LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 173, 23 July 1923, Page 8

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

THE SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. CITY DEFEAT NEWTOX. WINS FOR DEVONPOKT AXD ATHLETICS. The senior championship of the Auckland Rugby League was advanced another stage on Saturday in fine, though dull, -weather. The grounds at Carlaw Park were heavy, and in consequence good football was out of the question. There was a fair attendance to witness the match between City and Newton on No. 1 ground, and although Newton were beaten to the extent of 35 points to 3 they played a good game, and it was only inaccurate handling of the ball that prevented them from increasing their total. The scores are by no means a fair indication of the game.

Athletics secured a victory over Ponsonby at Otahuhu, coming off the field winners by 17 points to 9. There was a fair attendance, and an interesting game was witnessed. The slippery ball, however, militated against the best of play, and many moves were spoilt owing to the general difficulty experienced in picking up the ball. Athletics showed plenty of pace, and their following up when an opening occurred was a big factor in securing tries. PonBontoy played a good game, but frequently lacked finish in bringing a number of good efforts to a successful head. Although Devonport ran out winners by 10 points to 10 against Richmond they did not have matters all their own way, for the game was fast, and interesting throughout, with Richmond lending by two points right up until fifteen minutes of the conclusion. In the last stages Devonport made a good recovery, and snatched the game from Richmond.

CITY V. NEWTON. Newton set rfce jrame in motion and City attacked. B. Davidson and 'Wetherall followed up fast, but tbe latter was unable lo olrtain rontri'l of the hall with bis feet right on the line and just missed scoring. A scrum followed and Brown cleared to the halfway flag, the same player and Watson carrying on to City's territory, but combined work by the City ljacks returried play to mldileld. Newton pressed aValn, but faulty handling aud later a peralty spn-'le-l their effort. City tnen took a hand at attacking 'but Brown saved. Once again in Newton's territory McLau B hlin gathered up and sent on to Carglll, who crossed, for W. Davidson to convert. Almost Immediately, from loose play in mldnVld, B. Davidson ■gained possession and. after making a fine opening, passed to Wilson, who had n clear rrn In and put the 'ball between the posts. W. Davidson missed an easy kick, making the half-time scores: City 8, Xcwton O ■

On resuming Mitchell got the ball In mid-: field and started n passing rush with B. | Davidson and O. Davidson, the latter scor-'. ing at the corner. W. Davidson converted | with a beautiful kick. <"*It?" were pressing J again and Miu-bell getting the ball from a I scrum near the line sent a low pass to G. Davidson, who agnln got over. W. Davidson failed with the kick. Thomas headed an-. other attack by City and a little later a I passing rush between Mitchell. B. Davidson. ■ and (}. Daridson, ended In the lastnamed scoring his third try. F'lynn failed to improv,e. The scene quickly changed to the other end and Poison sent on to Brown and Peters, who scored for Xewton. Poison was unsuccessful with the kick. Alter loose play In juidfleld Wetherall gathered up and passed to It. Davidson, who easily out a.-.- | the opposition anil added another try f> City's, total, which Wetherall converted. ' Hnwkes dribbled over a little later, touched ' down and goaled. City were having the ' better of matters and before the hell went Townsend and W. Davidson scored tries, neither of which were converted, making the flnnl score:— City 35 Xewton 3 Mr. W. Mlncham was referee. DEVOMFORT V. RICHMOND. Devonport kicked off. and Swift placed Richmond on the attack. Devonport were penalised for offside pay and McDonald was successful in potting a good goal. The Shore • men seemed to be a little off colour, and allowed Richmond to break away on several Mckenzie spoilt by knoklng on. From a scrum near the sideline within Devonat the bak of the front P line. Taylor? the full-back, tried to bans on too long and was grossed by a trio of Richmond players, j Hyland, Richmond's nippy half-back, and i MeKenzie both attempted to cross the line. ; but lost the ball. Following a scrum Garrett gathered up and Rtreaked down the centre of the field, the ball being well handled by the black forwards. Harper cut in and, taking well, rushed over to score Dcvonport's initial try. Hand added the extra points. Devonport 5, Richmond 2. Campney, McKenzie and KcttleweU performed well in rushing the game up from the half-way. Hyland hooked from a scrum j Just In front of Shore's posts nnd dashed j tinued to worry Devonport considerably I until Pip Webb, assisted by O'Brien and l.arrett, nullified a series of Rtrong Richmond rushes. Following some hard play In Richmond's territory. Smith (Richmond) got away on his own, with the Shore, forwards in hot pursuit. When he came to 4,?r or , hp transferred to McKenzie. This player kicked over the line. Kettlewell , running on to score. McDonald converted. | Richmond 10, Devonport 5.

