THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23768, 23 September 1940, Page 3

THE LEAGUE CODE

BOOPE BOOSTER GAMES SURPRISE BY PONSONBY MOUNT ALBERT OVERWHELMED Favoured by fast conditions on Saturday, matches played in the Auckland League's Itoope Rooster competition at Carlaw Park produced spectacular exchanges and high scoring. In tho principal attraction Ponsonby showed surprisingly brilliant form to overwhelm Mount Albert by . a margin of 28 points. Richmond had too much strength for Papakura in the curtainraiser. In the game at Devonport to decide the runner-up in the championship, North Shore defeated Newton comfortably. Phelan Shield games were continued, City beating Otahuhu, and Manukau and Marist drawing after extra time. * Following were tho scores:— ; Ponsonby,-41, Mount Albert, 13; Richmond, 27, Papakura, 13; North Shore, 33, Newton, 15; Manukau, 10. Marist, 10; City, 10, Otahuhu, 5. SPEEDY REARGUARD Ponsonby was responsible for a very fine performance and it outclassed Mount Albert in all departments of the game. It is a long time since such a variety of clever back play lias been witnessed. Superior speed played a big part in Ponsonby's success. Its backs never missed an opportunity to pass, and the ball was rarely kicked. Tho brilliant combination of Kay and Riley was an outstanding feature of tho game. Contrary to expectations, Ponsonby's lighter forwards more than held their own against tho heavier and more experienced Mount Albert vanguard. The loss of Flanagan, the Ponsonby booker, just before half-time, did not make any difference to the ease with which the backs opened up the play. Mount .Albert was without the services of its usual captain. Banham, who recently returned to Australia. It is doubtful, however, whether his presence would have made much difference The smart manner in which the Ponsonby hacks did their work was a revelation. Williams gave excellent service front the scrum and the passing along the back line was always crisp and well directed. Some very fine tries were scored, particularly one just before half-time, when fivo backs handled -. in a good sixty yards dash; Both Kay and Carr showed excellent understanding when the ball was passed back infield to Riley. referee, Mr. Donovan, allowed tho game .to run along without unnecessary interference and tho advantage rule Was well interpreted. A. Kay. tho Ponsonby five-eights, was responsible for one of the best exhibitions seen at Carlaw Park for many years. Not only was there a lot of merit in each of his thre® tries, but Kay paved the way for Riley to score twice. Kay used his undoubted pace to good advantage and his _clever handling was a feature of the game. Kay some very fino goals. Riley also played a brilliant game at centre-threequnrtcr and was always a thorn in the side of the opposition. His clever changes of pace often fooled the.opposition. Both the winds. Nurse and Carr,' gave good service, and Jordan, at five-eighths, made some good onenines. Scolt, at fullback, was sound. The Ponsonby forwards played well in the loose, particularly Morgan, who was playing bis first game this season. Briges, Blutchcr, Bakalich and .Dunning were also prominent. Tho Mount Albert backs got few opportunities on attack, but on occasions Cowley, at centre, and Cato, five-eighths, did (rood .work. Gunning. Tristram and Shadbolt played well among the forwards For Ponsonbv tries were scored by 'Hiley Mj. Kay (3). Nurse and Gee, Kay converted five tries and kicked two penalty goals. For Mount Albert, Gunning. Cranch and Pinchers scored tries. Cato kicked a field goal and T»eatherbarrow converted try. Mr. J. Donovan was referee. Richmond v. Papakura.—Superior team plav bv Richmond was the deciding factor in its game with Papakura, which was eliminated from the Roope Rooster competition. Papakura plavcd constructive football-occa sionally, but its more experienced opponents were too clever in back play. The forwards wero well matched, find in the looso Ml® Papakura vaneuard did some good work. The Richmond inside backs, C. Williams, Solomon and Graham, were much too clever for the opposition, and Graham made some splendid openings from which tries were scored. Solomon was a thorn in thft # sido of the opposition. Tittleton played his jisual sound game and scored tries by strong,, straight running. Takle played well on tba wing, and McWilliams gave a sound display at fullback. Mitchell, Crookall and Devine were -good workers among the forwards. The best Papakura back was Mclnnes, who proved a sound last line of defence. R. Halsey, Cossey and Hogan also gave crood service. Among the forward". Milliken, Francis. Fogarty and Pinfold were prominent. For Richmond tries Iwere scored bv Tittelton (2). lolteT, Mitchell Williams. Solomon and Crookall. Takle converted three tries. For Panakura. Mclnnes kicked four penalty goals and converted a try scored by R. Halsey. Mr. G. Kelly was referee. * . North Shore v. Newton. —There was little to enthuse over in the meeting of Isorth Shore and Newton at Devonnort, the exchanges lackine life and the-plav being too one-sided to hold the interest. The Newton side, which contained n number of third trrade plavers. was hardly a match forlsortn Shore the latter only exerting itself Buffi- * ciently to hold a comfortable lead. One feature was the excellent play at five-eights and goalkicking of .T. Smith, who scored 14 of his tram's points. Uc wns ensi I the outstanding plaver on th'e He'd and worried the opposition repeatedly with his sf'oner and elusive run ning. Chatham was the only other player to impress in the "NTorth Shore hack line, the chances of which were limited through F,. Scott's slowness behind the scrum. Fields, Zano and Peterson were the hardest workers in a pack which showed up spasmodically with clever- dribhlincr and free handling. In ,■ cpite of stren" n us efforts by several of-_the forwards, the Newton side could make little impression, although it recovered sliehtlx toward tho end when North Shore relaxed , temporarily. Kendall was sound at fullback, his positional play and handling being excellent. McKenzie and Emus proved the most dangerous backs, the latter gaining ground several times with powerful running. Davison, Everett and Zimmerman were prominent in , tho forwards. Tries were scored for "North Shore by Smith <2). Fields (2). Zane. Donaldson and E. Scott. Smith converted three and V Scott and E. Scott one each. Smith also kicked a penalty goal. Emus (2) and Davison scored tries for Newton. Emus converted two and Sanders kicked a penalty goal. Mr. O. Chalmers was referee. r/lanukuu v. Marist.—For Manukau, Hemi kicked five penalty goals, and for "Marist Breed and Smith scored a try each. Anderson also converted one try and kicked a penalty goal.. Mr. I\. Mclver. was referee. City v. Otahuhu. —For . City tries were scored bv C. Gould (2). Donovan and Smith. Clarke kicked a penalty goal and converted one try. For Otahuhu, T.' Johnson scored a try and J. Johnson kicked" a penalty goal. Mr. S. Billman was referee.

OTHER GRADE CONTESTS - Senior Reserve Grade. —Stallard Cup. semifinal: Ellerslie, 11, City. 10. Third Grade.—Otahuhu, 2S. Glenora. 10. Fifth Grade. —Ellerslie. 1.2, Mount Albert, S. Schoolboys.—lntermediate ffradc:. Mount Albert, 3, Green Lane, 2.