LEAGUE GAMES.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 164, 12 July 1924, Page 2

LEAGUE GAMES.

j DEVONPORT OUTCLASSED. j MARIST BROS.' DECISIVE WIN. PONSONBY BEAT ATHLETICS. A crowd estimated to be in the vicinity of 10,000 patronised Carlaw Park in anticipation of witnessing a great game between Devonport, tlie i leaders in the senior grade competition, '• and Marist Bros. And every one of the 10,000 must have gone away disgusted at the poor exhibition of the men from ; across the harbour. The forwards played really well and hard, but the backs let them down badly and made no stand at all against the more powerful and tricky opposition. The first spell and the early stages of the second provided plenty of excitement, but then Marist Bros, demonstrated their superiority and simply played with the Devonport men. Every few minutes the Tykes scored, and with Gardiner kicking goals as though it were a habit the final ' score was 37 points to Marists, while Devonport were still looking for their opponents' line when time was called. ' On No. 2 ground Ponsonhy fielded a pood side and had much the better of the came with Athletics, finally winning iby 15 points to 9.

DEVONPORT V. MARIST. I

The teams were:— Marist Bros. —Gregory. Sweeney, Gardiner, Foes, Brisbane, Stewart, Lang, Nelson, Johnson. O'Brien, Neol, W. Stormont, J. Devonport. — Taylor, Goaick. ITnrper, Webb. B. Laing, A. Seagar. Garrett, Douglas, J. Lalng, Scott, O'Brien, St. George, Veart. The game bad only opened when Tykes wore awarded a penalty almost in front of ealVkick. S Anions kick by Lairg sent the game into Marfsts' half, but Gregory returned. Then W. Stormont broke away and from a free well over quarter way. J. Laing landed a Rood coal. Marists 2. Devonport 0. Taylor, hanging on too long, looked like getting his side in trouble, but Harper whipped up the ball and made a great dash being downed by Gregory. A free, in a good position, saw Laing punt high instead or having a shot and Brisbane forced. It was already apparent that the pace would be ri-ht on and O'Brien (Marists) made a dangerous run before sending on to Stewart. the latter being downed before he bad hardly time to kick the ball. Webb was the next to get Devonport Into trouble by refusing to kick, but a free brought momentary relief Gregory had a shot without success Almost immediately, O'Brien marked, and .T. Lalng made a fine attempt, the ball just going outside the post. Gregory then made a fine run before sending in to Brisbane. The latter transferred to O'Brien, who got rid of the ball for Brisbane to satbr-r up and make a dash, being stopped by Harper a foot from the line. A dropkick by Foss saw Taylor force. Tykes bad been doing practically all the attacking and were getting the ball from the majority of rhanee lost, when Harper missed a pass. Laing attempted a goal for Devonport without success. The Devonport backs were fumbling the ball too much and getting collared time after time. From a scrum J. Lang picked up ana dummying Taylor, dashed across the Devonport line and scored under the posts. Gardiner converted. Mariste 7. Devonport 0. A passing bout between the Tykes' backs, saw Gardiner knock three Shore men over before he was downed. Then Lalng. Webb and Godick were associated in a bright piece pf passing, which sent play into Marists , territor>, and Seacar gained a lot of ground with a useful kick. Tykes were penned nest their own line wheu Douglas got offside, and a little later the same player had the bad luck to knock-on when he was trying to gather the ball and dash over. Up to this stage there was nothing brilliant on the part of the backs, but the forwards were setting a terrific pace. Webb and Laing made a fine run and had tlie greens hard on the defence. Laing made a desperate attempt to thread his way over, but O'Brien broke through with the ball and then the leather was kicked over the line In a race to touch