THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23690, 24 June 1940, Page 10

THE LEAGUE CODE

CHAMPIONSHIP SEEIES NEWTON'S SECOND DEFEAT ... • ,v " BRIGHT DISPLAY BY MANUKAU With the conditions underfoot fairly firm and tlio ball dry, ,teams .competing in tlie series of championship gaines under the control of I'tlio Auckland Ilugby League on Saturday wore not slow to reveal brisk handling and sparkling back play. The principal attraction between Newton and Manukau, in which the former suffered its second defeat of the season, provided an excellent display, which had ail attendance of about 5000 spectators enthusiastic from start to finish. Richmond accounted for Marist in the curtain-raiser on No. 1 ground, while Mount Albert had the measure of Ponsonby in tho main fixture on No. 2 ground. City was a little lucky to beat Papakura in the early 'match. Following were the scores: — Manukau, 14; Nowton. 8. City, 11: Papakura, 10. Mount Albert. 27; Ponsonby, 18. Richmond, 20; Marist. 10. SPEEDY BACK PLAY MANUKAU SLIGHTLY SUPERIOR With spectacular back movements and rugged forward play alternating, the game between Manukau and Newton provided a stirring struggle, the former having just sufficient superiority, both forward and back, to make its victory convincing. Had Hcmi been, in anything like kicking form he missed some comparatively easy shots Manukau would have had a comfortable victory. Attack and counter-attack was tho tale in the first spell, (with neither side making "inch progress in the face of stern tackling. Weak handling at critical stages also Played its part in nullifying some of the attacking efforts. Manukau fielded a very heavy pack, which, nevertheless, was not cumbersome in the open. Newton got the ball consistently in the first half, but when Manukau turn came in the second spell its backs showed greater versatility and penetration. Martin and Hcini. originally starting out as fullback and five-eighths respectively, interchanged positions to suit the run of tin. play, the former being particularly sound at fullback and also showing great attacking force alongside Tawhai. ? he S^vn' profiting by intelligent feeding from bclwin, was a strong link in the Manukau lac .^^ lK chain in the second spell, whilo the three quarters, Butler. Te lai and Chase, all did their part impressively when called on. sol wyn varied his play neatly, and his supports anticipated cleverly, to be there when needed The Manukau pack, which comprised a great set of workers, carried sufficient weight to permit of Watene standing out and supporting the backs. Watene showed himself a willing, worker and a groat opportumst often chiming in successfully in back and 'onward aggression. Ririnui, Maguiro and Brodnck we™ others who caught the eye consistently Dempscy shaped up to a strenuous day .•> work in a sterling manner, and, considering he an "unt of defending he had to do it was s rnrising that he was not caught out ol position. Richards revealed lus usual detejr*SSSS although ho broke through several times, was inclined to overlook his BU Pl!° rt ;f- which M. Proctor were prominent in a pack wnicn was most convincing in the Watßne Tries were scored for Manukau by ' Butler, Te Hai and Ririnui. Hemi kicked one penalty goal. Richards scored twotrics for the losers, Anderson converting one. Mr. J. I>onovan was referee.

