THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25219, 4 June 1945, Page 3

THE LEAGUE CODE

CLOSE COMPETITION THREE TEAMS NOW LEVEL Tho Auckland Rugby League continued its senior grade competition at Carlaw Park 011 Saturday under ideal playing conditions and there was a good attendance, in spite of the counter attraction. The championship has now reached an interesting stagd. At the conclusion of Saturday's matches, three teams, Otahuhu, Marist and Mount Albert, are equal for first place, while Richmond is only one point behind the leaders. In the principal game. Richmond easily defeated Ponsonby in a disappointing display. B. Lowther (Richmond), contributed 19 of the 25 points scored. The curtain-raiser was a splendid game, in which North Shore narrowly defeated City in the last few minutes of play. High scores were recorded on No. 2 ground, Otahuhu outclassed Point Chevalier, while Mount Albert easily defeated Newton. Marist won a well-contested game from Manukau at Morhingside. The results were:— Richmond, 25; I'onsonby, 7. North Shore, 14; City, 12. Otahuhu, 45: Ft. Chevalier, 8. Mount Albert, 38; Newton, 13. Marist, 13; Manukau, 9.

Weak tackling, the worst seen for some time by tho Ponsonby backs, gave Richmond several easy tries. In the first spell tho Ponsonby inside backs allowed the opposition plenty of scope, and there was no improvemeat until the backs were rearranged in the second spell. u The initiative was always with tho Richmond backs who handled well, and made the most of a monopoly of the ball from set scrums. Richmond was lucky to be awarded one try when Lowther, tackled and held, was allowed to carry tho ball a yard over tho line. A penalty kick to Ponsonby appeared the correct decision. Ponsonby opened up the scoring with a good try by T. Hardwick, but it was only for the j first ten minutes that Richmond failed to dominate tho play. Tho game was held up for several minutes as the result of injuries. Ponsonby lost Morrell and D. Hardwick, Kay and G. Tittleton replacing them, L. Williams, who was playing well at halfback for Rich, mond, was replaced by Morris. Richmond led at half-time by 15 points to 5. Kay, now at five-eighths, gave the Ponsonby backs better balance, but tho Richmond forwards continued to gain possession of the ball, and it was a day of defence for Ponsonby. Nordgren, on the wins, rarely saw the ball. The Ponsonby forwards were the more effective in the loose, Mullett and Bailey doing good work 011 attack. , A feature of tho game was the scoring of Lowther, on tho Richmond wing. Ho obtained three tries anil kicked five goals. McGrcgror I played a splendid gamo at centre, while Robertson again showed excellent attacking ability at five-eighths. Prentcr, a promoted junior, gave a very impressive display on the wing, showing dash and determination. Furnell plaved a good game at fullback. Among the Richmond forwards, Thompson, Hilton and Rvan played well. , , City and North Shore provided a very exciting finish, and tho former was a little unlucky not to win. A feature of the game was the improvement of the North Shore ba%ks. Excellent combination resulted in several good tries being scored. Cave, Greenwood, Clarke, Read and Chatham played line football for the winning team. , , , . The scorers were:—Richmond, 25 (tries by Lowther, 3, McGregor and Satherley. Lowther converting three and kicking two penalty goals); Ponsonby, 7 (try by Hardwick, converted Iw Nordtrren, who also kicked a penalty goal); North Shore, 14 (tries by Read, 2, Cave and Chatham, tho last-named converting ono trv); City, 12 (tries by McManus and Legge, Si'lva converting both and kicking a penalty goal); Otahuhu, 45 (tries by R. Speedy, 2, Wellm 2, Simmons, 2* Loheret, Ke.it, I. Johnson, N. Johnson and J. Johnson. Riley converting six); Pt. Chevalier. 8 (tries by Warner and Wakefield, Walker converting one); Mount Albert.' 38 (tries by Wiles, 3, Padley 3, Borich, Clement, Thommasen and H. Zane. Cranch converting four); Newton, 13 (tries by Tiernev, Hawkes and Mum. Niwa and Walker converting one each).

