LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 237, 6 October 1924, Page 11

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

ROOPE ROOSTER. PEVONPORT'S TURN. i ANOTHER GREAT GAME. | WOK IN FINAL TWO MINUTES. WINS FOR CITY, PONSONBY,. AND j ATHLETIC. In view of the last-minute win of Marist Brothers over Devonport a week ago, it ■was"iiot surprising that the third tneeting,°f tlipse teams within a month should again draw a big crowd to Carlaw Park. The weather conditions were far from favourable, the heavy rain on Saturday morning making the playing area very sloppy, anrl with rain falling throughout tbe afternoon, matters were generally unjjleapant for lioth players and spectators. It was another brilliant contest, Msirist Brother* having a. shade the better of the play in the opening half: but in the last half-hour Devonport had most to say. City and Newton fought in the mud on No. 2 ground at Carlaw Park, and a jrowi close contest resulted, City winning by 17 points to S. City did not have matters all their own way. the losers putting up a game right throughout. The first matoh on No. 2 ground was played by Athletic and Richmond. The former pave a good exhibition, despite the sloppy nature of the ground, an.l easily defeated Richmond by 21 points to 2.' MARISTS V. DEVONPORT. It was appnrent at the outset that the two rivals were not. to lose fliiy tinio on the trip and they set out to clap the pace right on. Gregory, W. Stormont and O'Brien set up the first attack for Marists. and Godlck. be:ng grassed with the ball, the greens were-attacking till offside saw Laing get in a useful line trick. Both packs were putting in a lot of vim. and Gregory was fielding the ball In great style. A breakaway by St. Georgfi set Devonport attacking and scrummed in Irout of the Tykes" goal, saw a frre nwarded against Nell for obstruction. Laing made no mistake and Devonport led 2—o. It was the first time the blacks had got anywhere near their opponents' line. The backs on liotb sides were playing fairly close up to the forwards and very little opportunity wae being given to throw the ball about. Tykes were hooking the hall, but It was so wet Hint, it was impossible io handle it with any degree of accuracy. A strong attack by Marists had Devonport in trouble and Spagar. missing a kick, the ball fell for O'Brien to snap up and dive over the line to great cheering, tiregory tnnde a fine attempt to goal and the score read: Maristg 3. Devonport 2. Play continued hard till lialf-time arrived with the scores unaltered. Upon resuming J. Stormont and Brisbane put the sreens on the attack, and a shot by Gregory saw the blacks compelled to force. Again the greens began hooking the liall, and W. Stormont Sanded the ball to brother ".T.," the latter crossing the line, lint he was called back for a forward pass. The same player a few seconds later had another zood chance, but this time his pass from Brisbane was forward. Steady rain did cot make the conditions any better, end, with a quarter of an hour to go, Devonport set np an attack that had the crowd shouting themselves almost hoarse. They battered away at the Tykes' defence, bnt no' effort could break through, and for * second Stormont gave relief. Devonport were doing everything but getting over the line. With only two minutes to go, it looked as though the fates were against Devonport. However, just when everyone ■H-ae ready to tell a hard luck story the ball •went from Webb to Seagar, to Godick. The latter missed the pass, but kicked across the field, nnd Harper dribbled along and OTer the line to score. The cheering was almost deafening. Scott , failed with the kick, and a minnte later the bell rang, bringing to a close a great game. Devonport 5, Marist Brothers 3. Mr. Bull' was referee. PONSONBY V. MANGERE. Maagere fielded a man short. Ponsonby set up the first attack but after some light play on Mangere'g line relief came in the form of a free-kick. The Ponies were soon back attacking, but the wet ground made it difficult to work with any degree of accuracy and a good scoring chance was gone when McNeil failed to gather a pass. A moment'Jater the ball was sent to Grey and from a good position he potted a goal. Ponionby 2. Mangere 0. A bright piece of passing between the Mangere backs saw a certain try lost when Wilson dropped a long pass. From some loose play well inside Mangere'e half Itiley scooped the ball up and ran across to score., Grey missed a not-difflcult shot end Poneonby led s—o. Donovan was unlucky in not scoring a moment later, he miseing the touch dtwn. The play,was not brilliant, but was interesting and Marshall smothered a kick by Donovan near half-way and gathering up the ball he streaked for the PonSonby line and just managed to get there before being overtaken. An easy try was converted and the score was 5 all. Mangere B, Ponsonb.v R. A ecrum followed the opening of tho second spell and Walsh whipped -the ball but to Llttlewood, who went over to (core an unconverted try. and once more Ponsonb.v led B—3. Heavy rain was now falling and it was next to impossible for the players to" handle the ball. Ponsonby's score was further added to when Walsh sent the ball to Shirley, the latter beating two opponents and scoring a good try whicb Donovan failed to convert. The Ponies were having all the best of tlie game and Pooley was almost over. Mangere were being outplayed and handling between Walsh. Donovan and Riley mw the latter score near the posts. Littlewood added .the minor points, making tne icores: Ponsonby 16, Mangere 5. Wood lelgh wan next to get a try. which Shirley converted, and then Woodleich added another try, time being called with the scores —Ponsonby 24, Mangere 5. Mr. Minchlm was referee. CITY V. NEWTON. Newton set the game going, and forced City back, but I*. Brown secured and punted down midfleld. City followed up fast, Crewther picking up and handing to Kuby, who then put the leather over to B. Davidson, who got over. Crewther's kick failed. City 3, Newton 0. Attacking with plenty of dash the red and whites forced their way towards City's end, Hargreaves end Callaghan passing to each other. When confronted by Ruby, Hargreaves dribbled the ball o\-er the line, and ran on to score. Mansil did not convert. City 3, Newton 3. City immediately set up an attack that looked dangerous, Purdy and Hawkes showing up prominently. Ruby the.n came through, gathered up the ball, and essayed a solo run, but he was well stopped by Watson. Newton were then penalised for obstruction, and Crewtb ■ missed an easy shot at goal. However, City soon made amends for missing this ■hot. The forwards and backs formed up in a line, in a passing bout the ball going acres the field to G. Davidson, who sent It along to RuDy. Ruby bullocked his way through and registered on the corner. G. Davidson failed to convert. City C, Newton 8. B. Davidson broke away in a "dribbling rosh, the ball going out to the -wing tnree-qnarter. Brown, who failed to get over. From a free kick. Bnss sent the ball high up, and Hawkes followed up, secured possession and crossed the line. G. Davidson was unable to convert. City 9 Newton 3. * Play was resumed with a britht dribWins rush by the Newton forwards bnt nothing resulted. Ruby end Thomas made an excursion Into Newton's half, but Mansil intercepted a pass, and ran down the centre of the field. Hargreaves was handy and took a fine pass from Mansil, scoring a brilliant try near the posts. Mansil added the extra points: City, 9; Newton 8 With only a point difference, both teams played up. and the game became exciting. Thomas, Mackie, Carglll, and Bass then broke away in a passing bout, which Callaghan etopped. Ruby afterwards got the ball from Crewther, and caused Newton to force. From a serum on the line. Cargill booked the ball, and tranßferred to Purdy, who ran over. The kick by G. Davidson did not succeed. TBomas anil Crewther went np together, the latter *hort-punting. L. Brown saw an opportunity, and. rushing up. dived on the ball. Baas piloted the ball over the crossbar: City 37, Newton 8. ti\p same, . ,_

