RICHMOND UNDEFEATED

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 347, 7 May 1928, Page 6

RICHMOND UNDEFEATED

Marist Leaguers Fail To Score Against Better Combining Side FANS “HOOT” ROUGH PLAY ALTHOUGH the Richmond-Marist match played at Carlaw Park on Saturday afternoon proved to be one of the most stirring contests witnessed so far this season, it lacked real sporting flavour owing to the unfair and rough tactics of members of the Marist’s pack. With its young and light, but well-trained men, Richmond, showing better combination clinched a victory by 15 points to nil.

SIMULTANEOUS and prolonged “hoots” and “booings,” from hundreds of fans during the second half of the Marists-Richmond game, marred what promised to be in the early stages a bright, fast and sporting display of the Rugby League code. During the first half, when Richmond had managed seven points the game was devoid of any rough play. After the spell, however, it became more than a mere hard tussle between two thirteens, and one of the “tykes” forwards in particular, was noticed in his tackles and in the scrummages to be making things just about as unpleasant as could possibly be permitted. But the yells of disapproval came when another forward wearing the green jersey was seen to make

“hoot” and “boo.”

what appeared to be a deliberate kick at an opponent. Within a few minutes the same player laid a Richmond player out right in front of the stand, and the crowd raised its collective voices to the heavens in a strong protest and started to

Why the referee did not order the man off the field, seems to be beyond all fairness to the .rest of the players, but, of course, it is possible that the man in charge missed the incident. No doubt the officials of the Marists Club will have something to say to this player, who evidently cannot stand a hard knock. He alone is the type to give the whole team a bad name, and this, it really does not deserve, as the rearguard men and many of the forwards are experienced players who play good sporting lootball.

YOUTH AND COMBINATION It seemed hardly possible. when the teams lined out that the hefty Marists team could be defeated by a so much younger and lighter side as Richmond. On the day, th e better team won. Richmond’s superior combination among both the forwards and backs was markedly in evidence. Marists to swing away in those spectacular passing rushes as of old. Brisbane was in the thick of it most of the time but he, no doubt, misses the services of Kirwin, last year’s player. Batchelor and Drew, the two wings, and Hassan closer in, all played brilliant football, but there v/as something lacking, possibly training, for their combining efforts were without finish. The forwards worked hard, but “Stump” Campbell was continually going down in the scrum and being penalised.

It did not take Richmond long to get into its stride and its clean open style of play has made it a popular side. Lennie was the “king” of all forwards and assisted by Stewart, McCarthy, Jones and G. Stewart proved themselves to be more than the Marist’s pack could handle. Among the backs Prentice brought off some heady moves and made good openings. Davis at half also made a good showing, and J. Swift on the wing, a regular speed merchant, although light, made some spectacular runs. «L. Taylor is undoubtedly a fine centre but he is to be blamed for two or three passing bouts which were badly upset. On taking a pass he would on some occasions attempt to work some fancy trick which fie had up his sleeve, but invariably the ball was dropped and a golden op-

port unity was given the Marists bacis to rush through and get clear. There was little between the two fLill backs. Both Gregory and Hanlon were brilliant and it proved a serious handicap to Marist when “Pope” had to leave the field with an injured leg. Richmond’s scorers were Jenkinson, H. Stewart, Prentice. Taylor kicked two penalty goals and converted one try. Shore’s Close Call Newton won the toss and Shore kicked off with the sun and wind in its face. The game was very even for some time. Dufty was using the wind to advantage, and from a scrum on the line Hayden scored and Dufty converted. —Newton 5, Shore 0. Seager missed a pass from Simons on the line and Henry, following fast, scored. Dufty failed to convert. — Newton 8, Shore 0. From a scrum on the Newton line Shore hooked and the ball passed through several hands for L. Scott to score in the corner. St. George failed with the kick.—Newton 8, Shore 3. From a scrum at half-way Cleaver cross-kicked and Preston, following fast, scored in the corner. Seager missed the kick.—Newton 8, Shore 6. After the spell Shore went to the attack and had Newton defending most of the time, using the high wind to advantage. From a good forward move Saxon scored in the corner. St. George missed. —Shore 9, Newton 8. The ball was not properly in play before Beattie handed to L. Scott, who scored between the posts. Seager missed an easy kick. —Newton 8, Shore 12. From a pass from Hardgraves Murray scored in the corner. Dufty failed to improve.—Newton 11, Shore 12. Final score:— Devonport 12 Newton 11

PONIES’ EASY WIN CITY BEATEN BY 11 POINTS It was some time before the team’s wakened up when Ponsonby met City on No. 2 ground at Carlaw Park on Saturday, but when they did it was quite an interesting game to watch. The final scores, which placed Ponsonby to the good by 19 points - to 6, were sufficient indication of the trend of the game. Ponsonby was the first to get moving, and forced play to City’s territory, where Usher and J. Peckham were prominent. City broke through after a spell and was awarded a penalty in front of the posts through Thompson obstructing. The kick failed. In the early stages of play K. Peckham made a great run from centre and was only pulled down near the posts. The Ponies’ forward division was doing great work. The “miss” of the day was T. Peckham’s penalty kick in front of the posts. He badly mulled the easiest kick of the day. When Iverson scored the first of the day, things livetied up. Ponsonby forced the play after this and made City keep up a strenuous defence. Wetherill was not himself, and repeatedly fooled about instead of playing the ball, thereby losing many chances. The work in the scrum could be greatly improved upon, but apart from that both teams gave quite a good exhibition, although Ponsonby did everything in the last spell. Barchard, a young City fullback, was in great form and was always ready at the right time. His “saves” were excellent and altogether he gave a splendid account of himself. In the threequarter line Perry and Lawrence were the pick, the latter being quite as good as he was last week. Crouch at half worked hard and played a most creditable game. Pascoe and W. Hadley were the pick of the rest. Ponsonby produced the goods in Usher. Playing in the three-quarter line Usher did best. His passing, tackling and runss were delightful to watch. T. Peckham was as usual in great fettle, and was in everything. K. Peckham and J. Peckham made a “family affair” that was at least a decided acquisition to the Ponies. Thompson and Fagan were another good pair who kept the opposition busy, while Payne played one of his best games.