SECOND HALF. On resumption of play Devonport immediately set up an attack, which, however, 2.1. n °t penetrate far into Rihmond'e nnir. Campney relieved the strong pressure, and next the Shore forwards quickly made an excursion as fnr as Richmond's twenty-five Hanlon was safe and broke h? o 2 ho Dev onport sallies. However, the vr hh were . not t0 he «" p nied, and Pip ;*,£">. on gaining the ball, (seized an opportunity rushing down the line and Just got nor? -»° £ p 8 istpr - Richmond 10. Devon»h» h V* Devon Port were having slightly "ie netter of the game, a passing rush «™ «rott, St. George, and Garrett nil,"'?Jf Kiehmond up. but Hanlon stepson,.,.;. a iv the rißht moment removed all Jf. 8 "- ,, bh ° re seemed to Rlacken off someoffensivo ~i' O r ed Rlchmon <l to »<*ept the Wh?n Vh Ch l ,revailed for a long period. . twenn- « Vl ro lle,d "P wlthin tne * r °« n kick \'i R'Phmond were conceded a free attempt P Ol " 1 " 1 na "owly missing in his hat «L, ? Mnß out to ,he »"»• ThR s««>" ami na» Rr,w Girrett hook the leather Harper r° t,,a waltlns f °™ ttrdß - ■ S.™ ,V G,, orße made an advance. War thrm,Ji" nUy , SPCUrInc - He P" Bhed hi » Sored Tfrv""? , bea , Hn * a COU P'° of •"«»• nilotVri I ~f or tne blacks. Johnson S? rt to 3-ftra. M? scor?." but S5 ra-as fcrS *B WB°w^ B fe "7'ne exhfbiHot formed" tackled he S the llne - On bein * i through toifeh<.,i Stager, who, dashing convm The -L do T. n ' Hnml faiip(l l ° scores:— " ame then ended with the SSSSSS?.; jo Mr. Gallagher w^thc rcfercp ; j rnakinc a rani 1 mn " C f han <"«l the ball, short-lived tussle {U IT doHrn «<-l<l. "here a ! score an unconver? i rorn «' saw Francis a recovery from Yh • y ' Athletics made, Kirkland Renin? *L "PPonents' attack, i sonhy back to a nnifil and , send in& Ponlield up Athletics- off 3 defcace - A force coming through n ut h offe , nsive - and Pooley : well down in Athi e ««- ? m on sooi terms ffrosso opened up anS twenty-flTe. Delthrough with a cork s?r» movemen t, coming to McXeill. Wii?lm! crew mt > nnd passing leather. ana i o l ain ? ne « roceived the Athletics attacked nnJ" in the corner. Hall was prominent more, and w "s°n-r-ufty. wh S s^3 1 in a move, passing to Athletics wee a .,"j n A fe «" minutes later throueh after ah!,, oVf' H ' gettlnc Ponsouby attacked h'? a J'; I,o "sonby 8. upfleld. and the ki,* A taletlcß were again. , whose pace showed J' P / SSed t0 Klr kSd. player dashing thro.L dvantage - the y°™S ' opposing <%„ \

