LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 159, 7 July 1924, Page 10

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

GREAT GAME IN MUD, CITY AND ATHXETICS DRAW. NEWTON DKFACT/T TO DEVONPORT. roXSONBY BEAT RICHMOND. All sorts of rumours were afloat in the city on Saturday morning touching the acute position which liad arisen over the decision of the Auckland League and Now Zealand Council that ti. Brown ivaa ineligihlp to play for the City team and the subsequent suspension of that player for three weeks by the Judicial Committee on Wednesday last. That the League was prepared to meet all emergencies was ■well known, and arrangements had l>oen made for liiehmond to ..stand down and allow Pcnsonby to oppose Athletics on No. 1 groum'. at Carlaw Park. This, of course, was in ■the event of City taking the drastic step nnd refusing to play, which in some 'quarters was expected would happen. was therefore in the ;'nir, nnd the appearance of the {City team at tlie Park in the after--noon was eagerly awaited. The team duly arrived, and statements were made to "the effect that the City team had to play, and without Brown, because the Newton Club had withdrawn its objection to the transfer of Brown to City. Officially, the Auckland League "knows irN-hing of such being the case, •and so far as the League is concerned .Brown's three weeks' suspension still stands, and he is as yet unregistered with the City Club. It is understood that the application to have Brown registered with City will be made again and considered on Wednesday evening.

The ground was decidedly sloppy, Irat despite this the public witnessed one of the hardest games of the season when City and Athletics met. In the first spell City certainly showed to advantage, but it was not so in the second half, and the Athletic forwards dominated the position. There were thrills throughout, and the crowd-was at a high pitch of excitement. The game ended in a draw, G all, with Athletics perhaps a trifle unlucky, as Dufty missed a very easy shot at goal early in the game. Newton failed to field a side against Devonport, the latter winning by default. The game between Ponsonby and Richmond on No. 2 at Carlaw Park was interesting throughout, despite the muddy state of the ground. The Eichmond thirteen were pitted against a team that showed better combination, but the maroon and blues played a most determined game. Ponscnby won by 11 points to C. PONSONBY V. RICHMOND. The No 2 ground at Carlaw Park was, in places, "a sea of mud Richmond, won the toss, aud I'onsonby kicked off. lhey invaded Klchmond's territory, until a ecruni pulled them up. Little aud Redwood broke away, and got right down to Fonsonby's twenty-live, where iionnau Xalled to play the ball, and lUchnioiid were conceded a free. Butler had a kick, wlueii failed. From a lnidneld scrum Hylan* whipped the ball over to Butler. 'ine latter sent it to Brough, wlio went wen down the Hue before Littlewood stopped Mm Pooley. Moore, and Shirley started a. bright passing movement, which was (broken up by Uaulon. A Richmond player then offended by not playing the ball, and Delgrosso converted ilie free kici: l'ouEOiiUy, 2; lUchinond, 0. Play hovered not a yard from Poneonbys line for nve minutes, where a half-dozen scrums ensued. Great -efforts by the Richmond forwards were made, but luck was against them, and Godiey removed all danger by a long line kick. Littlewood followed up, and, gaining the ball, he endeavoured to scramble over on the corner. He passed across to Ward, but thla player gave a puss right across the neld, a pass that l>elgrosso was unable to accept. Hanlon, the Richmond fullbuck, cleared well, but the relief was only temporary, for Delsrosso gathered up, and essayed v solo run. Pretty passing between Delgrosso, Donovan, and McCly'niont saw Richmond's line in danger, but a free provided a way out. ilcClymont then showed up prominently, and, dashing up along the line, he transferred across to Ward, who scored. Delgrosso's kick did not succeed. Ponsonby, 5; Richmond, 0. :■■' McLean made a good run, and passed Tthe ball to Hylond, but Littlewood inter"cepted the little effort. When in Ponsonby's territory, Richmond we.c conceded ia free, and *• Butler took the kick, but failed. A minute aftei/vards Kiulunona iad the oiuer eide hard pressed. Butler took the ball down, and, scruinDling over, registered a-good try. Butler failed to add the extra points: Ponsonby 5, Richmond <i. SECOND SPELL. ;:'" Ponsonby started off in a good forward *-rush, Pooley, Walsh and McClymont indulging in some passing. McClymont missed, but -later recovered the ball and kicked over ■'the line. A useful kick occasionally gave TRichtnond relief, but Ponsonby were «oon Lack. From the ruck Littlewood pi iked Tip smartly and dashed over to score. -Delgrosso missed a difficult shot. Ponsonby ■8,- Uichmond 3. lUchm'ond were attacking when a free kick gure Delgrosso a chance to again send the ball into Richmond's Another free kick was awarded Ponsonby, and in front of Klchmond's posts Delgrosso had a pot. The ball •rebounded off Lunn, and, regaining it, Del,grosso passed, to Godiey, who tried to cross «the line neai: the corner. Richmond then Removed the game to Ponsonby's quarter, •avhere Avery nearly succeeded- Norman -relieved the pressure, and Littlewood, following up fast, dribbled down and then

raced for possession. Shirley then secured and ran around the back of the pack to Score. McClymont did not convert. Pon-

