THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23672, 3 June 1940, Page 4

THE LEAGUE CODE

BRIGHT 'DISPLAYS

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES NORTH SHORE DEFEATS CITY Improved handling and more incisive attacking methods among the bac-ks were features of championship games plaj-ed under the control of the Auckland ltugby League on Saturday, and as a result the various matches provided many sparkling movements. North Shore ran true to form to down City in the principal game 011 No. J ground at Car law Park, while Richmond proved superior to Ponsonby, and had a fairly comfortable victory in tlie curtain-raiser. Papa k ura showed improvement to force Marist to a close decision in the game on No. 2 ground. Following were tho results:— North Shore, 15: City, <i. (Richmond, Hi; 'Ponsonby, 2. Marist, 18; Papakura, 15. ~ Tho points gained by the teams to date arc as follows:—Newton, .North Shore, 30: Richmond, 9: Mannkau, 7; City, Marist, 4; Papakura, Mount Albert. 2; Ponsonby, 0.

BACKS HANDLE WELL FINE TRY BY DONALDSON Although City provided stiff opposition, especially in the forwards, North Shore carried an all-round superiority which gave it; victory 111 the feature game at Carlaw Park. Tho tackling of both teams was pood, but bright initiative on the part of the backs and sinnr.t handling: kept the exchanges fast and onen. City fielded a fine pack, which extended tho powerful North Shoro set, but the latter team revealed better balance all round, and was quicker to take advantage of its opportunities. North Shore had a sound fullback in' Scott, who fielded the ball excellently, tackled well and lost few chances of running his backs into favourable positions. The early stages saw the back line functioning brilliantly, but later Smith spoiled his supports' prospects by holding on too. long and running into trouble. Nevertheless; Smith, prior to being injured and retiring to the wing, gave valuable service defensively, and occasionally opened up the play for Donaldson, who revealed brilliance at centre-tlireequarter. The latter scored a splendid try when he cut the defence to ribbons with a diagonal dash after drawing the City backs out of position with a subtle feint McArthur gave an inipressivo display at halfback, working -hard aad successfully throughout, the afternoon, while Peterson, who supported most of tho attacks, was the best of the threequarters. Chatham went well at- five-eighths after changing places with Smith, being-quick to sense an opening. Mackintosh foraged successfully in the North Shore pack,, and .good support came from Scott, Zane and Condon. Although his handling and defence wero sound, Clarke was slow off the mark at fullback for City, a weakness which got his side into difficulties on several occasions. Good tackling was a feature of the threcquarters' play, with Gould and Smith also showing up qn attack.' Hughes and Silva were quickly checked by tho North k Shore inside backs. Raesbcck gave good service from the scrum, in spite of being hampered by tho fastbreaking North Shore forwards. The forwards all did their part well, with Donovan. Thompson, H. Mataira and Jackson tho most prominent. Donaldson (2) and Evans scored for North Shore. Donaldson converted one try and kicked a penalty goal, and Smith also converted a try." Silva'kicked three penalty goals for City. Mr. K. Mclvor was referee. IMPROVED DISPLAY * Ponsonby showed vastly-improved form against Richmond, which, although winning comfortably, was often extended. The score. 10 points to 2, was not a true indication of the game. However, the Richmond backs showed the better combination, and mado the most of the mistakes by the Ponsonby rear division. The Pausonby forwards infused plenty of dash into ttieir play, but generally the Richmond set was superior in the loose. The first half was evenly contested, and on occasions Ponsonby went close to scoring. A nice run by Solomon from the position of fullback gave Richmond the only try in .this half - un An outstanding game by Kay, Uie 1 011sonby- five-eighths, was a feature. Kay often made gaps in the defence and, had he received more support, Ponsonby would have scored at least three tries._ Nurse used his pace to advantage on occasions. The Richmond inside backs combinrd effectively. C. Williams and Graham made the most of excellefit play by A\ ebb behind tho pack. Davis played a good game among the Richmond forwards. a,nd was well supported by L. Williams and Devine. k. Takle. a promoted junior, kicked two fine goals. For Richmond, tries were scored by O. Williams, Wills. Taklo and L. Williams. Takle converted two tries. For Ponsonby. Kay kicked a penalty goal. Mr. G. Kelly was referee.

an even struggle Bright, oocn football was witnessed in the game between Papakura and Marist, the latter gaining the upper hand in the last 20 minutes. Papakura disputed the issue throughout the first half and at one stage looked a winning team. However, a spectaciilar trv by Anderson retrieved the position for Marist, which thereafter dominated the general play, diarist appeared lucky to be awarded a try by Donovan, who was held up by a tackier when attempting to touch down. Both sets- of forwards played - (rood football in spite of the greasy ball. Marist s backs, however, had more finish to their Dins', and their superior speed was'responsible for most of the tries in the second half One of the best movements started from Nicholson at halfback. The ball travelled along the backline to Matthews, who raced fas 4 , for the corner. Good tackling b.v both teams was a feature of the game, and in this respect .Glover, the Marist fullback, did some fine work. Matthews, on the, wing, was always prominent, but Hudson has yet to show his best form. Nicholson. . the halfback, varied his attack well and did a lot of good work on defence. Barchard played-a good gnmo among the Marist forwards, and Finlayson and Anderson were also prominent. Reid, fullback for Papakura, creditably, and both Hosken, centre-three-quarter, and Mclnnes, -five-eighths, played good.games. Hogan was a tower of strength at halfback. Millikcn and Fogarty were the pick of the forwards. For Marist, Barchard, Anderson, Matthews and Donovan scored tries. Anderson converted one try and kicked two penalty g'oals. tor Papakura. Hogan scored two tries and .Hutchinson ono. Mclnness converted two tries and kicked a penalty goal. Mr. S. Billman was referee. RESULTS IN OTHER GRADES Senior B Grade.—Northcote, 15, Otahuhu, 7; Ellerslie, 7, Newton, 0. Third Grade.—Mount Albert, 10, Avondale, 0; Otahuhu, 29, Papakura, 0; Ponsonby, 9, Point Chevalier, 0. Fourth Grade. —Otahuhu, 3, Ellerslie, 3; Newmarket, 10, Glenora, 0; Avondalc, 8, Green Lane, 4. Fifth Grade.—Otahuhu, 6, Ellerslie, 5; Newmarket, 8, Manukau, 3. Sixth Grade.—City 8, Richmond, 3. Seventh Grade.—Ellerslie, 11, Papakura, 3; Otahuhu, G, North Shore, 0. Schoolboys' Matches. —Senior grade.- R.V., 3, North Shore, 0. MATCHES IN WELLINGTON [t?y tm/egrafh OWN correspondent] WELLINGTON, Sunday Following were (he results of League football matches played in Wellington yestcr day:—Petone, 31. Central, 13; Rand wick. 12, Eastern Suburbs, 7; Miramar, IS, Newtown, G.