was converted by Wilson-Hall. Athletics 14, Ponsonby 3. Athletics drew first blood in the second spell, recovering from Ponsonby's opening attack, and taking the game well down Into I'on.sonby's quarters. Mormon mulled, and Athletics took an immediate opportunity to allow Graham to get over to score. Athletics 17, ronsonby 3. A stern battle followed, in which each team took a share in the attack. Ponsonby bore up against a sustained attack on Athletics' part, and gradually forced play Into their opponents , quarter, where Williams succeeded in rabbiting his way through Athletics' ranks to score. Ponsonby continued in scoring mood, and a sharp tussle saw the ball go over the line, a race for the ball resulting In Black divine through the row of spectators to score. The game ended :— I Athletics 17, Ponsonby 9. Mr. McCowatt was the referee. SECOND GRADE. flty 14, i, ea t xewton 0. Heme scored three tries and Falrley kicked two goals for the winners Mangere 14, beat Kingsland G. This decides the championship. THIRD GRADE. Point Chevalier 6, beat City O. i Ponsonby 0, drew with Manukau 0. FOURTH GRADE. Athletics 14, beat Ellerslle 0 Nelson scored all the points. Parnell B, beat Ponsonby 0.

FIFTH GRADE. Takapuna won from City by default. SIXTH GRADE. Richmond A 20. beat Devonport O. Aussie Astrella kicked two goals, and Cookc (3), Beasiey and Draper scored tries. Richmond B beat Murlst by default. City A 0, beat Parn«ll A, 3. Parnell B 3, beat City B 0. ronsonby 3, beat Athletics 0. Williamson scored a try for tbe winners. This gives Ponsonby a three-point lead In the chami pionship, with only one matcli to play.

COUNTRY MATCHES,

I HAMILTON. * ENDEAX SHIELD MATCH. 1 RETAINED Br HAMILTON TEAM. I ; The weather was threatening, but nevertheless there was a good atendance at HineJnoa Park to witness the Kndean Shield match between Hamilton and Taumarunul. A. curtain-miser between II uut ly and •Hamilton Juniors saw Hjintly having the best of the game throughout, and score a ' I win by 0 to 8. Mr. W. Herrtck was referee. 0 ■ The big match proved Hamilton to be f the stronger team. The home player?* v I combination was good, and their play c showed much Improvement. A lack of play- . .ing together and some weak combination r I work probably caused Taumarunui's failure. _ The visitors kicked off with the sun in their t • eyes, and within the first few minutes 1 I Stewart for Hamilton obtained possession . and scored, Dufty converting. Dent fol- '„ ! lowed this up quickly with another score, p' making Hamilton 8. Play was marred at •_ J this stage by an exceptionally heavy down- ,' t i pour, which lasted nearly twenty minutes. q j causing the ground to become one great c I quagmire, and making the players look like r i mudlarks. The ball was very slippery, and ). it was only with great difficulty that the g players picked it vp v Hamilton carried the ball Into the enemv'a territory, and Dufty I. succeeded in settinz across, but he failed

* succeeded in getting across, but he failed [ to convert. Theii followed a tough scramble I. which lasted several minutes, the outcome I being that Stewart got peesession and inniie J a splendid run from his own twenty-fire. I being grounded only on th» line, where he passed to Hume, who score ,l . Dufty fol- ■ lowed this up by making another score foe i Hamilton. Shortly afterwards the horns I team was penalised, and from the free ! kick Singe potted n goal for Taumarunui. Hamilton 17. Taumarunui 2. Play became fast and furious, and rapidly veered from one end to the other, both sides putting in good work. However. Hamilton's combination stood them In good stead, and they were soon over again, Wbalen scoring, and just on half-time Gawn snored again, Jacques converting. The half-time score I was: Hamilton 23, Tanmaronul 2. When play v.-as resumed Laughlln GcareJ ; twice in quick succession. The Taumarunui team had the best of It for a few minutes, their advantage culminating in a rush from I which Cherry scored, and Singe converted Hamilton 31. Taumarunui 7. The visitors' success, however, was short-lived, for Payne soon notched another try for Hamilton, ranking their score 34. This was followed by scores from sWbalen. Gawn and Corlisson. the. game ending: Hamilton 43, Taumarunui 7. Mr. S. Saunaere was referee.