THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23684, 17 June 1940, Page 4

THE LEAGUE CODE

PBEMIEKSIiIP GAMES TRIUMPH FOR NORTH SHORE ' • NEWTON'S FIRST DEFEAT North Shore gave a virile display to defeat Newton in the principal game at Carlaw Park on Saturday, when the senior championship competition of tho Auckland Rugby League was continued. The fnit} weather and the prospect of a lively contest between tho championship leaders attracted a crowd of about 7000, and the spectators wero rewarded with a tense struggle. North Shore's superiority in the forwards proving the deciding factor. Mount Albert showed its real worth against Richmond in the curtain-raiser to secure its second win of the season, while Ponsonby was responsible for a surprise on No. 2 ground in defeating City comfortably. Manukau was extended in winning against Papakura at Onehunga. Following were the scores:— North Shore, J2; Newton, S. Mount Albert, 21; Richmond, 11. Ponsonby, Jt; City, 0. Manukau, 25; Papakura, IG. FINE FORWARD PLAY NEWTON MAKES MISTAKES Although lacking in spectacular back play for tho greater part of the lime the North Shore-Newton encounter provided a stirring struggle, with the fast-raiding forwards of tile former team dominating most of the exchanges. In spite of securing possession frequently the Newton rearguard did not rise to its usual heights, owing to faulty handling among the inside backs, and the North Shore players were quick fo take advantage of their opponents' errors. The Newton back line began functioning properly in the last 15 minutes, when smart handling and determined running put the side temporarily at an advantage, but with a chance of victory in sight several of the Newton backs resorted to kicking when possession of tlie ball was of paramount importance. Dempsey had an arduous task at fullback for Newton, but he stood up valiantly to the fast raids of the opposition, fielding tho ball cleanly and placing his clearing kicks judiciously. There were occasions toward the finish, however, when he could have set his backs running instead of kicking. Bichards and Sanders were the outstanding threequartcrs, both being responsible for powerful running and cleverness on attack and adamant work on defence. A versatile display was provided by AY. P. Brirnble behind the scrum who exploited all methods of attack in an effort to weaken North Shore's resistance. However, ninny movements broke down at 15. Brimble, whose handling was weak. Although outplayed by tho~ opposing pack, the Newton forwards battled manfully, tho most prominent being Proctor, Kendall, Middleton and Gindcrs.

North Shore had a dependable fullback in Scott, but his lino kicking could liavo been improved on. The most dangerous threequarters were Chatham and Cheater, who, although forced to depend for their chances mainly on tho spoiling work of the North Shoro forwards, frequently harassed the defence with determined attacking. As with the remaining backs, their defence was good. Smith and Davis concentrated on defence at five-eighths, although given good service by the halfback. McArthur. North Shore fielded a splendid set of forwards, among whom it was difficult to detect a weakness. Graham and Scott were prominent in the loose, while solid play also came from Peterson, Condon, Mackintosh and Fields. Condon and Graham scored for tho winners. Evans converted both tries and Scott kicked a penalty goal. Sandtrs scored two tries for Newton, and Anderson kicked a penalty goal. Mr. S. Billman was referee. MOUNT ALBERT'S SUCCESS Playing fast and open football; ?icmnt Albert proved too good for RichiOXmd, although the game was actually won in the first 30 minutes of play. Richmond took a long time to settle down, and in the first half was completely outclassed by the swift raiding tactics of the opposition. The Richmond backs were completely disorganised and could do nothing right. The vanguard, too, was beaten in the looso by the rugged Mount Albert forwards. Mount Albert put on 38 points in the first "half, while Richmond failed to score. In the second half Richmond played better football, but there was always a lack of finish to the movements of the backs. . Both the five-eighths, Banhani and C'ato, played splendid games, and made the most of the good passes from tho scrum by Clements. C'ato was especially good on attack and' paved the way for two tries. McInnarney, on the wing, played a good game, as did B. Cranch. In the second half the .Mount Albert backs overdid passing, with the outside • player standing flat-footed. Cowley, the centre-threequarter, was hampered by these tactics. Gunning stood out as the best forward on the ground, and he was in every scoring movement in tho first half. Shadbolt also played a fine game, as did Tristram and Leatherbarrow. The Richmond backs did not play us well as usual, and there was little penetration by the five-eighths. Solomon and Graham. Tho latter ran across field too much and Solomon suffered acordingly. Williams, the halfback, was the best of the backs. Tittleton. at centre, was not prominent until the second half, when he did a lot of useful work. Furnell was careless at fullback, and he made no attempt to tackle Gunning when the latter went over for a try. Hadle.v and Devine were the best of the forwards and Metcalfe was also prominent. For Mount Albert tries were scored by Mclnnarney (2). Tristram. Cranch. Leatherbarrow and Gunnine. Clements and Banham converted one trv each, and Cato kicked a field trnal. For Richmond Tittleton. Metcalfe and Harrison scored tries and Webb converted one. Mr. K. Melver was referee.

