THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24971, 14 August 1944, Page 5

THE LEAGUE CODE

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP MANUKAU TEAM IN LEAD Keen play was witnessed at Carlaw Park on Saturday afternoon, nhen the Auckland Rugby League's senior grade competition was continued. There was a good attendance and the matches were played on improved grounds, which had been heavy for some weeks. There was a lot of interest in the main game between Ponsonhy and Mount Albert, which was only one point behind Manukau in the championship. It was virtually a semi-final, and Mount Albert failed to maintain its position, as the match was drawn. Manukau defeated Newton at Fowlds Park, and so has a lead of two championship points. In the curtain-raiser, Marist caused a surprise b.v conifortablv defeating Richmond. Cit.v gained championship points by winning from North Shore in a well-contested game, while Otahuhu proved too strong for Point Chevalier. Following were the results:— Ponsonhy, (I; Mount Albert 9. City, 15; North Shore, 10. Maris!. II; Richmond, G. Otahuhu, HI; Point Chevalier. 17. Manukau. 'JO; Newton. 10. Ponsonhy was a little unlucky not to beat Mount Albert, as. besides scoring three tries to one, the team had a definite territorial advantage. With a reliable goal-kicker Ponsonhy would have placed the game bevond doubt. Not a single point was scored from goals, and six failures were from reasonably easy positions. A feature of the game was the good forward play in the loose of both vanguards, and on occasions their passing and positional play was excellent. Ponsonhy was without the sirvices of Hull and Bailey (forwards). Early in the first spell Mullett and Hardwick led the Ponsonhy forwards in a sweeping offensive from which Iladley scored. A few minutes later the same forwards were prominent, and Kay received from Fielder to race over for a tine try. Ponsonhy led at half-time. G points to '2. A third try came to Ponsonby from splendid dribbling by Mullett. who is an expert at this lost art. Good play b.v Milliken iu the forwards had Ponsonfty hard pressed, and ten minutes before time Shadbolt scored, and a fine kick by Cranch equalised the scores. Play was exciting in the last few minutes, and a nice run by Jordan almost won the game fur Ponsonhy. The forward play was not without roughness, and one Mount Albert forward appeared to pay a lot of attention to an opponent. The referee was lenient in connection with these unnecessary tactics. The scorers were;—Ponsonhy, tries bv Iladley, Kay and Mullett; Mount Albert, try by

Shadbolt, Cranch converting and kicking two penalty goals; City, tries by A. Donovan, Leathcrbarrow and Gee. A. Donovan converting two and Botlman kicking a penalty goal; North Shore, tries by Hunt and Clarke, the latter converting both; Marist, tries bv Smith f'2) and Costeilo, Brockliss converting one; Richmond, tries by Cowley and Walker; Otahuhu. tries by Wellon ('2). Simons. Sanderson and Speedy. Riley converting five and kicking three penalty goals; Point Chevalier, tries by Anderson, Barnes and Davies. the lastnamed converting three and kicking a penalty goal. ASSOCIATION GAMES Good plav was witnessed in the main attraction nt Bland ford Park on Saturday afternoon. when the first game of the Falcon Cup competition was played between Eastern Suburbs and North Shore. Suburbs led at halftime bv tho odd goal in three. In the second spell North Shore went to pieces against sounder positional play, ami, although East worked hard in goal, the middle line was weak, Dacro roaming 100 much. The early game was a medal round match between Ponsonhy find Metro-College. Very little brilliant play was witnessed, the defences of both sides being sound. Following were the scores and scorers:Falcon Cup: Eastern Suburbs, G (Ncesham, '-!. Welch, 'J. Diamond, and a defender). North Shore. .'! (Mason, Archibald, Richards). Medal round: Ponsonby. 1 (deal), Metro-College, I (Phillips); Comrades, :t (Masters, '2. Webberley), Air Force, 2 (McLaughlan. Ilambrook); Naval Depot. 4 (Sellwood. 2, Gisby, Beasy), Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys, .'! (Hutchinson. W. ,T. Ward, Needham). Second Division: Eden 7, North Shore. 'J; Air Force iArdmore), 8. Mount Albert Grammar Old Hoys), 1. Secondary Schools' Knock-out Finals. — Senior: Mount Albert Grammar, '2, Auckland Grammar, 0. Intermediate: Mount Albert Grammar, t. Auckland Grammar, 0. Junior: Otahuhu Technical High 3. Takapuna Grammar, 'J AMATEUR ATHLETICS Auckland Club. —Results of events held at the Outer Domain on Saturday afternoon:--75yds handicap: E. Quinn. Oyds. 1: H. «■ Farley, Oyds, '2; D. Longville, Byds, 3. Time, 8 l-ss. Two miles and a-half steeplechase: W. S. Opperman, HBs. 1; H. W. Farley. 8«, 2; D. Longville. 3.*>s. Fastest time, Farley, 15m 17s. Putting the shot banddicap: E. Quinn, 33ft Tin, 1; D. Longville. :t:ift '_' in. 2; B. M. Murray. HI ft 3in, 0. Throwing the discus handicap: S. Ortner (scr). !i3ft 11 in, 1; B. M. Murray. !»3ft 7in. •J; D. Longville, W'Jft loin. ,'t.