LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 165, 14 July 1924, Page 8

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

DEVONPORT OUTCLASSED. 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, the leaders in the senior grade competition, and Marist Bros. And every one of the 10,000 must have gone away disappointed at the poor exhibition of the men from across the harbour. Tho forwards played really well and hard, but the backs let them down badly and made no stand at ali 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 Ponsonby fielded a _ood side and had much the better of the game with Athletics, finally winning by 1- points to 9. DEVONPORT V. MARIST. The game had only opened when Tykes were awarded a penalty almost in frout of Devonporfs goal, but Gardner missed an easy kick. A long kick by Laing scut the game iuto Marists' half, hut Gregory returned. Then W. Stormont broKe away and from a free well over quarter way, J. Laing landed a good goal. Marists 2. Devonport 0. Tykes had been doing practically all the attacking, and were potting the ball from the majority o£ scrums. A breakaway hy Garrett saw a chance 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 Ecrnm J. Lang picked up and dummying Taylor, dashed across the Devonport lino and scored under the posts. Gardiner converted. Marists 7. Devonport U. A passing bout botw.'en the Tykes' backs, saw Gardiner knock three Shore men over before he was downed. Then Laing, Webb and Godick were associated in a bright piece of passing, which sent play into Marists' territory, and Seagar gained a lot of ground with a useful kick. Tykes were penned next their own line ivhra Douglas got offside, and a little later the same player had the bad luck tfi knock-on when he was trying to gather the ball and dash over. Up to this stage there was nothing brilliant on tbe part of tbe hacks, but the forwards were setting a terrific pace. Webb aud Laing made a fine rua and had the greens hard on the defence. I.alng made a desperate attempt to thread his way over, but O'Brien broke through with the ball nnd then the leather was kicked over the line. In v race to touch down, Godick was Hrst and forced. Half time was called with the score: Marist Pros 7 Devonport 0 SECOND SPELL. Upon 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 heine held up on the line by Soager. 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. Marlrts !», Devonport 0. A movement opened by Stewart set the greens attacking again. Sweeney got over for Tykes, but was called back, but he had soma satisfaction a moment later when he intercepted a pass and ran round to score under the posts. Gardiner converted. Marists 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 hall in his own twenty-five, and badly beat three Devonport men, to ueore a great try. He converted his own try. Marist Brothers 19, Devonport 0. The boy on the score board was not getting a minute to himself. Brisbane snapped up a long pass and streaked down tho Held to outpace the opposition and score. Gardiner again goaled. Marists 22, Devonport 0. Hardly had the boy changed the figures when he hud to niter them again, as Foss took the ball from J. Lang aud scored. Gardiner goaled again, and Marists' score touched _9. Brisbane scored, and Gardiner added the trimmings, and then J. Stormont had a turn, nnd tho tally went to 37. Time was then called, with the scores: Marist Brothers 37 Devonport 0 ATHLETIC V. PONSONBY. Ponsonhy kicked off. the ball being returned by Woolley. Dufty got possession, and put iv a nice run before kicking, but the bail went over the line, and Tonsonby forced. A few moments later, however, offside play by Dufty gave Delgrosso another chance, and this time he made no mistake: Ponsonby, _; Athletics, 0. Athletics penetrated enemy territory, and Yardley, who was playing a fine game, came on the scene, to score near the corner. Dufty 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 being tackled to McGresor, who sent out for the line. McClyinont, however, took the kick, and dashed over, to score a try that Delgrosso failed to convert: Pousouby, 5; Athletics, 3.

After a period of loose play, Athletics penetrated Ponsonby "s defence, und a bout of passing among the forwards ended with Avery forcing his way across. Mnson's kick failed: Athletics, (i; Ponsonby, 5. There was n_ alteration in the score at half time: — Athletic 6 Ponsonby _ THE SECOND HALF.

On resuming Athletics at once pressed. Wool ley secured and beat several opponents before sending on to Dufty. who passed to Mason, and the last-named player dived over, to score n try which was not converted. Athletics 9. Ponsonby 5.

A scrum was put down* on Athletics' twenty-five, nnd Webb, coming round too soon, was penalised. Delgrosso took the kick and placed a good goal. Athletics 0, Ponsonby 7.

After a spell of even play in neutral territory, the Pons"iby forwards took play to Athletics line, •'here Shirley picked up and dashed over, but lost the ball. Ward, however, was on ihe scene nnd touched down. Delgrosso converted. Ponsonby 12, Athletics 0.

Spurred on hy this success, Ponsonby came again, hut offside play by XfeNei'l 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. The dark blues, however, were not to be denied, and Morman came Into the picture to score an unconverted try. Ponsonby ID, Athletics !).

The final stages of the game were evenly contested. Goodlcy and MeClyniont being responsible for a deal of good work. The scores were unchanged when the final whistle blew.

Ponsonby 15 Athletics 9 Mr. Ripley was referee. 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 of 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 opportunity of seeing the Waikato men in action. THE TEAM PICKED. The team to represent Auckland against Hamilton ou Wednesday at Carlaw Park is as follows:—Full, Gregory (M.0.8.) ; threequarters, Godick (Devonport), Brisbane (M.0.8.), Litilewood (Ponsonby); nveelghths, Stewart (M.0.8.), Wilson-Hall (Athletics) ; half, Garrett (Devonport) ; forwards, O'Brien (Devonport), Somers (Newton), Mason (Athletics), McNeil (Ponsonby), Te Whata (Athletics), Shirley (Ponsonby). Emergencies: backs, Paul (Mangere), Yardley (Athletics), and Peebles (Ellerslie) ; forwards, Webb (Athletics), Scott (Devonport). All players unavailable are asked to report to Mr. E. Asher, Queen Street, as soon as possible.

THIRD GRADE. Richmond 11, beat United Suburbs 0. Scorers were: McLeod, Barry, and Young, and Boneham kicked a goal. City IS, beat Parnell 6. Ferrcll, Green, Coleman, and Thorburn scored, and Sandham kicked three goals for the winners. FOURTH GRADE. Ponsonby 59, beat Takapuna 0. All members of the team scored. FIFTH GRADE. Ponsonby 21, heat Newton v. 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. Parnell 14, beat Athletic 0. SOUTHERN MATCHES. Addineton, 14, beat Marists A, 10. Marists B, 24, beat Woolston, 12.