LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 132, 5 June 1923, Page 7

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

The following table shows the positions of the teams in the senior competition:— Points. Ch. P W L D For Agst. Pts. Athletic 4 4 — — So 28 S i Marists » 3 — — OS 20 6 I City 3 3 — — 74 21 6 Pousonby 3 12 — 20 54 2 , Devonport 3 12 — 22 39 2 Newton 4 — 4 — 32 (»7 l> ! Kichmond 4 — 4 — 35 97 0 i ATHLETICS V. PONSONBT. The game between Athletics and lon- I souby was not a very brilliant exposition I of the code, but for the greater part it was j most interesting, for the play changed so , rapidly at times that there were many i j exciting moments, and though Athletics i won by a margin of IS points, there was j not that difference between the teams. ) Athletics have some good men in their > backs, notably Nicholson. Hall and Dufty. I ! and it was in a large measure due to the i individual play of these that they defeated I'onsonby so comfortably. Whenever the ball went their way they knew what to do '■ . with it and frequently had Ponsonby dis- : . organised, lv passing Athletics had little I ■ on Ponsouby as far as accurate handling ! , was concerned, but the latter seemed to i , get too close together, and the ball on most i , occasions went straight across the field. ! l without gaining much ground. They, how-1 i ! ever, improved as the match progressed, \ i and a glimpse of their real form was given ! i when the ball came from a scrum to Pit- j i man and travelled right across the line to i Dolgrosso, who was collared in Athletics' I ! twenty-five, and was given a free kick for I < not being allowed to blay the ball, which | i he turned into a goal. Ponsonby frequently ! ' had their opponents penned up. but over- ] ' eagerness led to penalties, and their good work was nullified. They, however, are a fine little team, and if they do not win !'. can be depended upon to make the game fast, open anil attractive. ! McGregor, the full-back for Athletics. . played a sterling game. His defence was splendid. while his line - kicking was accurate and most useful. He followed up J . well and on several occasions bad Pon- ' \ souby in trouble as the result. Wilson | , Hall, who is a new recruit to Athletics this ! i year from the South Auckland district, was \ i exceptionally good. He is a fine heady i I phiyer, with plenty of initiative and dasli I s and will be remi-mbered as playing in i Auckland last year for South Auckland. ! " Hβ was nt his best on Saturday and put iv ' ' great work, both on attack and defence. I : Nicholson, at half, was about the best mm j ' in the team, his cutting in being particu- . ' larly effective, and only for good defensive j ! work by the Ponsonby live eighths be: 1 would have increased Athletics' total. Th<; ■■' 1 forwards wore good, hut Webb. Herring. ! ' [and Loo seemed to stand out. The first- ' I named is a great grafter, and he shou'd lie ■ among the pick at tlie end of the season ' if he retains his form. I , Seotty Mcflymont made his re-appear- i ] ance iv the Ponsonby (cam. and he was a' , power of strength to them, lie took thr> , ball well on most occasions, but he wants < to sl>o..t it out t.-> f'» next »n: ■■ rhn —' s t 'i out. This was one fault on both sides. Their i passing was not nearly nippy enough, i McClymont's tackling was great, and with ( another game or two should be up to his old-time form. Delgrosso was the. pick of the bunch, and played an excellent threequarter game. n<. was always there when ,\ wanted, and made some very fine runs. ! while his defence was decidedly good. | Cole and MeClure were also prominent, ii while Pitman, at half, never nvssed a'J chance of settins»his bucks in motion, and j gave them every opportunity. Among the , forwards Henderson, Ilanlon. and Lowrv ;' showed up well. ' { CITY V. NEWTON. '\ The substantial victory which City gained over Newton last Saturday was largely due to the victors' superior pace and combination. Newton took a fair share in tne ;attack, but although they pressed hard on City's quarters they failed to make an effective impression. I.aek of combination spoilt a number of likely scores for Newton just as the harmony existing between '.City's forward and back rows proved a big I factor of their success. Kor the winners I Wetherall proved a tower of strength as I five-eighths, and was responsible for many 'movements which led to scores, George and I Ken Davidson and Keenan gave active sup;port among the hacks. The forwards were ! a strong combination and worked hard I throughout the game. Thomas, Hawkes acd • (Cnrgill being particularly outstanding. ; fin-gory and Quintall showed up amongst j Newton's backs, while Poison proved the I usual handy man behind the scrum. Brock- ■ :liss was the shining light of the forwards, and played a really fine game throughout. DEVONPORT V. RICHMOND. Only a moderate crowd turned up at Devonport to witness the game between novonport and Kichinoud. which was played on a muddy field thftt was against I fast. play. Devonport had the better of 1 Kichmond iv the combined play, bnt ! although the Shore team won by 12 points !to 3, the blacks did not. have matters all their own way. Throughout the play was j of an even and interesting nature. The I Kichmoud forwards gave their best display ' , so far this season. Hunter, a new forward, ' played a great game, while, as usual. Hanlon, the Kichmond full-back, was alw-ays safe and saved more than one try. Godick, who played for Devonport last season, turned out on Saturday to fill a gap, and ! ■ although he could have done with some j ; training, he played well as full-back. Tho I I Kichmond thirteen in the sceoml half sueI coeded in mastering the Devonport attacks, I and did not allow the other side to regisI ter. Kichmond is a team that is improving with each game, and are likely to effect a surprise at tfny time. RUGBY LEAGUE MATCH. I WIN FOR CIIRISTCHCKCII. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) I WELLINGTON, Monday. In the Rugby League annual cup match, 1 Central, Christchurch, beat Central, Well lington. by 11 points to 8. Tries were i Bcored by Bateam (2) and Kirton. C'oorabes I converted one.