THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25213, 28 May 1945, Page 3

THE LEAGUE CODE

LEADING TEAM BEATEN RICHMOND SIDE'S SUCCESS A high standard of play was witnessed by the largest crowd of the season at Carlaw Park on Saturday afternoon when the Auckland Rugby League's senior competition was continued under ideal conditions. The defeat of Otahuhu, the leading team, by Richmond, was a feature of the games. A splendid exhibition was given by Ponsonby in the cur-tain-raiser and it easily defeated Manukau. B. N'ordgren, the well-known amateur runner, scored three tries and kicked three goals for i'onsonby. Both matches on Xo. 2 ground were evenly contested. Maris! narrowly defeated Newton, while City scrambled home from Point Chevalier. North Shore played a drawn game with Mount Albert at Devonport. Results were:— Richmond, 2(1; Otahutiu, 10. I'onsonby, 24: Manukau, <S. Marist, II; Newton, 5. City, S; Point Chevalier, 4. Mount Albert, 12; North Shore, 12.

Superior speed and better handling, together with a fine display by the forwards, were factors in a clear-cut victory for Richmond over Otahuliu. The latter's forwards did not play their usual bustlini; vramc, the work being too much of an individual nature. The Richmond hacks made the most of good team play - mid tlie defence was sound throughout. Richmond attacked from the kick-off and in 12 ininu-tes had put on seven points. The Otahuhu backs moved fast on attack, but their handling was a little uncertain. A fine run by J. Speedy, well supported by Wellan, resulted in R. Speedy badly beating the Richmond defence to score for Ottihuliu, The Richmond forwards did their work well to secure the hall from set scrums and from clever play by L. Williams, Robertson, at five-eighths, made a beautiful opening and McGregor raced Kinney into a scoring position. Richmond had decidedly the better of the first spell and led 12 points to o. Karly in the second spell Otahuhu showed much of its form in the first three games. N, Johnson headed the forwards and live handled the ball before Brady raced over to score. Otahuhu -made a great, effort to reduce the margin and got within two points of Richmond. However, the latter added two tries hi ouick succession. One by Ryan was a brilliant effort, by I lie backs. Richmond outplayed the opposition in the concluding stages. ' For Richmond, Ftirnell. at fullback, played splendidly and his willingness to make play for the threeqnarters gave the backs scoring chances. At five-eighths. M. Robertson stood out as the best buck on the, ground. He made many clever openings and showed much iiromi.se. L. Williams gave good service as halfback. McGregor, at centre, was a tower of strength on attack, using his pace to advantage. Lowlher, on the wing, showed up prominently, apart from kicking four goals, l'lie team's success was due to the forwards, of whom Hilton and Thompson were always prominent, while Potter and Satherlc.v also worked hard.

I'onsonby played bright and enterprising football, and its form compared very favourably with the best in the competition. A feature of Ihe game was the improved form of the l'onsonby backs. Allen, the five-eighths, and Kelly, centre, were always prominent, while N'ordgren used his speed to advantage. D. Hardwick played soundly at fullback, while Mitchell. Hull, T. Hardwick and Bailey plAyed fine forward games. The scorers were:- Richmond. 20 (tries by M. Robertson, Kinney, C. Williams and Ryan, Lowther converting three and kicking a penalty goal). Olahuhu, 10 (tries by R. Speedy and Brady, and two penalty goals by Riley); Ponsonby. 24 (.tries by N'ordgren 3, Kelly 2 and Nurse. Nordgren converting three), Manukau, 0 (tries by' A. Rogers and Murray); City, S (two tries by Salaia, Silva converting one), Point Chevalier. I (two penalty goals by Rich); Marist, 11 (try by Rangi. converted by Anderson, who also kicked three penalty goals), Newton, 5 (try by llawkes converted by Niwa)

ASSOCIATION GAMES SURPRISE BY COMRADES ROTOWARO BEATS PHILOMEL The fifth series of matches in the Auckland Football Association senior competition was played on Saturday. Both fames at Blandford Park provided lively exchanges with a good standard of football. In the mam attraction Comrades effected a surprise by defeating Eastern Suburbs, while the visiting South Auckland side from Rotowaro played well to beat Philomel, which had the bye in the competition. Eastern Suburbs was first to score, but Comrades soon equalised and then look better advantage of the opportunities presented in front of the goal. Comrades eventually won by 5 goals to 3. Evans, Pickett, Masters and Fleet were always prominent in the Comrades' attacks, while Hooten. in the middle line, directed several sound movements. Meuli spoiled many good opportunities for Eastern Suburbs by failing to pass Hie ball before the defence got into position. Neesham was always dangerous, and r Welch distributed the play nicely

In the early match Rotowaro bustled the Philomel team and swung the ball from wing to wing in good movements. Robson. the visitors centre-half, distributed the play judiciously. Toward the end of the game Philomel had the better of the exchanges, and it was only spectacular punching clear by Boyd, the Rotowaro goalie, that saved the situation Following were the scores and scorers:— First division: Comrade# 5 (Fleet 2, Masters 2, Pickett), Eastern >uburhs 3 (Neesham 2. Welch); Rotowaro 3 (E. Taylor, R. Taylor. R. Gill), Philomel I'lllall); Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys 3 '.lrpson 2. Neeilliam). Watersiders 0; Wtianuapai I (Hope Ede). Ponsonby 0; North Slo.re r; (Richards 3. Mason 2. Robinson). Ardmore 2 1 Angus, Burrows). Second division: Otnhutura 3, University 1; North Shore 2. Ardmore 1; ,'ird Divisional Base 2, Comrades 0; Eden 3, Training College 2.

