LEAGUE FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24270, 11 May 1942, Page 2

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

OPENING OF SEASON: DEFEAT OF MANUKAU TEAM The success of the amalgamated CityttHahuhu team against Manukau was a surprising feature of the opening championship mnt-ches played on Saturday under the control ttf the Auckland Rugby League. There were some thrilling incidents in the concluding ten! minutes of a fast game. In the curtain-vaiser, Ponsonby proved too good for- Newton-Mount Albert. On No. 2 ground. Richmond defeated Marist-North Shore. The results were as fonows. —City-Ot;ihuhu, 10. Manukau. 7; Ponsonby, 15, Newton-Mount Albert, 6; Richmond, 2'2, Marist-North Shore, 10. Fast and exciting football was witnessed throughout the game between Manukau and City-Otahuhu. The latter bustled Manukau into making mistaken. The tackling on both sides was very sound. The City»Gtafuihu forwards did some telling- work, and SfcManus, centre, repeatedly broke through, with his wings in support. The amalgamated clubs held the lead at half-time, but there was not much between the teams. Although the Manukau backs were often dangerous, their play lacked finish. Past back play by Cityj-Otahuhn was a feature of the second half. Tine teams were equal ten minutes before the snal hell. Dashing play by Mataira resulted in, City-Ota-huhu scoring the winning try. McManus and Halsey piayed outstanding games fdr the winners, while Mataira was the beet 'forward on the ground. For City-Otahuhu, two/ tries were scored by Halsey. Mailing and Donovan each kicked a penalty goal. For Manukau, Butler scored a try and Chase kicked ijwo penalty goals. Mr. S. Billman was referee. The curtain-raiser between Poi jjsonby and Newton-Mount Albert was a ragge.fi display for the most part. The Ponsonby backJs showed up well in the second half, and t'fteir superior speed and better combined play resulted in several good tries being scored. The loss of Cowley (Mount Albert) owing |o an injury early in the game upset the combined backs. The Newton"iorwards infused plenty of dash into their play and beat Po/adsonby in the loose. The best of the Ponsonby backs were Scott and Carr. Sullivan and JJmgg# were the pick of the forwards. Niwa, Grie'aory and Silva played well in the backs for Combined, while Zimmerman, Quirke and Evdrst stood out among the forwards. For Pweonby, Carr, Scott and Briggs each scored, ,a try. Briggs kicked a penalty goal and d< Inverted a try. Scott also converted one try. For NewtonMount Albert, Niwa kicked three penalty goals. Mr. H. Tate was referfre. The more rugged Richmond .forwards paved the way for a win over Marifet-North Shore, which, however, had the bet ter of the first half. The Marist backs showed up \well throughout, and their comfraied play was superior to that of the Richmond set. The score was level at half4in»«. On changing over, Richmond had the bettms of the play and the forwards showed dash on attack. J. Satherley, the Richmond hoo&er, was in good form and scored three tries, Awhile Daviee also played a splendid game. Itehind the Richmond pack, Webb was inclihed to make too much play for the forwards i istead o< passing to the backs. The Marist fu Üback, Panovlch, tacked well, and should imp rove with experience. Hughes, on the wing, was the best back on the ground, and McWilliwps, at five eighths, also played a fine game. Fm Richmond, tries were scored by Satherley (S'K Kinney (2), and McGregor and Webb converged two tries. For Marist. McLeod and Hughes .scored a try each, and Wiberg kicked a penalty goal and converted one try. Mr. G. Keliy was referee.