ATBXETIC V. RICHMOND. .

A fair game "was witnessed on No ~ ground at Carlaw Park at 1.45 p.m., between Athletic and Richmond. The ground was practically under water after this morning's heavy downpour, and both sides found it difficult to handle the greasy hail. I'lay was up and down the field during the whole of the game. A few minutes after commencing, when Richinoud were attacking in Athlotie's quarter, King ilropkicked a fine goal. Dufty then made a fine dash on his own. and got rid or Ihe ball when on Richmond's twenty-rive line. Hcdley followed up. and beat two Richmond players in the rare for the ball over the line. Dnfty succeeded with the kick. Richmond continued to attack, aud kept the other side defending for some lime, but Diifty's excellent line-kicking repeatedly saved his side. At half-time the scores were:—Athletic 5, Richmond 2. Flay in the second spell was equally as fast. From a scrum well down in Richmond's territory, Yardley got possession, and scrambled over on the corner. Duftv converted. Then Avery added another try not lons afterwards, but Durty railed from an easy position. Richmond made great efforts to increase tbeir small score, but the Athletic backs were too good, and each time the strong attacks were nullified. Webb and Herring registered tries for At.hletir iv the second half, the last two being converted by Dufty. The game ended: Athletic 21, Richmond 2. Mr. Rogers was the referee. TEAM AGAINST SOUTH AUCKLAND. The League team picked to represent Auckland against Sonth Auckland, to be played at Carlaw Park next Wednesday, is as follows :— Full.—Dufty (Athletic, Three-quarters.—B. Davidson (City), Delgrosso (Ponsonby), Brisbane (Marist Brothers). Five-eighths.—Wctherill (City) and B. Laing (Devonport). Half-back.—Poison (Newton). Forwards.—W. Stormont (Marist Brothers), Lowry (Ponsonby), Herring (Athletic), Douglas (Devonport), Avery (Athletic). Bass (City). Emergencies.—Backs: Gregory (Marist Rrothers), Webb (Devonport l, Malloy (Marist Brothers. Forwards: Scott (Dnvonprt), O'Brien (Slarist Bros.). OTAGO V. CANTERBURY. A CLOSE GAME. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) DCNEDIN, Saturday. Some weeks ago a team representing the newly-formed Otago League played Canterbury, inflicting defeat by 10 to 14. At the Caledonian Groumis to-day the provinces asain tried conclusions. Long and heavy rain had made the ground heavy and sodden, Vmt in spite of bad weather the crowd was quite large. The first spell was surprisingly fast, considering the eoft ground. Otago forwards proved superior, but the team's handling was not so good as that of Canterbury. It was some time before Gilroy (Canterbury), receiving from Saunders, ran over and scored a good try. The visitors' score was further increased when Vivian, with a solo effort, got over. Later Cameron (Otago) got over after tight work near the line. Xone of the goal kicks was successful. At halt time the score was Canterbury 6, Otago 3. In the eecond spell Otago soon equalised, Williams dashing over. Towards the end Faunders goaled from a free kick. Later still Thomas, after a quick piece of play [among the backs, gave Otago the lead, the I final score being: Otago 9, Canterbury 8. THIRD GRADE. —— City 18, beat Athletics 8. This was the knock-out competition final. For the winners tries were scored by Carroll, Thorbrun, S. Ftirrell, and B. Farrell. Sandham kicked three goals.