THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 24022, 21 July 1941, Page 5

THE LEAGUE CODE

LEADING TEAM BEATEN

SURPRISE BY MANUKAU SIDE RICHMOND'S FINE RECOVERY A record club attendance for the season of about 7000 witnessed some bright football at Cnrlaw Park on Saturday, when the second round of tho Auckland Busby League's senior championship was com me need. There was a surprise in the principal fixture, the leader, North Shore, succumbing to Manukau, which had an easy victory in a rather ragged contest. Tho curtain-raiser between Ponsonby and Richmond produced a splendid contest, the latter, after being behind almost throughout, snatching victory right on time, when D Solomon showed his match-winning ability with a fine solo try. Mount Albert defeated Marist, and City eclipsed Newton in the games on No. 2 ground Following were tho scores:—Manukau, '22, North Shore, 7; Mount Albert, 18, Marist, 11: City, 35, Newton, 8; Richmond, 21, Ponsonby 18. Manukau v North Shore. —Both teams played ragged football in the first half, with Manukau holding an advantage by reason of its ability to take advantage of the opposition's mistakes. Tho second half was brighter, but the game seldom reached the heights expected of teams of such tested quality. North Shore was well astray throughout, faulty handling and bad positional play proving costly, while the forwards did not move with their usual verve. Smith was not at his best at fullback, but his task was not an easy one with the backs showing weakness in handling and slowness in backing up. Clarke was well watched at five-eighths, but occasionally got in sumo useful work, while Chatham shone occasionally in Individual efforts but did not work In well with bis supports. Tho ball was not coming out very cleanly to McArthur, who nevertheless battled hard behind the North Shore pack. The best toilers in the forwards were Peterson, Graham and Field. A newcomer to tho Manukau side, Gregory, played well at centre, his speedy and deceptive running helping him to improve on openings made by the clever five-eighths, Murray and FTemi, Martin figured prominently on defence, often coming round behind to chock loose rushes by the North Shore vanguard. The Manukau pack lasted better than was ex-. ported, tho most prominent men being Watene, I Ririnui and \V. Martin. They were of great assistance to their backs in the loose, and j scrummaged with determination and success. I Tries were scored for Manukau by Butler I (2), Martin and Murray. Herni converted threo and kicked two penalty goals. Peterson scored a try for the losers, which Smith converted. The latter also kicked a penalty goal. Mr. G. Kelly was referee. Rlohmond v. Ponsonby.—A brilliant solo try by D. Solomon was a feature of a narrow win for Richmond against Ponsonby. With two minutes to go. Ponsonby, which nad had much the better of the game, was leading by two noints. From a scrum on the Ponsonby twenty-five. Webb passed to Solomon, who beat the defence with a clever swerving run. The Richmond captain then burst straight for tho goal line and got over between (he posts with two Ponsonby players hanging on. ft was a very Gne effort at 'a crucial stage. Richmond was a little lucky to win, for Ponsonby did most of the attacking. The Richmond backs, however, had better finish to their movements nnd were always dangerous. White, the Ponsonby hooker, did really well against a heavier set of forwards. Kay was in splendid kicking form, and secured 12 points with six goals. At fullback for Rich-

