THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25231, 18 June 1945, Page 3

THE LEAGUE CODE

DISAPPOINTING GAME. MOUNT ALBERT AND MAR IST The senior grade championship of the Auckland Rugby League was advanced a further stage on Saturday afternoon, when a big crowd witnessed a keen game at Carlaw Park between Mount Albert and Marist. The standard of play, however, was very disappointing. There was an absence of constructive football and the game developed into a kicking competition by the. backs of both teams. Mount Albert won narrowly and now leads in the championship equal with Otahuhu. The curtain-raiser, between Manukau and Richmond, provided patrons with a fast and open display. Richmond was a little lucky to win. On No. 2 ground City defeated Newton afler a keen game, while Ponsoiihy won easily from Point Chevalier. Otahuhu won comfortably from North Shore at Ellerslie. The results were as follows: Mount Albert, 7; Marist. 0. Richmond, 10; Manukau, 7. City, 21; Newton, 11. Ponsonby, 38; Point Chevalier, Ift. Otahuhu, 38; North Shore, 13. The game between Mount Albert and Marist failed to provide the attraction anticipated and fell much below the usual standard of football seen at headquarters. It is difficult to imagine why so many players kicked at random, without any objective in view. Neither team has a chance of beating Otahuhu, Richmond or Pousonbv on this form. The margin of two points in favour oi Mount, Albert was deserved, although Marist could have won by goal-kicking. Anderson missed nine attempts'at goal, some from easv positions. B. Cranch scored all seven point's for Mount Albert. The Marist backs handled poorly ' and dropped passes cost tries. Early m the first spell the Mount Albert forwards dominated the play and the backs received a good share of the ball from set scrums. They failed however, to make any impression, and a series of return kicks between the backs dulled the play. White, the Marist five-eighths, paid a lot of unnecessary attention to Meary, who was often held without possession or the ball. I'wo penalty goals were the only points scored in the first spell, Mount Albert leading by 4 points lo 0. The Mount Albert backs started the second spell Willi the only bright few minutes of the match. Clement made an opening and Wiles faced through the defence and sent Cranch across. Both the fullbacks, 11. Zane and Brockliss, had plenty to do, but they rarely slarled passing bouts. The Mount Albert forwards, led by Milliken and Couza, did some effective work in the loose, but good tackling checked each attack. Marist played its best football in the last ten minutes, when Rangi outpaced the opposition to score a nice try. Wiles, at centre, was easily the best of'the Mount Albert backs, but his attacking ability was wasted by 100 much kicking by the others. Clement, at halfback, gave good service and his defence was very sound. J. Zane was prominent at five-eighths. Among the forwards, Milliken and Rosewarne played good games, and Thomassen was seen to advantage in hooking. McLeod stood out as easily the best of the Marist forwards. Curran and Simpson were also prominent, but Anderson bandied badly in passing bouts. Richmond and Manukau deserve credit for a spectacular display of the code. Good passing by the backs of both teams was a feature of the game. J. Murray, the Manukau fiveeighths, was the best back on the ground, his play at times being brilliant. McGregor, at centre, played splendidly, and he and Ryan, in the forwards, did a lot toward giving Richmond the honours.

The scorers were:—Mount Albert, 7 (try by Cranch, who also kicked two penalty goals). Marist, 5 (try by Rangi and penalty goal by Brockliss); Richmond, lo (tries by Magill and Prenter, and Furnell and Magill each kicked a penalty goal), Manukau, 7 (fry by Rogers and two penalty goals by Butler); City, 21 (tries by Cunningham, Salaia and Donovan, Silva converting three and kicking three penalty goals), Newton, 11 (try by Muru, converted by Walker, and penalty goals by Hawkes and Walker); Otahuhu, 38 (tries by Brady, 2. Seymour, 2, J. Js|»eedy. M. Johnson, J. Johnson and Halsey, Riley converting seven), North Shore, 15 (tries by Chatham, Sycamore and Taylor, Graham and Clarke converting one each and Clarke also kicking a penalty goal); Ponsonby, 30 (tries by Nordgreri, 3. Mitchell, Kay. Bailey, Hardwick and Keily, Xordgren converting five and Richey kicking a penalty goal); Point Chevalier. 15 (tries by Taylor, Dais and Craig, Walker converting two and Harris kicking a field goal). ASSOCIATION GAMES PHI LOMEL-WHEN UAPAI DRAW Play in the Auckland Football Association's competitions was continued on Saturday afternoon under perfect conditions. Whenuapai suffered its first check at Blandford Park when Philomel held the leader to a draw, J-all. At Devonport Comrades prevented North Shore from drawing level with Whenuapai by dividing the points in a keen drawn game. Ardmore made its first appearance at headquarters in a competition game and surprised by its decisive defeat of .MetroCollege. In its match against Metro-College, Ardmore had a strong combination, Webster, at centre-forward, being very dangerous. Ardmore led I—<) at half-time, but in the second spell dominated the play to add four more goals. It was apparent early in the main attraction between Whenuapai and Philomel that it was to be a hard-fought contest between the defences of both sides. In the firsl spell Philomel was well served by Yeomans in goal, and Rutherford played a sterling centre-half game, breaking up attacks and sending his forwards away. Good teamwork saw Philomel in the lead at half-time by the only goal scored. In the second spell Whenuapai opened up the play, but the forwards, by short passing close in, save the Philomel backs opportunities for smothering anything dangerous. Eventually, the Philomel defence was spread and Hope Ede had an open road to goal, to equalise the scores. Following were the scores and scorers:— Philomel. 1 (Gisby). Whenuapai, 1 (HopeEde); Ardmore, 5 (Webster 3, Angus, Robinson). Metro-College, 1 (Cleal); North Shore. 4 (Richards 2, Robinson, Rasmussen), Comrades, 4 (Pickett 2, Masters 2); Eastern Suburbs, 4, Ponsonby, 3; Thistle, 2, Watersiders, 1. Second Division: Onehunga, 5, Third Divisional Base. 2; Comrades. 3: Ponsonby, 2, Eastern Suburbs, 2. Watersiders, 0.

