LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 154, 1 July 1924, Page 8

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES. FOUR EASY WINS. Last Saturday's senior games did not attract much interest as tLe contests were generally recognised as being, one-sided. So it proved, aud in each case victory was easily achieved. The City-llichmoud clash was given pride of place and staged ou No. 1 ground, but the exhibition of football was far from good, and City had matters pretty well all their own way. There were occasional flashes in attack by Richmond, but they really never threatened the issue, anel City eventually ran out winners by 5! points to 7. L. Brown, who was making his first appearance in local Lea-gue games, scored three tries, and should have been credited with four, but once he lust the ball in grounding it over the line. He played a tine game, showing himself to be a strong runner, but the opposition was weak. On No. 2 grouud Kllerslie for a time led Athletics .". points to 3. but it was soon apparent when Athletics settled down t<> business which way the result would go. Dufty was absent with a leg. injury, and tills made a marked difference to Athletics, hut nevertheless they had too much combination for the Ullerslieites. who made a good showing without even 'looking like winners. The result. 14 to •"> in favour of Athletics, was a fair summing up of the position. At the Domain, Newton had no chance against Marist Brothers, who scored almost at will and rattled up a score of :t9 points, while Newton had to lie content with « solitary try. Most of the Newton players are juniors, but though weak compared to other teams, they religiously roll along each Saturday anil do their best. If the champions are nor, in the team they certainly have the true sporting spirit. On the form this season Maugere could not hope to cope with the Devonport team, now the leaders in the competition. It was only to be expected that the seasiders would prove too strong, and this was borne out when the men across the harbour, on their own ground, heat the Mangere men 21 points to :'.. ON SATURDAY NEXT. The big attraction on the menu next Saturday in the senior e-ompetltioa will be the meeting of City ami Athletics, and if by any chance a dry grouud should be aVallable a fast game may be expected. The City team is as strong now as at the opening of the season, and unless anything happens in the meantime will field a strong side. Athletics will be under a severe handicap in the event of Dufty not being available, but oven so they will not go under without putting up great opposition. Another close game should ensue between maugere and Ellerslie, aud the play here should be keen, if not brilliant. Devonport -will havo no difficulty in defeating Xewton. and Ponsonby should score easily over Richmond. THE "ASHES'* TO ENGLAND. By defeating Australia in the second of the three tests on Saturday the English team of League footballers have secured the "ashes." but it would appear from the cabled result of Saturday's test that the visitors just pulled the game out of the fire. The Australians, in strong contrast to their form of the first test, put up a great fight, and led three to nil with only a few minutes to go to time heing called. However, the .Englishmen, in the dying stages of a great game, rnana'ged to register a converted try. and thus won by five points to three. The form of the visitors since their arrival in Australia has not been altogether consistent, and while they have won the two test matches so far decided they have suffered defeat by weak teams at times. Still it is quite evident that the Englishmen are classy footballers, -nnd their appearance in Auckland this month will be awaited with interest. THE DUNEDIN GROUND. PLANS FOR STAGING. (By Telegraph.—l'ress Association.> nt'NEDIN. Monday. TMans hare been drawn for a. staging for Culling Park, to aecommooite 0000 people. The plans were drawn to the order of League Rugby authorities, who have in view the playing of a match there between the English and New Zealand teams. It has not yet been decided whether the work will be proceeded with.