THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23762, 16 September 1940, Page 3

THE LEAGUE CODE

ROOPE ROOSTER GAMES MOUNT ALBERT SUPERIOR SURPRISE BY PAPAKURA In a fast and open game, which was always interesting, Mount Albert defeated North Shore at Carlaw Park in the second series of matches in the Roope Rooster competition. The Mount Albert backs gave a fine exhibition and were a little superior all round to the North Shore rear division. In the curtain-raiser, Ponsonby made a splendid recovery to defeat Marist. On No. 2 ground, Richmond proved too good for City, and Papakura caused a surprise by beating Manukau. There was a good attendance. Following were the results: —Mount Albert, 23, North Shore, 14; Ponsonby, 18, Marist, 12; Papakura, 25, Manukau, 21; Richmond, 32, City, 26. ADVANTAGE IN BACKS Favoured by frequent possession of the ball, the Mount Albert backs made the most of their opportunities and proved too good for North Shore. Both sets of forwards had a great duel, and honours were even, although the Mount Albert vanguard gave their backs better support in the loose. The North Shore backs were reorganised. V. Scott, the usual fullback, played on the wing, and Symons, who recently returned from Wellington, was the fullback. A feature was the brilliant play of Cowley, the Mount Albert centre, who frequently beat the defence by elusive play. McLachlan, fullback for the winners, played easily his best game this season and seldom missed an opportunity to set the three-quarters running. Banham, who, it is understood, was playing his last ganje before sailing for Australia, held the backs together v by superlative judgment. His tackling checked most movements round the scrum. Cato also played a good game. Behind the scrum, Clements did much useful work. Mclnnarney played ' splendidly on the wing. Gunning and Leatherbarrow were the best of the forwards, while Tristram and Marshall were prominent in the loose. At fullback for North Shore, Symons was slow, and his tackling was weak on occasions. V. Scott played well on the wing and Donaldson made several good openings, which were not well supported. Petersen and Graham were the pick of the forwards. For Mount Albert, tries were scored by Leatherbarrow (2), Tristram, Clements and Mclnnarney. Clements converted two tries and Leatherbarrow one. Banhnm kicked a penalty goal. For North Shore. V. Scott and Petersen scored a try each. Scott kicked three penalty goals, and Smith converted one try. Mr. K. Mclver was referee. Ponsonby v. Marist.—Excellent play by Kay and Riley in the last few minutes gave Ponsonby a victory over Marist, which had much the better of the first half, and led 10 minutes before time. The try scored by Riley was the result of his perfect understanding with Kay. The ball was handled three times in a 30-yard run. The game was fast and open, and clean hooking by Dobbyn (Marist) and Flanagan (Ponsonby) was a feature. Dobbyn did really well against the Ponsonby hooker, who only gained the ascendancy in the last few scrums. The Ponsonby backs were more daring on attack than those ■ of Marist, but there was little to choose between the forwards. With better handling, Marist's backs would have fully extended the more experienced Ponsonby set. Riley, who has played only three games this season, is fast returning to form, and is perhaps the best wing-threequarter in the code. Kay, at fiveeighths, made many clever openings, and he used his speed to, good advantage. Jordon also played well and Williams' scrum service was. excellent. Dunning was the best of. the forwards. At fullback for Marist, Glover gave a first-class display. His tackling was faultless. McWilliams and Hughes also played well. Anderson, .Finlayson and Barchard played impressively among the forwards. For Ponsonby, Riley scored two tries, and Jordon and Dunning one each. Kay converted three tries. For Marist, Hughes and Anderson scored, and Anderson converted one try and kicked two penalty goals. Mr. S. Billman was referee.

Papakura v. Manukau. —Splendid goalkicking by Mclnnes gave Papakura a surprise victory over Manukau. He contributed 10 of Papakura's points. The game was played in a spirited fashion, and near the end Ririnui was ordered off. Papakura made the most of mistakes by the Manukau backs. Besides his good goal-kicking, Mclnnes played a fine game at fullback, proving a tower of strength Hosken showed up well on the wing, and at halfback Hogan gave splendid service. Milliken, Fogarty and Pinfold played well among the forwards. For Manukau, Chase was the best back on the 'ground. Hemi was also prominent and in the forwards Ririnui and Shilton played good games. For Papakura, tries were scored by Fogarty, Halsey, Hos-, ken," Wright and Pinfold. Mclnnes kicked, four penalty goals and converted one try** For Manukau, Chase, Shilton, Rei, Tetai ana Jackson scored a try each. Hemi converted one try and kicked two penalty goals. Mr: J. Hawkes was referee. Richmond v. City.—For the greater part of the game, City dominated the play in a fast and interesting match with Richmond. It took the Richmond backs some time to settle down, but half-way through the second spell their splendid combination wa6 responsible for City's defeat. In the first 20 minutes of play, City scored three tries and looked a winning team. Superior speed and better handling stood to Richmond, which should take a lot of beating in the Roope Rooster competition. The City forwards were more than a match for the Richmond pack, which, however, handled a little better in supporting their backs. At centre-threequarter, Tittleton was the outstanding back and was in every effective movement. Both Solomon and Graham played fine games, although the latter was inclined to overdo the stab kick. Devine, Broadhead and Davis played good games among the forwards. For City, Simpson, at five-eighths, played well, as did Clarke at fullback. C. Gould and J. Gould did good work on the wings. H. Mataira, Jackson and Thompson gave the backs excellent support. For Richmond, tries were scored by Davis (2), Devine, Broadhead, Williams, Graham, Tittleton and Furnell. Furnell kicked a penalty goal and converted one try. Solomon and Davis each converted a try. For City, C. Gould, Smith, Simpson, Hughes, Thompson and Jackson scored tries. Clarke converted one try and kicked a penalty goal. Mataira also kicked two penalty goals. Mr. G. Kelly was referee. RESULTS IN LOWER GRADES Senior Grade. —Phelan Shield: Otahuhu, 31, Newton, 2S. . ;■ Senior Reserve Grade. —City, 10, Point Chevalier, 5. Third Grade. —Point Chevalier, 13, Glenora, 10; Richmond, 4, Otahuhu, 2;, Mount Albert beat Marist by default. Fourth Grade. —Avondalfi, 6, Papakura, 3;! Point Chevalier beat North Shore by default.. Fifth Grade. —Mount Albert, 6, City, 3. Schoolbovs. —Intermediate grade: Green Lane, 14, Point Chevalier, 0; Richmond, 14, Glenora, 0; Marist. 38, Ellerslie, 0; Mount Albert, 23, Avondale. 0; Newton, 3, Ponsonby 0. Junior grade: Green Lane, 19, Point; Chevalier, o;,Marist, 5, Glenora. 0; Newmarket, 9, North Shore, 0; Northcote beat. Ponsonby by default. MATCHES IN THE SOUTH [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION'] Wellington.—ln the final of the senior knock-out competition Petone, 27, defeated Miramar, 13. .