LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 248, 18 October 1924, Page 38 (Supplement)

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

ROOPE ROOSTER FINAL

THE BIRD HAS FLOWX. CITY DEFEAT FONSONBY. AFTER HARD GAME IN MUD. The final of the Roope Rooster competition was played at Oarlaw Park this afternoon between City and J'ousonby, resulting in a great contest in the mud, City defeating the hqlders by six points to five. The game was played in the rain and on a field that was practically under water. Both teams were teams who play the open game and who throw the ball about, but, of course, this afternoon the state of the ground compelled them to indulge in close dribbling work. However at tynee there were bright passing movements i worked by both sides. The game was a willing one throughout, and was a fitting final to such a successful League season. Ponsonby .had the best of the first spell, but in the second half City kept them confined to their own territory, and had the best of the play. The teams were :— City.—S. Crcwthor. Ruby. G. DaTldson, L. Brown, B. Davidson, Wctheriil, Mitchell, Thomas, Sandham. Curglll. Mackic, Hawkee, Bass. Ponsonby.—Grox, Little-wood. Cole, DelKTOsso, Rlley. Donovan, Walsh, Lowry, Dempsey, McNeil, Shirley, Moore. The Stiver Wyandotte. otherwise the Roope Rooster, fluttered for the last time this season at Carlaw Park this afternoon, when the holders. Ponsonby, met their old rivals. City, in tbe match to decide who will hold the Booster until next season. There was a crowd of about 2000 to witness the game, which was faat and exciting throughout, despite the heavy rain aud also the bad state of the playing field. The ground was under water In the middle, and towards the end of the same a veritable sea of mud. Walsh kicked off for Ponsonby, and Ruby immediately securr-d and dashed along the line where Littlewood pushed him out. The City forwards then dribbled down towards Ponsonby'e line, but Cole had a speculator which relieved the pressure. For a breach in the scrum Ponsonby were penalised, and George Davidson had an unsuccessful shot at goal. Wetherill got away, and on being tackled passed to B. Davidson, who found the line well on to the corner flag. Grey nullified a City dribbling rush and punted, but WetheriU accepted and set up a passing bout. He gave to G. Davidson, and this player transferred to Brown, who nearly got over at the corner. A'.tcr having been hemmed in in their own aalf for nt least ten minutes the Pouiea then made an excursion Into City's territory. Waleh obtained from the scrum and threw a long pass to Lowry. The forwards finding it practically impossible to set up a passing bout decided to dribble. This proved successful, and City then bad to defend their home line. saved nicely. A scrum was ordered a few yards from City's line. Waleh, Ponsonby'e nippy half, got possession, and dived over to register a fine try. Delgrosso goaJed. Ponsonby S. City O. Lowry Initiated another dribbling movement, which Brown staved off. A kick by WetherMl was caught on the full by G. Davidson, wno made a run and then passed to Brown. This speedy three-quarter also made a dash, but in short kicking he sent the ball out. At this stage Pooley came on in place of McNeil, who retired with an injured head. Uawkes. Mackie and Ruby showed up In a City passing rush, Hawkee nearly succeeding in crossing the line In the corner. When City were looking dangerous in a strong attack near Ponsonby's line, B. Davidson spoilt by offside play. Both sides took turns at attacking, but at half-time there was no alteration In the store:— Poneonby 3 A, City 0 SECOND SPELL. On resuming, Grey received the leather and long kicked, Brown receiving. He ran up and punted over to the Bide, where Uuby secured and tried to penetrate the I'oueonby backs A scrum ensued on Poueonby's twenty-five, and Walsh sent the ball to Pooley. who want down the field In company with Donovan, who was playing a great game Rlley aud Delgrosso carrted on by a nice piece of passing, but Wrown Intercepted and gained ground for City The forwards had Poneonby hard pressed in thMr corner until Donovan relieved wtth » long kick. The Ponies canie away again with the ball at their feet, Littlewood essaying a. speculator and following up, but Crewtber found the line. Several scrums took place near Poneonby's lino, <1D(1 although City tried hard to get over they were unsuccessful. City were conceded a frpn kick right in front of , Poiisonby's goal, and Sandham endeavoured to convert, but the greasy hall went wide. Brown ngaiu got possession, and daabing through the middle passed in to the backs, who ran up the line. The ball came out to Brown again, but he lost It, and Donovan saved by kicking out. Ponsonby got from the Rcrum. and Rlley picked up, and set both forwards nnd hncke going in a passing bout. However, Cole broke up a bright movement by failing to accept a pass. Donovan dribblpd down until ho met Wetherill. Wctberill gathered up and running round the back proceeded up the line in company with Brown. Eventually the ball went out Jtiat Inside Ponsonby's twenty-five, and Ponsonby were penalised for an infringement in the resultant scrum. Immediately afterwards City were rewarded for their good work, Mackie getting over from a scrum on the linr. Sancjham failed to convert. From the kick oil City's forwards attacked, nnd Mitchell got the ball and passed to B. Davidson. Brown was the npxt to receive, and making a sensational run crossed tlie line in the corner amidst great cheering. Crewther'e kick hit the post. City 6, Ponsonby 5. Handling the ball well, the Ponsonby backs worked their way down into City's quarter, where Lowry and Dempsey both fought hard to get a try. Wetherill was responsible for enabling City to withdraw from a dangerous situation, and Carglll booted well upfleld. B. Davidson made a fine run after the ball, but Grey beat him and sent the ball out at the halfway line. With only ten minutes to go Ponsonby were making herculean efforts to notch another try, and mattere became interesting and exciting. Walsh, Donovan and Rlley made a spirited dash down the centre, but Mitchell stepped in and saved by kicking along the ground. Ponsonby were being kept In their own half and found it difficult to make any headway. Delgrosso cleared and the forwards followed up fast, but once again City returned. Ruby nearly getting over In the corner. When the ball went out the bell rang, leaving City winners of the Roope Rooster for 1924 with the score : City 6 Ponsonby 5 Mr. L. Bull was the referee. SECOND GRADE. Knock-out Competition.—Kingsland won the second-grade competition, beating Otahuhu by 6 points to 3.