THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25255, 16 July 1945, Page 3

THE LEAGUE CODE

OTAHUHU STILL LEADS

RECOVERY BY MANUKAU Rain and a heavy ground at Carlaw Park considerably marred the senior matches played on Saturday afternoon under the control of the Auckland Rugby League. In the main game Otahuhu maintained its lead for the championship honours by defeating Mount Albert. A packed grandstand had plenty of thrills from the curtain-raiser, between Ponsonby and Manukau, which made a splendid recovery to snatch a well-deserved victory in the last few minutes. " City won convincingly from Marist on No. 2 ground, a feature of this game being the fine performance of A. Silva (City), who scored three tries and converted them all. North Shore beat Newton by a single point, while at Mount Wellington Richmond defeated Point Chevalier. Results were:—

Otahuhu, 7; Mount Albert, 2. Manukau, 12; Ponsonby, 11. North Shore 4; Newton, 3. City, 18; Marlat, 0. Richmond, 15; Point Chevalier,-7.

The Mount Albert forwards wero responsible for a good display and they were superior all round to the Otahuhu pack. What advantage Otahuhu held came from better back play, blit there-was not a great deal between the teams'. Mount Albert had plenty of opportunities from the scrum, but this was turned to poor account by Sumich, who incessantly kicked to no useful purpose. Round the Otahuhu scrum the Speedy brothers did superior work, which contributed to Otahuhu's success. The playing area was in its worst state this season and good football was out of tho question. An elusive run by R. Speedy placed Otahuhu on the offensive and Fogarty made a great effort to score, actually getting over tho goal line, only to be hurled back before ho touched down. Wiles sought every chance to gain possession and often left his position in an effort to secure the ball. Too much kicking by the inside backs proved costly to Mount Albert, which had a lead of two points to nil at half-time. In the second spell the Otahuhu forwards made the most of a strong wind. With the I scores equal the game developed into a duel between the forwards and Milliken, Shadbolt land Rosewarne stood out prominently. However. in the loose X. and M. Johnson and ! Fogarty gave the Otahuhu backs excellent | support. A v splendid try, the feature of the i game, came to Otahuhu. R. Speedy reI cciveil from his brother, cut through nicely and passed on to Brady. The centre sent it back to Speedy, and finally Halsey, on the I wing, made a fast run to score an excellent try. i Riley played a sound game at fullback for Otahuhu under trying conditions. Ilalscy showed a lot of his former, dfish on the wing I and Brady did well with limited chances. R. Speedy was again elusive on attack, while J. Speedy gave good service from the scrum. His defence against a heavy pack was highclass. Fogarty was the pick of the forwards, with Lohenet, N. and M. Johnson also prominent. Milliken played a great forward game for Mount Albert. Ponsonby lost numerous chances of beating Manukau as tho result of Williams using the blind side after the forwards had cleanly hooked tho ball. The fast Ponsonby backs rarely saw the ball on the open side and the halfback's 'tactics were difficult to understand. Manukau infused plenty of dash into its play and thrilled Ihe crowd with a great recovery, after Ponsonby had gained a lead of nine points halfway through the second spell. The Manukau forwards swept over the opposition in tho face of a strong wind. From good passing bouts Kirkwood and Shalfoon scored tries for Manukau in - quick succession and then a penalty goal by Butler gave Manukau a popular victory. A feature of the game was the excellent display of Butler at fullback, and his omission from the Auckland team is a surprise. The scorers were:—Otahuhu, 7 (try by Halsey, converted by Riley, who also kicked a penalty goal), Mount Albert, 2 (penalty croal by Cranch); Manukau, 12 (tries by Kirkwood nnd Shalfoon, Butler converting one and kicking two penalty goals). Ponsonby, .11 (tries by Nordgren, 2, and Wil linms, Nordgren converting one); North Shore, 4 (two penalty goals by Clarke), Newton 3 (try by Keen): City, 18 (tries by Silva, 3, and Cosse.v, Silva converting three), Marist, 0 (try by McWilliams, converted by Brockliss, who also kicked two penalty goals).

AUCKLAND TEAM CHOSEN The Auckland Rugby League representatives will meet Wellington at Carlaw Park next Saturday. The visitors are reported to be a strong combination and there is every reason to anticipate a good game. The Auckland team includes the fastest of the backs available, but the omission of Brady (Otahu.hu) comes as a surprise. It. Nurse, who has played in the two representative matches this season, is not among the reserves. H. M. Milliken has shown greatly improved form and his inclusion in the front row would have strengthened the forwards. The team selected to represent Auckland Is as follows: —Fullback, W. S. Clarke (City); threequarters, B. Nordgren (Ponsonb.v), A. Wiles (Mount Albert), B. Lowther (Richmond); five-eighths, J. Murray (Manukau), R. Speedy (Otahuhu); halfback, C. Major (Manukau); forwards. D. McLeod (Marist), J. Rutherford (North Shore), D. Ryan (Richmond), P. Ririnui (Manukau), A. Thompson (Richmond), T. Hnrdwick (Ponsonb.v). Reserves: Backs, M. Robertson (Richmond), R. Clarke (North Shore); forwards, N. Johnson (Otahuhu), A. Graham (North Shore). Owing to injuries Clement and A. Rogers are not available. The team will train at Carlaw Park tomorrow evening and on Thursday evening.

