THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24064, 8 September 1941, Page 5

THE LEAGUE CODE

EEPEESENTATIYE PLAY AUCKLAND WINS AT HUNTLY MARGIN OF ELEVEN POINTS The Auckland Rugby League representative team put up u goad performance in defeating South Auckland by 2G points to 15 in a fast same at Davits Park, Huntly, on •Saturday. The ground was heavy after rain. The home loam was not at full strength; nevertheless, Auckland was better in all departments. The Auckland forwards were seen to advantage, particularly in the loose, where they gave, the backs numerous chances. South Auckland won the ball from the majority of the scrums, but the side's backs were unable to penetrate the Auckland defence. The visitors were penalised on 24 occasions. The first half wan evenly-contested, and South Auckland was unlucky not to score more tries. In the second half, however, the Auckland backs played constructive football and Kay, at centre, gave the wings. Gould ! and Smith, scoring chances. Behind the Auckland forwards, Williams, of Richmond, played a fine game and his excellent service from the scrum wae a feature of the game. Clarke, at fullback, also played a splendid game, and was applauded for excellent goalkicking. In his first representative game, .Smith, of Marist, was impressive on the wing. Could, the other wing, also played with dash and initiative. Outstanding' among the Auckland forwards was H. Mataira, who was in every attack. He showed speed and tackled soundly. Tristram and Jackson also played good football. Deverell, at five-eighths, was easily the best of the South Auckland backs, Powell, the centre-threeuuarter, was also prominent At fullback, Shaw was a little uncertain with hie kicking. The strong cross-wind was tricky. In the forwards, McGilp and Stevens played welL The home forwards missed Moye* and Brooks, two of the best players :n the d.s(ria. Tries for Auckland were scored by Gould (2), Williams, 11. Mataira, Tristram and Smith. Clarke converted three and kicked a penalty goal. For South Auckland, Deverell, Dick and Stevens scored tries, Shaw converting one. Shaw and Minhinnick kicked penalty goals. Mr. S. Farrar was referee. SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP SUCCESS OF LEADING TEAMS Easy victories were registered at Carlaw Park by North Shore and Manukau, the two leading teams in the Auckland Kugby League's senior grade championship. North Shore had a runaway win against Papakuru, which, however, put up strong opposition in the first half. In the principal game, Manukau outclassed Newton. Four tries by J. Murray and seven goals by J. Hemi were features of the game. North Shore still leads in the competition by a point with only one more game to be played. The results were as follows: —Manukau, 41, Newton, S; North Shore, 35, Papakura, 5. Manukau v. Newton.—Clever play by the Manukau backs was responsible for the defeat of Newton, which was expected to pnt up strong opposition. However, once Manukau settled down tries came in quick succession, and the players revealed a high standard of team work. The Newton backs rarely were seen to advantage, in spite of having a good share of the ball from the scrum. A feature was the brilliant form of J. Murray, the former Xew Zealand Maori representative, at five-eighths. Murray was clever on attack, and his rugged play often broke through strong tackling. At first five-eighths. Henu's undoubted speed gave the threeqnarters numerous chances. Both Butler, on the wing, and Gregory, at centre, played splendid football. K. Martin was elusive at fullback. Among the forwards, Shilton, Thompson and Te Tai were outstanding. The best of the Newton backs were Burton and Silva, five-eighths. Green, at halfback, also did well against strong opposition. Laurent, Ginders and Brady were prominent in the forwards. For Manukau tries were scored by Murray (-1),

Buitler, Thompson, Shilton, To Tai and Hcmi. Hemi converted six and kicked a penalty goal. Ginders and Laurent scored tries for Newton, Tredrea converting one. Mr. J. O'Shannessey was referee. North Shore v. Papakura.—Although Papaknra put up a good fight m the first half, North Shore proved too strong a combination once the team settled down to constructive foot ha 11. The North Shore backs did well-on attack and made the most of splendid play by the forwards in the loose. Papakura was no match for North Shore in the second half, and tries came easily through the speed of the forwards in the loose, and the better finish of the backs The North Shore inside hacks played fine footbal.; r ,h?,r eignths made clever openings, and McArtaur, halfback, gave excellent, service from the base of the scrum. At fullback, J. Smith a sound game. Petersen. Fieid and Hunt were the pick of a strong set of Weilm and Halsey played well among the Papakura backs, while Clarke, H. Down and T. Ilogan were prominent in the for wards Tries for North Shore were scored b> Mc Arthur (2). Chatham (2) Greenwood Hunt J. Smith. Petersen, and Field, J. Smith converting f° ur - £ or iapakua H. Hogan scored a try which was converted by Wellm. Third Grade.—Point Chevalier. 15, OtaFifth Grade. —Knockout final: Ellerslif won from Richmond by default.