PONSONBY'S IMPROVEMENT Ponsonb.v, in beating City, registered its first victory this season. Throughout the game Ponsonby was definitely the superior team and its backs played greatly-improved football. The speed and good handling of the Ponsonby rearguard was a feature of the game. The City backs were very slow in comparison and failed to cross Ponsonby's line. Tho winners had a big advantage b.v getting the ball from the set. scrums, and both the five-eighths, Kay and McM.mus, used their pace to heat the defence. The re(inpearance of McManus in the back division sharpened up the attack. Ponsonby started off well and two good tries by Murphy gave ilitf Icam confidence. The City forwards held the upper hand for a time, hut the backs were outclassed by tho speed and better tactics of the opposition. Kay, who played finst five-eighths, was always prominent on attack, and his pace and elusive running were troublesome to the opposition. Williams played well at halfback. Nurse also played a splendid game nt centre, and Murphy, on the wing, showed promise. Flanagan. Bakalich and Diinnin? were the pick of the forwards. Among the City backs, Clarke, at fullback, was sound throughout. R.aesbeck did useful work at halfback. W. Mataira. Donovan and Jackson played good games among the forwards. For Ponsnnbv. Murphy scored two tries and Xurse. Bakalich and Dunning one each. Kay converted three tries. For City. W. Mataira kicked two penalty goals and Clarke one. Mr. G. Kelly was referee. PAPAKURA'S GOOD SHOWING An evenly-contested game was played at Onehunga and resulted in a win for Mannkau, which defeated Papakura bv 2.1 points to 1(>. Papakura put up a splendid fight and was onlv beaten in ilie final stages of the game. Manukau was a little superior in the backs, but the Papakura forwards more than held their own. Papakura had the hotter of the first half, but in the second half good

play by Chase and Brodrick turned the game in favour of Manukiiu. Mclnnesg kicked several good goals and contributed 12 points of the losers' total. For Manukau tries were scored by McGuire (2), Martin, McLeod and Brodrick. Chase converted four tries and kicked a penalty goal. For Papakura, R. Halsey and Hosken scored a try cich. Mclnness converted both tries and kicked three penalty goals. Mr. J. Donovan was referee. OTHER GRADE RESULTS Senior B Grade. —Otahuhu, 12, Point Chevalier, 0. Third Grade. —Mount Albert, 5, Richmond, 3; Otahuhu, 21, Marist, 5; Glenora, 32, R.V., O; Newton. 30, Papakura, 2; Ponsonby, 11, Avondale, 10. Fourth Grade. —Otahuhu, 0, Green Lane, 0; Point Chevalier, 8, Avondale, 8; Ellerslie. 11. Papakura, 8; Green Lane. 0, Otahuhu. 0. Fifth Grade. —Otahuhu, To. Monnt Albert, 0; Eilcrslie. 6, Ponsonby, 0; Xorthcote, 18, Manukau. 5. „ Sixth Grade.—Otahuhu. 20. Papakura, 0. Schoolboys' Games. —Intermediate grade: Richmond, 11, Avondale, 5. RESULTS IN SOUTH [nv TELEGRAPH —I'll ESS ASSOCIATION] Chrlßtchurch.— -Canterbury Rugby League: AVaimairi, 15. Addington,. 5; Hornby, 24, Riccarton, 8; Rakaia, 12, Sydenham, 0. Wellington.—Miraniar, 17, Central, 1G; Randwick, 10, Newtoun, 0. • QUEENSLAND OUTCLASSED (Received June 10. 5.35. p.m.) SYDNEY; June 16 The New South Wales Rugby League representatives defeated Queensland yesterdaj 52 points to 11.