LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 169, 20 July 1925, Page 10

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

CLUB COMPETITIONS. SOlfcK EASY WINS. OITY STILL WINNING. MARIST BEAT NEWTON. In beautiful weather and on excellent grounds the club competitions of the Auckland Rugby League were continued on Saturday. The attractions at Carlaw Park were the matches between City and Richmond and Marist Bros, and Newton. Both games were-won by good margins but they were not poor games, and there was always plenty of fast football going. City beat Richmond by 34 points to 22, Richmond making a fine stand till towards the latter stages of play. On Xo. 2 ground Marist Bros, won from Xewton by 2(5 to 6 after a game which was interesting throughout, despite the difference in the scores. There was a fair attendance. At Devonport a good game between Athletic and Devonport was won by the home team by 19 to 10. In the B division Otahuhii beat Xorthcote 15 to 6, and Kingsland and Ellerslie drew, 5 all. CITY V. RICHMOND. Hanlcn set rtin game going and after a couple of minutps' play near the centre Hyland made a dodgy run which was promising and McDonald had a shot without success. Richmond had started well and were keeping up the attack when Hanlon failed with a shot at goal. Nice play by S. Crewther got Brown out of trouble and incidentally put City in Richmond's twentyfive for the first time. Offside by Kettlewell gave Sandham a chance and he made no mistake with the shot. City 2, Richmond 0.

R. Davidson matlG a dash to kink over McDonald's head and was palpably obstructed and from the free awarded G. Davidson short-kicked over the line. One of Richmond's players caught the ball, but before he realised it Mitchell had taken the ball out of .his hands and scored. Sandham goaled. City 7, Richmond 0. Mitchcjl sent a papp to Mackic and the ball was handled in turn by Crewther, Davidson and Wardlaw, the latter, having a clear run ia after Davidson had neatly side-stepped Devon. Sandhain goaled: City 12, Richmond 0. A free to Richmond and Ilanlon opened their account by goaling. City 12, Richmond 2. The score had only been altered when B. Davidson set up an attacking movement which saw Bass send a pass to Mitchell, the latter running between two opponents to score under the bar. Sandham goaled, making City's score 17. Avery and Kettlewell broke away, but were pulled up by Brown. Then Hanlen, following up smartly, beat Brown for the ball and scored. His Rhot failed and the score read: City 17 Richmond 5. Upon resuming, City at once became aggressive, and the ball being cross-kicked B. Davidson was up in a flash to collect and score. Brown failed to gather in the | ball, and Ballantyne secured to go over and score. Hanlen converted. City 20, Rich- j inond 10. Richmond were now playing with a lot more dash than in the first half, but they were not handling the ball well, and preferred to kick. A fine try came when Hackle sent a long pass to Crewther. to B. Davidson, to G. Davidson, the latter sprinting for the corner and bumping an opponent over to score. City 23, Richmond 10. A sparkling movement was started by Wardlaw. He, Crewther, and the Davidson brothers handled in turn for George to score. A minute later the same player registered his third try, and once again the try was not converted. The City backs were playing brilliantly and had the defence badly beaten. The Davidson brothers set sail again, it being Ben's turn to score. Sandham goaled, and the score stood: City-34, Richmond 10. There was Koine hard play on the City line, when failure to play the ball by Ruby, saw Hanlen kick an easy goal, making Richmond's tally 12. With five minutes to go Hanlen scored and Bass converting. City were leading 34 to 17. Though b-saten nichmond kopt going, and just on time Ballantyne scored and Ilanlen converting, the game ended: City 34 Richmond 22 Mr. Bouvaird was referee. ELLERSLIE V. KINGSLAND. A hard, fast, even game aptly describes the match between Kingsland and EllersUe played at Ellerslle on Saturday. There was little to pick and choose from, and the score, 5 all, is a good indication of the play. • Ellerslie was perhaps the more aggressive, but Kingsland was good in defence. Few chances were missed by either team, and the result was in doubt until the final whistle. The game was punctuated by several minor accidents, the ouly serious one being that in which Lindsay (Kingsland) received a fractured shoulder in tho eecond spell. Kllerslie set the game in motion, and immediately took play to Kingsland's territory, but a free 'kick saw the latter bring piny back to centre. From here several good rushes kept Ellerslie on the move, and play was centred in their territory. Ellerslie rallied a bit after this, and a spirited rush saw them carry the ball to centre. A penalty kick here gave Ellerslie a chance, but Shand failed to put the ball over. Ellerslie was attacking, well and losing few chances, but Kingsland's defence was very sound and they hold the opposition in check. Then Herring started a dribbling rush, which ended in G. Sims securing, but he was pushed out in EUerslie's territory. 'From a scrum at centre Cook intercepted a pass and made a great run. He was forced out, but the succeeding play put Kingsland on the defensive, and things looked dangerous until Flower took a mark and relieved. Half-time came with no scores and Ellerslie attacking strenuously. The second spell opened with a rush, ana X Sims, following up well, secured the ball and dashed throuyh the opposition to score. Herring converted. Klngslaud 5, Ellerslie 0. The succeeding rush saw Ellerslie attacking and Grogan. received a good pass and almost got over. A bard tussle ensued on Kingsland's line until a kick relived the position. EUerslie's strenuous efforts at last bore fruit. ■From a scrum on the line Williaraa secured and slipped over to score. Shand converted. Kingsland 5, Ellerslie 5. The game livened up considerably now, and botn teams were playing, hard, the honours l>eing fairly even. From a scramble at ■ centre Ellerslie received a freekick, which took play to Klngsland's line. A tattle royal ensued, but the ■whistle brought the game to an end, the final 6cores being: Kingsland 5 Ellerslie 5 Mr. W. Murray was referee. NEWTON V. MARIST.

