LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 210, 3 September 1923, Page 8

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

THE ROOPE ROOSTER i COMPETITION. J I MARIST BROS. AND POWSONBY. I GET A "WING." DEVONPORT, A -'LEG." The Roope Rooster competition, under ! the auspices of the Auckland Rugby i League, began on Saturday, when, in tine weather and in the presence of nn i attendance of about 5000, and a £210 i gate, one of the fastest exhibitions of the ' code was given at Carlaw I'arh, where Devonport downed Athletics by 21 points j to IG. In the opening spell there was ! little between the play of the two teams j and when the spell arrived Athletics ' just had a shade the best of it. Early | in the second spell they increased their score to Iβ points, and it was then that the seasiders settled down to .work, j Playing like champions they never really | gave Athletics a chance, and brilliant passing between both forwards and backs had Athletics in trouble. Scores weie [ inevitable, and the defence that City > found difficult to penetrate the week ! previous Devonport broke: down j repeatedly; no excuse can be offered for I the beating Athletics received, -t any- ' thing the final score of 21 points to 1G in favour of Devonport might easily have been more. The meeting between Marist and Xevr- ' I ton on Xo. 2 ground at Carlaw Park resulted in a fairly even contest in the I first spell. In the latter half, however, Marist had it much their own way, tlieir pace and general resourcefulness proving favourable factors against Newton, who, while not lacking in combination, were less prompt in following up a good opening. Marist finally secured a comfortable victory by 43 points to 20. I Ponsonhy met Richmond on the Domain, the game ending in a win for tlie former by 43 points to IS. At half time when Richmond led by 10 to 8 it looked as if they would make a close game of it in the latter half, but Ponsonby playing with better combination won comparatively easilyi MARIST OLD BOYS V. NEWTON. ! I'lny was chiefly at lnldfield in the open- j mc stnees of the same. Newton pressed and sent their opponents to the hitter's twentyfive, where an infringement in the scrum ; lit Marist gave Newton a free kick which was successfully goaled by Poison. Marist replied with nn attnek which saw Kirklaml I intercept a pass and send on to Stormunt. ' who cleared out from the field and scored in a good position. Stevens goaled. j Mnrist repeated their performance a few minutes later, when from play at niidfleld. Brisbane got away to register a try. New- j ton made a rallying clTort, and .showed to advantage in the scrum work They pressed Marist down on the quarter flas where the ball was handled by the invad- j ing backs passing to Sorrensou, who ran i through Marists" ranks, passing to Watson, 1 who scored. Poison sonl»d. Newton continued to press hard, ami an interval of bright, open play followed, resulting in Newton assuming the lead. Clark registering a fine goal for obstruction by Marist in their own twenty-five. Play continued to be open, and an exciting tussle eventually saw Poison get possession to sprint down the line and score in the : corner. Marist took a hand in the attack, j pushiug Newton to the quarter flag, where j Courtney was ordered off for striking Soniers. Newton worked tlieir way to mlcllield, but llarists maintained the pressure and I.ang finally got through, leaving the Stevens goaled, and the spell ended:— Marist 13, Newton 12. Newton started the ball rolling for the , second spell, rushing the game to Marist's twenty-five, where, however. W. Stormont intercepted a pass between Clark and Williams. In a run over more than half the field Stormont had only Warren to contend with, but that player was unable to get up on his man, and Marist's secured a try behind the posts. Stevens goaled. Newton rallied, and neat handling of the ball saw the backs carry It. to the corner, where Williams crossed the line to score. A weakness In Newton's defence on resumption of play saw jlarist well down in the former's territory, where a short tussle resulted in XV. Stormont getting over. Marist were again fitacking. and looked like scoring, but a pass amongst the backs terminated with Toss, who rau into Newton's men instead of continuing on. W. Stormont. however, claimed n mark the nexr minute, and i secured tv.-o points. Newton gut going, i rushing the game to Marist's end, where i Williams obtained possession and passed to I l'olson, who further improved matter;! 