OTAGO BEATS CANTERBURY (P. A.) DUNE DIN, Sunday The first representative Association football match against Canterbury to be played in Dunedin since 1041 took place yesterday. Otago won by (i goals to -1. YACHTING PRIZES ANNUAL DISTRIBUTIONS Panmure Boating Club.—The 33rd annual prize-giving of the Panmure Boating Club was held at- Ellerslie and drew a large attendance. For the first time since the inception of the club, the secretary, Mr S. Jlamlin, was absent, being an inmate of the Green Lane Hospital. In welcoming the guests, the commodore, Mr G. Vause, expressed the hope that Mr Hamlin would soon be restored to health and be back in his position with the club. Mr Vause paid a tribute to the interest taken by the late Mrs Fenton, who had sailed her boat in a club race the day prior to her death at the age of 71, and who had been one of the club's most consistent performers. The prizes were presented by the president, Mr I'. Rothery. Sea Mist owned and sailed by N. Ellis, lifted five trophies. Following arc the principal prize-winners:— Wilson and Rothery Shield, Phyllis H.; R. E. Fenton Memorial Cup, Sea Mist; Club Cup Sea Mist; Riverhead Gold Cup, Koala; Pilkiugton Cup (tinder 21 years of age), L. Ashman (Malolo); Kirnber Cup. Phyllis H.; W R. Kay Memorial Shield, Vondoh; E. Maud's trophy, Sea Mist; Clapham Memorial Cup, Sea Mist; Foster trophy, Aoma; W. B. Eta r low's trophy, Phyllis H.; John Burns trophy, Sea Mist. Devonport Yacht Club.—There was a good attendance at the annual dance and prize distribution, held in the Masonic Hall, Devonport.. In welcoming the guests, who included representatives of other clubs, the commodore, Mr W. Fletcher, referred to the fact that many of the club's members had returned after serving in the forces in various parts of the world. In presenting the prizes, the Mayor or Devonport, Mr J. R. Miller paid a tribute to the yachtsmen who had given their lives in the service of their country, and referred to the great reputation which'was enioyed by New Zealand yachtsmen in other parts of the world. The principal prize-winners were:—Duder Cup, Nada; David Pike Memorial, Mawhiti; Hislop Clip, Kiafere; Jeliicoe Cup, Stella; Hehu.o Cup. Ngaire; Trevithic Cup, Tawaki; miniatures were presented with each cup. Championship pennants were won by Marahi, M class; Matara V class; Davina, X class; Prefect. Y class' Tawaki, Z class. Other boats to figure "prominently in the prize list were Speedwell, Jeanelte, Impudence, Zlppa, Tauidri, Wish Wynn.

HARRIER RACING Presbyterian Club.—A run over seven and a-half miles of rough country at- Shoal Bay. Be'niotil, Tlaiiraki and Bayswater took place on Saturday afternoon. Results:—Racing unci;' G c Macrae. 1; J. Cunningham, 2; M, Moody, 3. Fust pack: B. C. Wilson l ; g Keiulrick, 2; M. Heron, 3. Intermediate Hick J- Hislop, 1; S. I. Roxburgh. 2; G Tate, 3. Slow pack: G. Robertson, 1; E. Blazev 2; N. Williams, 3. Lynmlalfi Club.--Rare for Ho we lls Cup: G. Hughes, ,5m 455, 1: W. Briggs <iin. 2; J. Ma lam. Om Rss. 3- Fastest time, H. Coombes. 33m 40s. Technical Old Boys' Club.—A run over five and a-half miles in the One Tree Hill and Green Lane districts resulted:- Slow pack: T» Honiss 1; G, Moyes, 2; P. Best. 3. Intermediate pack: W. Lewis, 1; D. Griffin, '2; R. Brown, 3. Fast pack: N. Wilson, 1; J Daley, 2; C. Bogne, 3. Ellersllo Club.—The club conducted its championship over the usual course of five miles in the Lake St. John and Ellerslie districts. Results were:—Seniors: C. J. Appleton, 20m, 1; R. Webster, 30m, 20s, 2; It! K. Andrews, 32m 50s. 3. Juniors: D. Jillings, 30m, 1; I-Hyde. 35 m 4s. 2; L. Beaver, 30m 335, 3. Field handicap: Webster, 1; Jillings and Appleton, dead-heat, 2.