THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24094, 13 October 1941, Page 3

THE LEAGUE CODE

ItOOPE BOOSTER FINAL

SUCCESS OF MANUKAU SIDE SUPERIOR PLAY BY REARGUARD The final of the Auckland Rugby League's Roope Rooster competition was won by" Manukau, which defeated Ponsonby in a, well contested game at Carlaw Park on Saturday. Superior (earn work by Manukau was responsible, although Ponsonby was by no means outclassed. Manukau will now play North Shore in tlie champion of champions fixture next Saturday. The semi-finals of thePholan Shield event were also decided. Rich' morn! narrowly beat City, and Mount Albertcaused a surprise- by outplaying Xortis Shore, winners of the senior championship. The results were as follows: —Roope Rooster: Manukau, 2S, Ponsonby, IU. Phelan Shield: Mount Albert, 21, North Shore, 12; Richmond, 13, City, 7.

Manukau v. Ponsonby.—Manukau's superiority lay in better back play and excellent support given them by tho forwards, although Ponsonby, on occasions, showed fine team work. The Ponsonby forwards were no match for the Manukau set, in the loose. Several of tho Manukau forwards roughly handled the Ponsonby players, who took a gruelling seldom seen at headquarters. Shiitoa, a Manukau forward, was ordered off. ln_ the first half Manukau scored ons of the finest tries seen this season. R. Martin, at fullback, started the movement, and five backs and two forwards handled the ball before Shilton scored. At halftime, Manukau led by 12 points to 4. Among the Manukau backs, Murray, at, five-eighths, wafl a thorn in the side of the opposition, and his defence was good. Gregory, at centre, did a lot of useful work. Hemi, with his elusive running, was always dangerous, and both the wingers, Butler and Chase, plaved splendidly. W'atene, Te Tai, and Shilton Pxayed well among the forwards, and Ririnui and Thompson were prominent in the loose. Scott had a trying day at fullback for Ponsonby, and he made few mistakes. Riley, on the wing, was the outstanding back, arid Kay also played a fine game. The Ponsonby inside backs were no match for the opposition. Among the forwards, Briggs, Laird and Flanagan played splendidly. Tries for Manukau were scored by Shilton. Thompson. Butler, Murray, Ririuui and Gregory, Hemi converting tries, and kicking two penalty goals. Kay and Riley scored tries for Ponsonby. and Scott kicked two penalty goals. Mr. J. Donovan was referee.

Mount Albert v. North Shore.—lu a keen contest, Xoxtii Shore was on the defensive for most, of the same, the Mount Albert backs actually outplaying the North Shore rearguard. Behind the Mount Albert pack, Clements paved the way for most of the trie,'. Cowley, at centre threequarter, used his speed to advantage, and Carter and Uetherington did well. In the forwards, Tristram, Leatherharrow and List were conspicuous. Greenwood played an outstanding game on the North Shore wing, and Penman justified his inclusion. Petersen, Hunt and Field were the best of the forwards. Tries for Mount Albert were scored by List, Clements, Carter, Hetherinprton and Bradford. Clements kicked a penalty goal, and converted a try, and Leatherbarrow kicked a penalty goal. For North Shore, Chatham and Penman scored tries, and R. Smith, kicked three penalty goals. Mr. J. O'Shaunessey was referee.

Richmond v. City.—City found difficulty in fielding a team and did well in the circumstances. Richmond, however, eariv gained an eight-point lead. City did mucn better in the second half, and frequently had Richmond in trouble. Soloman, who came on in the second half, greatly assisted Richmond, and Mitchell, until he retired hurt, was a tower of s'rensth. Lowther, Mincham, Riddel!. five-eighths, W. Tittleton, centre, and G. Tittleton. in the forwards, were prominent. McManus and Grotte were the best of the City backs, and Eogan was prominent, on attack. Tries were scored for Richmond by Macintosh, Lowther and Mincham. Lowther converted one and G. Tittleton kicked a penalty goal. For .City, McManus scored a try, converted by Sinclair, who also kicked, a penalty goal. Mr. G. Kelly was referee.

Schoolboys' Match. —The Auckland schoolboys' representative team defeated So u '.h Auckland in a return match at Carlavr Par.; by 17 points to 0.