LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 168, 18 July 1922, Page 7

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

PONSONBY V. MARISTS. The game between Ponsonhv and Marlst Brothers' Old Boys at Carlaw Park, though a close and interesting contest, was not productive of a very high-class exposition of the game, there being far too much kicking at times, while the combined work of botli teams was not up to the standard of senior League in Auckland. Ponsonby were much better in this respect than Marists, but there was some excuse f.ir tbe latter team, as they bad to fill four vacancies just hefore taking' the field. This entailed considerable alteration in their'backs, with the result that their combination was s|K)iled. Bass-, Stevens, and Stormont filled the gap* in tbe backs. Laing going half instead of Ghent, Bass joining I.overiuge at fivc-o 'i)itlis. Stevens taking the place of Eustace ' the three-quarter line, and Stormont :' n while acting as custodian instead of M —AiyNellson, Taite and Hawkins filled the vacancies in the forwards. The team, therefore, could not be expected to be up to Its proper form, especially when it is considered Ponsonby were practically at fun strength. Despite this fact Marists were tbe first to score, but by half-time Ponsonby were leading tliem by a point. Marists were iv front again during the early stages of the second spell, but a converted try altered matters, and Ponsoriby wound up winners by four points. The" Ponsonby team, hy comparison, worked wel] together, tlieir forwards showing to better advantage than Marists, while their backs handled the ball with much greater accuracy. Their defensive work was also more solid. Marists, on several occasions, went very near adding to their total, but tbey just seemed to full to ■put the finishing touches on their efforts, I passes being dropped when matters looked promising. E. McGregor, nt full-back for the winners, played a very sound game, and frequently ■got bis side out of difficulties, while he tackled well nnd kicked with judgment. Delgrosso was the pick of the three-quarter line, and he scored a nice try which was all the result of his own efforts. He was very nearly over on two other occasions. A. MrGretror. the other wing, also played well. McClymont was seen to advantage in several rushes, and gave glimpses of his old-time form, but Hing, who wns .associated with him. was at times rather uncertain. Walf?n, the half, played a good game and was -prominent throughout, while all tbe forwards worked well, Hanlon and Cook both scoring. Gallaugher and Minogne were the most conspicuous of Marists' three-quarter line. and both played well individually. The latter followed up well and put in a good afternoon's work. Bass, at five-eighths, was also prominent, nnd it wan not his fault that Marists did not meet with more success, for Hie was in the thick of it throughout. Loveridge was rather sflow at gathering tip the •ball at times, h.v when it came to defence he tackled splendidly. If it had not been for him Delirossn had a certain try. but Loveridtre brought him down beatitifelly. .1. Laing was the pick of the Marists' backs. nnd he had hard luck in not scoring a try. for he made a lovely breakaway, but he unfortunately slipped a few feet from the line. IHis shot at goal from 'Neilson's try struck an upright and went to the side, so that it was not his day cut Of the forwards. Singe. Neilson, and Duane were most conspicuous. FIRE BRIGADE V.* DEVONPORT. Saturday's match between the Leaguers representing the Devonport and Fire Brigade Clubs, played on the Victoria Park, resulted in a good, fast and interesting game, the North Shore men winning by 21 points to 7. Early in the game it looked as if Devonport would have to play a great game in order to gain the victory, but just before tbe end of the first spell they got into their stride, and playing with good combination and speed they gradually overhauled the firemen and piled on tho points. On several occasions, lust after the initial whistle. Fire Brigade pressed hard, and a nice forward movement en.led in Waring scoring the first try of the match on the corner. Fire Brigade renewed lite attack, but their passing was rather prior, lacking finish, and the game as far as they were concerned developed into individual play. They did not seem to strike the required combination, and many of fi.cir passing rushes down the field were spoilt through fumbling the ball. The forwards were not too well supported by the backs, and this discounted somewhat the good individual play that was noticeable" by those in the front row. Fire Brigade- did not register a try after Waring's. the other points being added by two goals from the field, kicked by Waring. He is a most successful kick, both goals being from just inside the half-way line. Newdick. the full-back for Fire Brigade, played a great game, and he was largely responsible for nullifying many of the hot Devonport attacks. Lovett and Waring, the threequarters, put in a very useful afternoon's work, and frequently put their side on the attack. The half-back, W. McClure, played one of his best games to date. He handled the ball well, and was prominent in all the combined work. lie was forced to retire owing to injury just before half-time, but after a spell in the dressing shed was able to resume again. All the forwards worked hard and played well individually. Devonport played one of their best games this season. There were several alterations in tbe team on Saturday Hand, who usually plays in the forwards, was removed to the three-quarter line, an-i by his good play justified the change Hand is one of the finest goal kickers playing in the senior grade, and can always be depended on to add the extra points to the tries. Harrison, at full-back has seldom played a better game than he "did on Saturday. Undoubtedly the best member of the team is "Pip" Webb, an honest little worker, who plays with his head as well as his feet. Whenever he obtains possession of the ball he is dangerous. His dummy work was excellent, and caused not a little annoyance to Fire Brigade. Taylor the Devonport half-back, showed an abundance of dash, and made many openings for those behind him. When he secured the leather from the scrum, he always sent it out to the righr place. He is a haady player, and improves his play with each game. Godick was conspicuous throughout for his fine game, and alwucs tackled well. In the forwards. Scott" O'Brien, Douglas. St. George, at.d Wbeelor niai'-g a great game.

