THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23738, 19 August 1940, Page 12

THE LEAGUE CODE

RICHMOND CHAMPIONS VICTORY AGAINST MARIST SURPRISE BY PONSONBY Richmond placed itself in an unassailable position in the Auckland Rugby League's senior championship by defeating Marist in the principal'game at Carlaw Park on Saturday. The match aroused keen interest, especially as Marist held a five-point lead at halftime. but Richmond proved its worth in the second spell to take the honours. Ponsonby, maintaining its recent improvemnt, had a popular victory at the expense of Mount Albert in the cur-tain-raiser. Manukau proved too strong for Newton and City had a narrow win over Papakura in tho games on No. 2 ground. Conditions were fairly heavy and tho greasy ball troubled some of the teams. There was an attendance of about 4000. Following were the scores:— Richmond, 13; Marist, 5. Ponsonby, D 3; Mount Albert, 3. Manukau, 29; Newton, 30. City, U; Papakura, 5. MARIST DEFENCE WORN DOWN Although fully extended in tho first half Richmond showed its superiority over Marist in the second spell to win comfortably. The Richmond backs wero much too speedy both on defence and attack for the opposing rearguard. Marist was winning the ball regularly from tho scrum, having a marked advantage in this respect in the early stages, but the Marist fivo-oighths were slow off the mark and by the time the ball reached the threequarters they were smothered. Tho Marist forwards gave a sterling display and it was only toward the end that they tired a little and tho Richmond set became dominant. Tho match did not reach the standard of previous games this season, tho exchanges being of a ragged nature. Neither team relished the muddy ground or greasy ball and mistakes in handling wero general. On most occasions McWiUianis, the Richmond fullback, had plenty of time in which to do his work, but in spite of this his display was not as impressive as usual, bis linekicking especially being erratic. Tittleton gave his usual brainy exhibition at centre, making an admirable link between the fiveeighths and the wings, while his defence was excellent. With C. Williams giving smart service from the scrum. Graham and Solomon came into their own in the second spell, when the Richmond hooker was meeting with more, success. On two occasions Graham, profiting by the Marist five-eighths' susceptibility to the dummy, cut straight through to make tries for his supports. Although not showing as much initiative in the open as usual, the Richmond forwards gave a solid display, with McLeod and Williams most prominent. The Marist fullback, Glover, was his usual aggressive self, and presented an adamant front to the Richmond raids. His tackling was beyond criticism, and he frequently saved his team by good positional play, quick interception and well-placed kicking. Without him Marist would have been in sore straits, as tho tackling of some of tho other backs was. not of the requisite standard. Matthews was the only other back who played consistently well, doing some splendid work on defence and being ever ready- to open up an attacking move. He made the most of the one real opportunity he received and scored a spectacular try. Breed, Anderson and Grotte were the best of a hard-working pack. Harrison, Tittleton and Solomon scored for Richmond, McLeod converting two. Matthews scored for Marist, Anderson converting the try. Mr. O. Chalmers was referee. WELL-EARNED VICTORY Manukau scored a good victory over 1 Newton, a feature of the game being the brilliant play of Mahima,,at halfback for Manukau. He made many fine openings, and was responsible for starting movements which earned at least three tries. The first half was well contested, and Newton had a little the better of the game, although Manukau led by 11 points to 10. The Newton backs, however, did not settle down to play constructive football, and in tho second-half the Manukau set had much the better of the game. The result was a triumph for the Manukau forwards who were superior in all departments. In tho loose, Watene, now a veteran, played splendidly, his knowledge of positional play often turning defenco into attack. Good handling gavo Watene several splendid tries. Ririnui also played a dashing game, and was difficult to pull down. Sbilton was also prominent. Besides Mahima, Chaso was in excellent form at centre, and made many fine openings for the wings. Hemi also did good work at five-eighths, whilo Awhitu on the wing showed plenty of dash and scored two tries, Denipscy, at fullback for Newton, was a tower of strength to his team, although on occasions he was caught in possession. Oliver worked hard behind the scrum, and gavo his backs plenty of chances on attack. Sander played well at five-eighths, but Richards had few scoring chances, mostly because of the tendency of the inside backs to kick too much. Among the Newton forwards, Zimmerman made a. good impression and promises to develop with moro experience. Ginders, Beattie and Everitt were also prominent. For Mannkau. tries were scored by Wateno (3), Awhitu (2), Ririnui and Chase. Hemi

