THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23708, 15 July 1940, Page 3

THE LEAGUE CODE

CHAMPIONSHIP SEEIES MOUNT ALBERT SUPERIOR TOO ACCURATE FOR MANUKAU Fast and vigorous football was witnessed at Carlaw Park on Saturday,, when the senior championship of tha Auckland Rugby League was continued. Mount Albert continued 4ts recent improvement to account- for Manukau in the principal game, which, provided a fairly interesting exhibition* North Shore was lucky to take tha points from Marist in a fast curtainraiser, a field goal in the closing stages being the deciding factor, Richmond carried a little too much strength for Newton in the main game on No. 2 ground, while in the .early fixture Ponsonbv had a victory over Papakura. There was an attendance of abouts 4000. Following were the scores:— Mount Albert, 19; Manukau, 5. Korth 6hore, 7;. Marist, 5. Richmond, IS; Newton, 7. Ponsonby, 30; Papakura, 6.

MAORI TEAM SHADED MARGIN OF 14 POINTS Mount Albert, which gave a sound Jiltround display, had the measure of Manukau. in the feature attraction at Carlaw Park and finished with a margin of 14 points. Although opposed by a much heavier pack, the Mount Albert forwards more than held their own and in the tight and the open started many movements in which the backs also participated. The play of the Mount Albert backs, too, was much more convincing than that of the Manukau rearguard, which showed plenty or initiative but was responsible for some had handling mistakes. The Mount Albert backs saw a great deal of the ball and turned their chances to good account *with smart handling, determined running and subtle changes in direction. Chase was not in his best kicking form, otherwise the margin between the teams would have been less, but nevertheless Mount Albert's superiority was apparent. ... . McLachlan refused to be bustled at fullback for Mount Albert and gave a pleasing performance. Cowley, in the centre, and McInnarney, on the wing, were fine attacking players, the former also being a bulwark on. defence. lie lowered the heaviest of tha Manukaw forwards with ease. The Ban!bamCato combination at five-eighths required ful watching. The slightest suspicion of * weakness in the Manukau defence, saw them, racing for the gap. They also ruined raany. of Manukau's offensives by adamant tackling. Clements, who was well served by the hooker, Leatherbarrow, kept his back line working methodically, occasionally relieving, his play with bright dashes on the blind side. Shadbolt, Gunning. Leatherbarrow and .Herring, who replaced Flower, were the hardest toilers in the forwards. * , , Martin, a versatile fullback, and Chase, were both responsible for fine saving work In the Manukau back line. Both these also figured prominently on attack, Chase several times breaking through _ the Mount Albert defence with elusive running. Selwyn. Tawhai and Brouschton combined nicely at times, but did not show as much initiative as usual. The forwards were all tireless workers, with Watene, Brodrtck and Marsh proving the most successful in their efforts. . Tries were scored for Mount Albert by Cowley, Cato, Leatherbarrow, Gunning- and Herriijg. Banham converted two. _ Brodnck scored for Manukau and Ohase kicked a penalty goal. Mr. K. Mclver was referee.

