THE LEAGUE CODE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 173, 24 July 1922, Page 8

THE LEAGUE CODE.

CITY'S DECISIVE WIN. \ A FINE PASSING GAME. I , 1 EASY VICTORY TO ATHLETICS. J ! WINS FOR NEWTON AND SHORE. ( • 1 Fine wea.ther favoured the games on . Saturday in connection with the Rugby , League's senior competition. At Carlaw Park a large crowd witnessed the match ; between City and Ponsonby on No. 1 j ground, the sum of £201 1/ being taken | lat the turnstiles. The contest wae In- , j tercsting, and although City had much : ■ the better of the game their passing { bouts were a treat to watch, and in-1 variably broke down their opponents' 1 , defence to lead to scores. In the second , half City put their best foot foremost, j and play was fast and willing. Although I frequently beaten by the clean and wellcalculated passing of City, Ponsonbyj, gave a better account of themselves in the latter epell, and while the former team ran away with the game and brought their final tally to 40 pointe the latter were often in City's quarters , and were unfortunate in not scoring more often and gaining more than the 1 nine pointe which the end of the game I left to their credit. * I On No. 2 ground the match between Athletics and Marists wae very onesided, and for the most part devoid of interest and excitement. The game ended with Athletic the victors by 29 points to 8. Devonport and Richmond were seen in an interesting contest on the Domain, in which the visitors from over the water triumphed over the latter team to the extent of 37 points to 15. The game between Newton Rangers and Fire Brigade was witnessed by about a thousand people at Victoria Park. It was fast and close throughout, and resulted in a win for Newton by 19 points to 17. Each side participated freely in snappy passing bouts, the forwards also showing up in thie respect. On the run of play Newton were lucky in capturing the match. Waring, of Fire Brigade, again distinguished him=elf as a goalkicker.

CITY V. PONSOHBY.

City kicked off with the sun in thetr'eyes, and pushed the attack into J'onsonby's twenty-five. 'From a scrum Mitchell fed the backs, jjnd the ball passed to B. Davidson, who s"printed for th P corner, but 1 dropDeo the leather, uud a likely score was frustrated. Aifter city had renewed the attack from play In neutral territory, the ; ball pasaed from the scrum to Wilson, who ! sent -alone the line to Wetherall. David- i sou next received the leather, but dropped It. Wilson, however, regained possession, passing to B. Davidson, who scored iv the i corner. W\ Davidson failed to goal. Ponsonbv rallied, and a fine dasb by Delgrosso, | who intercepted a pass from Mitchell to | Wilson, carried the came downneld. only to be stopped on the line. An exciting tussle followed in the corner, an iufrinseI ment by City finally rivlne Ponsonb r a shn t at Roal, which wiis successfully taken by I Delgrosso. Ponsonby continued to stay In I ! City's Quarters, a kick off by E. McGregor forcing Harley over the line. McClymont kicked in to Hlng. who made a struggle to cross the line, but City broke up the attack, sendiuc play back to neutral territory. Ponsonby wer P again attacking, and off-side play by Paki guve a straight sl'pt . at goal, which was successfully taken by ' Delgrosso. In the last stages of the spell ! Ponsonbv were in City's Quarters, but a ficries of scrums saw 'City push their way j brack to Ponsouby's twenty-five. A. ■'Mc- 1 I Gregor and Southernwood tried to 'j/eak ; I away, but City were on their heels, press- ' Intr the- attack Into Ponsonby's quarters, , where Wetherall opened up a more. Wil- ' Bon next received the ball. an<i sent if on to G. Davidson, who Rprinteu ud the line , and passed In to Wetherall, who scored. 1 IW. Davidson failed to coal. The bell ran e for halr-timo with the scores: City 6, 4. I'lay at midfield followed on the llcU-off , for the secou.i half, the hall passing from ! I side to side until E. .McGregor put his team lon eood fighting terms with a strong kicK, | I which Raw operations in City's twenty-five. | ■W. Davidson, however, intercepted, ana 1 kicked over to George Davidson on the far 1 I wing, who was seen In a line sp'rt. In which his vac,, beat Ponsonby'e backs. He Tinrt only B. M<-Greeor. the full, to pass, and , with a eood cut-in he overcame the final ', obstacle to run roun.i and «co,"c beneath the 'posts. W. Davidson coaled. PonsonTiv now took a hand at the attack, hut I failure to play the ball brought relief to City, who carried the game to midfleld, ■where a pass from G. Davidson, to 1 Wetherall. to W. Davidson saw tbe lastnamed player break away to pass again to I Wethern'l. who crossed the line to score in ] a good position. W. Davidson gcale'l. I I City continued to attack, and excellent combination and passing saw scores in oulck succession by Paki. G. i>avidson, and Wetherall. Ponsonby then took up the \ attack, and McClymont got away, passing to McNeil, whose pass near the posts was scooped m> ibv B. Davidson. Ponsonby. however, were not to be denied, and from, play near City's twenty-flve McClymont acain came to light, to scorp in a eood position. The same player also took a successful goal kick. City continued to throw the ball about in fine style, and the game yielded further tries by B. Davidson and Towneend hefore the bell announced tne end. City 40. Ponsombr 0. I Mr. Gallausher was the referee.

