THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23992, 16 June 1941, Page 5

THE LEAGUE CODE

SURPRISE VICTORY NEWTON SHADES RICHMOND NORTH SHORE LUCKY The surprise of the series of championship League games played at Carlaw Park on Salunlay was the tlefeat of »!!ichmontl the leading team, by Newton. The former side was without (lie services of two of its leading hacks, Solomon and Graham. North Shore was lucky to finish ahead of City in the main attraction, a potted goal deciding the issue in the closing stages of the game. Marist did well lo defeat Ponsonby. while Manuknu proved much too strong for Papakura. Following are the scores:—North Shore. 10. Citj, 14; Newton. 17, Richmond, 14, Marist. 22, Ponsonby, 17; Manuknu, 43 Papakura,

North Shore v. City.—-A game of contrasts, in which sterling foiward play and bright inter-passing anion? the backs alternated with .1 gootl ileal of fumbling and faulty positional play, resulted in the meeting of North Shore and City but the scores were so close and the play throughout of such a forceful nature that the interest seldom slackened. North Shore was a lucky side to ta'.e the points a draw or even a win lo City would have been a more satisfactory result City ,"p| cared unlucky not to have been awarded a try in the closing stages after a brilliant piece of play, the movement being halted when the referee ruled a throw on. A salient feature was the splendid exhibition at fullback for City of Clarke. Showing fine anticipation. clean handling and the courage to support his backs when an opening presented, lie proved a thorn in North Shore's sitle. hailing many fast forward raids with quick interception R. (Irottc went well in the early stages, but mishandled repeatedly, and made several mistakes on defence in ttie second half. Bnrgoyne and C Gould were the best of the remaining backs. In a robust and speedy vanguard, outstanding men were the Mataira brothers. Jackson and Findlater. The North Shore back line hit hard and cleverly on occasions. Smith, with a brilliant interception. scoretl a spectacular try between the posts. His play throughout revealed polish. Chatham ran with determination, but was hesitant in finishing off some fine movements Scott played well at fullback, while others who showed out were Wilkie and Clarke, with McArthur giving spirited service from the scrum. Rutherford, Peterson and Field impressed in a hard-working pack. Tries were scored for North Snore by Mc.Artlmr and Smith. Smith converted one and kicked three, penalties Clarke kicked a field goal. For City, tries were scored by W, Mataira and C. Gould. Clarke converted one and kicked three penalty goals. Mr. (i. Kelly was referee. Newton v. Richmond.—A virile exhibition resulted in the meeting of these two teams, Newton, enthusiastically supported by a large crowd, running to .1 surprise victory. Handicapped by the absence of (wo of its best backs, (Richmond could not hold Newton, which, once on top, clung tenaciously to its lead. Webb, efficient as ever at halfback for Richmond, did his best behind a powerful pack to sway the title, bill, with the exception of 'Lowther, who showed speed and initiative, the remaining backs were seldom impressive. Davis. Mitchell and Crookall were the best performers in the forwards. Tredrca was sound at fullback for Newton. Watkins tackled manfully at halfback, -is well as supporting his barks, while Burton and Emits also showed good form. Zimmerman. Everiff, Ginders and Barnard were fine forwards. Tries were scored for Newton by Emus. Zimmerman and Burlon Tredrca and Emus' each converted one and the la Iter also kicked two penalty goals. Davis. Sayers, Tittleton and Crookall scored tries for the losers. Webb converted one. Mr. J O'Sliannessey was referee. Marist v. Ponsonby,-—Marist deserved its narrow victory over Ponsonby in the principal game on No. 2 ground. Ponsonby played good football in the first half, and had considerably the better of the game. In the second half, however, Marist improved, and both the backs and forwards functioned well 011 attack. Play, however, was very even, and the deciding try by Finla.vson was only gained in the last few minutes. A feature of the game was the clever play of the Ponsonby backs. The best bacK on the ground was Kay. the Ponsonby five-' ighllis. whose brilliance on attack often cut the defence to ribbons. Among the Marist backs. Crocker, at halfback. gave excellent service and played his best game this season.' McWilliams and Best were also prominent, anil Smith on the wing did good work. Anderson was a tower of strength, and filled the roving position capably. The Marist forwards gave a good display, and Breed. Barchard and Finlayson played well. At fullback for Ponsonby-, Scott was outstanding, and McManns, on the wing, did good work. Laird and Briggs were the best of the forwards. For Marist. Anderson, Best, Smith and Finlayson scored a try each Anderson converted three tries and kicked two penalty goals." For Ponsonby, Kay scored two tries and Thomas one. Kay converted all three tries and kicked a penalty ffoal. Mr rl. Tate was referee