converted three tries and kicked ono penalty goal. For Newton, Bcattio and Stephens scored tries, and Dempsey converted one. Mackenzie kicked a field goal. Mr. S. Billnian was referee. FAST-RAIDING FORWARDS : In a bright, and exciting curtain-raiser Ponsonby. which had the support of a large section or the crowd, gave a fine display to lower Mount Albert's colours. Ponsonby has been showing considerable improvement, but its success against the strong Mount, Albert combination came as a surprise. Fast raiding by the forwards of both teams, who handled freely, in spite of the slippery ball, was a feature of the match. The Ponsonby rearguard, with Kay a dominant figure, was more than a match for the Mount Albert, back line, which was unbalanced and lacked its usual combination, Shilling showed dependable qualities at fullback, while Nurse was a constant source of danger in the threequarter line, and backed up the clever efforts of Bakalich and Kay. The Ponsonby back line was not afraid to forget tho orthodox and the attack hit from all angles, tactics wiiich had an unsettling effect on the opposition. Kay backed up splendidly on defence and was quick to turn opponents' errors to advantage. Flanagan hooked successfully, while the most useful of the other forwards were Dunning, Briggs and Laird. Ponsonby had no easy task in breaking down the defence of the Mount Albert fullhack, McLachlan, who had a strenuous afternoon. Mclnnarney and Cranch were strongrunning threequarters, while Banhani was ttm best of tho remaining backs. Gunning and Shadbolt were the most prominent forwards. Tries were scored for Ponsonby by Dunning, Nurse and Hughes. Kay converted two. C'ranch scored for the losers. Mr. G. Kelly was referee. PAPAKURA UNLUCKY In a well-contested game on No. 'J ground. City narrowly defeated Papakura, which had much the better of tho second half. In fact, a win for Papakura would have been a good reflex of the run of play. Tlio City backs were a little superior on attack and had a territorial advantage for most of tho game. However, tho Papakura forwards put in some effective work, and went close to scoring on numerous occasions. The gamo for the most part was ragged, and play was confined to individual effort. -' A feature was the excellent forward play of Miiliken and Fogarty, the Papakura players, who were in the van of every attack. Twice In the second half Fognrly narrowly missed scoring. The City pack also played well on the had ground, and the six forwards lacked nothing in comparison with tho Papakura vanguard. But for an occasional passing bout, the backs of both teams were not prominent in combined play. Clarke, at fullback for City, played a splendid game, and was really responsible for his team's success. His defence was superb. Nesbit. at centre, and Simpson, five-eighths, both played heady games, and Hughes did a lot of useful work at halfback. Jackson, Smith and Thompson were the leading forwards. Behind tho Papakura pack, Hogan did a lot of useful work, and Cossey was also prominent at five-eighths. P. Halsey played a sound gamo at centre. Besides Miiliken and Fogarty, Francis showed up well in the Papakura forwards. For City, Simpson and Jackson Hcored a try each. For Papakura. Clarko scored and Mclnnes converted tho try. Mr. R. Otto was referee. RESULTS IN LOWER GRADES Senior Reserve Grade.—Mount Albert, S, Ponsonby, 0. Second Grade.—Garrison Artillery, 0, Waltemata, 3. Third Grade.—Richmond, 14, Mount Albert, 7. Fifth Grade.—Mount Albert, 10, Ponsonby, 4. Sixth Grade.—Point Chevalier, 10, Newton, 5. . x Schoolboys.—lntermediate grade: Mount Albert won from Glcnora by default. RICHMOND TO MEET HUNTLY A challenge from the Huntly South team, winner of the South Auckland Rugby Lcaguo championship, has been accepted by tho Auckland champions, Richmond, and it has been decided to stage the game next Saturday as the curtain-raiser on No. 1 ground at Carlaw Park. The following Huntly team bus been selected:—R. Shaw. Bartlett, R. White, E. Pukere, F. Daverall. K. Paoho, R. Shaw, T. Minhinnick, J. Brookes, D. McGilp, G. Moyes, T. McAlister, E. Stevens, Taylor, Smith, J. McGaughan, Taumata. GAMES IN THE SOUTH [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] Wellington.—Senior knock-out competition: Petone, 22, St. George, 7; Miramar, 30, Eastern Suburbs, 7. Chrlstchurch.—ln a trial match yesterday Country beat Town by 26 points to 8.