LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 122, 26 May 1925, Page 9

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

WON ON THE POST. On more than, one occasion las: sens,,.] when they went so close to whining the ri-ii,' championship, ihe Devonport team were beaten in the last minute of more than one match, and so it was on Saturday when after doing most of the atta-king they were beaten in ihe last two minutes when nufiy placed a penalty goal for Athletic. A week previously the men from the North Shore had given a .-hocking exhibition against Ponsonhy. so had. iii fact, thai ii was generally admitted the form was too bad- to be accepted us true. The side fielded against Athletics was strengthened considerably, and with B. Lalhg in his usual place nt five-eighwfis a belter game, was expected. In addition to the Dcvnvpori team being stronger than the week previous Athletic were not nearly al full slrength. several of their stars being absent. That they should heal Devonport- was a good performance under the circumstances even admitting the run of play favoured Devon port. particularly in the second half. Athletic scored twice early in the game and the spectators began' to fear that another score like rh.it registered by Ponsonby was going to go down against Devonport. But it w-as not In he and after the hjacks had evened ihe score and the game- stood six nil. the public had served up a game which overflowed wifli thrills. With a determination to do or die Ihe Devonport forwards played with a dash that had the Athletic defence well tested, but it could lot be penetrated, aud. as remarked above, a penalty goal to Athletic ln the last two minutes gave them a win. They had to battle hard for it. It is generally conceded that Dcvuuport were a tritle unlucky.

Jones, at full-back, was quite good for Athletic, bringing off several very fine saves. The backs were for the greater portion of the game busy defending, and in this department they all tackled well. The best of the backs was probably WilsonHall, who is showing tine form. In the forwards Herring and Webb were always working bard.

For Devonport the forwards all played solid games, Scott and Dixon being easily the best on tho field. Di.xon has been seen ln two games at Carlaw I'ark this season and is already voted one of the star forwards playing League. It will he hard to leave him out of tbe New Zealand team when the latter is being chosen lo tour Australia. Though B. Laing was included In the Devonport team it cannot be said he played a good game, and he consistently spoiled promising movements by standing still and holding on to the ball instead of giving his other backs a chance to do something. Webb played a hard game, and little fault could he found with Julian Godich and Rutland. They would have done even better had the ball been sent along their way more often by Laing.

It was very decent of the Athletic team on Saturday to remain on the ground ar. half-time instead of spending the interval in the dressing sbed. The example is one that should.,be followed hy all teams, and no doubt would be, if tbe players knew- how much it was appreciated by the public.

What should he one of the greatest club matches this season is down for Satnrd.lv when Marist Bros, and City meet on No. i ground at Carlaw Park. To date each holds an unbeaten certificate and it may be taken for granted that nothing will 'he left to chance on Saturday. Given a fine day there should be a record crowd present.

MARISTS V. NEWTON. Despite the state of the ground and the ball it was quite a good game between Marists- and Xewton on the Domain on Saturday. Judging by the score IS—O, one would be inclined to think that Marists had a runaway victory. This was not so, as on several occasions Newton were on the point of scoring. They were without the services of their regular booker Somers, and O'Donnell another forward. These circumstances evidently made a difference to Newton hacks getting the ball. A new man, J. Lawson, of Tauranga, made his first appearance for Newton aud shaped well.

Marists have a great team and more will be heard uf them before tbe season is out. in Pope Gregory they have a splendid full-back. He never made a mistake on Saturday, and was always there when wanted. Hargreaves, of Newton, also p l ' l red a great game. The meeting between Marists and City on Saturday should be a good game to watch. STILL UNBEATEN. City retained their unbeaten certificate for tbe season when they accounted for Richmond by 17 points to nil. Though beaten comfortably, the Richmond men put up a. sturdy fight In the first half of tbe game, and when the Interval arrived there was no score. However, tbe second spell saw n big change, and the City hooker getting the ball out of the scrums, the backs were set- in motion, and they soon hail their opponents in trouble. Tries came quickly and the 17 points were rattled up in. fine, style. Brown was the best back on the ground, and his speed and smart cutting in had the Richmond defence badly beaten. Ruby was also good. Of the forwards. Hawkes and McDonald were always working hard. On the Richmond side, Redwood. Avery and Kettlewell were always prominent in the forwards: Ilyland showed his usual good form behind ihe pack: and Hing. in the three-quarter line, did some sound work. Hanlon. full-back, had a busy afternoon in the second half, but he got through his part well.