LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 150, 26 June 1923, Page 8

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

The following: tnlile showe the positions )f the teams iv the senior competition:—

MARIST 0.8. V. DEVONPOET. The game between Mnrist Old Boys aud Devonport. on the latter's ground, provided vi interesting contest, particularly In the *eeon<l spell, when the Blacks developed aetter combination and only lost by a margin of live points, the final score being 18-13 In Marisfs favour. Considering the state of the ground, which was a veritable luagniire, both teams performed remarkably well, and, as only to be expected in such unfavourable circumstances, passing rushes were few. The game was late In rommenclng. Devonport found It difficult ;o get a team with Bert Mat and Alf. Scott. C. AVheeler, Clark and Hand lb.sent through indisposition, and the selectors found it necessary to substitute several junior players. Murkst did most of the ittacking in Uie lirst spell, a. try coming their way a few minutes after the iuitial whistle. At half-time the score was, Marist 12. Devouport 0. It certainly looked- as. if Marlst would ■secure a handsome victory on their play of the lirst spell, but on resuminir l)e o iport showed Improved form, and for quite i long period they had Marlst hard pressed. They scored three tries, Webb and Harper each converting one. For the winners Sherlock was a tower of strength as fullback, aiid gave a good exhibition under difficult conditions, while Brisbane and MeXamara greatly assisted him. Bass and Stevens got through an Immense amount of work both In attack and defence. The forwards all stood up well to their work and showed good combination in attack. Misrakes on both sides, of course, were fairly frequent, and no doubt a good game was spoilt by the unfavourable conditions. The Devonport backs operated well at times, (Joillick, the full-back, beiug responsible for a brilliant exhibition. Garrett. the half-back stood out prominently, but St. George. Douglne, and O'Brien shone in the attacking. The forwards held their own well and worked hard to a man. PONSONBY V. RICHMOND. Despite the adverse condition of the ground on Saturday the game between I'ousonhy and Richmond was not without interest. The slippery ball made its handling a matter of frequent difficulty, aud the game therefore was confined more to forward play. Kichrnorul were beaten by 14 points to 12. but in the scond half the scoring was equal, five points being gained on either side. In this spell Richmond amply demonstrated what they could do with a slippery ball. They kept"it well down, and were resourceful in kicking tactics, although they were also unfortunate in over-running the ball at times. Ponsonby were on the whole faster, ana displayed more combination. For the. winners Delgrosso. Hing and McClunf played well among the backs, while in the forward row Hanlon and Lowrie were prominent in a number of useful moves. Hanlon, of Richmond, started out as fiveeighths, but was shifted back to his usual post as full-back, where he played a reliable game. Ilvland was also of mntorial assistance to his team as half-back. AH the Richmond forwards worked well, and it would be difficult to differentiate between the players. CITY V. ATHLETICS. Th" conditions on Saturday were not favourable to good crisp football, but all the same the match between City and Athletics on No. 1 ground at Carlaw Park provided plenty of entertainment for the large number of spectators who assembled. Athletics had the better of the game at tlie commencement, but it was soon seen that City would take a lot of beating, for they were getting the best of the scrums, and their backs were handling the ball to better advantage. The first spell wound up without score, which was a fairly good indication of the merits of the teams during the initial half. Athletics went to the attack at the commencement of the second half, but gradually the City backs, who were well assisted by the forwards, asserted themselves, and they eventually won by seven points. Athletics were somewhat handicapped towards the end through one of their players being ordered off. The result of the game leaves the competition in a very interesting position, for three teams—Athletics, Marists, and City—are level at the end of the first round. Crewther, at full-back for City, played a very safe game, and he frequently got Mβ side out of difficulties by his fine defensive work and good kicking. The three-quarter line consisted of the Davidson brothers, of whom Ben showed to most advantage He was always In the thick of it, and used his pace to good purpose. W. Davidson kicked a. couple of line goals considering the heavy ball, his second, a shot from a mark by Mitchell, being a really good effort. Wilson and Wetherill at fiveeighths were always prominent, the latter putting in some great'work. Mitchell at half was good, while the forwards all worked hard, Purdie scoring the try for Yardley and Hall were seen to most advantage on Athletics' side, and the former played a fine game. Dufty was not "s prominent us when Athletics beat Marists, for the ball was too heavy to allow him to kick- goals like he did on that occasion. Nicholson played a good game at half, while Avery, Webb and Miller were probably the best of a hard-working pack. ■ fc Worms destroy tfce *iealth and happiness of children. Wade's Worm Figs never fail to expel worms easily and thoroughly. A. pleasant remedy, absolutely harmless to the most delicate child.— (Ad.) Biggest bargains ever offered in ladies' all-wool costumes; all new styles—26/0, 27/9, 29/0, 35/9, 37/9, 45/9. Come early and you will buy.— J. A. Bradstreet, Draper, Karangahape Kd., Auckland.—Ad. 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I'blnte Cb. V. W. L. D. For. Aget. Pts. .thletics ..6 5 1 — 04 35 10 Inrlsts r> r> 1 — 111 30 30 lty (i 5 1 — 91 Sβ 10 •oiisonb.v ..6 3 :! — ."0 9li 0 >evonport .. (i 2 4 — 40 75 4 pwton fi 1 5 — flO. 8i> 2 [ichmond .. f> n 0 — 50 134 0