LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 123, 26 May 1924, Page 10

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

NOT. BRILLIANT BUT HARD. INTERPKOVINCIAIi CLUB MATCH. VICTORY FOR CITY. VISITORS' GREAT PACK. CITY 16, MARISTS 9. A crowd In the vicinity of 10,000 patronised Carlaw Park on Saturday, when City, the local League chrfmpions, met Marist Brothers, of Chrlstchurcb. The ground as the result of rain'was heavy, and this was all against bright, sparkling football. As a matter of fact, play was generally confined to the forwards, and in this the visitors showed to most advantage. They certainly did most of the attacking particularly in the second half! but they appeared tc be able to do everything but score tries. City, on the other hand, put the necessary finishing touches to their onslaughts, and eventually ran out winners by 16 points tc 9, THE TEAMS. Marist Brothers.—Full-back, E. Brosnahan; three-quarters, H. MulUns. E. Fitzgerald, T. Gilroy; five-eighths, C. Fitzterald, C. Fatehelor; half, R. Klrwan; forwards, J. Ellis, G. Rutherford, J. McOonnick, \V. Devine, L. Petersen, H. Blazey. City.— Full-back, M. Flynn; threequarters, S. Crewther, B. Davidson, G. Davidson; five-eighths, M. Wetherlll, A. Sutton: half-back, C. Mitchell; forwards, G. Reid, A. Townsend, 11. Hawkes, V. Thomas, E. Mackle, N. Bass. TIIE PLAY. City showed the visitors on the field, led by M. Wetherill and each nun shook hands. City won the toss and Peterson set the game going. From the first run G, Davidson punted down the field to Brosnalinii who started a passing bout r transferring to C. Fitzgerald, to Gilroy. The latter failed to take a low pass. Mackie removed pluy well inside the visitors' territory, and fast following up by G. Davidson had Brosnahan bustled. Crewther and Reid smothered .Mulllns and close play pn the visitors' line raw Crewther gather tip the ball and dive across In the corner, three minutes after the game began. G. Marist 0. Blazey -was prominent in a solo run, bnt did not get far and lifting in the scrum gave Davidson another shot at goal which was ineffective. E. Fitzgerald was responsible for a bright tricky run, but he was running away from his supports. Mullins, misjudging the ball, B. Davidson swooped down and dribbled over the line, but a certain try was lost by kicking too hard, the ball going into dead hall area. Picking up in the looec, B. Davidson transferred to George, who short punted over the line, but Blazey beat him to the ball. The brothers Fitzgerald Initiates a passing bout until Sutton put an end to it, and for the first time Marist really reached City's quarter. Flynn gave City relief. Lifting in the scrum gave C. Fitzgerald a shot from near half way. A beautiful kick just wont outside the posts. Peterson and Rutherford by fast following up got Flynn on City's line, but failing to allow him to play the ball the locals got out of their difficulty, per medium of a free. Gilroy set the visiting backs going, but a long pass wae brushed aside by Reid. MeCorwithin a few yards of City's line when Peterson failed to gather in a short pass, and G. Davidson nipped in to stop the danger. Almost immediately' a short punt saw the ball gathered in by Brosnahan who dropklcked a beautiful goal. City 3, Marist 2. Then the "tit-bit" was brought off by the visitors. Gilroy badly beat the City forwards and transferred to E. Fitzgerald, the baM travelling to Mulllns, C. Fitzgerald, and back to E. Fitzgerald, the latter being crowded out well inside City's area. The Tykes' forwards were now rolling into their work and little opportunity was given to City to set their speedy backs going. L. Peterson was responsible for a nice piece of sold work,-.and only a speculator by Mitchell gave City relief. The visitors were now giving City' a merry time. Not only, the forwards, but the backs too, were setting a pace that was only expected of City backs. Never giving City a moment's peace the visiting pack came down on Flynn and W&herlll, the latter being carried over the line. An Injury to McCormlck saw him leave the field, his place being taken by Bateman. From the free kick In an easy position C. Fitzgerald failed. Exciting play ensued on Marlsts' line as the result of good work by Wetherill. Sutton was endeavouring to work his way across when Blazey wrested the ball from him. A free to City saw G. Davidson have an unsuccessful shot. Play was hard, the tackling being deadly, and. with the pace right on, the crowd were at a high pitch. At half-time tbe score was: City ;... 3 * Marist 2 SECOND SPELL. Immediately on resuming the Mariet forwards, headed by Define, took play down to City's corner, where for a few eeconds the locals were In danger, Bass eventually getting the boll from the ecrum and transferring to Crewther, who,- with a ehort kick, gained a few yards. Offside by Bass gave C. Fitzgerald a shot from almost half-way, a great kick falling Just under the crossbar. Then Ellis got Flynn before the City fullback could get his kick in, and failure to play the ball gave C. Fitzgerald another opportunity, the shot going wide. Sutton following up smartly Bad Brosnahan in trouble, and, losing the ball, Reid dashed up to cross the line. Plynn's kick failed. City O, Marlst 2. The green forwards were playing dashIng football, and were soon back in the City area, where Gilroy beat the" Davidsons in a fast follow np and touched down, but the'ball had reached the "dead" area. A few seconds later from a free kick C. Fitzgerald landed a goal, making the ■cores City 6, Marist 4. A passing bout started by Mitchell was ended by n bad pass to G. Davidson. Then Crewther broke away, and though supported by Wetherell and E. Davidson with Brosnahan to beat, short kicked, and in the race for the ball Sutton, who was following behind, touched down. Crewther goaled. Despite reverses back came the visiting forwards an* assisted by the backs they took the ball over City's line, but again fortune' favoured Glty, the ball going dead: Fairly playing over their opponents the visiting forwards never gave City a moment's peace, and were walking through them.- Taking the ball over the line In a desperate charge Baitchelor scored a great try, and C. Fitzgerald added the embroidery. ■ City 11, Marist 0. - Three City, men scrambling for tbe ball gave Brosnahan a chance, but the pace set was now telling Its tale, and there was not the concerted action that marked the first spell. Just what happened next the spectators could not realise. The teams were preparing to form a ecrum near tie half way line, when the referee and the line umpire held a consultation as a result of which apparently City were awarded a free kick near Marlsts quarter-way line. Before the crowd realised it Reid was dashing over Marists line unopposed, he having shortkicked the ball and gathered it in again. On awarding a try the crowd began to Ihoot vigorously, a.id this Increased when Crewther goaled. City 16, Marists 9. Play was now being carried on in semidarkness, and a regrettable incident occurred when Mike Fiynn, while making a run just on time, sustained a broken lee in two places. After this player's removal from the ground play was continued until the ball went out There was no further score. Ftaal result: — City a c Marist ..- a Mr. Murray was the referee.

TO REPRESENT AUCKLAND. „.., 'AGAINST 'VARSITIES TEAM. The following players have been selected to co into training, commencing next Tuesday at 7.30 p.m., «nd from whom the •selectors will finally choose the teams to represent Auckland against the Australian ' V B™ l te e -"G. Davidson, B. Davidson, M. WetberUl, B. Lalng, A. Godlek, Garrett. 1'oHon" Duffr, AVilaon-Hall, Gregory, DelBr &^a L r"s^V ood Thorna 8 . N. Base. A. Townsend, McDonald (City), J. O'Brien fDevonport). W. Somers, Avery, W. Stormont° J. O'Brien (Marists), McNeil. SOUTHERN MATCHES. (By Association.) CHRISTCHUKCH. Sydenham, 13, beat Hornby, 3. Addington, 24, beat Marlut B, X.