THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24040, 11 August 1941, Page 3

THE LEAGUE CODE

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP MANUKAU DEFEATS CITY TWO TEAMS EQUAL IN LEAD Bright and open play with exciting exchanges characterised the Auckland Rugby League's senior grade match, in which Manukau narrowly defeated City, at Carlaw Park on Saturday. A heavy shower fell just before the kick-off. In the curtain-raiser Newton made a fine recovery to beat Mount Albert. On Xo. ground Richmond outclassed Papakura and North Shore proved 100 good for Marist. Richmond and Manukau are now equal for first position in the championship. North Shore is one point behind in second • place. The National Anthem was played prior to the principal game and the large crowd stood in silence while tho teams lined up to form a V. Results were as follows: —Manukau. 7, City, Newton, 10, Mount Albert, 8; Richmond, JO, l'apakura, 8; North Shore, 23, Marist, 3. Manukau v. City.—Manukau had slightly the better of tho play against City arid deserved its success. It was a. game of lost chances for City. Several times in the first half scoring opportunities presented themselves, but the incidents were marred by over-eagerness. On one occasion H. Mataira had only to kick the greasy ball instead of trying to pick it up. The Manukau backs, however, showed more initiative on attack and were more sure of their positional play. One movement which Chase started was a fine effort, and Ririnui, Watene, Hemi and Murray showed excellent understanding. The City forwards made great efforts to pull tho game out of the fire and were superior in all departments to tho Manukau set. The game was played at a fast pace and there were many exciting incidents. Among tho Manukau backs Butler, on the wing, and Gregory, at centro-threequarters, played splendid games. Murray was always dangerous on attack, his penetrating runs being a thorn in the side of City. Hemi, with long-rango kicking, often turned defence into attack. Particularly in the second half, Chase played an excellent game at halfback. R. Martin, at fullback, played ably and saved a certain try when tie ran speedily to touch down ah fad of Could. At fullback fur City. Clarke's tackling and fielding were faultless. Could, on tho wing, showed speed and determination. The Mataira brothers, Jackson and Hughes were the best of the City forwards. Among the Manukau forwards, Ririnui played liis best game this season, and was well supported by Shilton and Watene. For Manukau, Murray scored the only try, which was converted by Hemi, who also kicked a penalty goal. Clarke kicked a penalty goal for City. Mr. J. O'Shannessey was referee. Newton v. Mount Albert. —In a very ragged game, Newton made a recovery in tho second half to defeat Mount Albert by two points. Halfway through tho second half Ihe Newton backs showed better combination than its opponents, and two quick tries were scored. In tho last 10 minutes tho Mount Albert forwards dominated the game, but tho backs failed to make tho most of scoring opportunities. The best of the Newton backs were Silva, Emus and Everitt. Silva scored a good try' after racing from halfway. Everitt, usually a forward, did a lot of useful work at centre. Burton, at five-eighths, also played a good gam?. Young, Cinders and Laurent were outstanding among the Newton forwards. Behind the Mount Albert pack, Brady gave good service to the five-eighths. Cowley did well on attack at centre-threequarters and Clements was prominent at five-eighths. In the Mount" Albert forwards. Caples, Shadbolt, Thicker and Tristram did good work in the loose. For Newton tries were scored by Everitt and Silva, Emus converting both. Hncker and Clements scored tries for Mount Albert and Cowley converted one. Mr. J. Donovan was referee. Richmond v. Papakura.—Superior combination and faster backs gave Richmond a very easy win over Papakura, which battled gamely against heavier opposition. The game was a succession of scoring movements, and in spite of a muddy ground and a heavy ball the play was interesting throughout. From Webb at halfback, to Magill, at fullback, the Richmond combination was faultless. Solomon did fine work at five-eighths, and the wings, Lowther and Sayers, used their speed to advantage. Tittleton was sound at centrethreequarters and was in every scoring movement. Mitchell was the best forward on the ground. Ho scored several good tries. Broadhead, Crookall and Davis also did good work. Wellin, Fleming and Osborne were the best of the Papakura backs. Tries were scored for Richmond by Mitchell (3), Lowther (2). Broadhead (2), Sayers, "Williams, Tittleton. Solomon and Crookall. Webb converted four and Broadhead one. For Papakura, Halsey and Wellin scored tries, and Wellin kicked a penalty goal. Mr. J. Jones was referee. North Shore v. Marist.—On a sodden ground, North Shore proved too strong for Marist, but the margin of 20 points was not a truo indication of the game. The North Shore backs got a liberal share of the ball from the scrum, which proved a deciding factor. Several nice movements were witnessed, and the North Shore forwards played well in support of the backs. After an absence of some years, R. Smith made an auspicions debut at fullback and did a lot of useful work. McArthur, behind the scrum, gave good service, and Chatham and Clarke played fine football at five-eighths. Petersen was tho pick of the forwards, while Graham. Scholes and Field were good in the loose. For Marist, Glover played a sound game at fullback and was well supported by Taripo. Crocker and Chalmers. Breed and Barchard were prominent among the Marist forwards. Clarke, Field, Chatham, McArthur and Graham scored tries for North Shore, R. Smith converting three and kicking a penalty goal. Taripo scored a try for Marist. Mr. G. Kellv was referee. RESULTS IN LOWER GRADES Senior B Grade. —Richmond, 5, Ellerslie, 2. Third Grade.—Glenora, 25, Richmond, 35. Fourth Grade.—City, IS, Ponsonby. 7. Fifth Grade. —Point Chevalier B, 10, Ellerslie, 7. Seventh Grade. —Ellerslie, -1, Richmond. 3. Schoolboys' Games.—Senior: Point Chevalier, 13, Avondale, 5. Intermediate: Point Chevalier, 0, Avondale, G. Junior: Point Chevalier, 5, R.V., 0. MATCHES IN THE SOUTH New Plymouth.—Taranaki defeated Wellington in a representative match on Saturday by 11 points to S. Wellington.—Tho Army team beat Wellington by 21 points to "18. Christchurch.—Sydenham. 2S, Addington, 5: Riccarton, (>, Waimairi, 2; Linwood, 1!>, Woolston, 2.