THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24300, 15 June 1942, Page 5

THE LEAGUE CODE

MANUKAU TEAM'S WIN FAST AND OPEN GAME A large crowd witnessed a fast and open game at Carlaw Park on Saturday, when Manukau defeated City-Otahuhu in the first series of matches in the second round of the Auckland Rugby League's senior competition. As the result of its victory, Manuka.i i.s now level in the championship with CityOtahuhu. Prior to the commencement of play Mr. J. W. Watson, chairman of the Auckland Kugby League, extended a welcome to members and nurses of overseas forces and the Manukau team gave a spirited haka. Manukau deserved its victory, but the margin of points was by no means a true indication of the play. City-Otahuhu lost several chances and at least two more tries would have been scored but for over-eagerness. The score at half-time favoured Manukau by S points to 7. It was hard and solid football with deadly tackling a feature of the game. The City-Otahuhu forwards did not play up close enough on the Manukau backs, the fiveeights, Murray and Broughton, being given more latitude than when City-Otahuhu won in the first round. The Manukau backs gave a superb display of the code's finest points and they had more finish in comparison with the Otahuliu-City backs. A feature of the game was the sterling play of Thompson, a Manukau forward. He showed great speed and there was merit in each try he scored. At fullback, Martin gave a sound display and outplayed Hughes, who had a day off. Chase was in splendid form and he and Murray cleverly varied the play. Watene, Shilton and Ririnni also did good work among the forwards. Hutchinson, halfback, Donovan, five-eighths, and Halsev. wing, were prominent for City-Otahuhu. X. Johnson, Findlater and Mataira were the best of the forwards. The results were;—Manukau. 20 (tries by Thompson. 2, Shilton and McLean. Chase converting three and kicking a penalty goal). City. 12 (tries by llalsey and Mataira, Donovan converting two and kicking a penalty goal); Richmond. in (tries by Kinney, 2. and McDonald. Webb converting one try and Mincham kicking a penalty goal. Marist-Xorth Shore. 8 (tries by Dickson and McWilliams. Wiberg converting one); Xewton-Mount Albert. 11 (tries by McKay. Joseph, Quirke and Cranch, Crunch converting one try), Ponsonby, 8 (tries hv Manuel and Williams, the latter converting onei.