THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24046, 18 August 1941, Page 5

THE LEAGUE CODE

CHAMPIONSHIP UPSETS SUCCESS OF NORTH SHORE PAPAKURA'S DEFEAT OF CITY A large crowd at Carlaw Park saw North Shore defeat Richmond in a well-contested game arid take the lead in the Auckland Rugby League's senior championship. The struggle was confined to the forwards, and there were some really exciting exchanges. North Shore gave a fine display, and well deserved its success. In the curtain-raiser, Ponsonby narrowly defeated Mount Albert in a fast, open game. Papakura caused a surprise by beating City, a team prominent- in the championship. It was the first win this season for Papakura. Newton narrowly beat Marist. The results were as follows:—North Shore, 10, Richmond, 3; Ponsonby, 10, Mount Albert, 6; Newton, 11, Marist, 9; Papakura. 5, City, 2. North Shore v. Richmond.—Keen tackling and opportunities in the loose gave North Shore a slight advantage over Richmond in one of the best games this season. The North Shore tradition for excellent defence and spoiling tactics asserted itself, and the forwards gave a fine display in all departments. Early in the (second half, the North Shore hacks opened up the game, and were successful in unorthodox play. Excitement ran high in the last 15 minutes, when the Richmond backs figured in bright, and spectacular play. Richmond tried a rearrangement of its back division, which was not very successful. Webb, the usual halfback, played at five-eighths, and Williams was behind the scrum. Both did well, but Williams did not have Webb's usual thrust. Round the scrum, the North Shore forwards excelled in breaking up each Richmond offensive. Behind the North Shore scrum, McArthur was heady. Clarke and Chatham did useful work at five-eighths. Scott, on leave from military duties, was very sound at centre-threequarter with his straight running. R. Smith was a tower of strength at fullback, and both the wings, Wilkie and Greenwood, played well. Peterson, Graham and Field stood out as the best forwards on the ground. At fullback for Richmond. Magill got his team into difficulties from weak positional play. Sayers showed speed on the wing, hut did not got chances often. Soloman was the hardest worker among the Richmond backs. Mitchell, Broadhead and Potter were the best of the forwards. For North Shore, Clarke and Greenwood scored tries, R. Smith kicked a penalty goal, and V. Scott converted a try. Sayers scored the only try for Richmond. Mr. G. Kelly was referee. Ponsonby v. Mount Albert.—ln a very even game, Ponsonby narrowly defeated Mount Albert, but a draw would have been a better indication of the play Bright back play was a feature. The combination of Williams, Kay and Riley gave Ponsonby an advantage. The Mount Albert forwards made great efforts to pull the game out of the fire and nearly succeeded. At fullback for Ponsonby, Scott's sound defence frequently frustrated the most, determined attacks. At halfback, Williams gave good service. Kay showed penetration on attack, and Hughes did well with limited opportunities. Briggs, White and Sullivan were prominent among the forwards. The Mount Albert backs gave their best display this season. Brady, Clements and Moore showed to advantage on attack. Cowley also played a fine game, and Carter, at fullback, tackled and fielded well. Tristram, List and Cranrli did good work among the Mount Albert forwards. For Ponsonby, Hughes and Williams_ scored tries, Kay converting one and kicking a penalty goal. Moore and Tristram scored for Mount Albert. Mr. J. Donovan was referee. Papakura v. City.—Papakura registered its first success this season by defeating City, which had a reasonable chance in the championship. The win was well deserved. City was not at full strength, four of the usual players being absent. City had a territorial advantage throughout, but could not finish off its movements. Papakura did its best work in the last 15 minutes. Wellon played well among the Papakura backs, and both Burgess and Hil' did good work at five-eighths. Smith, at fullback, was very sound. Among the forwards, Pinfold, H. Hogan and Burgo.vne were solid. Clarke played his usual fine game at fullback for City. Jackson, a forward, did well on the wing with limited opportunities C. Gould dropped several passes, and one cost City a try. The Mataira brothers and Morris were the best of the forwards. For Papakura, Burgess scored a try, which Wellon converted. Clarke kicked a penalty goal for City. Mr. H. Tate was referee. Newton v. Marist.—An even game was witnessed on No. 2 ground, where Newton narrowly defeated Marist. The latter was without Anderson, and his goal kicking may have turned the game in favour of Marist. Three kicks at goal from easy positions were missed. The Newton backs were always eager to attack. The combination of Tredrea, Burton and Emus proved a thorn in the side of the opposition. Burton played a fine game, and his two tries were well deserved. Among the forwards, Everitt, Laurent and Mc-Neil were prominent. Smith, on the Marist wing, shared the honours with Burton as the best back on the ground. McWilliams and Hughes, the five-eighths, also played well. Barchard, O'Gorman and Simpson were prominent in loose forward play. Tries for Newton were scored by Burton (2) and Emus, the latter converting one. For Marist, Simpson. Williams and Smith scored tries. Mr. E. Pope was referee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS 'Senior B Grade.—Otahuhu, 10, Ellerslie, 0; N Ponsonby, 2, Richmond, 2 Third Grade. —City, 19, Glenora. 9; Otahuhu won from Ponsonby by default. Fourth Grade. —Avondale, I<. Otahuhu, 5; City, 5, Mount Albert, 3. Sixth Grade.—-Otahuhu. 8, Richmond, 6; Newton, 25. North Shore. 0. Seventh Grade.—-Ellerslie, 5, Green Lane, °' Schoolboys.—Senior grade: Northcote 3. Avondale, 0; Newton. 3, Point Chevalier, -• Intermediate grade: R.V., 34, 1 onsonb.v 0; Mount Albert. S, Point Chevalier, 0; Avondale, 19, Richmond. 0; Newton, 3, Crecn Lane. 0. Junior grade: Newmarket, 3, Shore, 3.