R EPRESENTATIVE TEA MS Auckland. —The following Auckland teams have been selected by Mr J. Rowal for matches on the King's Birthday.—Auckland A v Navy, for the Drunimond ('up: King (Suburbs), Hodgson (North Shore) Speed (Mount Albert G. 0.8.) Espie (Suburb.*!. Cleai (Metro). Hutchinson (Mount Albert C.O.iij. Walsham (North Shore). Woods (Metro), Richards (North Shore). Fleet (Comrades). Mason (North Shore). Reserves: Ward (Mount Albert G. 0.8.), Webber (Metro). Auckland B v. South Auckland: Sims (Metro), Cameron (North Shore). Conner (Watersiders), West (North Shore). S. Ellis (Watersiders) Wallace (Metro). Needhain (Mount Albert O.O.B.). Meuli (Suburbs), Hope-Erie. Wilkinson (Whenuapai), Masters (Comrades). Reserves: Wallace (Metro). Boden (Y.M.C.A.). CRICKET IN ENGLAND REAPPEARANCE OF BLUNT (Special Correspondent) (Reed. 0.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 20 In a one-day cricket match New Zealand Services made 153 for eight wickets, declared (R. C. Blunt 70). airainst Cambridge University, which replied with 157 for five wickets, thereby winning by five wickets. HOWLING COMPETITIONS Ponsonby Club.-—Following were Ihe club coni|>etition results for the pant season:— Single* championship, N. Donaldson; pairs championship, W. Hosking and N Donaldson; fours championship, J. James, K, Tail, A. Stanley, V. Jury; percentage fours, W. Elleray, W. Tnnnicliffe, M. Dick, W. Cox; handicap singles, M. C. Wellierill; consistency singles, D. Scholes; veterans' singles, W. Stewart; first-year championship, K. Walker; junior championship, I). Andrews; intermediate pairs, O. Green and 'l'. O'Connell; Australian pairs, E. and V 7. Jury. Carlton Club.—Gold ferns: J. McNaughton, M. Dclich, A. Stirrup. F. Budri (challengers), IS, v. G. Wh.vman. E. Pcgler, M. Wright, G. Culler, Hi. Epsom Club.—Final of full rink tonrnry: R. Atkinson, A. Laing, H. Stacey, L. Grace (Balmoral), 10, v. C. Scott, B. Hiltam, N. Bull, A. Danvers (Epsom), 17. Mangere Club.—Jordan pins:' E. D. Foster. K. Ha gen, T. Jeffer.v, .T. C. Taplin (Transport), 25, v. J. Rnzirh, G. Popper, J. R. Bruce, C. Wadsworth (Mangere). 7. Remuera Club.— Final of Mount Albert silver cup tourney: E. Tonks, E. Leaning. N. Whitmore, A. Harland (Remnera), 10, v. E- Butler, J. Allcly, F. Humphries, .T. Firth (Mount Albert), 11. Diggers' badges: E. Hickson. A. ,R. Thompson, M. D. White, G. Fisher (holders). 23, v. R. Alkinstfti, L. Heasman, L. Campbell, L. Ay res. 22.

Onehunga Club.—Final of April tourney: Leonard, Higgott, Lancaster, H. B. Jenkin (Clirlton), 23. v. Langford, Pilkington, MrGuire, Vella (Onehunga). 20. Neilson Memorial Cup final: Ball. Harding, R. Wilson, Macklow, 23, v. Siefert, VowfflS. F.dgerley, Pilkington, 20. Champion pair, semi-finals J. Kerr, J. H. Mlngins, 10, v. T. A. George, F. Livingstone, 17. These pairs meet again in the final. Cock 0' the walk: Court, Morrow, Thoimison. L. .Tones (challengers), lfi, v. Rerberl. Bereiford, Drurnm, Farrell, It. Bray buttons: F. George, ,T. Brown. Collin. Cole (holders). 20, v. "Morris, E. Turnbull, Burridge, Kenny, 13. BASKETBALL MATCHES Auckland Association.—Results of Saturday's games:—Senior grade: University,' 0. F.dendaie, 0; Surrey Hills, IS, Middlemore, 11; Weslmere, 15, Papatoetoe, 4: Westmere. 22. Arahi. 7. Senior reserve: Rangers, 0, Westmere, 7; Arahi, 15, Aotea. !); Belvedere. 11, Northcote. 5; Argosy, 10, Greers, 2. Senior B: Arahi A, 0. Grammar 0; Shamrock. 13, Arahi B, 0; Whennafiai, It, Mania. -1; Taupaki. 10, Rdendale, 5. Second A: Otahuhu. 10, Y.W.C.A., 4; Shoal Bay, S, Westmere, 3; R ilia ma, 13, Metro, 3: United, 0, Wisemans, 5, Thompson and Hills, 17, Comrades. 1.3. Second B: Technical, 12, Forma, 7; Ponsonby, 7, Macky«, 4; John Rnrns, 7. Kdendale, 1: John Burns, S, Otahuhu Old Girls. 5; Henderson. 7, Pnkekohe Kiwis. 3: Hohsonville. -I, Parnell, 3. Intermediate.- ■ * rea No. 1, 7, N. 7. Milk Products, 7: Area No. 1, 11, St. Peter's, 4; Onehunga. 12. Childswear 0; Paoatoetoe. 7. Aces, 7; Technical 11. Transport. 4: Amblers. 5, Ralnsler, 3; Classic, 0, Point Chevalier, 3; Woollev's, 14, Maple, 4.