THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24082, 29 September 1941, Page 5

THE LEAGUE CODE

ROOPE EOOSTEB EVENT TWO SURPRISE WINS DEFEAT OF NORTH SHORE SIDE The defeat of North Shore, winner of the Auckland Rugby League's championship, by Ponsonby, s a 'Surprise in the second series of frames in the Roope Rooster competition. The Ponsonby hacks cave a fine display and had much the belter of the game. In the principal frame Marist also caused a surprise by beating Richmond in a thrilling finish, when a sensational field coal by J. Anderson decided the issue. Anderson scored all 11 points for Marist. On No. 2 ground Mannkau secured a runaway victor? against Newt on, while City had to fight hard to beat Ol.nbiiha_ by a sin pie point. Results were as follows: Marist. 11, Richmond, 10; Ponsonby, 16, North Shore. 8; City, 13, Otahubu, 12; Manukali, ,">2, Newton, 2. Richmond v. Marist.—After an uninteresting firs! half, the standard improved considerably later. Richmond led by three points at half-time. The game in the first 30 minutes was confined to the forwards and there was little constructive plav. Marist settled down early in the second half and dominated the play in all departments. M. Metcalfe, Richmond retired with a broken leg-. Excitement ran high in the last two minutes, when Richmond. after renewed efforts, was one point in the lead. After he had missed a comparatively easy goal from a penalty kick. Anderson dropped a beautiful field goal from near halfway. At fallback for Marist. Glover excelled in very sound defence. MeWilli&ms. centre-threeqnart-er, tackled well, and Smith on the wing, did good work. At halfback Crocker ably fed the five-eighths. The Marisi forwards played splendidly against a heavier set. Good work on attack for Richmond was done by Solomon, arid Webb, at halfback Lowther showed plenty of dash on the wing. Mitchell, Da vies and G. Tittleton were prominent among Richmond's forwards. Anderson scored M&rist's try. which he converted, and kicked two penalty goals and a field goal. For Richmond. Solomon and Mitchell scored a try each. Webb converted one and licked a penalty goal. Mr. G. Kelly was relfree Pcnsonby v. North Shor4.—Good team work was a feature in a well-deserved victor.* for Ponsonby agramst North Shore. The Port sonby backs made the game open ai&l were not afraid to attempt anything- unorthodox. The North Shore backs could do nothing right and it was not until ten minutes before time that the rear division showed its championship form. Ponsonby. however, always had the better of the game and the passing was clean and snappy. The Ponsonby forwards lost the bail from most scrums, but did well in the loose against a strong opposition. The outstanding hack in the Ponsonby team was undoubtedly B- Rile.v, who scored two tries and was always dangerous on attack Behind the scrum Black gave good service. C-arr played well at second five-eighths, while Scott, at fallback, was a thorn in the side of the opposition. Briggs was the best of the forwards. The North Shore backs were (lis appointing. Brown, on the wing, did some useful work. Among the forwards, Bunt and Graham played well. For Ponsonby tries were scored by Riley <*>), Black and Carr. Scot? converted one and kicked a penalty goal MeArthnr and Brown scored tries for North Shore Clarke ton verting one. Mr. J. Donovar. was referee. Manuk2u v. Newton.—After len minute> of even play, the Maori team scored almas' at leisure. The backs and forwards ran no farther than was necessary and each playet to handle was content to improve the sconce position. Murray, 31 five-eighths, was in bril ham form abd many of his clever openings resulted in tries. Bemi was elusive on attack and both Butler. Gregory and Chase di' 1 fine work Watene, Thompson, Shilton am Ririnni gave the backs excellent support For Mannkau tries were scored by Murr.v (■J). VT. Martin <2l, Butler (21. Hems Thompson, Shilton and Gregory. Bemi con verted six and kicked two penalty goalNiwa kicked a penalty goal for Newton. Mr J. Hswkes was referee. City v. Otahuhu.—Otahnhu again put e: a very creditable showing and was a lilt! unlucky to be beaten. A draw would hav< been a good indication of the game. Otahuhi had the better of the early stages and t decided territorial advantage, leading by sevei ooinis at half-time. The ragged City forwardhowever, decided the issue. Donald. Matain and .Jackson did very effective work in th> last ten minutes. A field goal by A. Donorat gave City victory by a single point. For the winners. Grotte did a lot of good work ahalfback, and Donovan was prominent on attack. The best City back was P. McManns at centre. Silva played soundly at fullback For Otahuhu. Allan, at fullback, A. MrManus five-eighths, and Bloekley. on the wing, did a lot of useful work. Prominent among th< forwards were Matt son Martin, N arid ,7 ■Johnson. For City. Silva, Gould and P. Me Manns each scored a try. A. Donovan kicked a penalty goal and a field goal. For Olahnhi Milliesn and A. McManus scored tries. Mol lins converted both and kicked a penal!' goal. Mr K Pope w::s referee. Pbelan Shield.—The Phelan Shield series for teams beaten in the Roope Rooster event was commenced on Saturday. At Moraine side. Mount Albert defeated Pa pa km ra by appoints to S