THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25321, 1 October 1945, Page 3

THE LEAGUE CODE

AUCKLAND TEAM WINS GAME PLAYED AT HUNTLY Superior speed and correct positional piny were decidinj? factors in the success of the Auckland Rugby League representative team, which defeated South Auckland at 'Huntly on Saturday afternoon by 20 points to i:!. The Auckland hacks gave a fine display of passing and their better knowledge of the finer points was an advantage. The playing area at Davis Park was very hard and a strong wind made it difficult to judge the flight of the ball

Auckland played one short for most of the second spell. Wiles collided with another player and had to have several stitches in his eyebrow. The South Auckland forwards made a fine impression in the loose and their scrummaging was superior to that of the Auckland vanguard. An outstanding feature was the halfback p'ay of L. Alleh (South Auckland), who could not have failed to impress the Xorfh island selectors, who were present, is. Nordgren again proved a fine scoring back. He gained IT of Auckland's 20 points. Kelly was a success at c«ntre-tlireequarter, while Clarke played a particularly sound gajne at fullback. Cunningham, at five-eighths, made several splendid runs, but held on too long. McLeod, Hardwiek and S had bolt played good games among the Auckland forwards, while Moyes and Hainbleton stood out for South Auckland. Auckland led by 20 points to o at half-time, hut from then on South Auckland had much the better of the play.

Tries for Auckland were scored by Nordgren (3), Kelly (2) and Cunningham. Nordgren converted three tries and kicked a penally goal. For South Auckland tries were scored by Hainbleton, F. Hilton and Mair, Stevens converting two.

ROOPE ROOSTER FINAL SUCCESS OF NORTH SHORE RICHMOND TEAM DEFEATED There was a large crowd at Carlaw Park on Saturday afternoon when North Shore defeated Richmond by 22 points to 12 to win the final of the Auckland Rugby League's Roope Rooster competition. The game was full of exciting incidents. A fine recovery was made by Richmond in the 'second spell. The faultless play of the North Shore forwards, however, was the deciding factor. It is years since such a high standard of forward play has been witnessed. North Shore had a commanding lead at one stage, but. when only two points separated the teams, the excitement was intense. In the Phelan Shield competition Ponsonb.v defeated Point Chevalier after extra time was played, and City comfortably won from Mount Albert. The results were as follows:~ North Shore, 22; Richmond, 12. Ponsonby, 22; Point Chevalier, 12. City, 25; Mount Albert, 5.

North Shore was superior all round to Richmond in Iho first spell and tho fastraiding tactics of the forwards checked each Attempt the Richmond hacks made to open up tho play. Richmond's strength is in its rear division, which was never allowed to settle down. North Shore played confidently from the kick-oft, with Stirling, Chatham and Clarke showing initiative on attack. Sniilh was in excellent goalkicking form, contributing ten points. Play was always spectacular and exciting. Richmond was beaten in all departments in the first spell. »t the end of which the scoro favoured North Shore by li points to 0. Richmond did a lot better in the first 20 minutes of the second spell and Rennio gave his backs plenty of scoring chances. There was also a noticeable improvement in ihe co-operation given by Ihe Richmond forwards Richmond almost drew level, but North Shore rose to the occasion splendidly and during the last l."> minutes again dominated the play. The inside backs worked smoothly, with fine positional play by Clarke. When .Smith retired for some time with an injury matters looked bad for North Shore, but. although a man short, the team held on gallantly, and its victory was convincing. There was not a failure in Ihe. North Shore team and much of the credit for the win goes to Chatham, second five-eighths, who played an outstanding game on attack. Clarke gave easily his best display this season, his mistakes being very few. Stirling gave good service at halfback and his ability to vary the attack gained two tries. Smith played a faultless game at fullback. His placements were good and effective. Graham, Field, Thomas and Pye worked ably in the forwards. The scorers were:—North Shore, 22 (tries by Clarke, *_», Read and Thomas, Smith converting two and kicking three penally goals), Richmond, 12 (tries by Smythe and Satherley, Fnrnell converting both tries and kicking a penaltv goal); Ponsonby, 22 (tries by Williams, :I, Norton, Allen and Thomas, Black converting two), Point Chevalier, 12 (tries by Shirley, 2, Walker and Perry); City, 25 (tries by Fredanovicb, Keenan, Donovan, Woods and Silva, the last-named converting four and kicking a penalty goal), Mount Albert, 5 (try by Fielder, converted by Cranrh).

NORTH ISLAND SELECTION Keen interest is bring: taken In the annual Rugby League fixtnro between the North ami South Island teams to be plnyeo at ("arlaw Park next Saturday. Tho South Island team, already announced, is a strong combination. At the conclusion of tho Auckland v. South Auckland match af Hnntl.v on Saturday the selectors, Messrs A T. McClymont, ft. K. Asher and C. Siddle, chose tho following North Tsland team: —Fullback, J, Smith (North Shore); threequarlers. B. Nordgrcn (Ponsonby), A. Kav (Ponsonby), J. Murray (Mannkan), P. Kelly (Ponsonby): halfbacks, I?. Clarke (North Shore), L. Allen (South Auckland); forwards, A. Hamblelon (Koulh Auckland). J. Rutherford (North Shore), T). ■Ryan (Richmond). P. Ririnnl (Manuknn), T. Hard wick (Ponsonby), G. Moves (South Auckland). Players must attend Carlaw Park for training tomorrow and on Thursday at five o'clock. The choice of ,T. Smith in preference to W. S. Clarke, the Auckland fullback in all games this season, comes as a surprise. Smith recently returned from overseas and has pin ved onlv two matches. The selectors saw Clarke give a high-class display against South Auckland at Huntly on Saturday. Reserves for the North Island team will be selected tomorrow.

