THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23950, 28 April 1941, Page 10

THE LEAGUE CODE

PRELIMINARY GAMES NORTH SHORE SUCCESSFUL CITY AND MT. ALBERT DRAW Bright football was again provided at Carlaw Park on Saturday, when the second preliminary series was staged by the Auckland Rugby League. Conditions were excellent and the piayers had full opportunity to exploit fast back play and free handling. Most of the teams have settled down quickly and their form gives promise of some stirring struggles when the championship commences next week. North Shore gave a convincing display to defeat Ponsonby in the main attraction, the game featuring virile forward play, smart back movements and solid tackling. Manukau showed improvement by accounting for New ton, while Papakura also played impressively to secure a narrow decision over Marist. City and Mount Albert drew in a sparkling curtain-raiser fixture. The scores were as follows: —North Shore, 2S, Ponsonbv. S; City, 5. Mount Albert, , r >; Papakura, il, Marist, 10; Manukau, 38, Xewton, J (J.

North Shore v. Ponsonby.—North Shore fielded a promising combination, which, in spite of strong opposition, triumphed over Ponsonby by a comfortable margin of points. Both back and forward the -North Shore side moved convincingly and the team looks like being one of the strongest contenders for the premiership. Smith, Chatham, McArthiir and Clarke gave groat force to the hack division, with the two last-named players showing up consistently for brainy penetrative play and .solid covering defence. In a solid, hard-work-iug pack it was hard to individualise, although Peterson, Graham and Condon repeatcdlv impressed with their initiative in the loose, '('here was nothing very disappointing about Ponsonby'.s showing, but it was facing a combination which carried slightly superior speed and tactical skill. Briggs, Laird and Keeble battled hard in the forwards against tough opposition, the first-named giving a fine display. In the backs Kav was again a dominant figure, Scott and Hughes also giving good assistance. Tries were scored for North Shore by Graham (-). Fields, Hunt, Wilkie and Scott. Smith converted two and kicked two penalty goals, and Scott converted one. White and'Kav scored tries for Ponsonby, the latter also kicking a penalty goal. Sergeant Iv. Mclvcr was referee.

City v. Mount AlDort, —Two well-matched sides stepped imt in (lie curtain-raiser on No. 1. ground and gave an excellent exhibition, features of which were good dribblm? and handling I>v the forwards and some exhilarating back plav. A tribute to the tackling was the low score, of .Vail, in spite of repeated onslaughts by both bark lines. City had a slighi advantage of its opponents until a few minutes before time, when n penalty goal by Donovan made the scores level. Lcatherbarrow anil Gunning led the Mount Albert forwards in splendid style, while Mclnnnrney and C'owley were prominent among the backs. Grotto was the best City back, making some good openings, and Matairn, Jackson and Morris shone in the forwards. Melnnarney scored for Mount Albert and Lcatherbarrow kicked a penalty goal. C. Gould scored lor City, Donovan kicking a penalty goal. Mr. L. Pope was referee. Manukau v. Newton. —Manukau, which comfortahlv defeated Newton, gave the best display of the series, and no doubt a strong combination will develop. The hacks threw the ball about in great style, and an outstanding feallire was the splendid way fn which the forwards supported the backs in attacking movements. Ririnui, Shilton and Martin played fine games among the forwards, especially the first-uamed, whose speed paved the way for manv tries. Manukuu's strength is in the backs, and this combination is likely to plav a prominent part in matches against Richmond. which has a proved rear division. Chase and J. Martin showed perfect understanding. and were always dangerous. Muri, at five-eighths, a new player to the team, also plaved well. Awhitu. who played in the second half was also a success. Among the Newton forwards, Ginders, Eraser, Quirkc and Laurent were prominent. The Newton backs were outpared on attack, although Silver, Tredrea and (*;reon were in every movement. "For Miitnikivti, tries were scored by Butler ('-?). Muri (2), Shilton <'.>), .T. Martin, Lipscombc, Ririnui and Tc Tai. Chase converted three and Butler one. For Newton, Silver scored two tries, and Tredrea converted one and kicked a penalty goal. Mr. J. Donovan was referee. Papnkura v. Marist.—An evenly contested game was played on No. 2 ground, where Papnkura narrowly defeated Mnnst. Both tennis showed good team-work, and Papakiira fjavo an impressive display, its forwards plaved well in the loose. Burgoyne. Forgarty ami Hogan showed speed and took part in most of the scTinur movements. Both teams rearranged their sides during the play, and for the winners Hosking was outstanding among the backs. Mel lines was sound at fullback, and was later replaced by Seymour, who also did well. With more experience Papakiira is likelv to fare better than last season. The Marist barks did not combine so well as usual, although the set revealed plenty of speed, but the passing was erratic. Bidwell. who scored two tries, is a promising threequarter. McWilliams. Donovan and Chalmers showed fair form. Anderson. McLeod and Doran were prominent among the forwards. For Papnkura, Iries were scored by Hosking (■_') and Clark. Melnnes converted one try. For Marist. Bidwell scored two tries and Anderson converted one and kicked a penalty goal, Mr. J. O'Shannessy was referee.