THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 24028, 28 July 1941, Page 5

THE LEAGUE CODE

RICHMOND IN LEAD MANUKAU BEATS PONSONBY BRIGHT PLAY WITNESSED Heavy conditions were experienced at Carlaw Park for the first time this season on Saturday, where the Auckland Rugby League continued its senior grade championship. Bright play was witnessed in the principal match, won by Manakau, which -lefeaied Ponsonby. The conditions suited the heavy Maori team.

The curtain-raiser, between City and Mount Albert, was a very even contesi, City eventually winning by a single point. Richmond proved 100 good for Marist in a match in which all points were scored in Hie first half. Newton defeated Papakura in a ragged game on No. 2 ground. Richmond now iruds in the championship hy two points from North Shore and Mannkau, which are level.*

An art union was held in aid of Ihe Fighting Forces Fund and £75 was collected. \ u - tory flags were flown prominently during the afternoon.

Following were the scores:—Mnnnknu, 18, Ponsonby, 5; City, 12, Mount Albert, 11; Richmond, 19, Marist, 9; Newton, 13. Pnpakura, 5.

Manukau v, Ponsonby.—Superior combination by the Manukau inside hacks was principally responsible for its success against Ponsonby, whose roarguard failed to pinke the most of numerous opportunities from stt scrums. There was also too much individual play. Kay and Riley showed good understanding, but they met superior tactics from the combination of Heml nnd Murray at fiveeighths. The second spell was brighter, but the game seldom reached the heights expected of such teams of tested quality. The lighter Ponsonby pack was no match for tho Manukau set, which revelled in the heavy ground conditions. The Manukau forwards, too, lasted better than was expected, and their splendid positional play gave the backs better opportunities than usual. Murray, the Manukau five-eighths, scored a particularly fine try in the first half, and was perhaps the best of the backs. Murray gave 11eini excellent support. ami the latter used his deceptive 1 ace to fine advantage. Butler, the representative winger, gave another dashing display and ran strongly for the goal-line. H. Martin figured prominent I v on defence at. fullback and riiced up to open the piny for the threfquarters. (I regory, who played well against rsortn Shore/retired with an injury and was replaced by Te-Tai. Among the Manukau forwards. Ririnui. Watene and Shilton were outstanding. Behind the Ponsonby pack Williams played, a finS attacking game. Scott, the Ponsonhv fullback, showed up in sterling defence. Kny shone in several good individual efforts. Briggs was the best of the forwards, and Laird and Blutcher played wellTries were scored for Manukau by Murray (3) and Butler, Hemi converting three, tor Ponsonby, Murphy scored a try and Tiughes kicked a penalty goal. Mr. E. I opo was referee. City v. Mount Albert. — ; Apart- from fast exchanges, lacktof combination was displayed in the game between City and Mount Albert. Both sets of packs indulged in too mucli kicking. The match was very evenly contested and Mount Albert deserved its one-point lead in the first half. The City backs did better as the game progressed, and a movement in which Clarke, J. Gould and Jackson figured was a fine effort. Jackson, a forward, came into this movement nicely after Gould had made a (rood opening. The City hacks showed slijchtiy more initiative on attack, and, with the advantace the forwards gav.\ more tries should have bePn scored. Ihe Mount Albert forwards rallied well initio concluding stages, and Leatherbarrow, instram and Shadholt did fine work in an effort to pull the game out of the fire. At fullback for City, Clarke played a splendid game and often turned defence into attack. His fielding was faultless. J. Gould was the pick of tne threenuarters, and both McManus, centre, and Brasse.v were in every movement. Behind the scrum, A. Donovan passed cleanly on all occasions. Grotte got through some good work at five-eighths, but overdid the sliort punt Jackson, Mataira and E. Donovan wee the best of a hard-working City pack. Cowley, ceiitre-llireequarter for Mount Albert, was perhaps the best bark on the ground and was always dnmrerouß on attack. B. C-anch, on the wing, ran with determination. Fr City, Jackson scored two tries, both of whirl were converted by Clarke, who also kicked a penalty goal. B. Cranchi (2) and Lonerzan scored tries for Mount Albert, o. Cranch also kicked a penalty goal. Mr O. Chalmers was referee.

Riohmond v. Marist.—Although Richmond defeated Marist, the score was not a true indication of the run of play. Ail the points scored were registered in the first half, in which Richmond had a little the better of the game. In the second half, however. Marist was always the airgressor and several times missed tries. Its forwards gave Richmond many anxious moment. 1 ?, and only sound defence kept the line intact. In of a muddy ground, there was some good hack plav, and Richmond had the superior combination. Marist scored within a minute of the kick-ofT. and then followed a brilliant offensive in which five Richmond players handled the ball before Sayers raced over at the corner. A feature of the game was the excellent defence of Solomon and Tittleton, and much credit goes to thrni for holding up many Marist attacks. Webb, behind the forwards, played a heady game and varied his play well. Sayers showed speed and resource on the wing. Mitchell. Metcalfe, Davis and Broadhead were prominent among tiie forwards. Marist was without three of us usual forwards, and the vanguard gave a good account of itself. Anderson, Lee end Barchard -accomplished fine work in fne loose. Wood, halfback, McWilliams. fiveeighths. and Dickson, threeqnarters, p'nvrd well For Richmond tries were scored by Ravers (*»), Solomon. Mcintosh and Williams, Webb converting two. Smith scored a try for Marist. Anderson converted and kicked two penalty goals Mr 0 Kelly was rcferep.

Newton v. Papakura.—ln a very ragged game in which there was little constructive play Newton showed improved form in the second half to defeat Papakura. Both teams had numerous changes in personnel. Newmn took a long time to settle, down. Halfway through the .second spell the backs did well on attack Silva, on the wing, was the most impressive plaver and both of Mis trio were merited. Emus, at centre, plnyed_ well with limited opportunities, (ireen, Hie five-eighths, plaved constructively in the second half. The Newton forwards battled hard, //mineral.-n, Butler and Laurent being prominent 01 Iho loose. Among the Pa pa k ura plovers. Smith, at centre-threequarter. and Seymour, fullback. were the best of the backs. Seymour needs only experience to develop I'i'.t a highclass fullback. Pinfold and lieid ."'re Hie best*of the forwards. Silva (21 ;:'u! L'lim'nt scored tries for Newton, Knius convert :i.p one For Papakura. Hill scored a t'.v rhicli was converted by Seymour Mr .1 O Miannessey was referee. GAMES IN LOWER GRADES Senior B Grade.—Kllerslie. 7, North Shore, Third Grade. —Richmond, 26. Green Lane. 3 Fourth Grade.—City, 0, Otnhulin, 3. I-iftli Grade. —Kllerslie. 3, Papakura, 2. Sixth Grade.—Richmond. 12, Otahuhu. 5; Newton. 42, North Shore, O. Seventh Grade.—Championship final: Kllerslie. 2, Richmond, 2. Schoolboys.—Seniors: Newton, 13. R.\., 4. Intermediates: Newton, 0, R.V., 2; Point Chevalier, 0, Mount Albert, 0; Papakura. 11. Avondale, 5. MATCHES IN WELLINGTON Wellington.—Petone North, 17, Petono Fast, 3; Central, 13, Randwick, 3; Petone South. 21, SI. George, 2.