REPRESENTATIVE TEAM The first representative match of the season will be plaved at Carlaw Park next Saturday, when Auckland meets South Auckland. The Auckland selectors. Messrs. J. Kirwan A. J. McGregor aiul J- Clark, have chosen tho following team:— Fullback, S. W. Clarke (Ci v); threequarters. B. Lowther (Richmond). R. McGregor (Richmond). B. Nordgren (Ponsonby); five-eitrhths, K. Speedy (Otahuhu). J. Murray (Manukau); halfback. L. Clement (Mount Albert); forwards. P. Rirlnui (Manukau). J. Rutherford (North Shore), J Borich (Mount Albert), F. Hilton (Richmond), 1. Hardwick (Ponsonby), A. Rogers (Manukau). Reserves: Forwards. A. Graham (North Shore). J. Anderson (Marist): backs, E. Clarke (North Shore), R. Nurse (Ponsonby) HUNTLY TEAM BEATEN (0.c.) GREYMOUTII, Sunday A record crowd safr Blackball defeat Huntlv by 2-1 points to 2 in a Rugby League match played at Blackball today. The gate takings totalled £IOO. ASSOCIATION GAMES SURPRISE BY THISTLE TEAM A surprise win was obtained by Thistle in the Auckland Football Association's senior championship competition 011 Saturday afternoon, when it defeated Ponsonby at Blandford Park by a margin of three goals. In (he main game. Whenuapai outplayed Eastern Suburbs, to reach the top of the table. Both sides took some time to settle down, but Eastern Suburbs was the more dangerous. The change of positions bv Neesham and Welch, however was not a success. Whenuapai also changed the positions of IJope-Edo and Wilkinson, but reverted to the usual order in the second spell. Tho Eastern Suburbs' back division, Gay, Espie and Cheyne. wero prominent in initialing attacks, but. with the exception 01 the wing men, Walshnm and Collings. who sent over some beautiful centres, the front lino was not as dangerous as usual, shots'grazing bar and posts. Nevertheless, Morman, in whenuapai coal, had plenty to do. and. with Everson ;■•>() Bnz*l the centre-half, cleared effectively. Haztel pleasing with his judicious passing to Inf trout line. Pretty combination was witnessed between the three centre men, Do fceu. Wilkinson and Hope-Ede, with the wingers. Bell and Woods, keeping position well and centring" dangerously. Kinj? in Suburbs goal earned applause for several clover saves under pressure. A match for the patriotic fund was -staged at Devonport between North Shore and Philomel. , , Following were the. scores and scorers:— Whenuapai, 6 (Wilkinson 2, De ieai 2. Bell, Hope-Ede). Eastern Suburbs. 0; Ihistle, 5 (Brackenridgo 4, Orr). Ponsonby, 2 (Moody 2); Metro College. 6. Watersidere. 4; Comrades. 4. Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys. 1; North Shore, 5 (Richards 2. Robinson 2. Mason). Philomel. 0. REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES Two representative matches will be decided at Blandford Park today, when the second of the Drummond Cup series will be played between Auckland and Navy at 3 p.m. Auckland won the first- game, but Navy has strengthened its team for today, and is very confident of winning. Mr E. Page has been appointed to control the game, with Mr R. P. Page as linesman. The early match at 1.30 p.m. will-see a South Auckland team oppose an Auckland B side, Mr F. 0. Green being referee. The Auckland loam is a fairly strong one, hilt the Waikato men have the reputation of playing good football. YACHTING PRIZES

PONSONBY LAD'S SUCCESSES The Ponfiouby Cruising C'lub hold its annual prize night at Westhaven on Saturday, when there was a large gathering of members and friends. The prizes won during the season were presented by tho president. Captain J. McKinnon, who referred to tho excellent season enjoyed bv tho club, and the success which had'attended the efforts of the club in fostering the small 7ft P class boats for boys. Iho most successful boat in the club was the 7tt Billy I3oy, which won the Waitemata championship,' Mathieson Cup, ,7. Jukes Shield, Sir Ernest Davis special trophy, and ft champion flag. The gathering accorded the lad n great ovaiion when he was presented with his trophies. Matchbox, tmother 7ft boat was also specially mentioned for winning the New Zealand freshwater champlonship held at Rotorua, and also Hie United Services trophy. Tho other principal prize-winners were:— Lipton Cup, Komuri. representing the Northcote and Birkenhead Club; Mathiesoii £np, Speedwell; Ponsonby Cup, Marie Dawn-, Britannia Cup, Vim; Alandale Cup, Jeanette; Suffolk Cup, Shirlene; V and Y Aggregate Cup Scandal; Overseas Cup, Valkyrie (second, in Lipton Cup race); Francis Cup, A.iax. Championship flags were won by Tawaki, Mataia, Marahi, Davina, Stormalong and Silver Fern. , , , , The number of unclaimed prizes Is causing tho committee some concern. Iho rule is that sucß prizes are forfeited, but the club Is reluctant to enforce this procedure. BASKETBALL MATCHES Auckland Assooiation. —Results of the main competitions played on Saturday last were;--Seniors: Surrey Hi Is, 14 University 5; Weetmere, 21, Edendale, 2; Arahi, 10, College. 3j KiUarua, 14, Papatootoo, 6. Senior reserve: Killiarua, 11, Arahi. Joj Argosy, 18. Berlei, 1- College, 8, Northcoto, .6; Greers, 8. Westmere, 4: lielvedcro 18. Rangers 3; ; Aoten. 9. University, 8. Senior B: Arahi A, 13, Metro, 3i Shamrock, 14, College, lli .New Lynn. 10, Mania. 1; Whennapai, 17. Taipaki, 4; Edendale 11, Arahi B* 13; Queen Victoria. 10, University, 3. Second A: United IB Oiieen Victoria, 0; Arahi, 12. Y.W.C.A., 11; Otahuliii 0.G., 8, Metro, 7; Pukekohe Kiwis, 18, Comrades 10. Second B: Technical, 17, Pukekohe Kiw'ts, 4 i Salisbury, 10. Parnell, 1; Cambridge, 10. Korma, 8; Otahuhu, 8. Macky, 5; Henderson, 6, Hobsonville, 5; Salisbury, 11, Cambridge, 10; College, 17, Edendale. 3. ROAD CYCLING RACES Auckland Centre. —Two inter-club races were decided on Saturday afternoon. Tho seniors raced over a 33 miles course from Point Chevalier to Whenuapai and back, while the juniors raced over a distance of 13 miles. Results:—-Seniors: R. Shewan (Northern), Om, 1; 8. Thompson (Northern), Bm, 1\ L. C. Coates (Manukau), om, 3. Fastest time, D. Anstice (Lynndaio). 88m 16s—a record. Juniors: ,T. West (Lynndaio), Cm, 1; F. W. 1 Willis (Manukau). im. 2; R. G. Hughes (Lynndaio), lm. 8. Fastest time, Willis. 87m 3s.