THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23956, 5 May 1941, Page 4

THE LEAGUE CODE

KEEN COMPETITION WIN FOR NORTH SHORE BRIGHT CURTAIN-RAISER Football well up to the best standard was provided at Carlaw Park on Saturday, when the opening series of frames in the senior championship of the Auckland Rugby Lea true was decided. Conditions were excellent, and the games attracted a large and enthusiastic cro.vd. The play in all games was consistently Rood, an.i there were many highlights in the feature games on No. 1 ground. North Shore justified the favourable impression created by its earlier displays by defeating Manukau in the principal encounter, although its superiority was not as marked as the scores would indicate, A splendid contest resulted bet wee'i Richmond, last year's champions, and Ponsonby, the latter being a triflo unlucky to be beaten in the last few minutes of the game. Mount Albert staged a late recovery to lose narrowly to Marist. while City had a comfortable margin against Newton. Following were the scores:-—North Shore, 17, Manukau, 4; Richmond, 15, Ponsonby. 12, City, 20. Newton, 13; Marist, 20. Mount Albert, 18. North Shore v. Manukau.—Although the exchanges were rigged for a start, the successful movements coming mostly from individual efforts, the teams later settled down to reveal good combination and initiative on attack, which, however, was frequently halted by adamant tackling. Except in the forwards, where Manukau held its own. North Shore alwiys had a fairly secure grip on the exchanges and its success was well deserved, in spite of the fact that (he winning margin of 13 points was flattering. The North Shore backs were faster and more cohesive on attack than the Manukau rearguard. Clever covering methods by the North Shore backs repeatedly checked fast raiding by the Manukau forwards. In a fast threequarter lino Wilkio and Brown were always prominent for clever initiative. Clark gave a fine exhibition both on defence and attack, combining nicely with MoArthur at halfback. Peterson, Graham and Simons went well in the forwards. Lipscombe, a fast and determined winger for Manukau, gave promise of developing into a good scoring back, while others who wcro prominent were Martin. Butler and Moore Rirtnui, Marsh and Shilton led the pack in Tine style. Tries were scored for North Shore by Brown, Wilkio, Clark (2) and Graham. Scott converted one. Chaso and Butler kicked penalty goals for Manukau. Mr J. Donovan was referee. Ponnonby v, Richmond.—This curtain-raiser put the crowd in a good humour, the play moving r.t top speed from first to final whistle and I he exchanges sparkling continuously with smooth handling, deadly penetration and subtle variation of tactics. Ponsonby set out lo throw Richmond -off its balance and it succeeded admirably. The pressure was maintained, in spile of powerful retaliation by Richmond, and it was only in the closing stages that, last year's champions wore down its opponents sufficiently to snatch a narrow victory. R. Scott revealed fine handling at fullback and it was unfortunate that he marred an excellent display by failing to tackle .Tack when he went through for the winning try. Kay gave a splendid exhibition, thrusting* determinedly on attack and recovering speedily on defence. Hughes and McManus gave him' fine assistance. Blucher, Laird and Briggs were the best forwards Webb was in great form behind the Richmond pack, while Graham and Solomon had their iißuiil fine understand* ing at five-eighths. A. Broadhead, Mitchell, Potter and Mcintosh battled gamely in the forwards. Potter, Tittlcton and Jack scored for tho winners. Webb converted two and kicked a penalty goal. Dunning and Briggs scored for Ponsonby. Kay kicked three penalty goals. Mr. G. Kelly was referee. Marist v. Mount Albert,—A fine recovery by the Mount Albert backs was n feature of a fast, open game, with Marist, which won narrowly. At one stage Marist had a lead of lo points, but Mount Albert rallied and got within two points of Marist. Both sets of backs showed impressive form and should improve with more, games together The Marist forwards did a lot of spoiling, particularly Barchard and Anderson. The best football was seen in the second half, when the Mount Alhert rear division was given more ol tho ball. Two fine movements, in i

which Cowley, Mclnnarney .and B. Cranch wero prominent, save Mount Albert three successive tries. Dickson, on the wing for Marist. showed speed and handled well. At fullback Wiberg was very sound and kicked with pood judgment. Smith, at centre, and Donovan, nvc-cighths, played good games. Did well, on the wing, was ilso impressive. Among the Mount Albert backs Mclnnarney stood out as the best back on the ground and was responsible for three tries. B. Cranch was impressive on the wing. In the forwards Leatherbarro v. Tristram and List, were prominent. For Marist, tries were scored by Anderson (2), McLeod and Smith. Anderson converted two tries and Wibers converted one and kicked a penalty goal. For Mount Albert, 13. Cranch scored two tries and Hetherington and Cowley one each. Leatherbarrow converted two and Cowley one. Sergeant K. D. Mclver was referee. City v. Newton.—City proved a little too strong for Newton, which, however, put up a strong front, and the score was not a true indication of the run of play. The first half was evenly contested, City having an advantage in the scrum, and its backs got plenty of the ball. Thc*c was, however, a lack of penetration from the five-eighths. The Newton backs were more dangerous on attack and with the same opportunities as City would probably have won. The City vanguard played with dash in the loose and gave the hacks plenty of support. W. Mataira was successful as a hooker and is an acquisition lo City. Ho received excellent support from H. Mataira and Jackson. .Tames also played a fine game. Grotte was a tower of strength at half-back, and Donovan did good work at five-eighths. .7. Oould, on the wing, used his speed to advantage, and McManns, at centre, was also prominent. Clarke played a sound game at fullback. Perhaps the best back on the ground was Emus, on the wing for Newton. His try was a fine effort, and he was always looking for chances. Watkins, halfback. Sehultz, five-eighths, and Tredrea. fullback, worked well. Zimmerman, Cinders and Event', were the pick of the forwards. For City tries were scored by Grotte, McManns, James and Donovan. Donovan kicked two penalty goals and converted two tries. For Newton, Emus scored two tries and Zimmerman one. Tredrea converted one try and kicked a penalty goal. Mr. O. Chalmers was referee. _ LOWER GRADE RESULTS Schoolboys.—Senior grade: Point Chevalier. 3, Avondale. 3; Mount Albert won from Richmond by default. Intermediate grade: Point Chevalier won from R.V. by default; Mount Albert, 12, Ellerslie, o. Junior grade: Point Chevalier, 2, R.V., 0; Manukau, 3, North Shore, 0; Richmond, 0. Ponsonby, 0: Mount Albert. 27. Marist, 0. NO GAMES NEXT SATURDAY A decision to postpone all senior fixtures next Saturday owing to the military parade was made at a special meeting of the Auckland Rugby Leaguo. GAMES 1 IN OTHER CENTRES Ghrlstchurch—Linwood, 23, Addington, 7; Sydenham, 17, Hornby-Rakaia, 10; Riccarton, i;i, Waimairi, o.