1 before he was tackled. Soiners next received the ball to continue on aud score. Marist retaliated and a short, sharp tussle saw Foss baffle the opposing combination to secure a try, which was gimled by Stevens. Marist continued in scoring mood," and Brisbane added two further tries, Stevens goaling in each case. In the final moments of the game Nowtou were the attackers until Marist made a sudden breakaway and concluded the day with a try by Stormont, which was goaled by ' Sherlock. I Marist 43. Newton 20. Mr. Bovaird was the referee. ATHLETICS V. DEVONPORT. The teams were:— Athletics.—A. Yardley. McGregor. Duftv I.onergaii. Wilson-Hall. Ynrdley. Nicholson! Miller. Lee. Herring. Webh, Nixoii, Aver.v. Devonport.—Taylor. Harper. (toiltck. ' Webb. Smith. Lain-jr. Carrctt. Douglas | Wheeler. O'Brien, Peott. Hand. St. George. ' The f.ill or the penny favoured Devon- ! port, and Dufty let the Rooster loose The i urst attack was made by the blacks. Webb and Smith taking the hall to the Lines' I twpnty-flve. From the scrum Athletics j sent, the leather along the line of three- ! quarters. Dufty finally boosting well ciownI field. Codick's return was smothered, and Aver.v looked like dribbling over (he line. ! hut Taylor picked up , inr i short-punted nut I Wpbb lielng palpably off-side gave Dufty n chance, and he landed a line goal. Aihlelies 2, Devonport 0. Almost immediately lifting in the pack gr.vc I..iing a chance to even the score, hut a srcod kick just went i outside the post. IJnp parsing between ! Douglas. O'Rripu. ami Hand Haw the latter ' run round to place the ball behind the posts. but Hand was ruled off-side. It was bad luck, as the piece of play was brilliant. Prom the scrum A very picked up in tlie loose and sent to Dufty. the latter to Me- ' Gregor. who was well taken by Taylor. Good passing between Uodick. O'Brien, back to Uoclick. theu lo Smith, saw tin- latter fail to gather in. and a great piece of play was spoiled. Dufty and Hall provided thinext tit.-bit. Hall being crowded out and having no supports. A free to Devonport saw I.alng cross-kick, und Dufty was there to force. Harper, St. George ;mtl Goilick j brought piny back lo Athletics' half, where offside by Avery snv Hand take a shot In.m almost halfway. Hand kicked a henntiful goal, mnklng the scores two all. Coming ■ back with a neat piece of passing between Douglas and CJodick looked dangerous, but they were pulled up for obstruction. Kefpree Buli had a "word" with Herring, but one mlnule later the same player was "caught" at deliberate obstruction, and for the remainder of the afternoon he was a specI tutor. An Injury to Lotiergan saw Monteith come on in his place. Failure to play the ball by Idling gave Dufty nu μ-t mliot lii front of the go.ij. und he made no mis- I take. Athletics 4. Devonpnrt -. At this I since the blacks wen- playing ,-i line, open ! game, but their luck was out till, by fast i following up. Itnrper snapped up the leather ! and got across. Scott"* ki'-k was -i i .. ,•• I '< one. Devonport .". Athletic* 4. Folluwlns ! ■ up smartly Ynrdley smothered Hand, bill the hitter secured again and made :\ brilliant run and removed the eeene to the other end. From the loose Miller came . through with the bull at toe with n dear I ; Held, but Godiel; overtook him and se.-n.-c>!. I .I'URt on the call of time from a free Duftv j landed a goal,.making the scores: I Athletics ii I Devonpor* r> The second spel', o aw Devonport at unciattack, and a lo">£r pass by Scott to (in.llck to Smith to Webb sow the latter net over, but the referee ruled o"6ido. Athletics then ciime back nud XI liolson snapping up quickly from the scrum he *«ut to Monteitb. the latter to Aver.v. who cut in to letics 11. Devonport 0. The" game "had hardly been set in motion before Laing fumbled badly and Miller swooping down he i gathered the ball to drop over. Dufty added the embroidery- Athletics Iβ. Devonport , 5. I.alcg received thft ball from Uarrett,

sent it to Smith, to Godick, who, tjongh , grappled, got over near the corner Ha °" » kick failed Athletics IC. Devonport 8. The blacks were playing the spectacular open game, but the passing was not »c«nite by any means. Monteith followed JM A nice piece of passing between Garrett Litter's pass to Webb went forward. Then Garrett sent to Smith, to Douglas to, LaJu,. to Webb, but the latter. Instead of sending to Gadick. preferred to essay a dummy'by half a dozen of the backs for heeler i S3H2T.& 58X ?%££' o? h S i saw Dou-las and Hand come through, \ardthe h e«?r r fo O S P and n ri "rr^^a^^ ! he captafi »;3 thoush he missed the pass , j ripvonpnrt ■ 16 Athletics Refcvee. Mr. Bull. PONSOH3Y V. RICHMOND. ! Ilaulon Ulcfced off for P"™*?"