THE LEAGUE GAMES.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 145, 20 June 1921, Page 7

THE LEAGUE GAMES.

CITT DEFEATS MAKIST 0.8

BEFORE 7,000 SPECTATORS.

AN EXCITING TUSSLE

PONSONBY LOSES TO NTEWTON.

The two League games attracted large crowds to the Domain and Victoria Park on Saturday, when two spectacular matches were played. On the Domain there were at least 7000 spectators, and they witnessed a very fast contest, despite the slippery state of tho ground, between City Rovers and Marist Brothers, the former winning by 11 points to S.

There was a good deal of kicking, the ball being too greasy to allow of proper handling. A feature of the City play was the manner in which their forwards adapted themselves to conditions on the field, making many fine rushes with the ball on the ground. Among their backs Wetherall was the outstanding man, although B. Davidson and Lewis also did good work. Marist forwards handled the ball frequently, and generally got it out of the scrum, but they could not make the best use of their advantage owing to the uncertainty of their foothold on the field. The enthusiasm of the crowd became so great that spectators crowded on to the playing ground, and two ot the City tries were spoilt by men getting in the players' way right on the line. The closing stages of the game were very exciting, as Marist only needed a try, which they seemed quite likely to obtain, in order to equalise, but the fates decided otherwise, and the bell clanged out just at a moment when they were swarming right on the City line.

The game between Newton and Ponsonby was also a fast contest, and although there Was not much scoring, the spectators had much to interest them. The final score gave Newton a victory of 6 points to 5, but the result was hardly an indication of the run of the game. From their point of view Ponsonby were unlucky in not securing the lead towards the close of the game. Had they proved the victors they would iave had occasion to congratulate themselves, as about half a dozen of their best players were away through sickness and other causes.

At Hamilton the local reps, defeated (Maritime by 19 points to 16, after' a game described as hard, fast and willing. Although occasional showers fell and the gTound was very heavy, some exceptionally fine individual work was done by players of both teams. Saturday's games were the first in the second round of the championship, and the positions of the teams are now:— _ Points. Clip. P. W. D. L. For. Agst. Pts. £"_,- 7 fi 1 0 101 30 13 Maritime... 6 5 0 1 S9 7S 10 Marist 0.8. 7 3 0 4 96 115 fi -onsonby... 7 3 0 4 90 S3 0 Newton ... T 3 1 3* 66 3S 7 North Shore fi 1 0 5 63 01 *> Fire Brigade 6 1 0 5 30 132 2 CITY V. MARIST OJB. .Marist kicked off and almost inside the first minute Eustace kicked np to the City twenty=five, where Harley slipped and-failed to prevent Herring getting across. Tlie goal -failed. 'Scrambling play followed, and then '"Eustace saved from Davidson. Marist again pressed, and x there was a pretty passing bout at City twenty-five, but it was smothered. 'Davidson broke away again and passed to Lewis, who lost his chance by holding on too long. Another strong attack on City was repulsed, and after midfleld play Thomas broke away, and. kiekimr 'Up. the defence failed to stop the ball, allowing Davidson to snatch it up and score. The goal failed, and half-time arrived with the teams 6 all.