Newton kicked off and play settled in the centre. From the scrum Newton hooked the ball, it going from Poison to Hargreaves to Hand. A dangerous rush was spoilt by Brown being ofl'-slclc. From a scramble on' Newton's line Ghent got across.' Ghent missed the kick. Marist 3, Newton 0. A great run was made by Hand, who passed to Clark, but the latter was unlucky in not getting across as lie was pushed out on the line. From nn infringement by . Marist Hand had an unsuccessful shot at goal. Rhodes then retired injured, Rfle taking his place. A nice run by Mansill, McDonald, S. Brown and Clark ended in Clark scrambling over. Mansill did not convert. Marist 3. Newton 3. Off-side play by Poison resulted in Singe having a shot near the half-way line, which he put over. Marist 5, Newton 3. Malloy then had nn xinsuccessful "pot" nt goal. Prom an infringement by Newton in the scrum Singe kicked a beautiful goal. Marist 7. Newton 3. The spell ended with Marist attacking. Marist 7, ' Newton 3. The second spoil opened with an attack by Newton, but nothing resulted. Mansill then started a movement, the ball passing from .Mansill to Stack to Poison and Soinors finished it by srorinjEr in the corner. Hand did not convert. Marist 7. Newton G. From the kick-off Marist 'attacked and Linden scored from a fcnunble ou the line Sin/je did not convert. Marist 10, Newton 0. A. passing movement by the Tykes' backs took piny near Newton's Hn<\ The bull then vent through nJI Marlst's bncks and Kirklaud finished it off by scoring near the corner. Singe missed the shot. Marist. 13, Newtou' 6. Krom n free to Newton Hand cross-kicked and Malloy, full-back for Marist; taking