down. Godick was first ii nd forced. Half time was called with the score: Marist Bros J Devonport ° SECOND SPELL. T"pon resuming Marists at once set up an attack, and they gave the blacks a merry few minutes. Stormont almost getting away with a free kick, only being held up on the line by Soager. Then Douglas broke away and streaked down the field, but a fine chauce was lost when he passed forward. The garni , was electric, and the crowd on the tt-rruce shouted themselves hoarse as the forwards played like men possessed. Gardiner essayed to knock the blacks down like skittles, but Scott downed him. Now Tykes wore hammering away, but O'Brien offside and Laing cross-kicking. Seager picked up. dummied Gregory, but when heading for the line was overtaken from behind. A kick by Garrett enabled Tykes to force. Marists had now pulled Stormont out of the pack, and the blacks did likewise with Douglas. A nicely placed kirk by Laing saw the ball go out near Marists , line, but Sweeney broke throuch before sending on to Stormont, and dofiMiee was turned into attack. Offside by O'Brien gave Devonport brief relief, but it was shortlived, because the greens were soon back, and Foss getting possession he dropped a goal from in front of the posts. Mnrists 9, Devonport 0. A movement opened by Stewnrt set the jrreens attacking again. Sweeney got over for Tykes, but was called back, but he had some satisfaction a moment later when he intercepted a pass and ran round to seoro under the pouts. Gardiner converted. Marista 14, Devonport 0. The black forwards were playing a great game, but the backs were letting them down badly. It was now all up with the blacks, and their chance was nil. Gardiner got the ball in his own twenty-five, and badly beat three Devonport men, to score a great try. lie converted his own try. Marist Brothers 10, Devonport 0. The boy on the score board was not getting a minute to himBolf. Brisbane snapped up a long pass and streaked down the field to outpace the opposition and score. Gardiner again goaled. Marists 22, Devonport 0. Hardly had the hoy changed the figures when he had to alter them again, as Foas took the ball from J. Lang and scored. Gardiner goaled again, and Marists' score touched 29. Brisbane scored, and Gardiner added the trimmings, and then J. Stormont had a turn, and the tally went to 37. Time was then called, with the scores: Marist Brothers 37 Devonport 0 ATHLETIC V. PONSONBY. Teams: —■ Athletics: McGregor. Woolley. Yardler. Medley, Dufty, Wilson, Nicholson, fe Whata, Austin, Mason, Webb, Herring Avery. I'onsonby: Gray, Littlewood, Morman, Delgrosso. Donovan. Goodley. McClj-inont, Ward. Lowrio, Pooley, McXeil, Shirley, Moore. Ponsonby kicked off. the ball being returned liy Wooiley. Dufty got possession, and put in a nice run before kicking, but the hull went over the line, and Fonsonb.V forced. An infringement gave Dufty a fell short. Ponsohby forwards then took play downfleld, and a konre appeared likely, when Yardley saved. Ponsouliy were awarded a free, but Delsrosso's kick failed. A few moments later, hoiverer, offside play by Dufty gave Detgrosso another chance, and this time be made no mistake: Ponsonby, :!: Athletics, 0. From a scrum on the halfway line, Clyinont sent his backs away, Littlewood \>eing forced out. Delgrosso and Morman were then seen in a passing bout, and a fine solo run by Goodley put I'onsonby in an attacking position, but a mark by Dufty brought relief. Athletics penetrated enemy territory, and Yardley, who was playing a fine game, came on the scene, to score near the coiner. D-.ifty failed with the kick: Athletics, 3; Ponsonby, 2. Delgrosso got possession, and ran to halfway before transferring to Morman. The last-mentioned player kicked on helm; tackled to McGregor, who sent out for the line. \loGlyiuont, however, took thi kick, and dashed over, to score a try that Delsrosso failed to convert: l'oosjbbj , , 3; Athletics, 3. —-3-

