THE LEAGUE CODE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 127, 31 May 1926, Page 15

THE LEAGUE CODE.

PONSONBY STILL UNBEATEN. EASY WIN FOB CITY. NEWTON'S GOOD STAND. Another big crowd, but not quite so lar CT e aa on other occasions, patronised Carlaw Park on Saturday afternoon. The football shown in the opening spell of the standard, but the pace improved consider-Ponsonby-rlichmond match was not up to ably in the second half, when Ponsonby had just sufficiently the best of the play to win by 10 points to 3. On No. 2 crround Grafton never hiid other than a starter's chance against City, the latter scoring a comfortable victory. At the Domain, Newton iooked like bringing off another surprise, and it was only in the dying stages of the game that Marists secured the winning points. PONSONBY V. RICHMOND. The first real attack came from Richmond when Eass dribbled to within a few yards of the " Ponies" line, where Deilirosso twice relieved the pressure with useful line kicks. Then the blues set going by Riley looked likely as they threw the ball about, but PeckUam missed the pass that might have counted. Richmond were attacking when Goodley Intercepted and made a fine opening for McNeil and Gardiner the latter being downed with only inches to go. So far the play had not produced anything to get the crowd excited and the display of both sides was anything but sparkling. Bass, Redwood and Carroll were always doing their bit for the Richmond pack, while Payne was in the thick of all Ponsonby's movements. Bass, Avery and Davis broke away with ball at toe and, awarded a penalty in front of Ponsonby's goal, the reds looked certain to open the score, but Carroll missed the easiest of shots. Delgrosso retired injured. Peckham. Goodley and Gardiner brought off the best piece of passing so far, Parkes tackling Gardner brilliantly. Fagan came on and the Ponsonby team was rearranged. Redwood almost scored for Richmond and Jenkinson also just failed to cross. Bass and Averj* put in fine work and sent a pass to Hyland, who scored. Parkes failed to convert.

The second half opened little better than the first, but it was apparent Ponsonby realised they would have to wake up if they were to retain their unbeaten certificate. Richmond had three points in their favour, and were determined to keep them, Parkes just missed placing a goal. Then the game livened np and the pace was in earnest. Goodley, Gardiner and Littlewood brought off a bright piece of passing, Gardiner missing the return pass when he had an open field. Ponsonby began to throw the ball about, and a fine try came when Moore, Gardiner. Little, Gardiner and Riley handled in turn for Riley to score between the posts. Peckham goaled. Ponsonby 5, Richmond 3. Payne, playing a great game, had hard luck In not scoring, but he and Hutt, through smart following up notched a try, Hntt scoring. Peckham goaled. Ponsonby 10, Richmond 3. Three times in quick succession Ponsonby had to force, and the game ended: Ponsonby _..._.....-... 10 Richmond „..„„..„...- 3 Mr. Bull refereed. NEWTON V. MAKIST. The spin of the coin favoured Maxist, and the greens chose to play with a strong sun at their backs. Newton immediately Bet up a dashing forward movement, headed by Somers and Stack, with Mansill just in behind giving solid support. Time after time Newton penetrated Marist'a backs, but could not get over. Kirwan relieved the pressure by making a line run along the linej with Cook as his attendant. However, Mansill nullified, and, getting the leather, he wormed his way through the. opposing forwards to pass to Morman. This" player was unlucky in being tackled By ; Gregory when about to cross the line. Several times Newton were awarded free kicks for Maristoffences, and Mansill had four attempts _al goal in quick succession. Then Noble got offside, and Mansill this time made no mis* take, landing a good goal. A couple of minutes later, following a good passing onslaught by Coo*? and""Errwanv Hansen was penalised for tripping, and Mansill got another goal. Newton 4, ilarist0. The following exchanges gave the advantages to the Newton forwards. In fact the whole Newton team played with better combination than the greens, and they were getting the ball from the majority of the scrums. At lemon time the score was unaltered.

On resuming Marist Infused more spirit into their work, still it was far below their usual standard. For some time after the adjournment Newton- had the best of the play, but all of a sudden the Marist forwards livened up and swooped down on Newton in a series of dribbling and passing excursions. Kirwan, Hansen, Cook and Crewther, Marist backs, were conspicuously prominent in some dashing sallies towards Newton's line, but the tackling on the part of Newton was deadly for a long while, and several strong Marist rushes were stopped by Henry, Brown, Clarke, Veitch, and MansilL The game was being taken from one end of the field to the other, and the Newton backs were just as good in the passing work as were Marist. Nicholson'.and Stormont got well away, the later cutting out two men and handing to 'Kirwan, who sent the ball to Hansen. This player fended off well and registered, for Singe to miss the kick. Marist 5, Newton 4.

Marist got their heads aofrn and swept down upon Newton. The crowd cheered lustily as the greens attacked, Clarke obstructed and Singe landed another goal. Morman and Manslll were putting in some hard work along with Clarke, and getting past Marist's forwards they only had Gregory to beat. Clarke threw across to Little, who notched a great try. Newton 9, Marist 7.

Play then became fast and furious, and right on time Gregory booted the leather for a Newton man to receive and fumble. O'Brien Baw the opportunity, rushed in and scored. Singe piloted the ball over the posts. The game was an even one. ana if anything Marist were perhaps a little lucky. Marisc •• !- Xewton - 9 The referee was Mr. Rogers. KINGSLAND V. PARNELL. Kingsland opened, but Parnell confined the game to their opponents' quarter and, after some uneven play, a passing rush saw Brocklis pass to Patton, who sent out to Lineen, who in turn, threw to Foss. The last named got over the line and scored a good try Patton failed to convert. Parnell 3. Kingsland 0. Thereafter Parnell continued to hold the other side back, despite frequent attempts by Kingsland to break away. A kick down eased the position, and McManus passed to Simms, who missed the ball. An Infringement by Bines resulted in Kingsland being awarded a free kick, which was taken by Herring, who put the leather over. Parnell 3, Kingsland 2. Shorty after Fraser (Parnell) was hurt, and Southwell replaced him. With the field opened up, more even play resulted. After a dash up, Foss tried to get across, but was brought down within a few inches of the line. Parnell, however, received a free kick, but Nelson was unsuccessful with his shot at goal. Kingsland then carried the game to centre, and List managed to get away, and fall across the line with two or three men clinging to him. Herring did not convert Parnell, 3. Kingsland 5. Immediately after the commencement of the second half List and Herring combined in a passing rush. This was .followed by a dash for the line by Kingsland forwards from which Atkins managed to score. Herring capped the attempt ParneM-3, Kingsland 10 Almost Immediately after this McCoy got away from centre and after a tine run np, touched down. Railey was not successful with the hick. Parnell 3, Kingsland 13. The Parnell: pack, with Falkener conspicuous, took the game down to near the line* but List, who played well throughout, put in some good work, and executed a zigzag dash. up. Pressure near Parnell's line was relieved when that team was given a free. A scrum followed in Kings land's quarter, from which. Lineen crossed the line. Foss put the ball over. Parnell S, Kingsland 13. A minute later Kingsland retaliated in kind, when Railey scored, sad with a perfect kick, added the trimmings. Parnell 8, Kingsland 18. After some solid play List secured the leather, and, running up near the line, passed to Herring, who got across before his opponents spoilt his attempt. McManus did not .onvert. Kingsland 21, Parnell S. Herrrng followed this with another good try, but Simms' kick went low. Kingsland ..■■■.■■mh 24 Parnell —... ►»•»•• •■••»• ■ Mr. Hill was refere*,