' papakura unlucky ! City was lucky to beat Papakura in the most U( part, joroured With five Gould (City) an obstruction try a' 0 "??. 1 "® • iSSSTtI.. bffilroi. n" r ?b. ;:twenty-five. E. Halsey raced up to Gould ■ nnH in nttemoting to stop the next lock, tripped Gould, and the fer pw v exn^vhe t her extreme penalty—a try t° City. . and fiould would have scored is doubtful, ana TTalfiev's Hrip did not- appear deliberate. Ptfuakura played improved football particularly the backs, which showed good combination at times Clarke and SUva were the best of the City backs while H. Matata mid Tnckson were the pick of the lorwaras. At fullback for Papakura played a snlendid game, and in the forwards Mill} ken. Buckeridge and Fogarty were promiFor Cltv Gould scored a try, which was converted bv -Silva, who also kicked three penalty *oak For Papakura Hogan and buckeridge scored a try each and Mclnness kicked two penalty goals. Mr. K. Mclver vsas referee. PONSONBY IMPROVING Although Mount Albert defeated Ponsonby bv a comfortable margin, the scores wore no indication af the run of the P'ay. Iho Ponsonby backs played excellent football and were seen in many bright passing pouts, which eclipsed the efforts of the Mount Albert set. The- Mount Albert forwards, however, were superior all round, being particularly good'in the loose. The referee had considerable difficulty with the rival hookers, Flanagan (Ponsonby) and Leatherbarrow (Mount Albert). Many free kicks were given against the pair for scrum breaches. , The first half was interesting throughout and Ponsonby was always dangerous. In the second half, however, Mount Albert dominated the game, and scored several good tries. The backs, however, were not so impressive as the Ponsonby set. Both Kay and Isurse played splendid games for Ponsonby and McManus was always on hand to support the pair. Banham was a tower of strength to Mount Albert, and his lino dofcnco stopped several dangerous moves. Clements, at halfback, and Cowley, centre-threequnrter, also played good games. _ Among the Mount Albert forwards Leatherbarrow played a fine game, and Gunning, Flower and Tristram were also prominent. The Ponsonby forwards battled gamely and the pick were Dunning, Laird and Blucher. For Mount Albert tries were scored by Cowley (2), Leatherbarrow (2) and Cato. Banham converted four tries and kicked a penalty goal. Cato kicked a field goal. For Ponsonby, Dunning, Laird and Nurse scored a try each, and Ray converted two tries and kicked four penalty goals. Mr. S. Billman was referee. RICHMOND TOO CLEVER Superior tactics prevailed in the RichmondMarist encounter, in which the former had a comfortable win. The backs varied (heir play nicely, and also profited by the opportunities made for them by a free-run-ning and smart-handling vanguard. Marist'a forwards offered strong opposition, but tlioy could not cope with their opponents' versatility. A dashing gamo was played at five-eighths for Richmond by Graham, he and C. "Williams working well under the expert cuidance of the clever halfback, C. Webb. The latter shone both on attack and defence. Solomon, i Mills and McWilliams were also prominent among the backs. Potter and Hadle.v showed i up repeatedly in the forwards, good assist- ! atice coming from Metcalfe and Davis. Glover, the Marist fullback, darted in among the attackers in a characteristic manner, to save his side repeatedly. Hughes, Matthews and Hudson showed most Initiative among the backs, while Breed, Finlayson and Barchard wore impressive in the forwards. Mills (2), Davis and Potter scored tries for Richmond, Webb converting three : and kicking: a penalty. Marist's tries wore scored by McWilliams and Matthews. Anderson kicked two penalties. Mr. A. Kelly was refcrco. 1 | OTHER GRADE RESULTS ' Senior B Grade. —Otahuhu, G, Ellorslie, 0. Third Grade.—Richmond, 18, City, 30; Mount Albert won from R.V. by default: Glenora, 7, Newton, 7; Otahuhu, 13, Point Chevalier, 0; Ponsonby, 13, Marist, 8. Fourth Grade. —Richmond, 10, Avondale, 2. Fifth Grade.—Richmond, 23, Mount Albert, 4; Otahuhu, 20, Northcote. 0; City won from Manukau by default. Sixth Grade.—Otahuhu, 32, North Shore, 0. Schoolboys' Games. —Intermediate Grade: Mount Albort, 38, Richmond, 0; Green Lano, 23, Marist, 0. Junior Grade: Green Lane, 5, Northcote, 8. . . MATCHES IN CHRISTCHURCH [BY TELEGRAPH —I'HESS ASSOCIATION] CHRISTCHURCH, Sunday League football matches played yesterday resulted: —Addingtou, 12, Rnkala, Hornby, 18, Walniairi, 14; lticcarton, 19, Linwood, 8. -v:v '■