THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24893, 15 May 1944, Page 7

THE LEAGUE CODE

SENIOB COMPETITION MANUKAU DEFEATS CITY A brilliant and exciting game of League football was witnessed by a large crowd at Carlaw Park on Saturday afternoon when Manukau, last year's champion team, defeated City by a single point in the main matrh controlled by the Auckland Rugby League The ground was in excellent order. A reliable goal-kicker would have won the game for City Marist and Mount Alberl played a draw in the curtain-raiser. Otahuhu easily defeated Newton on No. 2 ground, while Richmond won from Ponsonby after a well-contested game. North Shoro won comfortably from Point Chevalier. After two successive defeats in competition games, Manukau made amends on Saturday and actually had the game against f'.nj by superior tactics in the first spell. The City backs stood too deeply, and their cover ing defence was too slow to check the Manu kau inside backs. The City forwards out played the opposing set and had complete control near the end of the match. A brilliant try by Murray, who starled and completed a fast movement, was n feature of the first spell, at the end of which the score favoured Manukau by 9 points to 2. Early in the second spell the Manukau backs repeated their lively play of the first half, and City appeared a beaten team. A remarkable change came over the game, however, as City settled down to repeatedly press home fast raiding attacks by (he forwards. City had victory in sight as Manukau tired badly. Excellent play by Mataira and Jackson resulted in E. Donovan scoring three minutes before time. Clarke's shot at goal from an easy angle missed, and Manukau gained a win. Manukau was unlucky late in the second spell to lose O. Martin, Who was carried off with a broken leg. R. Martin, at fullback, was the outstanding plaver for Manukau. Murray and Thompson were, often dangerous on attack, while Butler proved he is still the best winger in the code. Shilton, Ririnui and To Tai were prominent among the forwards. Mataira, Jackson, E. Donovan and Bodman were splendid workers in the City vanguard, while Clarke played well at fullback.

Scores were:—Manukau, 12 (trie* by Thompson, 2, Butler and Murray . City, 11 (tries by Galaia, A. Donovan and E. Donovan each, A. Donovan also kicking a penalty goal); Marist. 9 (try by Ski""" and three penalty goals by Brockliss), Mount Albert. 9 (try by Moore and two penalty goals by Cranch); Otahuhu, 31 (tries by togarty 2, Wellm, 2, Mc.Manus, N. Johnson and Halsey, Rilev converting five), Newton. 7 (try by Elliott and two penalty goals by bhawl; Kichinond, 18 (tries by Hilton, Seymour, Lowther and Davis, McDonald converting three). 1 onsonby, 8 (tries by Nurse and penalty goal by Morrell); North Shore, 2< (tries by Cave. 2, Laing, 2, and Hunt, McArthur converting four and Laing one. the latter also kicking a penalty goal). Point Chevalier, Hi (tries by Andrews and .Dormer, the latter converting one and kicking four penalty goals). ROAD CYCLING RACES Manukau Amateur Club. —The annual race for the Warnock Cup, over a course of 20 miles, resulted: —A. E. McConnell. 7m. 1; L. C. Coates, 7m. 2; J. I. Walker, 4m 30s. 3. Fastest time, F. Tredrea (scr), 52m 435. Lynntlale Amateur Club. —Combined race over 13Va miles for seniors and juniors:—D. Anstice, sm, 1; L. McGar.v, sm, 2; J. Stevens. sm, 3. Fastest time. J. Hill (scr). 35m 40s. Northern Amateur Club. —Combined events over 20 miles: —First race: N. Matheson (Olll), 58m 565. Second race: S. Thompson (8m), 00m 575. Third race: A. Keith (4m 30s), 57m 30s. Fourth rare: G. Cunningham (6m), 01m 10s. Keith made fastest time. Papatoetoe Amateur Club.—Result of 20 miles race:—C. Picknell, 4m, 1; B. Lowe. 4m, 2; E. Robertson, 6m 30s, 3. ? astesi time. W. Ferguson. AMATEUR ATHLETICS Auckland Club.—Results of events held at the Outer Domain:—7sYd« handicap, first heat: G. Dragicevich, syds, 1; Corporal r. R. Dory, syds, 2; P. J. Hughes, (i'/a.vds. .}. Time, 7 4-ss. Second heat: N. A. Davis, .V/ 2 yds, 1; H. Hustler. 7'/ a yds, 2; W. .A. Downes, 9yds, 3. Time, Bs. tinal: Dragicevich, Xj Lory, 2; Davis, s%.vds. 3. lime, 7 l).IOs. Egg-and-spoon race: J. D. Dunn, l; G. French, 2; Sergeant Garner, 3. 20O0Yds steeplechase: G. Dragicevich, 10s. 1; P. JHughes, 345, 2; W. A. Downes, 40s 3. Time, (im 555. Dragicevich registered fastest time. Putting 101b shot: P. J- Hughes, 35ft 3/, in. 1; G. Dragicevich, 35ft 2%m. 2; Sergeant H. Garner, 34ft 7V,in. 3. Throwing the discus: W. A. Downes. 96ft 3in. 1; J. Dunn, Ofift 2'/ a in, 2; P. J. Hughes, 93ft fiVjin, 3.