B SECTION SENIORS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 108, 10 May 1927, Page 14

B SECTION SENIORS.

ELLERSLIE'S NARROW WIN,

In the senior B grade Ellerslie met and defeated Parnell on the Ellerslie ground on Saturday. It was a bright and interesting game as the score, 6—5 in the home team's favour, indicated. In the first spell Parnell showed to advantage, and at first it appeared that the

black and whites would have an easy victory. However, after lemon time the Ellerslie thirteen improved wonderfully, and not long after resuming they had registered six points, Shand and R. Johnson notching a try each. The Parnell backs defended solidly and nullified a series of excursions by the Ellerslie forwards, while a few minutes before the finish Lawrence scored for Parnell and Perry converted the try. Both sides were evenly matched, and after a few more games their combination should improve. The passing by the Ellerelie backs was erratic at times, but the hard working forwards made up for this deficiency. The same could be said of the Parnell backs. Roxbrough was a little weak at fullback for Ellerslie. Littlewood, the crack three-

quarter who played for Ponsonby last year, and who recently secured a transfer to join the -Ellerslie team, played on Saturday. He lacked his old time dash and briliiancy, but with more training he will do better. Ellerslie has secured the services of another senior player, R. Crewther, who will be remembered for his work in the City team last year. "Bob" did not play on Saturday, on the advice of his doctor. His left shoulder is still weak. However, he hopes to be able to play for Ellerslie later on in the season. The two Johnson brothers were Ellerslie's best players on Saturday. Shand, Page and Cainper also did well. For Parnell, Kerr, in the fullback position, gave a good exhibition. Perry, Lawrence and PattoH were the best of the backs. Ritchie, the halfback, worked hard. In the forward division Ghent, Brocklios, Smith and Clarke showed up best.

Quite a lot of local interest centred around the match between Otahuhu and Point Chevalier at Mangere. For the opening game of the season the fair number of spectators present were treated to quite a good exhibition of senior B League.

By no means brilliant, the game was fast and vigorous—too vigorous in fact at times. Neither side showed up well in combined bouts, and both teams were guilty of much needless boosting, and a lot of wild passing. Consequently, at times the game was rather ragged. Otahuhu's win by twelve points to six v s thoroughly deserved. They practically dominated the game all the second haif. Point Chevalier put up a good

showing in the first spell, and led by sit points to five up till half time. It «ai the good kicking of Monaghan thi* placed them ahead. < "•huhu's team wort was superior to tha; ' Point Chevalier and that probably accounts for their win*The Otahuhu forwards all worked barf, being well supported by Hart and. Kirkland in the backs. Phillips distinguished himself by his excellent goal kicking. For Point Chevalier, McPhersoa caught the spectator's eye as being the best forward, and Humphries proved himself a nippy little half-back. The game between Xorthcote aod Mangere was quite full of interest, when it is considered that it was the first game of the season. Northcote appeared to have a little the better of the game in both spells, although Mangere showed improvement after the interval. On the Xorthcote side, May played 4 very safe game at full back, saving hfc eide on many occasions. K. Nathan gave a very promising display at five* eighth, scoring all Nbrthcote's points. This was his first game at the League code, as he was formerly a member of " the St. John's Collese Rugby team ni Christchurch. Pennycook was about the best of the forwards, although he is inclined to be a little too much offside. For Mangere, Lipscombe and Wilsoa were the l>est backs, although the backs did not have muoh chance to excel owing to failure to get the ball on many occasions. The forwards were all oa about a par. and it would be hard to pick out one for special mention.