THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24983, 28 August 1944, Page 5

THE LEAGUE CODE

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP THREE TEAMS REMAIN EQUAL Partitions of teams in the senior grade competition of the Auckland Rugby League did not undergo any changes on Saturday, as,.' iiree teanm. Manukau, City and Mount A aro equal with '2-1 championship points ea> .. The playing conditions at Carlaw Park were ideal, and there was a large nllendance. Bright and open football was a feature of City's victory over Otahuhu in the main game. In the curtain-raiser, between I'onsonby and .Mar Ist, the former gave the best display of the afternoon. Newton won its fi.'st game this season by defeating North Short on No. 'J ground. Mount Albert proved too good for Richmond, while at Onehunga, Manukau boat I'oint Chevalier. The results were: City, 20; Otahuhu, 10. Puu.sonby, 20; Maris!, IK. Mount Albort, 20; Itichiuund, 30. Newton, 8; North Shore, I. Manukau, 21; i'oint Chevalier, 13. Neither City nor Otahuhu showed any inclination to open up the game, and there was little thrust from the inside backs. The City five-eighths were very weak, and in tht*e positiuns improvement must be made if City expects to win the championship. The City pack met strong opposition from the Otahuhu vanguard, which was a little superior in the loose. City led at half-time by 7 [joints to O. Otahuhu put up magnificent defence in the second spell, Kiley and Speedy tackling soundly. Play improved considerably, and excitement ran high when Wellm scored a great try, beating the City five-eighths badly, to place Otahuhu three points iu the lead. A fine effort by Mataira. regained City the lead, and its forwards hold the advantage after N. Johnson (Otahuhu) had been ordered off. Once again the Otahuhu backs kicked too much after the forwards had gained possession. Clarke played a fine game at fullback for City, and Salaia made a few nice runs. A. Donovan, at halfback, played easily his best game this season. Among the forwards, Mataira stood out prominently, while Jackson and Leatherbarrow did good work. Smart play by the ['onsonby backs was a feature of the team's good win against. Marist. Superior speed gave Ponsonhy sover.il tries, and the Ihreeijnarters, Nurse and Jordan, played good football. Kay, live

eighths, Tvns also in Rood form, while in the forwards, Bailey, Mullett, Hull and Hadley were prominent throughout. Tlie wcorcrs were: —City (tries by Matlhows 2, Mataira and Donovan, the last-named converting two and kicking two penalty ?oals), Ota huh u (tries by Wellin '2, Riley converting both); Ponsoiiby (tries by Nurse 4, Williams and Bailey, and a penalty goal by Cocks), Marist (try bv .Simpson and five penalty goals by Hrnck'liss); Mariukau (tries by Pokaiwa. Shiltou, Opai, Murray, . Martin, Uuller converting three), i'oint Chevalier (tries by Anderson, Coffin and Port eons, Anderson converting two); Newton (tries by Elliott and Gallaugher. Woolley converting one try) North Shore (two penally goals by Hunt.); Mount Albert, (trie* by Shadbolt 2, Cranch 2. Clement and Jones. Cranch converting three and kicking a penally goat), Richmond (tries by Potter and Lowthcr, the latter converting one and kicking a penalty goal). ASSOCIATION GAM ES Hln ml ford Park presented a gay scene on Saturday, when over .'too juniors, representing seven clubs in the various grades from ninth to sixth, took part in a prograi of Soccer skills, starting in the morning and culminating in a sixth grade representative trial which preceded the first, division medal match between Eastern Suburbs and Comrades. The Forsjth Shield was at stake In Hie junior competitions, and decisions were close in all events, several dead-beats being recorded. Eastern Suburbs Club was successful in winning the shield, with -I I points. Comrades heiii.c next, with HO, followed b.v Eden and Y.M.C.A., Willi 22 each, and Metro College*, with :i. North Shore and Oriohiinga failed to gain places in tlie finals. The sixth grade representative trial produced good football, and the selected tea in should do well at Hamilton next month. In the first division game East-em Suburbs was successful by 5 goals to 0, although there was not that margin between the teams. Following «ere the scores and scorers: First division: Eastern Suburbs. 5 (Necsham 2. Alder 2, Welch), Comrades, O; Naval Depot, 1 (dishy 2, Leonard, Hlackio), Penson by, U (Cleal 2); Metro College, -l (Hra«s, MeClellati, Webber Hambrook), North Shore, :< (Robinson 2, Mason); Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys, 4 (C. Ward 2, Horrocks. Hutchinson), Air Force (Ardmoro), 2 (Claasen. Cisby). Second division: Eden, '2. Merchant Navy, 1.