I mond, Magill gavo a weak display and was . too casual in his movements. Solomon played i a fine game at five-eighths, and excelled both i on attack and defence. Webb gavo Rood sen I vice at halfback, while Tittlcton was also i prominent on attack. Among the forwards, , Mitchell and Broadhead played well, particui larly the latter, who retains his form remark- • ably well. Kay, the best of the Ponsonby , backs, was always a thorn in the side of the . opposition. Scott, at fullback, also played a • good game. Briggs, a forward, did well at , five-eighths. Laird and Sullivan wero promi inent among the forwards. For Richmond, tries were scored by Mcintosh. Tittleton, Broadhead, Mitchell and Solomon. Webb converted three tries. For Ponsonby, Kay and Laird scored a try each. Kay converted one and kicked five penalty goals. Mr. A. Pearson was referee. Mount Albert v. Marist.—After an evenlycontested first half, Mount Albert defeated Marist by 18 points to 11. but the score was not a true indication of the game. Mount Albert owed its success to slightly superior initiative among the backs. Possession of the ball and the ability to make use of this advantage was the deciding factor in favour of Mount Albert. The forwards wero well matched and both sets did good work in the loose. The best movement in the game came from a pass by Moore, at five-eighths, and Clements made a nice opening for Cowley, who shot ahead before sending Hetherington over. Speed and quick thinking produced this fry. Outstanding among the Mount Albert hacks was Cowley, at centre three-Qimrter. He mado several clever openings, and was always in support of bis wings. Cranch and Hetherington also played good games, especially the latter, who shows improvement each game. Fast following up and good tackliug was noticeable in the play of Shadbolt and Tristram, two of the best forwards on the ground. Leatherbarrow also played a good game For Marist, Smith showed speed on the wing, while Wiborg Bnd Wood wcrcj prominent on attack/ Amow? (lio Marifft forwards. Breed and Anderson did good work in the loose. For Mount Albert, tries were scored by Tristram, Hetherington, Cowley and Shadbolt. Leatherbarrow and Clements converted a try each, and Cranch kicked a penalty goal. For Marist, Smith, Anderson and Breed scored a try each. Anderson converted one. Mr. J. Donovan was referee City v. Newton. —City proved superior all round to Newton, and won very easily in a game full of interest. The City backs made the most of opportunities given by the forwards, who dominated the game throughout. The first half was well contested, but in the second Newton went to pieces, and City piled up one of the biggest scores of the season. Each movement from the scrum met with success, and the City backs showed speed and initiative on attack. In fact, it would have, taken a really strong team to beat City. Newton gave a disappointing display after' promising performances against Richmond and Jlanukau. The Newton oack was no i match for the City vanguard, which gave Hie , rear division excellent support. Once again Clarke, the City fullback, gave a high-class : 'display and his fielding and kicking were' faultless. Furthermore, Clarke was always; anxious to make play for the three-quarters. He kicked seven gonls. Both Brassey and C.I Could used their speed to good advantage on attack, and Crotte did good work on de-1 fence. Husrhcs also played a good all-round game. MeManus was sound at centre It would be difficult to fault any of the City forwards. Mataira, Jackson and E. Donovan were most prominent. Emus was easily the best of the Newton backs. Cinders and Zimmerman played well among the forwards. For 1 City, tries were scored by Gould. Burgoyne, Brassey, A. Donovan, Matairn, Corbelt and MeManus. Clarke converted five trie,s and kicked two penalty goals. For Newton, Young scored a try which was converted by Emus, who also kicked two penalty goals. Mr. H. Tate was referee. LOWER GRADE MATCHES Senior B Grade. —North Shore, 10. Army, 0; Kllorslie, 15, Ponsonby, ">. Third Grade. —Glenrnore, 8, Ponsonhv, 5; Point Chevalier, 18. Papakura, 7; Otahuhu, 54. Green Lane, 4. Fourth Grade.—Otahuhu, 9. Bllerslie, 3. Fifth Grade.—Point Chevalier A. 5, Papakura, 2. Sixth Grade. —Richmond, 15, l\ewton, 4. Seventh Grade. —Elierelie, 5, Gre«n Lane, 0. Schoolboy*.—Seniors: Point Chevalier won from Newmarket by default. GAMES IN OTHER CENTRES Wellington.-—Central, 21. Eastern Suburbs, 0; Petonc North. 22, St. George, 111; Minimar, 11, Randwick, 3-, Petono South, 30, Petonc East. 0 NEW SOUTH WALES' SUCCESS (Heed. 0.30 p.m.) BRISBANE. July 20 The New South Wales F?ngby League representatives defeated Queensland yesterday by 23 point* t<> 10.