Ponsonby looked like increasing their j lead when McClymont picked np _i AtnI letic's territory, but when he sent out his I pass was missed, and the chance was lost. A "free" to Athletics saw Dufty find the line near halfway. After a period of loose play. Athletics penetrated Ponsonby's : defence, and a bout of passing among the forwards ended with Avery forcing his way across. Mason's kick faUed: Athi letics, 6; Ponsonby, 5. There was _b alteration in the score at half time:— Athletic 6 Ponsonby 5 THE SECOND HALF. On resuming Athletics nt once pressed. ! Woolley secured and beat several opponents before sending on to Dufty. who passed to Mason, and the last-named player dived over, to score a try which was not con- : verted. Athletics 9, Ponsonby 5. i The blue and blacks then rallied, and ' Athletics bad a hot time defending for some ■ minutes. Littlewood was all but over on two occasions, a kick by Wilson eventually easing the situation. Ponsonby came again, but over-eagerness spoiled their chances, Athleticß being awarded a free, which enabled them to clear. A scrum was put down on Athletics' twenty-five, and Webb, coming round too soon, was penalised. Delgrosso took the kick and placed a good goal. Athletics 9, Ponsonby 7. After a spell of even play in neutral territory, the Ponsonby forwards took play | to Athletics line, where Shirley picked up and dnshed over, but lost the ball. Ward, however, was on the scene and touched down. Delgrosso converted. Ponsonby 12, Athletics 9. Spurred on by this success, Ponsonby came again, but offside play by McNeil allowed the yellow and blues to clear. After Ponsonby had had a turn at defence, the blue and black backs swung into action, but a forward pass spoiled the movement. i The dark blues, however, were not to be ' denied, and Morman came into the picture lo score an unconverted try. Ponsonby 15, Athletics 9. The final stages of the game were evenly 'Contested. Goodley and McClymont being responsible for a deal of good work. The scores were unchanged when the final whistle blew. Ponsonby » 15 Athletics S> Mr. Ripley was referee. THIRD GRADE. Richmond 11, beat United Suburbs 0. ! Scorers were : ilcLeod, Barry, and JToung, and Boneham kicked a goal. City IS, beat Parnell 6. Ferrell, Green, Coleman, and Thorburn scored, and Sandham kicked three goals for the winners. FOURTH GRADE. Ponsonby 50, beat Takapuna 0. All members of the team scored. FIFTH GRADE. Ponsonby 21, beat Newton 5. Athletics 14, beat New Lynn 0. SIXTH GRADE A. Richmond 17, beat Marist Old Boys 0. SIXTH GRADE B. Richmond 12, beat Marist Old Boys 0. SOUTHERN MA7 3. Addington. 14. beat Marists A, 10. Marists B, 24, beat Woolston, 12. AUCKLAND V. HAMILTON. On Wednesday next Auckland will be called upon to meet the Hamilton representatives at Carlaw Park, and, as the men from the Waikato are the holders iof the Northern Union Cup, it goes without saying that the standard of League in South Auckland is fairly high. The game will also afford the selectors of the New Zealand team which ■is to meet the Englishmen an oppor- ! tunity of seing the Waikato men in action and considering those with claims to be in the team eho'—;n to oppose the men from the Old Country. THE TEAMS PICKED. The team to represent Auckland against Hamilton on Wednesday at Carlaw Park Is as follows:—Full, Gregory (M.0.8.) ; threequarters, Godick (Devonport), Brisbane (M.0.8.), Littlewood (Ponsonby); fiveeighths, Stewart (M.0.8.), Wilson-Hall (Athletics) ; half, Garrett (Devonport) ; forwards, O'Brien (Devonport), Somers (Newton), Mason (Athletics), McNeU (Ponsonby), Te Whata (Athletics), Shirley (Ponsonby). Emergencies: Backs Paul (Mangere), Tardley (Athletics), and Peebles (Ellerslle) ; forwards, Webb (Athletics), Scott (Devonport). All players unavailable are asked to re- ' .port to Mr. E. Asher, Queen Street, as soon as possible. j The Hamilton team has been picked as ! cfoUows: — Matheson, Castles, Johnson, Beaver, Kent, O'Sullivan, Buckingham, i Hooper, Warren, Courtney, Gray, Knight, ' Christie (2) and S. Clarkln.