?*-"?.* I after Lowry bad rushed par a onrt the ball was returned to the centre, a :™rSin S . "anion. Delgrosso.and tlie ball goins along the ground. All the Richmond forwards set up a line moveiiip'iit wh'rh rommeuced in their own ena. and 'culminated in Butler receiving from McDonald to score. Butler * iao *°!*!*% kick, which was unsuccessful. RUbmonrt 3 Ponaonl.y 0. Richmond kept up the pressure: and had Ponsouby defending for quite a while, until McClyniont got the leather from the scrum and transferred to Peckham. Milking a flue run Peckham wls too fast for Richmond, aud he registered the : Ponies - initial try. Pelgrosso failed with-; the luck. Through further bad passing I I-onsouby faile.l to penetrate the strong ; defence of the Richmond backs, until Del- j (.'rosso intercepted a Richmond rush, and , gave the ball to Henderson. This player fought his way alonß the line and just got over McClyniont added the extra points. Ponsnnby X Richmond 3. Ponaonby immediately rushed play towards Richmonde quarter nnd matters looked rosy for the blue and blacks when a scrum was ordered five yards in front of Richmond's posts, i but Campney. who had just Joined the j Richmond team in place of Kettlewell, leaved by kicking well down the line.! I Hyland. McDonald and Campney instituted • a passing bout, and Butler again crossed ! j the line. McNeil converted and equalised j the scores. Richmond 8, Ponsonby 8. j McCl.vmont. Hsnlon, and Delgrosso all , handled the ball in a bright rush across the ! 1 Held, but forward play spoilt the effort, i O'Sbca played offside while attempting to save the situation near Ponsonby's goal. ! I and McNeil converted the free kick conceded. At half-time Richmond were leading | Iby ID points to 8. On resuming Llttlewood, Cole and Hanlon broke away, but a serum ensued near Kichmonda line. Littlewood picked up well aud ran round to score under the posts. McClymont succeeded In putting the kick over. A minute afterwards the Poni sonby forwards, by combined play, broke | j through a weak set of backs, and Mc- ' Muuon scored. McClymont converted , nicely. Littlewood then tnlcked the opposition and scored an easy try, which he also I . converted. Ponsonby 23, Richmond 10. I From this stage Ponsonby bad matters all their own way. Richmond's defence was poor and tbelr tackling faulty. For Ponsonby. McClymont, Delgrosso, Littlewood and Peckham afterwards scored, Delgrosso ' converting oue. Littlewood two tries, and : Hanlon one. Just at the end of the game I Barber and Butler scored for Richmond, and McNeil converted. The flnal score was:—Ponsonby 43, Richmond IS. THE CtTRTAIK-RAISEH. The Klngsland and Athletics first junior teams provided the curtain-raiser. Kingsland winning by 12 points to 3. SECONB GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP City 16. beat Mangere 3. City wins the championship for the second year In succession, 1022-1928. FIFTH GRADE. Xorthcote 6. beat Newton 0. Donoghue ' and Osmond scored. Cooper missed two kicks. HOUSE MATCHES. Kpiupthorne, Prosser and Co.. Ltd.. beat I Sharland and Co., Ltd., by 13 to 12. For the winners tries were scored by McNeill, Kayes, McCarthy. McNeill converted two : tries. TO MEET SOUTH SYDNEY. The selectors of the Auckland representatives who are to meet South Sydney team on 29th inst. have chosen the following eighteen players to go into training and be ■ in attendance at Carlaw Park on Tuesday I evening at 7.30. Two other players are to I be selected, making a complement of ! twenty, from whom a flnal selection of thirteen will be made. Those chosen I are:—\V. Davidson, G. Davidson. B Lame I Wilson-Hall. B. Davidson. M. Wethern.il, f' Delsrrosßo. C. Polseu. Godick, Ghent B~ Avery. W. Somers. W. Stormont. H. Douglas, X. Bass. V. Thomas. Hanlon, Herring. EMDEAN SHEEU>. HAMILTON BEAT LOWER WAIKATO The match for the Endean Shield, he- ! ; tween Hamilton and Lower Waikato, was I j played at Steele Park on Saturday in the I , preseuee of a big crowd. The game was ! i most exciting nnd spectacular, individual ; play on both sides being remarkably good while spveral good passing rushes were car- t , ried out. The game ended with a win for i Hamilton by 37 to 20. Scorers for the I winning side were:—Dufty 2. Corlinson. I Wnlen and Oawn, 1 each, while Duftv , kicked three penalties, converted two" and I I potted a goal. For Lower Waikato, Wilson, Holly. Johnston, and Jackson scored I one try each. Mabolu and Miki each Kicked a penalty goal, and the latter nleo converted two. Mr. \V. H. Herrick was referee.