the ball on the full, dived across to score a nice try. Singe converted. Marist 18, Newton 6. Johnston then broke away and ; with only Hand to beat passed to Loner- \ gan, who scored. Singe converted. Mar- , ist 23, Newton 6. Lonergan then secured | and with only two men to beat passed to j Johnston, who scored under the posts, i Johnston missed an easy shot. Marist 26, j Newton 6. The game ended , without any > further score. , Marist 26 Newton 6 Mr. Saunders was referee. ATHLETIC V. DEVONPORT. j j A spell of even play about half-way took place till Shore had two shots at goal. Following up well Shore opened the scoring by Butland getting over from a scramble in the corner. Devonport 3, Athletics 0. The men of the marine suburb appeared to have tbe advantage of playing on their own ground. Despite this fact, however, Athletic kept their opponents at bay. Athletics first score came through Buffet, wing three-quarter for Shore, being handicapped in taking the ball by a dog crossing the field. Quickly t.iking advantage of this Athletics swooped down nnd 1... Mason scored. Malloy failed with the kick. At Half-time the score was : Athletics 3, Dcvoiiport 3. Shore, playing well together, opened their scoring account at the second spell with a combined effort. Harper received from a return kick and using diplomacy, kicked in fiolrl at (he right moment. Haddon, following up fast secured, and bentirg several Athletic players, scored behind the posts with throo mm hanging on to him. A. Scott made no mistake with the kick. Shore S. Athletic 3. Soon after Greig ; made a great opening and passed to | Douglas. Tbe' latter sent well to Veart who crossed tho line right on the corner. Shorp 11, Athletic 8. From a long I kick by Timmins. McApfcell followed up at top and hustled Shore's full-back. McGregor picked up and thrpw out Jo Wilkip, who had a clear run in. Angelo kicked a good goal. Shore 11, Athletic 8. This reverse put new life into the local men and they opened up the game in great style. Combined efforts were again responsible for a score, A. Scott getting over amidst strong opposition. Shore 14 Athletic 8. Away went Athletic again, running through their opponents in good style. For an infringement Angelo took a free kick and piloted the oval through the uprights and ovpr the bar. Shore 14 Athletic 10. Both sides were now playing strenuous football much to the delight of the big. crowd of spectators. A fine passing rush was witnessed in which all the Shore players took part. It ended in Haddon scoring—St. George goaled. Shore 1!>. Athletic 10. Then a series of scrums resulted and Shore were penned up on their line for some time. Eventually thpy broke away just as the whistle blew with the final scores : Shore in Athletic ..['.'. Ib OTAHUHU V. NORTHCOTE.

The first quarter of an hour was confined chiefly to exchanges of kicks. Then Greening and Cooper took play to the opposition twenty-five, and play brightened up. v Connor made a nice opening and Wilkins, taking the pass well, scored first blood for Northcote. Wilkins failed to convert. The advantage was short-lived, for a brilliant run by Murray beat the opposition, and Kirkland touched down behind the pos':s, cilery converting. Otahuhu 5, Northcctc 3. On resuming, Northcote attacked temporarily, but their forwards were not following up. From a scrum, Eustace fooled the opposition, and scored cleanly behind the posts, Ellery again adding the amior ' points. Otahuhu 10, Northcote 3. Otahuhu continued to attack, but no further score was recorded before half-time. Even play for a quarter of an hour, and then the Northcote backs livened up. Otahuhu relieved, but Northcote kept up the pressure, and Thompson got over. Wilkins failed to convert. Otahuhu 10, Northcote 6. Northcote continued to have slightly the better of tho play, but during a temporary attack by Otahuhn the ball rebounded' from O'Connor, giving Kirkland a clear run through. Ellery converted, and the game finished shortly after with the score— Otahuhu . j5 Northcote '.' '.'.'.'.'. 6 SECOND GRADE. North Shore 35, beat Newton 3 Ponsonby B 12, beat Richmond 3. THIRD GRADE. City 28, beat Parnell 8. FOURTH GRADE. Ponsonby 38, beat Newton 0. Devonport 9, beat Parnell 8. FIFTH GRADE. Ponsonby won by default from Athletes Parnell 11, beat Marist Brothers 2. COUNTRY GAMES. WAIKATO GAMES. On Saturday matches were played at Huntly, Taupiri, and Ngaruawahia, and at al. of these places good games are reported to have been played. On the Tauplrl ground, the local team met Ngaruawahia, and a real hard game was witnessed. The local men should have scored in the early stages, but threw away chances, and in the end the better team won easily by 20 to 8. the better combination telling. Mr. R. T. Hill was referee. Orini journeyed to Huntly, and were beaten there by the local seniors by 28 to 9 i TMs, however, hardly gives a fair idea of the match, for it was fast and spectacular. Mr. A. Harlack was referee. Junior results were:—Hopa Hopa 3, beat iiuntly 0. Colts.—Huatly 20, beat Pukemiro 3: Ngaruawahia -5, beat Taupiri 5.

SOUTHERN MATCHES. WELLINGTON. Petone 0, beat South 2. Hutt 6, beat Newtown 0. City C, beat Rovers 7. CHRISTCHURCH. Hornby 24, beat Marist B 3 Marist A 20, beat Addlngton' 11. DUNEDIN. Athletic 13, beat Christian Bros A 9 City A 45, beat Pacific B 15 Kaitangata 15, beat Christian Bros. B 0 Pacific A 14, beat City B 0.