city v. richthohd. City and Richmond met on No. 2 ground at Carlaw Park last Saturday, in a game which wa& fairly even in the first half, bnt ultimately yielded a decisive victory to the former team to the tune of 48 points to 1-. Richmond made a good start, and drew first blood. City, however, took up » steady attack, and, although met bj" a strong defence, succeeded in penetrating tlip ranke of the opposition to score 16 points by the time the whistle announced the end of the first spell. Richmond wer.> not far behind -with 12 points to their credit after attacking well and showing promptness in their tackling. In the second half 'City took almost complete charge of the game, bringing combination and speed to | bear on Richmond's defence. Richmond : were freanently in City's twenty-five, but failed to cross their opponents' line to score. NEWTON'S NARROW -WIN. A rising team is Athletics, which fully extended Newton on No. 2 ground at the Domain. The blue and golds have weight and speed, and, if kept together next season, should be n strong combination. On the whole Athletics had the best of the deal, and Newton were extremely lucky in ■ ending with the score 10-10 in their favour, j Gregory was safe as full-back. The three-1 quarters were even, but Cloke and Brown were the salvation of their side, assisted by Poison. James Bros.. Barraelough, and Rrockliss worked hard amongst the forwards. For Athletics Klyun did a lot of good work, but was inclined to get out of position and lose his value as a full-back by undertaking too many risks. The threequarters played well, whilst Dufty and Avery. at live-eighths, and Nicholson, a> half, showed a knowledge of the passing game, and co-operated throughout in some pretty work which was deserving of more tangible result. Dufty is fast, uses his weight well, and is a splendid goal kicker. Graham. Bryan, and Webl) were the pick of the forwards. The passing attack as the result of which nient. From the side-line it looked as though he actually scored. When Brown, for Newton, turned ' the tables by running nearly the length of the ground and touched the bull down while at top speed, it was hard to appreciate any difference in the method employed as between thai try and Avery's effort. Still, that is a matter for the referee, and his decision must be accepted in view of his closer control of the contest. However, the game was a pleasure to watch, and was played in a real good spirit, there being few casuajties.

The following table shows the positions of the teams in the Auckland League's senior competition:— Points. C'h. P. YV. L. n. For. Act. Pts City 10 0 1 — '25t> Oo IS Ponsonbv . 10 8 2 — 133 100 10 Marists ..10 0 3 1 lc.T 12S 13 Devonport 10 5 4 1 133 HI 11 Xewton ... 10 ii 4 1 150 140 11 Eire RriRade 10 2 T 1 107 20it r. Athletics ..10 2 S — 147 17:; 4 Richmond . 10 1 !> — 87 231 2