RICHMOND V. DEVONPORT.

I Devouiport had an easy victory over [Richmond at the Domain on Saturday afternoon, the game ending 37 points to 15 match the game developed very much into . a "go-as-you-please" style, the over--1 whelming superiority of the winning team probably accounting for this. Although fast and interesting in its early stages, the ' match was almost ludicrous towards the close. Richmond won the toss, and set the pace with a warm attack. The game proved fast from the beginning, the condition of the ground giving every facUity for some interesting play. A warm attack on the Devonport line was neatly frustrated by Godick. A few seconds later he made his first try of the season, and Incidentally 1 registered the first score of the match by comfortably crossing after an easy run almost half the length of the field, dodging Hanlon, the Richmond full-back. Laiug converted. Devonport 5, Richmond 0. From a scrum shortly after, Taylor dbtaiued the ball, passing it to I.aing, who ball to Douglas, who crossed between the posts. Converted by St. George, this gave Devoaport a lead of 10. Their lead was further increased when, from a passing ■ rush, C. Webb passed to P. Webb, who ran up to the full-back, eventually passinc the ball back to C. Webb, who scored a fairly easy try. Johnson's attempt ! failed. Devonport 13, Richmond 0. The , game now appeared to be in Devonport's favour. Another try was secured by St ' George. Hand failed with the kick. Devon- • port 16, Richmond 0. Following a sharp . tussle on the Richmond line, Ta rlor , obtained the ball from P. Wet>b and fell ! the kick. Devouport 19, Richmond 0. Smothering the full-liacks kick. P. Weftb , again obtained the leather and made for the ' line. Wel>b converted his own try, makiiiir 1 Devonport's total 24 to 0. which later he 1 further increased witli another three points , after an easy run. C. Webb failed to con--1 Devonport 27, Richmond 0. ! Devonport scored again shortly after , opening, when Laing almost walked through the twenty-five. This try being converted by Harrison brought the Devon- . port total up to 32. Richmond's first score -was secured by E. Davis, but Lawson failed with the kick. Devonport 32. Richmond 3. The Devonport pack were now scoring very much as they liked. The Richmond defence was quite Ineffective. Richmond's score . was increased to 5 by a free kick in front r of the goal, easily negotiated by Butler. An easy try obtained by Johnson, made tne Devonport total .">7. Butler scored and r-ou-r verted a try. making Richmond 10. Mt~ : Donald scored another try just before th" , whistle sounded. Butler addiuc the niaTor , points, the game ending: Devonport "7 * Richmond 15. Ij 'Mr. L. Benson was In charge.

