THE LEAGUE CODE.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 130, 3 June 1924, Page 7

THE LEAGUE CODE.

POSTPONED CLU3 MATCHES. PLAYED THIS MORNING. MARISTS AND ATHLETICS DRAW. ELLERSLIE BRINGS OFF A SURPRISK. The two senior grade League matches, Marist Bros. v. Athletics and Ponsonby v. Ellerslie, postponed from May '24, were played at Carlaw Park this morning, and attracted a crowd of a. couple of thousand spectators. The MaristAthletic match provided a fast, even contest, and resulted in a draw, eight points all. E'.lerslie'brought off it surprise by downing I'onsonby by six points to five, but neither team was at full strength, and Ponsonby in particular had a number of juniors playing. ATHLETICS V. MARISTS. The teams:— Athletic.—Yardlcy, Woolley, McGregor, Tiuimins, Wilson-Hall, Uutty. Nicholson, Austin, Graham, Broadhuist, Herring. Webb, Avery. Marist Bros.—Gregory, Kirklantl, Brlsbano, Sherlock, Stewart, Sweeney, Lang. Johnson, ttaj, J. Storinont, W. Stormonc, OUricn, lieary. Tykes wou the toss, and the first real attack came when Hall made n nice rim and sent on to Dutty, whose pass to Wilson did not give the latter a etiunce. lA.r a breach Uufty liuil au unsuccessful shot at goal, and then Johnson and Casey swooped down on i'ardley, hut Wilson-Hall pieced up und sent to MeUrcgur, ami mc miter short-puuted to tbu Hue. Then Brisbane snapped up the bail, badly bent several of the opposition, and had 11 clear run In but passed to Stewart, the iatior to Sweeney, who scored. The attempt at goal tailed. Marls Bros. 3, Athletic 0. Up to this stage it was the only occasion Tykes had reached their opponents' haif. Xiininius and Nicholson were associated in a passing Imut which did not go far. and offside by Casey saw Dufty make a good though ineffectual shot at goal. Casey was noticeable for fast following up, and then a bright piece of passing between Lang. Brisbane and Kirkland saw the latter make a nice opening. He sent on to Stewart, and a good scoring chance went astray when Lang failed v, accept Stewart's pass. Lang short-pun! 1 and followed up smartly, but to his surprise was ruled offside. Austin, (irnhum and Broadhurst came through with the ball at toe, but Sherlock scooped up the ball and set his backs going, Woolley bringing a threatening movement to au end by tackling Brisbane in tine style. Athletic were doing most of the attacking, but too much kicking was being indulged in. A fairly easy shot by Dufty went outside the post. Keeping up the attack. Athletic had Tykes doing their best. Uufty worked his way through the opposition, transferred to Avery, to McGregor, to Woolley, the latter finishing off a brilliant movement by runDufty, who had evidently lost his compass. inisßcd the easiest of shots. Marists fast, Wilson-Hall was tackling in' great style, but the Tyke forward* now came through, and went over the line. Casey touched down, but the score was not allowed, the referee ruling offside. Stornifint had an unsuccessful shot, and then Dufty got his eide out of danger by whipping the ball back smartly to Yardley. Tykes were now putting a lot more vim Into their work, and were attacking strongly when half-time arrived with the score 3 all. The second spell opened sensationally. A scrum followed the kick-off, and Lang sent out to Stewart, to Brisbane, who beat two opponents brilliantly, and scored under the poets. Gregory goaled. Marist Bros. 8, Athletics 3. Attacking again, nice passing between Lang, Stewart, Sweeney, and Brisbane saw the latter grassed well Inside Athletics area. Then there was a sudden change. Dufty secured the ball, made a short run, und Bent to Wilson-Hall. The all but the fullback, and then sent on to Herring. The latter gathered up off the ground, and dashed over under the posts, a frreut try. Wilson-Hall goaled. Score, 8 all. The pace was now a cracker, first one side and then the other attacking. Webb wag doing a lot of smothering. Eyery man and a desperate clash along the line by Kirkland saw him thrown out by Nicholson Another great run by Wilson-Hail looked like a certain score, but Woolley sent a bad pass, and the chance went !>y the boards. Paßt following up by Stewart got Dufty with the ball, and from hard play In Athletics' corner Stonnont made a desperate attempt to get across, but lost the ball, and Athletics forced. Marist lost another good chance when O'Brien boosted hard into the dead area instead of centring or running on. Tykes had been doing most of the attacking, bnt now the blues tramped down, headed by Avery. Short pases between Sherlock, Nicholson, and Avery took play to within a j-anl two or Marists , line, where a series 01 scrums skw both packs battling like Trojans. Nicholson sent v long pass, which Johnson brushed aside, and for a moment gave relief. Back came the blue and golds, and the crowd reached the topnote of excitement. Stewart was responslble for moving the play to Athletics" area, and McGregor then found the line at halfwny. A minute Inter a great game ended with the scores—B all. Mr. Saunders was referee. PONSONBY V. ELLERSLIE. Tlhc teams:— Poneanby.—OToxmon, Sawtoll. Liansen. Wilson Donoran, Usher, MeWhirter, Sihlr3ey, Moore, Lawry. Peckham. Henderson. Ellerelle.—Ryan, Murray, Fowler, Brlen, Mmvne, Church. Baker. .Rliitw, Dance, Johnstone, Orotty, I'ase. Pllfrington. The opening stages of this game saw play fairly even, Foneonhy. with" the wind behind them, having slUjhtly the better of tt. Donovan bad a shot from n likely position which went wide, and Jatnr Ponsonby were pressing on the line when they infringed, and lost a good chance. Continuing to press, McWhirtor hud an unsuccessful pot at jroa] which forced rcillcrslie. Kllerslie worked back, and Brieji ihad a dhot which forced Ponsonby. A run and tnckle by Brlen got Ellerslie into I'onsonby'e corner, but Donovan relieved,'only to see B-rien come back with another dash, but a penalty cot Poneonby out of trouble. Poneonby pert itbeix first try wftien the Ellersllc backs failed to gpt nuilw a ■pcnatltv. and Shirley, following up quickly, beat his opponents for the bounce and scored a itry wblnh he converted. I'onsonby 5, Ellexslie 0. Hnlen (had a s*o«t from a mark which fnil<"d. but Ellerslie continued to hnve the better of the game until Moore and M'OTmon cleared. On ohanging round "Chore was a good deal of scrambling play which ended in Ponsonby forcing a long kick by Brien. Ellerelle were handling better and kept Ponsonby busy defending. When Ponsonby did work back a couple of Infringements Joet them the advantage. McWhWer made another opwiing, sending out to Mormon, but the latter passed forward when a score appeared likely. A dribbling rush took' Ellwslle to the line, where I>nnce pickfd up and got over, but lost the ball, Ponsonby forcing. iAnotlher struggle under the posts ended similarly. Ellers11« at last got a well deserved try. Baker made a breakaway from a scrum and ran to Ryan at fullback and sent out to Brien, who ran across unopposed. Ponsonby 5, Ellerslie 3. A moment ld't'C Baker was responsible for another try. He kicked down over Byan'e head, and Murray followine up got thfl leather on the bounce and ecSred. The ' kick failed again. I FJlerslie 0 I Poneonby 5 I BUerslle maintained their advantage till I the end. Mr. Taylor was referee. SATURDAY'S GABIES. NOTES OR THE PLAY. Of the four senior League games set i down for Saturday Inst the only one to create any interest was the DevonportPonsonby contest at Carlaw Park. Those who had witnessed the team from the marine stfburb in their earlier matches were confident that the wearers of the black jerseys would try out any team In the competitions, and this opinion was borne out to the full, as the men from Devonport beat the Ponsonby team by two : tries to nothing, after having much the I better of the play. The ground was i sodden, and the wet, greasy ball prevented ' anything in the nature of bright pass.ng amongst the backs of either side. Play i was mostly confined to the forwards, and i here the Shore men were always doing the better work. They played a hard, I bustling game, and though there were I times when the blues' pack stood in the

