forthcoming representative matches. Although neither of the games came up to expectations, there was sufficient incident to keep a crowd of about 0000 spectators thoroughly interested. Partisanship was aroused by the relay championship between represen-tatives-of the Auckland .Rugby League and the Auckland Football Association, the latter proving successful. This contest was marred through the final runner for the Rugby League team failing to accept the baton at a stage when a thrilling finish seemed likely. The Sports Queen, Miss Joy Asquith, made two appearances at Carlaw Park during the afternoon, kicking off in both football games and briefly addressing the spectators. RESOLUTE TACKLING FORWARD PLAY PREDOMINATES Brilliant tackling was mainly responsible for the match between Newton and Mount Albert being devoid of bright back movements, but the forwards rose to the occasion in line style and provided the spectators with a rugged and interesting encounter. A tribute to the tackling of both teams was the fact that neither line was crossed, Newton getting the decision as a result of four penalty goals to Mount Albert's three. Ihe final quarter of an hour's play provided the best football, with the forwards and backs running strongly and showing improved handLeatherbarrow was getting the ball consistently in the first half, which gave Mount Albert a slight advantage over its opponents, but Newton fought back gamely and its forwards were dominant during the closing stages. With resolute tackling preventing the ball from getting past the second five-eighths, the inside backs of both teams were forced to open up play by kicking to the wings, where the tlireequarters occasionally raised enthusiasm with spectacular solo dashes. In addition to giving a solid all-round showing at fullback, his covering methods and tackling' being excellent, Dempsey showed match-winning qualities as a nlace-kick by succeeding with four difficult shots at goal. Sanders did not show up as well as usual in the threequarter line, but Mackenzie provided thrust at centre and tackled well, while Richards required careful watching when in possession. Both the last-named did really well considering their limited opportunities. W. P. Briinblc was versatile behind the scrum, varying his attack nicely in an attempt to find a weakness in the opposing defence. He combined splendidly with W. Brimble and E. Brimble. the trio making many determined efforts to break through with straight running. Although inclined to mar his display by several attempts at obstruction. Taylor settled down in the second half arm was a tower of strength in the Newton pack during the hectic closing stages. Ginders, Middleton and Proctor also stood out in a hard-working pack. Verrall gave Mount Albert good service at fullback, showing gamcness in going down in the face of fast forward rushes. The best of the tlireequarters was Clarke, a fine attacking player, who took a considerable amount of stopping. Banham was inclined to go too far on his own for a start, but later let the ball out more frequently and also placed some dangerous cross-kicks within reach of his tlireequarters. Mclnnarney invariably got his man ou defence and made the most of the few attacking opportunities he received. His passing could have been better directed, however. Clements gave a sonnd exhibition, although his reluctance to retire after putting the ball into the scrum did not appeal. Apart from winning the ball consistently. Leatherbarrow played a splendid game in the loose. Flower was again outstanding, with Gunning, Tristram and .E. Cranch also showing up. Shadbolt was impressive up to the time he was injured. Dempsey kicked four penalty goals for Newton and Banham kicked three for the losers. Mr. J. Domyan was referee.

RESULTS IN . LOWER GRADES Reserve Grade. —Mount Albert, 29. NewtoSenior B Grade.—Point Chevalier. 12, Newton. 9; Ellerslie,' 7, Northcote, 6. Third Grade.—Mount Albert, 6, Ponsonby. 2- Richmond, 30, Marist, S; Otahuhu. 2, Citv, 2; Newton, 15, Point Chevalier 10. Fourth Grade.—Otahuhu. 15, Richmond.G; Ellerslie, 12, Glenora. 0; Point Chevalier. 13. Newmarket, O. , . Fifth Grade.—Richmond. 15, Newmarket, 8; Ellerslie, 15, Mount Albert, 8; Otahuhu. 9. Manukau, 3. _ „. _ Sixth Grade. —Point Chevalier, 3, Papak"fieventh Grade. —Ellerslie, 11, North Shore. 0; Otahuhu, 32, Papakura. 0. j Schoolboys Matches.—Senior grade: Green Lane, 28, Ponsonby. 0; Ellerslie, 17, Newmarket. 3. Intermediate grade: Ellerslie. 5, R.V., 3; Richmond. 20. Point Chevalier. O. Junior grade: Green Lane, 3, Newmarket. 2.

REPRESENTATIVES CHOSEN MATCH AGAINST MAORIS The Auckland Rugby League's selectors. Messrs. H. Brisbane, W. E. Cloke and A. J. McGregor, have chosen tho following team to represent Auckland against the Maoris ne FuUback? S j. Smith (North Shore); threequarters. R. Mills (Richmond), V. J. Scott (North Shoro). R. Nurse (Ponsonby); fiveeighths, A. Kay (Ponsonby), A. Graham (Richmond); halfback. R. Banham (Mount Albert); forwards. J. Taylor (Newton) H. M. Milliken (Papakura). L. Davis (Richmond). H. Hadley (Richmond), B. Leatherharrow (Mount Albert), W. Breed (MarisO. Reserves: Backs, B. Mackenzie (Newton), L. Williams (Richmond): forwards, E. Shadbolt (Mount Albert), M. Devine (Richmond). Little fault can be found with the selection of tho backs, although an experiment with a younger player at halfback would havo proved popular. Both Clements (Mount Albert) and McArthur (North Shore) have shown great promise in this position. The omission of W. Jackson (City) from the forwards comes as a surprise. He has been one of tho outstanding players this season. The team will tram at Carlaw Park tomorrow evening. SOUTHERN CONTESTS [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] George. 17, Central, 8. Christchurch. —Addington, 17, Hornby/ 14; Linwood, 10, Waimairi, 9; Riccarton, 10, Rakaia, 9.