MARIST 0.8. V. ATHXETICS. From tie kick-off Athletics took up a persistent offensive, which, though temporarily diverted by Marists, finally resulted in a tussle near Martets' line. From the scrum the bal] passed along the Invading backs to Avery who sot in near tne corner to score | a try. Resumption of play saw Athletics | again back in Marists' twenty-live, ani a , scramble within striking distance of the line resulted In McGregor crossing the line only to be brought back by the referee's whistle. Athletics, however, were at it again, and in a forward move from midfield Nicholson, Oufty, and Yardley carried the ball well down lie-Id. Lonergan was the last to handle and he got over in the corner. Another forward onslaught by the Athletics - pack saw McGregor give "the ball tv Lonergan, who, when tackled, sent on to Dance, ami that player went on to score. Dufty converted. Marists took a turn at attacking, and from the field, Gallagher had a dropkick.'which went just a little wide. Flynn, the Athletic full-bacU. seemed, and with his usual confidence, endeavoured to make a run, but he was well taken at the feet. Cadman then nearly got over from a melee in front of the posts. There was no alteration in the score at half-time. Soon after resuming for the second halt, iMarists led an attack, but Cadman passed forward, and a nice movement was spoilt. •However, they kept up the pressure, ana Athletic only saved by Dufty kicking out. Lang, Ryan and Gallagher were prominent in a swift rush, but when Gallagher looked as if he would succeed in getting over he was pushed out. Dufty then relieved with a ion? kick, and Yardley received and K»t over nfter a hard tussle. Dufty succeeded with the kick. Not lons after the half-way kick Yardley broke through, and when on the point of scoring he was tackled By Minogue. Dufty rushed in, accepted tne pass from Yardley and registered an easy try under the posts. Marist broke away arid carried the game into Athletie's side, i but It was quickly transferred back to fMarist's quarter. McGregor was successful in getting well away and passed to Avery, who added another three points. Flynn piloted an easy ball between the posts. From this on the game became distinctly one-sided and uninteresting. Although •Marist played up well they lacked the required finish and seemed stale. Another passing; affair by Athletic culminated in Yardley scoring. He also converted. Marist .pushed* Athletic back to their half and a | scrum ensued. Welson broke away an« scored Marisfs first try. Stormont converted. Athletic 29. Marißt 5. After a long period of play during which Athletic were ■pressing. 3larist made another breakaway, Sin?e kicking. Flynn fielded but mulled the baH, and Jackson following on dribbled over and scored. Athletic 2!>, Marist 8. The referee was Mr. Bull. FIRE BRIGADE V. NEWTON. Fire Brigade kicked off in the face of a strong sun, and Newton, profiting by mishandling, invaded. From a eerum I'olsou opened smartly out to Brown, who punted and Waring ran round to the other wing, but wae stopped. Soraers got poseession and sent a long pass to Williams who peered at the corner. Voysey's kick railed. Newton 3, Fire Brigade 0. Play was now open and fast, swinging up arid down the field, with Fire Brigade hooking from the scrams. Getting into striking position, the white forwards, with Woolley prominent, opened out to the backs. Lovett sent on to Waring, who raced on to score a try. A spell of even play followed, but Newton began to exert pressure, forwan* and hacks combining well. At length Clarke and James broke away in a passing rush, Brown receiving and having a clear run to score. Voysey goaled. Newton S, Fire Brigade 3. • A minute later Newdlck failing to take I a long kick owing to the sun, Clarke, ; following up, scored a cheap try. Poison essayed the kick which added the pointe. Newton 18, Fire Brigade 3. From some close work at mid-way ) McClure snapped up and making an openI ing: sent a long pa>* out past several supports to Waring, who drew the ball in with one arm, beat Williams, and fell across the line to score, with Poison tackling him. He converted. Newton 13, Fire Brigade 8. I Newton commenced to thro'v the ball aliout to advantage. Brown slipped through the- ruck at halfway, and sidestepping ran on and outstripped the opposition to score at the corner. Voysey's kick, a good