spotlight, taken all through tlie seasiders stood out as the better team. The outstanding feature of the iiaino was the delightful exhibition of Taylor at fullback for Devouport. Ho was aa safe as the proverbial "bank," ami considering the greasy ball and the slippery cround his performance in not making a mistake was remarkable. It was easUy the best exhibition given by a fullback this season. Of the other backs on the winning side B. Laing played right at the top of his form, and was always taking a hand in any movement where there was a scoring chance. Godiek uad Harper snowed a lot ot pace 4u following up, while Garratt, behind the jiack, got through a lot of work without beins brilliant. However, it was the forwards who won the frame, and while till were willing workers, O'Rrien, Douglas aud Scott were probably most in the limelight. Ou the Ponsonby Ride Delgrosso was a failure at fullback, aud played one of his worst games, doing nothing right. Littlewood was easily the best of the backs, while Walsh got through a tremendous amount of work, both in attack and defence. The forwards as a body were beaten by a better pack, but I'ooley and I'cckhnni were always prominent, Pooley in particular being a shining light. The meeting between Devuuport and Mnrist P.rothcra should be the club game of Hie Benson. Richmond received n real beating from Marist Brothers, the lntler raKllng on 28 points against 2. Admitted the Richmond team were weakened by the absence of more than one of the best players, but even so the Tykes would have been too good in any case,, and they promise to be hard to beat for the championship honours. Toe game between Athletics and Newton nt Victoria Park was not treated seriously. Newton could not Held n full team, and additions wpre made from juniors and others until there were thirteen players to oppose Athletics. For an hour useful practice was Indulged in. and. without the game being treated at all seriously, Athletics won by 33 to 2.-i. Another defeat went down agninst Ellerelie at the Pomaln, where they met the solid City team. As was expected, the gnme was one-sided. City having matters all their own way and stringing together 32 points, while Ellerslle were still looking fur I he City line wheu the game ended. City are putting up something of a record thlii peiison. and so fnr their line has not been crossed In the club competition. AUCKLAND V. AUSTRALIAN 'VARSITIES. TO-MORROW AT C.VRI.AW PARK. KEEN CONTENT EXPECTED. The Anstrallan mtverslties , League team of footballers arrived by the Maheno to-dnv nnd will open their tour in the Auckland province to-morrow at Cnrlaw Park, wh«n they will meet the Auckland rpnrpspßtnf.i vps. Ttin visitors come across with a great reputation, and this season In cluti font hall In Sydney nave earned an before them, nnd so far hold an unbeaten certificate. Several of the members nro well known to Aucklanders, having played In the "Varsities' team which visited Auckland last year, while others In the team are mentioned as Tiavlng claims to be choeen In the State combinations. At the time of u'oing to pri'ss the team for to-morrow was not available. The local selectors have pot together a good side to oppose the visitors, and strength.pned the local combination should be ahle to try the visitors' right out. The match is timed to start at 3 p.m., and given flue -weatUer a One contest should result. N.Z. REFEREES' ASSOCIATION. LOCALE OF HEADQUATITEBS. <By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. At tho rinnnnl nipotlnc of the Xew Zonland Referees' Association last nlKht it was moved " That the headquarters of the association be moved every two yeare, the destination for each succeeding period to be determined at the nnnual meeting preceding the change." The motion was lost on the casting vote of the chairman.