LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 149, 25 June 1923, Page 9

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

__— —•—■ jgE SENIOR COMPETITION. THREE TEAMS NOW LEVEL. CITY OUTrLAYS ATHLETICS. The -uekland Rugby League's; senior, rompetition was continued on Satur- . r x__e weather was fine for a brief cn.ll but rain set in during the time the matches were in progress,, though •7 c i e ared off towards the end. The .rounds at Carlaw Park were very heavy, and good football with bright nassing was out of the question owing F y_e crreasy nature of the ball. The -rincipal attraction was City and Athletic., who played on "No. 1 groans.. There was do score at half time, but it was easily seen that City were the | superior team. Their forwards were playing with great vigour, while their backs supported them in good style. In the second spell City asser._»l themselves and eventually wound up winners by seven points to nil. They were attacking strenuously at the finish, and it was only over eagerness that led to penalties that stopped them from increasing their total. The attendance totalled about 9000. . The game between Ponsonby and Richmond on No. 2 grouaid at Carlaw Park was keenly contested, and yielded a victory to the former by the narrow 'margin of 14 points to 12. Richmond played a great game, and in the second half were particularly resourceful in. Hcking a slippery ball, which could not be accurately handled. Over-running the ball, however, spoilt a number of likely chances of a score. 5 At Devonport Marists won from Devonport by 18 points to 13, after a itrenuous battle in the mud. Marists played with better combination than the other side, but in the final fifteen minutes Devonport were showing to greater advantage. ~ .g. ___ : _- i PONSONBY V. RICHMOND. Richmond kicked off and fought their way down the side-line in a series of scrums, but from a tussle in the mud at midfield the Ponsonby backs handled the ball in good Btyle, and from close play McClure dashed through the ruck to score. The goal kick failed. On resuming, RlcTimond took up the attack, and Hanlon and Barber made successive efforts to break through, to be Btopped by Pbnsoriby's prompt tackling. The latter team rallied, and the game swung round to the left wing, Where Williams, although pressed by RichSond players who could get up, got over score. The attempt at goal was unsuccessful. Ponsonby found a weak spot in Richmond's line of defence, and diverted play downfield, only to be brought back to their quarter flag, where an Infringement on their part gave a free kick to Richmond, which was successfully taken by McDonald. Klchmond put a lot of dash intd their play, and a prolonged offensive in their opponents' corner eventually allowed McKenzie to break through a\ scramble to score. Ponsonby took a hand-. In the attack on going back. id midfleld, and a rush well down on Richmond's quarter resulted in Delgrosso getting over to score. Richmond were again aggressive, and showed resource in following up their movements. Ponsonby were forced right on their goal line, where a mark, taken by gave an easy shot, which was goaled by McDonald. The spell .ended: Ponsonby 9, Richmond 7. Shortly after resuming for the second half Richmond made a sustained attempt to break through, coming to issues in a number of scrums perilously neftr Ponsonby's goal line. A strenuous onslaught, which saw Richmond -within inches of scoring, was broken up by Ponsonby forcing. The Richmond forwards, however, worked together in fine style, taking the ball well down field, where Butler got through with the Ban at foe and scored. The goal kick failed. The try apparently spurred Ponsonby to greater effort, and a forward, dash from the kick-off was only stopped on Richmond's goal line. Ponsonby, however, were, not to be denied, Low... getting through the ruck to score in good po_ition. Delgrosso goaled. Richmond again attacked, and often had the upper hand in dribbling rushes, in which they were unfortunate in being unable to pick tip the slippery ball In the final stages Richmond secured a penalty kick for obstruction, and the game ended: Ponsonby li. Richmond 12. -, Mr. fieming was the referee, ..^x^ 6 % if CITY V. ATHLETICS. tf * Shortly after the kick-off Athletics were awarded tw openalties, but on each occasion Dufty failed to find the posts. City then attacked, but breaches of rules allowed Athletics to repel them. They returned, and W. Davidson had a shot at goal from a free, which was unsuccessful. City continued to press, and another penalty gave TV. Davidson a second opportunity to place a goal, but the ball struck the crossbar and rebounded into the field of play. The City forwards followed up fast and play settled underneath Athletics' goal-posts, but an infringement gave Athletics relief. Athletics carried on to the other end, the ball being eventually Bent Into Athletics continued the Eressure, and for a long time the game was i City's territory, but eventually B. and G. Davidson cleared. Play was of an even nature from this to the end of the spell, each side attacking in turn, there being n oseore when the bell rang. On resuming, after a brief attack by Athletics, City reversed positions, McGregor saving. Mitchell, Wetherlll, B. Davidson, W. Davidson, and Wilson then combined, and a good handling bout saw the last-named stopped on the line. The forwards relieved, and then W: Davidson put City on the attack, again, a Scrum following near the lne. The Ball went out to Wetheril, who had a pot and Just missed. Another onslaught by City resulted in a melee underneath the posts, from which Purdie got over.. W. Davidson converted. Shortly afterwards an Athletic player was ordered off. City were having much the better of the game now, and from loose play near the line Yardley kicked the ball back to Mitchell, who marked, afld W. Davidson kicked a goal. The game ended shortly afterwards with the scores : — City 7 Athletics 0 Mr, Murray was referee. DEVONPORT V. MARIST 0.8. Devenport kicked off, Douglas and St. George making a -forward movement, which culminated in a scrum. Marist maintained the pressure, hut Godick found the line with a good kick. A forward movement was opened by Ghent, McNamara securing the first try for the greens. Stormont's attempt proved abortive. Marist 3, DevonPort 0.. Devonport carried play to the Tykes' territory. Johnston going within an ace of scoring, when a scrum ensued. Some give and take play occurred in the centre Of the field until the Martet forwards broke aw ay, Ghent securing the bail and scoring, near the posts. Stormont's kick hit the post and rebounded out. Shortly after this, although Devonport tackled well. Marist proved too strong, Gallagher, following-up a long kick, dived on the ball, and registered another try for the Tykes. His at-ijfg-pt to convert failed. Marist 0, Shore 0- Another score came Marists' way a few minutes later. Bass picked up In the loose, an, handed .to Gallagher, whose superior pace carried him over. Storrnont was unable to convert. Marist 12, Devonport »• Devonport attacked strongly. "Harper being responsible for a speedy transferring or the play from Devonport's posts down to the pool of water in Marists' end. Nelson saved the situation by tackling Harper. Half-time was sounded with Devonport on we attack in mid-field. ; Devonport lost no time in making an excursion into Marists' quarter, where Marists had to force. Sherlock, the green's fnll-baek, was playing confidently and frequently minified the Devonport passing fashes. However, the Mailsts' backs handled the leather in good fashion, enabling Storrnont, Turner, Courtney, of the forward division, to regain Marists' lost ground. _. _i ce piece of work resulted In Gallagher getting over to score. Stormont's kick went wide. Pip Webb and j£oQick placed Devonport on the offensive. •Tbe blacks attacked on the Une and gradually forced Marists back to defend their juie. O'Brien made the best of an opportunity and dribbled over, falling on the • *£v, giving Devonport their initial try. Webb failed with the kick. Marist- 15, devonport 3. Devonport showed up to better advantage and kept the other side busy. Godick was the originator of a passing rush, and sidestepping two Marist players, he passed to Webb. He transferred to Smith, and then tbe ball went to Johnston, who scored in a candy position. Harper converted nicely. Marist la, Devonport 8. Boryer, who had gone .nil-back in G-odick's place, took * a.ecula'.or, which landed in Sherlock s