one, just missed. Newton 16, Fire Brigade 8. I Newton backs were still going strong, and'the whites were hemmed in at their 1 own twenty-five, where Williams made a good dash, but was tackled. A penalty : to the defenders gave temporary relief, but ! the Newtonltes were repeatedly charging in combined play, toward the goal-line. I and the defence was severely tried until ; Waring cleared and eventually kicked a good penalty goal. Newton 16, Fire Brigade 10. i Fire Brigade now took a turn at passing 1 and made several onslaughts which bewildered Newton. Cargill and Waring were especially prominent, whilst Brown (threequarter) also made a good run. Newton I were again penalised, and WaWng's kick missed. Off-side play gave him another , chance, but it went wide, and half-time was called. On resuming, Newton were handicapped I by the setting sun, and Fire Brigade invaded as the result of short high-kicking I Cargill picked up in the loose, and using ais weight well went through the opposing ; pock, to score. Waring converted splendidly. Newton 10. Fire Brigade 15. Fire Brigade were now shaping well, Imt their tactics lacked finish, Newton eventually advancing, and the ball going out behind. The whites attempted passing, but Newton's tackling wj-.s effective. Fire I Brigade were hooking in the scrums, and I this enabled them to hold up Newton j attacks. From a long fielded kick by I Woolley, the outcome of a Fire Brigade passing bout, Gregory saved and initiated a forward movement in which Newdick averted trouble. Then Brown. Clarke ana i Poison put their side well up, but Fire Brigade were awarded a penalty. McCiure secured from an ensjing 6crum, and gave to Woolley, who made a good run but passed badly when tackled by Cloke play hovering about midway. McClure again set his backs in motion, but a forward pass to Waring spoilt matters, and tile Newton front-liners took the ball upfleld where from a scrum the white backs and forwards mingled in some dashing passin" which had the defence much disturbed. 1 wice W nring and Cargill had chances and Nowton were lucky in extricating themselves. Eventually a penalty award against Newton gave \\ aring aD opportunity, which he put to the best account, the goal giving NewtJn 16 leatL Fire BH Z ai *e 17, FIRST'S paßsin e bollt s o° the part of tire Brigade were a feature of the game at this stage, until a long kick by Chrke put them on the aggressive. Cloke intercepted prettily near the side-line, and gave 7* * "ft"!? WaS Sti " ahout midfleld wheu 11 whistle ann ounced the end of a match throughout 5 Terr a " raCtive aDd "<-e Newton ,„ Fire Brigade '.'.'.'.'.'.'.l 17 SECOND GRADE. Ihumata 13 (Paul two tries Wilson int. one), beat Richmond 11. ""son jun. THIRD GRADE. Kingsland IS, beat Ellerslie 0 Ponsonfoy 24. beat City 2 Parnell beat Richmond 6 pointe to •> For Parnell, Q-Ponneii and Boyle scored tries! FOTOTK GRADE. Kingsland 16, beat Parnell 0. FIFTH GRADE. 'Richmond S. beat Takapuna 3 Curtnin and Donald scored for Richmond and Mc Lend converted. iHolmcs scored for TakaSIXTH GRADE. Marist 18. beat Athletics 10 Scorers W. Feck. G. Postlewaight, and T. Bradley! Fntcnett converted. J City 49. be-at Kingsland 2 Richmond 10, beat Otahuhu 2. For Richmond Swift and Boyle scored tries, and Purdy converted both. Ellery kicked a coal for Otahuhu. City 49, beat Kingsland 2. SIXTH GRADE B. Athletics beat Parnell 6 points to 0. JUNIOR GRADE. Mangerc won from Otahuhu by default. CADET COMPETITIONS. Athletic 9. beat Takapuna 7. For the winners tries were scored by Wales (••) Collins il). ' HOUSE MATCHES. i The match between Hliariann and Vn. and Keniprhorue, l"ro.si<er ami Co. w:!* playeri at Point Chevalier, and resulted in a win for the former by (3 points to 0. Tries were . scored for the winners by G. Barker and A

HAMILTON. HAMILTON, Saturday. } The Hamilton Rugby League competi- { tlons were continued to-day in perfect,, weather and in the presence of a fair t Trowd A mild surprise was occasioned!! hv 1-rknkton who defeated United (leaders fn the competition) by 11 to 8. The game nrnved very interesting and exciting, and, I fu fact, was one of the best witnessed this j Se AtWetics defeated City by 14 to 6, but f City lodged a protest. • , CHRISTCHTJRCH. ! (By Telegraph.—Press Assoc!«tlo«.1 I CHRISTOHUKCH, Saturday. j Svdenham beat Addlngton by 1« points ] to 13 and won the championship.