THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23974, 26 May 1941, Page 5

THE LEAGUE CODE

LIVELY DISPLAYS VICTORY FOR RICHMOND CITY FORWARDS IMPRESSIVE Games in llio senior championship of the Auckland Rugby League at Carlaw Park on Saturday were lively without producing the excellent standard of pluy witnessed in the earlier semes. Sound tackling and quick smothering tactics had a great deal to do with checking tlio initiative of the backs, but faulty handling was also responsible for many promising movements breaking down. Even Richmond was not. in its best form in the face of fast raiding by the City forwards, but it maintained a firm grip on the exchanges and won comfortably iri the principal attraction. .North Shore, after being troubled in the early stages, had a good margin over Ponsonby at the finish of the curtain-raiser match. Manukau ran away from Marist, while Papakura pushed Mount Albert to a close decision. The scores were as follows:—Richmond, 13, City, 6; Mount Albert, 11, Papakura, 10; North Shore, 17, Ponsonby, 7; Manukau. 34. Marist, 3 Richmond v. City.—The. feature of Iho principal fixture was the fine showing mado by the City forwards, who, given better support by thei.r rearguard, would probably have had the measure of Richmond. Splendid scrummaging, fast handling in the loose and the speed with which they took advantage of any of Richmond's mistakes made the City pack a menace early in the first half. They had difficulty In maintaining the pressure, however, and tho end of the first half saw them weakening. However, they again surprised in the closing stages with another sustained effort, which had Richmond perturbed. The City inside backs were much too slow off the ' mark, while Grotto's service from the scrum was not marked by his usual subtlety or smartness. H. Mataira, Jackson and Donovan were outstanding toilers in a pack which did not shirk its responsibilities at any stage. The two fullbacks, J. Magill (Richmond) and Clarke (City), also helped to. relieve a game which was inclined to be ragged at stages. Both men fielded in almost faultless fashion, although constantly attended by fast sets of opposing forwards. Their kicking also showed excellent judgment. With Graham mishandling. Solomon and Tittleton carried tho bulk of Richmond's attack. Solomon shono for fine supporting play, while Tittleton's defence was particularly valuab e in Iho early stages. Sayers and Jack made the most of the few opportunities that came their wav. Potter, Mitchell and Davies impressed most in the forwards. Tries were scored for Richmond by Tittleton, Jack and Mitchell. Webb converted two. Simpson scored for City and Donovan converted. Sergeant K. D. Mclver was referee. North Shore v. Ponsonby.—The North Shore defence stood up well to hard-hitting tactics by the Ponsonby rearguard, which was responsible for many bright movements. However, with Smith, Scott and McArthur covering cleverly In the back line and regaining ground by smart interception .and nicely-timed kicking, the Ponsonby sides efforts did not meet with a great deal ol success The North Shore forwards, too, kept a check on tho Ponsonby pack, as well as figuring conspicuously in the open. Scott was verv solid at fullback, while Smith, McArthur, Greenwood and Clarke, without, showing a great deal of initiative on attack, made few mistakes. Hunt, S.vmons, Peterson and Graham were prominent in a good all-round pack. McManus, Riley and Kay were the most dangerous members of the Ponsonby bark line, while hard-working forwards were Dunning. Laird and Briggs. Tries were scored for North Shore by Peterson and McArthur C2) Smith converted two and kicked two penalty goals. Thomas scored a fry for Ponsonbv which Kay converted. The latter also kicked a penalty goal. Mr. J. Donovan was referee. , , Manukau v. Marist.— Splendid goal-kicking by Heini was a feature of the game between Manukau and Marist, which was beaten very easilv. Hemi converted six successive tries, and 'kicked two penalty goals, a total of l<> points. The game took a remarkable, change in the second half, when Manukau, by superior speed and excellent team-work, ran up manv points. Play in the first half was very even, Marist, if anything, holding a territorial advantage. Marist was not up to full strength, two of its best backs Glover and Donovan, being absent, Manukau was seen to advantage each time Oliver, at halfback, passed the ball to the five-eighths. There was excellent combination between Murray and Chase, while on occasions Hem]i raced from fullback to iiyike the extra man. Murray was the outstanding player, and gave an excellent all-round display at five-eighths. Hemi showed initiative on attack and rarely missed an opportunity to turn defence into attack Butler, on the wing, also played a splendid game, and was in every movenient. Among the forwards, Shtlton and Rinnui plavcd the best games. The best Marist backs were McWilliams, at five-eighths, and Crocker, at halfback. The others were overshadowed by a better combination. The Marist forwards, however, put up a good fight, and more than held their own against the Manukau vanguard. Barchard played well and received good support from McLcod and Anderson. For Manukau tries were scored by Murray (.i). Ririnui, Shillon and Butlet. Hemi converted six tries and kicked two Penalty goals. For Marist. Gower scored a try. Mr. u. Kens was referee , . Papakura v. Mount Albert. —Only a single point separated the Mount Albert and Papakura teams in a well-contested game played on No ground. Papakura was n little unlucky to lose, and for most of the fame had a territorial advantage. In the first half, Papakura had a little the better of the play and its backs combined well on occasion*. Both sets of forwards were well matched, and. in spite of Mount Albert getting the ball from set scrums, its backs failed to break through sound defence. Cowley, who was playjng well at centre, retired hurt just before half time. Honours in the game wentto McInnarnev the Mount Albert five-eighths, who cored the winning try. He cut the defence to ribbons in a splendid swerving run after Clements had made a nice opening. At fullback. Lonergan played a sound although his kicking could have been better. Caplcs and Brady were also prominent, In the forwards, Tristram was outstanding, and Shadbolt, Leathcrbarrow and Hucker also played well. Seymour, at fullback for Papakura. played a sound game, while Ho.sken. on the wing, did some useful work on attack. Behind the scrum Osborne made several fine runs and was a tower of strength to his team. In the forwards, Pinfold played a good game and Clarke, T. Hogan and H. Hog an were also prominent. For Mount Albert, Shadbolt. Capies and Mclnnarney scored a try each and Leatherbarrow converted one. For Papakura. R. Halsey and Osborne scored a try each, and Mclnness converted both. Mr. E* Pope was referee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS Reserve Grade.—Papakura Army, 10. Ponsonby, 9; Ellerslie, 13, Richmond, 11; Aorthcote.' C>. North Shore, 5. Third Grade—Glenora. 30, Papakura, 12. Fourth Grade.—Point Chevalier won from Ellerslie by default. Fifth Grade.—Point Chevalier, 5, Ellers,ie Sixth Grade.—Newton. 34, Northcote, 0; Richmond, IS, Otahuhu, 3. Schoolboys.—Senior: Mount Albert 34, Ellcr«lie 3; Newton, 11, Northcote, 0; R \., 13. Point Chevalier, 7. Intermediate grade: Newton. 28, Richmond, 0; Mount Albert, -0, Avondaie, 3; R.V. won from Ponsonby by default, Junior grade: Green Lane, 13, Mount Albert, 3; Marist A. 0. Newmarket, 0; North Shore, 30, Marist B, 0: Ponsonby. 0, Northcote, 0.

GAMES IN CHRISTCHURCH Christchurch. —Sydenham. 45, Woolston, in- Rakaia-Hornby, 7, Riccarton, 2; Waimairi, 22, Addington, 15.