LEADERS' CLOSE CALL Marist pushed North Shore to a very close decision in the curtain-raiser on No. 1 ground, the spectacular attacking play of the Marist backs, who threw the ball about delightfully, having North Shore defending strenuously for the most part. With the scores S-all in the second spell and Marist hurling attack after attack at the North Shore line, the prospects of the leaders were not rosy, but the North Shore fullback. V. Scott, dropped a splendid field goal from out on the side line to give his side the honours. Chatham's absence was noticeable in the North Shore rearguard, which was not . a particularly effective attacking unit. Smith, McArthur and Wilkie were, the most" '.".impressive backs, the first-named supporting V. Scott excellently on defence. Hollows, *E. Scott. Graham and Peterson showed up" repeatedly in the forwards. ■' • •" Glover played- a fine game'at fnilbaclr for Marist, his' fielding, tackling t and kicking being above reproach. The backs were all dangerous when in possession, with Matthews, Hudson and Hughes displaying the greatest opportunism. Breed, ITcLeod, Barchard and Anderson: formed the spearhead of -the jranAnderson scored for "Marist and Chalmers converted. E. Scott scored for North Shore, Smith kicking a penaltv goal and V. Scott a field goal. Mr. G. Kelly ' was referee. ~ TOO MUCH KICKING There was altogether too much kicking in the game between Richmond and Newton, and as a result the backs got few opportunities. The scoring was no indication_ of the run of play, particularly in the first half, when Newton narrowly missed scoring on three occasions. Once E. Brimble stumbled in the mud only a foot from the Richmond line. Richmond took some time to settle down, but in' the second, half its superior all-round plav was the deciding factor. The Richmond backs were not impressive as a combination, and will to show vast improvement to defeat North Shore next Saturday. The rear division dropped many passes and there was not a great deal of difference between the two teams. Richmond gained success mainly through its ability to make the most of the bad mistakes by the Newton backs. . . „■ , Among the Richmond backs, •Tittleton. at centre, played a splendid game and his good all-round form paved the way for the deciding tries. Solomon, at five-eighths, dropped a few passes, but made amends by scoring & clever try as the result of excellent anticipation. Mills, on the wing, made the most of his few opportunities. Neither Webb at halfback, nor Graham, five-eighths, showed his true form. Among the forwards Mitchell was the outstanding player. He was ably supported by Hadley, Potter and Davis. The Brimble brothers were the best of the Newton backs, particularly W. P. Brimble. at halfback. He varied his play nicely. Sander kicked too much to be a good centre-three-quarter. Linders and Taylor were thr best of the forwards. Middleton also did good work. For Richmond, tries were scored by Solomon, Mills. Tittleton and Kronfeld. Solomon converted two tries and Webb one. For Newton, Proctor scored a try and Anderson kicked two penalty goals. Mr. S. Billman was referee. HONOURS TO PONSONBY Afler providing Ponsonby with strong opposition in tho first half, Papakura was beaten by tho superior speed of. the Ponsonby rearguard, which executed some clever movements. Early in the game Papakura looked like causing a surprise, although Ponsonby's line was not crossed. Many determined rushes .by the Papakura forwards went close to success. Papakura led at half-time by a single point. Favoured by the excellent hooking of Flanagan, the Ponsonby backs dominated the game half-way through the second spell, and good handling was rewarded by several tries. Papakura's backs were outclassed, but the loser's forwards battled on gamely and were, if anything, equal to the Ponsonby set. Splendid scrum formations were a feature of the game and the referee had few occasions to penalise the forwards on either side. The respective halfbacks, Williams (Ponsonby) and Hogan (Papakura). played according to the correct interpretation of the rules and there were very few breaches from actual scrum infringements by the front-row forwards. Amontr the Ponsonby backs Kay showed plenty of resource on attack and he combined' nicely with Nurse, whose speed often turned defence into attack. Murphy, on the wing, was the weak link, and got his' team into trouble by running back. Shilling played soundly at fullback. Briggs played an outstanding game in the Ponsonby forwards, and Dunning and Laird gave solid support. Cossev and Hogan were the pick of the Papakura backs, whilo Millikeu was prominent in the forwards. Dunning. Kay, Nurse and Briggs scored a try each for Ponsonby. Kay . converted one trv and kicked a penalty goal. For Papakura. Mclnness kicked three penalty goals. Mr. J. Donovan was referee.

LOWER GRADE GAMES Senior B Oracle.—Mount Albert, 13, Marntkau. S; Otahuhu. 12, Ellerslie, 7; Northcote, !), Point Chevalier, 7. Third Oracle.—Marist, 10, Point Chevalier, 5; City, 11, Mount Albert, 2; Ofahuhu, ■_'!>. Avondale. 2; Newton, 12. Ponsonby, 3. Fourth Oracle.—Avondale. U, City, 6; Xorth Shore, 11, Otahuhu, r>. Fifth Grade. —Mount Albert, 10. Newmarket. 0. Sixth Orade. —Otahuhu. 41, Papakura. O. Schoolboys' Matches.—Senior prade: Richmond. 51. Ponsonby, 0. Intermediate: Mount Albert, 11, Oleuora, 0; Newton, 21, Marist, GAMES IN CHRISTCHURCH [by TELKGItAM —PRESS association] CHRISTCHURCH, Sunday Leatrue football matches played yesterday resulted as follows: —Addinpton. 9, Hornby. 3; Sydenham, 1;S. Linwood, 8.