ROAD CYCLING RACES Manukau Amateur Club.—Races for cups were held on Saturday afternoon over the Blockhouse Bay circuit. Results were:— Seniors, 20 miles, for Murray Memorial Cup: 1. Walker, lm 15s, 1; A. A. I>orrington, lm 15s, 2; W. J. S. Nash. 2m 45*. 3. Fastest time Hleid Cup), V. A. 'Hills Cscr), 55m Juniors, ten miles, president's cup: B. Kent, 30s, 1; E. J. R. Browne, 3m, 2; P. A. Carroll, 4m. 3. Fastest time, Kent, 30m 2s Lynndate Amateur Club. —The club held an 18-mile two-man teams race on the New Lynn circuit. Results: D. Anstiss and G. Anstiss 2m, 1; G. Malan and R. Saunders, 7rn. 2. Fastest time: F. Yates and J. Stevens (6cr), 50m 255. * m , Northern Amateur Club.—l he club held a 2tf-milc handicap, combined with the Papatoetoe club. .The results were:—J. Garrod, Oin 30s. 1; R. Shewan, 3m, 2; P. Corner, 3m, 3. Fastest time, J. R. Walker (lm), 58m 475. HARRIER RACING Technical Club.—The seniors raced round the Lake St. John course and the juniors from St. Heliers Bay to Remuera. Results were:—lntermediate pack: J. Steel, t; R. Brown, 2; R. G. Hall, 3. Fast pack: A. Wilson, 1: D. Wilson, 2 : A. Cozens. 3. Junior pack: N. Wilson, 1; G. Kelt, 2; M. Lousick, 3. Lynndale Club.—The annual steeplechase anil vete'ans' race were held at the Avondale racecourse, the results being:—Steeplechase- B. White. 1; D. Sharp, 2; K. Dolan, 3. Fastest time, White, 19m Bs. Veterans' race: G. Heron, 1; J. Dolan. 2; 0. Young, 3. Combined Clubs.—The Presbyterian and Baptist Clubs held a combined race over seven miles at Mangere, the results being:— Racing pack: D. Cain (B), 1; G. C. Macrae (P), 2; R. Wilmott (B), 3. Fast pack: J. Hislop (P). 1; K. Louis (P), 2; T. K. Cowan (P), 3. Intermediate pack: M. Hooper (B), 1: M. Parkinson (P), 2; K. Allen (B), 3. Slow pack: D. Horn (B), I; S McKenzie (P) 2: N Williams (P). 3. • - COUNTRY RUGBY Peace Cup Problem. —An elimination match for the Peace Cup was played at Pukekohe on Saturday afternoon between Waiuku and Pukekohe. The score at the call of time was 3*all, Waiuku having obtained a try and Pukekohe a penalty goal. Extra time was played, in accordance with the rules governing the competition, but tho result was still a draw. Tho successful team was to have played Hamilton next Saturday, but the problem facing the two sub-unions is: Which team will meet Hamiltonf The question has been referred to the Auckland Rugby Union for a decision.

Win for Waikato.—The Wnikato Rugby representatives defeated King Country at To Kuiti on Saturday by 18 points to ti. There was a strong wind, but liltle rain, and the ground was firm. A large crowd witnessed the match. .Watty ('_•) and Carew scored for Waiknto, while McGregor kicked a field Ron) and D. S, Elisor converted one try and kicked a penalty goal. For King Country, K. C. Clarke kicked two penalty goals. Waiknto secured the ball most of the scrums and showed superior combination over their opponents. Mr A. E. Hcbden. of Te Kuiti. was referee.

Rotorua.—Kahukara, 11, Whakarewarcwa, <!: Ngongotaha, 3, Waikite, 0. Junior repre sentative game at Tc Puke: Te Puke. 12, Rotorua, 0.

Matamata.—One of the most successful club championships in the history of the Matamata Rugby Sub-union concluded on Saturday, with Patetere winning the honours when it defeated Waharon by 21 points to nil in the last match of the competition. Matamata is runner-up, two points behind the leaders. The weather was bitterly cold and wet, but there was a surprisingly gyod attendance. Tries for Palelere were scored by Olds, Passau. Negus and Wilson, Bell converting three and kicking h penalty goal Other results:—Senior: Matamata, Il', Hinnera, 3. Third grade (Holo Cup final): High School, I I, Patetere, 0. Otamatca representative match: Northern Wairoa, 17. Otamatea, 3.

Rodney Sub-Unlon.—Wcllsford, S, Matakana, 3; Warkworth, i). Tamarata. G South Hoklanga Sub-Union—Otana, IR, Rawene, 3: Taheke, 11, Wnima South. 3; Omania, 6, Waima North. 0; Wainmmnku, 12, Whirinaki, 0. Whnngarei Sub-Union.—Juniors: Hikurangi. 14. City, »; Old Boys, 17, Kia Ton. 0: Central, 3, Horahora, 3: High School. Hi. Manaia, <S, Third grade: A.T.C.. 7, Old Bovs, G; Portland, (i. High School. 3; Hiku rangi, (!, Horahora, 3.

Northern Wairoa Sub-Union,—Senior representative match: Whatigarei, G (try by Mackie and penalty goal bv White), Northern Wairoa, 3 (try by Turn bull). Bay of Islands Sub-Union,—Seniors: Oknihau. IS, Kaikohe, 0; Ohaeawal, 2<">, Matarnna, 3; Dtirial 0. Kawaknwu. n. Jnrfiors: Moerewa. 6, Kaikohe, 6: Kerikfri. S, Okaihau, G- (this was the first defeat for Okaihau); Kawakawa, 2'2, Waimate North, 0. Kawakawa is now at the top of the junior ladder with/rat a.low.