FALCON CUP SOCCER

COMRADES FOR SEMI-FINAL

Soccer enthusiasts were provided with gdod faro at Biarulford Park on Saturday, when matches were played from 11 a.m. Conditions were, perfect for the main attraction, between Comrades and .Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys, in the Falcon Cup quarter-final replay. It resulted in the Comrades' side making tho most of its opportunities to win by two clear goals. The Rotowaro senior team, which contested the Chatham Cup North Island final, played superior football to best Ponsonby 2—l. The Rotowaro junior side defeated Ponsonb.v's junior team 4—l. The sixth grade final, between Y.M.C.A. and Comrades, saw the former win by the odd goal in three after a solid match.

The outstanding player in the main game was Kendall, Mount Albert Old Boys' right back, who extricated the side from many dangerous positions. Ellison wa6 always prominent and, with H. Hutchinson, who was allowed a lot of latitude, initiated inoet of tho Old Boys' attacks. The front line, however, was weak. Necdham in particular having an off-day when well placed. Jepson had little opportunity with the Comrades' backs, MeKenna and Matthews, covering well. The middle line spread the defence with wing-to-wing play, where Evans, on the right, and Masters, on the left, made ground. Pickett netted both Comrades' goals.

BASKETBALL GAMES FINALS OF CHAMPIONSHIPS Tlie finals in the Auckland Basketball Association's championship rounds were played on Saturday. Following the conclusion of pln.v tho president, Miss J. D. Ncill, presented the championship cups to the winners as follows: Senior, Surrey Hills; senior reserve, Argosy; senior B, Queen Victoria College; second A, Thompson and Ilills; second B, Salisbury; intermediate, Woolleys; third A, Salisbury; third B. Letholitc: fourth, Greers. The cups for (lie highest scores were won by Shamrock senior B with 10.8 points per (tamo, and Salisbury third B. with Ift.B points. Results of Saturday's matches wero:— Seniors.- College. 10. Papatoctoo, 10: Klllnriia, 1 -1, Wcstmere, 7: Surrey Hills, 17, F.dendale, 1: Middlemore, 8, Papatoetoe, 4. Senior reserve: Westinere, 6, Arahi, '2; Aotea, Nortbcote 2; Argosy. 3. University, 0; College ft, Greers. 2. Senior B: Shamrock, 0. Aram A. 1; New Lynn, 7, Queen .Victoria, ft; Taupaki. 7, Metro, 1; Arahi B, 9. Grammar, 1; Edendale, 7, Marua, ft. Second grade A: Queen Victoria, <l. Glen Eden, I; Thompson and Hills. 7. Comrades, 4; United, ft, OlaliuluiOld Girls, 5; Pnkekohe, 8, Y.W.C.A., 2; Olaliuliu, 8, Shoal Bay. I. Second grade B: X«r;iri inu, 7, Kurma. 2; Ponsonby, 2. Henderson, 2; Technical, 7, Edendale, 0. Intermediate: Wuolleys. 8. Manukau Rovers, (!; Point Chevalier, <l, Onehuinta, 1; College, ft. Classic, !; Queen Victoria, 4, Amblers, .1; Technical, ft. George Courts. I. Third grade A: Salisbury, 15, Bycrofts, t; Reosainls, 3. Arahi. I; Mayhell, 1, New Lynn, 3: Glen Eden, Atnbrico, 0; Tetle.vs, ft, St. John's, I: Farmers, 4, Kaiusler, 3; Eastern Suburbs, 0. Oneliunga. (). Third grade B: Letholite, 11, Eamons, tt; Orakei, 11, Letholite, 9; T. H. Oilman, 7. New Lynn, 2; Whitconibes, <l, Thompson and Ilills, 0; P.M.A.. 7, Otahnhu, 1; Rangi Mario, 4, Maybelle, ft. Fourth grade: Cerelfl Foods, 6, flrifnths, 0; Greers, 2, Pnkekohe, 3.

ROAD CYCLING RACES Manukau Amateur Club.—A 40-mile championship, over the round-the-hnrbour course resulted- L. A. J- Slonex. 17m, 1: D, H. I> Webber, lftm, 2; B. S. Walsh, 27m, 3, Fastest time, A. W. Slonex (scr). Ih o.'tin 20s. Lynndalo Club.-- Twenty-mile race for the Goodwill Cur>.- I>. Tribe. Om. 1: M. G. Tucker. Om, 2; G. Hughes, 4m, 3. Fastest time. J. Stevens (scr), 49m ftOs. SNOOKER TOURNEY Open Championship.—The final of the Auckland open snooker championship resulted in a win for W. Thompsoa. who beat W. McCoTvat, 67-66, 75-22. 34-72, 07-17, 04-83.