The second spell had •'barely opened when the spectators had the spectacle of Marist fighting well inside tbe City territory. Then Mitchell got the leather and passed to Davidson, who spurted practically the length of the field and scored, although iFoistace grassed him across the line. Wetherall added the coal, and tile score stood S—3 in City's favour. Twice Marist came near scoring again, the second time Harley forcing. Play remained in the City area for a time and 'then iDavidson hroke away, passing to Minogue, to Mitchell, to •Hawkes.' who washed into n spectator just on the line. The try was allowed, liut tbe goal missed. After a spell -of ■up and down play, a scrum settled in City area, and from the- ruck that followed Eustace got across, Stonnont adding the minor points. With the score now S—4l against Marist, and only four minutes to go, the crowd was on Its feet. Marist fought ifuriouslv to get another try and City were hard pressed, but their defence held, and the' nail went out of play without further scoring. Cfty Hovers 11 Marist Brothers ° NEWTON BEATS PONSONBY. Newton opened the attack against PonSonbv on No. 2 ground at Victoria Park, and "forced the play for some time. Ponsonby Improved with play, however, and at half-time the scores were even at three all. The second half was full of fight on both sides, but Newton succeeded in getting ■cross again, whilst the most Ponsonby could ao was to scote a goal. Final scores Were: Newton 6, Ponsonby o. A REFEREE'S RULINGS. A correspondent, who evidently followed the Citv-Marist game with been attention on the "Domain on Saturday, writes under the signature "Supporter" regarding rulings made by the referee during the match. He states what he saw of the two Incidents in which play was obstructed by spectators encroaching upon the field, and questions the ruling on the firPt of these occasions. He also questions the ruling when time was called, after' the referee, according/to this correspondent, had ordered a scn/m. "Supporter." who states he has a knowledge of the rules of the game, mnst know that the referee's rulings upon points of fact are final, and it would scarcely be fair to that official to commence what would possibly he a controversy by publishing his letter after the match has been decided, nor is it in the best interests of the game to encourage a spirit of opposition to the rulings* of a referee in detail. ~ •HAMILTON BEATS MARITIME. I (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) ■HAMILTON, Saturday. After a fast open and solid game, in spite of showers and heavy sroimd, Hamilton 'League representatives beat the visiting Mnritime team from Auckland 'by 19 points to 16. At half-time the home team "had an ad-vantage of two points, the scores heing 10— S. Soon after the resumption, Flynn, who had scored a "solo" try in the first spell amid much applause, intercepted a dangerous pass and put the visitors 3 points in the lead, after which the game •became very hard, fast and willing, but the country players were not to be denied, and when time was called tfiey had 3 points to Spare. For the winners tries were scored iby Mawhinney, Prieket't. and Vernall: conversions were effected^ by Mawhinney and Dotty, and Dufty kicked two penalty goals. Flyn'n sco-ed two sterling tries, besides converting, for the visitors, whose other scorers ■were Young and Brake. Mr. Hampton was the referee. CAMBRIDGE MATCHES. (By Telegraph.—Own. Correspondent.) CAMBRIDGE, Saturday. In the League match, Tower BoaTd 19, «)eat City Rovers 10. For Power Board tries were scored" by Williams, Webber, and Blackburn (2). A converted try and a penalty goal by Hemingway were scored for City Rovers. Parkinson scored two tries and converted both. ..„,._/- Leamington seniors beat City by 9 points In the juniors City 12, beat Cadets 0.

QUEENSLAND BEATS \BW ZEALAND. EIGHT POINTS TO THRIEE. BR'I'SBAXE, June 19. The Queensland .League team treat New Zealand here yesterday by 8 points to 3. The weather was fine, and there was an attendance of 11.000 spectators. Saunders and 'Bass .replaced M-rErwee' and Pa-kd in the New Zealand team, while Traunfelder, Ryan and Kreutzer took the places of Fewin, Bath and Johnson in dhe Queensland team. Otherwise the teams were the same as last Saturday. From a scrum near the Queensland line shortly after the commencement, Walters got over, but Davidson failed to convert. As the outcome of a passing rush Flanagan 'forced through New Zealand's lines and Paton followed, but delay was caused through Davidson ■being injured. When lie resumed he was rather shaky. Poison spurted, but Mcßrian smartly intercepted. .Broadfoot shortly alter fumbled a pas« and -missed a sure try. Davidson grassed Paton, who failed to play the ball, and another certain try was lost. Fairly even play followed, no -score resulting, for nearly thirty minutes. Queensland led at half-time 'by 5 points to 3. On* resuming MoEHvee played instead of 'Davidson, -who retired. 'Lang 'failed in a shot at goal from a free kick near the halfway flag. Xew Zealand was now attacking the stronger, though the play was not brilliant. Toward the end play became rough. As a result of loose -play on the line Connett got over, hut Paton failed to convert. Tailored at this stage retired. Lang was the best back on the field. The game was generally uninteresting,. It was a poor ex-hiibitloii of 'football, characterised 'by rougi-and-tumble tactics.. —<A. and N.Z.)