n *Jv He gave to Stevens, who got SS2"£_ T ™ r A *-«-»• The extra poiSts M_Va__t_ ad « e ?-K Marlfit w - Devonport 8. fh_ f_-f *** Bnsban « and Gallagher, with the assistance of Bass and Ghent were P a n lcularl 7 str °»SS-5-tTbut nenPtr W Hnt rev^ nted from succeeding in _fv£s £?&i h ?, De ™ n P<>rt back Une. Godick h„IM,JI Ulantly - , Garr ett, the Devonport a^ k ' was instrumental in placing *_rnVflrthwT c ° n the offe -slve. T_e for"s™ £j lbbl , e , d V p across th e neld, the ball •fhi S - n pl er „ .J"? 8 * B '.. line - Probert won in only «' fo-Ti!f fc - IS ' De ™°P°rt 13. With __&nlM«f _«£ ? Ut . es t0 e ° Devonport made too «af_ n eff ? r i t ? t0 score - but Marists were tber scn'r^V 116 game eaded wlttt n ° fuf - in?i™s_2 ' * Tt , was a most e-dting and ref-rel g Mr ' Galla -ber was the SECOND GRADE. M-M-SE.,* t' b „, at City 3 ' F6r Richmond, I^ n c f r , 8 '- Je i lki ? s ?. n - an, 3 Hodge scorea. Inumata 7, bent Kllerslie 5. Mangere 8. beat Otahuhu 3. Ane^ell winners '° trleS aUd converted °ne for the THIRD GRADE. Ponsonby 5, beat Point ChevaUer 3. For S le __ w i nn^rß, Haywood got a try which Rahbade converted. Parnell 14, beat Ihumata 3. { JTOURTH GRADE. Parnell 25, beat Mangere 0. FIFTH GRADE. Takapuna 6, heat Northcote 3. Tries were scored for Takapuna by Holmes and Coleman. SIXTH GRADE. Ponsonby 28, beat Manukau 6. For the winners, Williamson (4), Conway (2), Hobison (2) scored tries. Katterhs kicked a goal. The referee congratulated Ponsonby on their standard of play. Parnell 5, beat Athletics 3. . ~ SIXTH GRADE B. Athletics 0, beat Manukau Cruising Club 3. For the winners. Kirkwood (21 and i Stotter scored tries, and May scored for Manukau. Parnell won from Richmond by default. Ellerslie 11, beat Ponsonby 6. : SENIOR CADETS. 34th Company 6, beat 22nd Company 3. COUNTRY MATCHES. HAMILTON. HOME TEAM _>SATS CAMBRIDGE. Play was marred at HamUton by the elippary state of the ground, but in the game between Frankton and Athletics some interesting play was witnessed. Both teazi-s gave a good account of themselves, and some good combination work was shown. The result left Frankton visitors by the small margin of one point, the scores being 24 to 23. For Frankton Gawn and Pocock scored one try each, Dufty and Bent two each, while Dufty converted three. For the losers Peckham scored twice and Steward, Corlieson and Bristall scored one try each, Jewett and Parkinson each i kicked a goal, and Mawhiny two goals. There v_s also a game between Cambridge and Hamilton, the home team having the advantage throughout. Play was fairly fast. Good work was done by the Hamilton forwards. The game ended in a win for Hamilton by 17 to 10. For Hamilton Watts scored twice, Hume, Mcßae and Aitken once each, while Jacques converted one. Power and West scored for the losers. Power converting one and kicking a penalty goal, and Appleby also kicked a goal. THE GAME SUSPENDED AT NAPIER. XAPIER, Saturday. League football has been suspended here for the rest of the seaon. Rugby's hold, with possession of the Ranfurly Shield, has proved too strong ac a counter attraction. SOUTHERN MATCHES. League matches in the South resulted as follows: — ■Wellington.—'Hutt 23 v. City 0; Newtown 3, v. Central 0. i Christehurch. —Hornby 10, drew with Addington 16; Sydenham 15, v. Woolston 11.