Manukau v. Papakura.—Manukau had an easy victorv over Papakura, hut (be score was not a (rue indication of the run of the play. The Manukau backs revealed improved, tea in-work, and were seen (o advantage in fast attacks. The Papakura rear division was outclassed, although its forwards more than held their own against a heavier Manukau pack. A feature of the game was the clever play of Murray, at five-eighths, and Flemi centro-threequarter. Murray, who visited Fiji with the New Zealand Maori team in loas, scored three fine tries. Butler, at fullhack also played a fine game. Among the forwards. W. Martin. Shilton and Watene gave good service. Hosken, five-eighths, and Osborne halfback, were the pick of the Papakura backs. White and Pinfold did good work in the forwards. For Manukau, tries were scored by Murray (3), Hemi (2), Shilton. W. Ma-tin. R. Martin and Chase. Hemi converted six tries and kicked two penalty goals. For Papakura. Hancock and Osborne scored a *ry each. Hosken converted one try. Mr. ,T Donovan was referee. LOWER GRADE MATCHES Senior B Grade.— Northcote, IT, Manukau, 2; Richmond, JO, North Shore, 8; Filerslie IH, Mount Albert, 0. Third Grade.—City, 31, Green Lane, 15; Papakura, 8, Richmond, 5. Fourth Grade.—Olahiihu. 11, Avondale. 7. Sixth Grade. —Newton 5, Richmond, 5. Seventh Grade.— Ellerslie, 8, Richmond, 0; Green Lane, 15, Ponsonby, 0. Schoolboys.—Seniors: Newton, 11, Avondale. 5; Point Chevalier. 8, Ponsonby, 2. Intermediates: R.V., GO, Klterslie, O; Mount Albert, 8, Green Lane, 0 ; Newton, in. Newmarket, 0. Juniors: Point Chevalier, 3, Ponsonby, 0; Green Lane, 0, Newmarket, 0. MATCHES IN CHRISTCHURCH Christchurch. —Waimairi, 8, Linwood, 0; Woolston, 22, Riccarton, 10; Eakaia-Hornb.v, 9, Addington, 5. OLD BOYS' FUNCTION The official opening of the clubrooms of the New Zealand Rugby League Old Boys' Association took place on Saturday evening, when nearly 200 former players and officials attended. The clubrooms, which contain two billiards tables, indoor bowling rinks and reading rooms, will be used for social activities of the League code In declaring , the rooms open, Mr. J. A. Redwood, president of the New Zealand Rugby League, congratulated the sponsors on their enterprise and wished the "All Golds," as the club is to be known, every success. Mr. G. Grey Campbell and Mr. J. A. Lee, M.1., chairman • and president respectively of the Auckland Rugby League, also added their good wishes. Good wishes were also received in a cablegram from the Hon. R. Semple in Australia. During the evening, Mr. C. McConachy, New Zealand billiards champion, and Mr. Iv V. Roberts, a former New Zealand champion, gave an exhibition of billiards.

CONTEST IN SYDNEY SYDNEY, .Tune 15 New South Wales defeated Queensland by IS points to H in the representative Rugby League game played yesterday.