-;Sonby 11, Richmond 3. Richmond' then "cßSrged down upon their opponents, and a Sice piece of passing followed. Whittington passed over to Hing, then McMillan received it and gave to Redwood, who managed to set through to score a fine try. The try went unconverted. Ponsonby 11, Richmond 6. Richmond played up better, and were determined to notch another try. ' Little caCme through well on his own,' and :on being tackled he passed to wing From , a. scrum Walsh . secured, and sent the bail :to I Lowry, -who set up a passing bout. Eonsonby -were soon pulled up, however, ! Hanlon sending a long ticf which went ; out on the Ponies' twenty-five. Littlewood, Godley and Delgrosso swooped down ■on Richmond, a certain try by the latter failing when he was pushed out. flmo -was then called ■with'the scores:— Ponsonby ................... II Richmond .................. {}' Mr. L. Bull -was the referee.

CITY V. ATHLETICS. City at once attacked and a fine run down the line by G. Davidson saw him compelled •1° Jr ck » whGn bein X crowded on the line. In the dash for the ball, McGresor was first 1 and forced. The. reds continned to be ■ aggressive, and failure to play the ball by Dutty, saw Crewtner make an unsuccessful shot. City was still attacking, when Yardley brought relief with a useful kick. However, the pressure was soon on again, and nice passing between the City backsended H-hen B. Davidson failed to accept a pass from Bass. G. Davidson stepped in and dribbled over the line for Cox to force. McDonald and Townsend next threatened a score, but once more Athletics were fortunate enough to force, the third time within a_few minutes. A long kick by Dufty saw I Herring follow tip fast and make Crewthcr run back with the ball. From the ensuine scrum. Athletics were awarded a free, and Dufty had an easy shot almost in front of the goal. To the surprise of everyone, he i failed with the shot. The ground was bad! but the forwards on both eides were playinc hard. Herring was responsible for a bright breakaway, and then Dufty started a passes btrat, which saw the ball handled by Marly all the Athletic i backs? City then attacked, and CrewS made a dash to score, being downed ■whon almost over. Offside by Athletics much needed relief. B. Davidson then broucht off a fine .try. He got the ball flriiSV 08 n <. ea L llie Quarter-way Pcs and j dnbbled past three of the opposition to S?T c- v,! 0 ™? 4,, " fal,C(l with a difficult' rt I" Clt^3^ thletics °- A not difficult £hot by Dufty went outside posts. arrrred with the scores: City 3,

SECOND SPELL. The second half opened -with a bright passing bout, initiated by Avcry, bat it ended when Dufty essayed too much on Mis own. A long shot at goal by Yardley was fruitless, and then a kick by Bass put Cltv on the attack. Whipping up the leather. Mitchell made i.n opening before transferring to B. Davidson. The latier streaked for the corner, and scored a good try. G. Davidson failed with tlie shot. City 6, Athletic 0. Athletics were making desperate efforts to break down the defence, but the reds were too solid, and the backs too nippy. McDonald and Townsend iouk the play to Athletics' area, but the forwards wore soon back again, and Duftv, getting the ball, made a desperate dash before passing to Te Whata, for the latter to dive over. Dufty's shot failed. City C, Athletics 3. There were etill eleven minuteH to go. and there was plenty nf excitement as the blues attacked like men possessed. Dufty tried to struggle over, but was hold up. and, after hammering away nt the City Hup, the reds momentarily attacked. Herring then broke through with the ball at toe, and, boosting hard, Yardley came to his assistance, and, following the ball over Ihc line, scored. Dufty si'iade a great ultt-mpt to t,'»a), the ball falling short. City 6, Athletic 0. The crowd was now shouting itself hoarse as the blue forwards swooped down on their opponents. A great game ended with the score— City 0 Athletics 6 DEVONPORT V. NEWTON. Dcvonport won by default from Newton, the latter team failing to muk? ar. appearance. MANGERE V. ELLERSLIE. This match was played at the Mnnuknu. and resulted in a win for flange re by IS points to 10.