THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24264, 4 May 1942, Page 2

THE LEAGUE CODE

FINAL PRELIMINARY TRIALS The final preliminary trial matches for clubs' inclusion in the senior grade compel ition of the Auckland Rugby League were played at Carlaw Park on Saturday. There was a good attendance, and a fast, open game was witnessed between Mannkau and Richmond in the main fixture. Mannkau proved too good, and won comfortably. In the cur-tain-raiser three clubs took part. Ponsonby was opposed by Otahuhu in the first half, and by City in the second spell. The management committee's arrangements for the amalgamation of clubs did not meet with the success anticipated. North Shore and Mount Albert do not favour amalgamation with Marist and Newton respectively, and on their players took no part in trial games. North Shore was last year's champion side. i Mannkau fielded a very strong thirteen against Richmond, which included a number of junior players. The Maori backs gave a splendid display of clever football and the standard all round was very satisfactory. Tho best back on the ground was Murray, whose clever running w*s a feature of the game. Butler, on the wing, was also impressive, while R. Martin gave an excellent disnlay at fullback.

A fine display <it- fullback by R. Scott was a feature of i'ae game between Ponsonby and City-Otahuhu. Scott saved his team on many occasions by clever runs, and turned defence into attack when in possession. Play in the first half was very even, with Otahuhu more than holding its own. The best of the Otahuhu backs were Whellm, Turner and R. Halsey. Duane, Johnson and Finlayson worked hard among the forwards. Play in the second half was not so impressive. The City backs lacked co-ordination. J. Gould and Donovan were the pick of the backs, while Jackson, McManus and Hughes played well among the forwards. Newton's backs were too fast for Marist and this was the deciding factor. Good play by Cowley, centre threequarter, and Gregory, five-eighths, was a feature of the game. Cowley was in every movement and his speed gained two good tries. Niwa, the halfback, showed initiative on attack, and Gregory gave him excellent support. Zimmerman and Everitt were prominent in the loose. Donovan played an outstanding game for Marist.

The results were as follows:—Manukau, 25, Richmond S; City-Otahuhu, 8, Ponsonby, 7; Newton, 36, Marist, 16.