ROOPE ROOSTER.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 215, 12 September 1927, Page 12

ROOPE ROOSTER.

SEMI-FINAL GAMES. DEVOXPORT AND RICHMOND WIN. (S'TALLARD CUP TO ELLERSLIE. Amid occasional refreshing spring showers that made things moist and unpleasant, the silver chanticler was further pursued at Carlaw Park on Saturda yafternoon, on an arena that a weepful morning had drenched. With a ball that was as elusive as quicksilver, and a foothold that was precarious, interesting Rugger was played. Devonport's reinforced team completely outplayed Ponsonby, the seasiders' latest dip into the Rugby Union bran tub producing Holmes, a dashing three-quarter and Rugby Union rep. of last season, who was not long.in action before he demonstrated that the best way to the line was by the shortest route. Richmond had all the better of the game wkh Marjst, and in the end ran out winners by a substantial margin. The Stallard Cup match provided the best football of the day, Ellerslie winning the B grade knockout competition by a five-point margin from Kingsland.

DEVONPORT'S TRIUMPH

The game opened at a lively clip, the Devonport forwards breaking through, Langley clearing well. A dash by K. Peckham put Ponsonby on the attack and, from short range, Gardiner missed a conversion chance from a free. Shore came away with a epactular bouit. Prom a wet serum near the left corner Rhodes whipped the ball away cleanly on the open side to Cleaver to Beattle to Holmes, the latter gathering his pass brilliantly and, amid * scene of enthusiasm, sailing across wide out to register his first League score. Devonport 3, Ponsonby 0. From a scrum near the line the Shore pack heeled. Rhodes sending to Cleaver to A. Scott. The latter was tackled by McNeil, the pair collided with a goal post and dropped across together, the Ponsonby man being hurt by the impact. Seagar converted. Devonport 8, Ponsonby o.* Six men In a line the Shore vanguard toed the ball through, Langley. going down heroically to the rush. It was only a temporary hold-up as Seagar made a break, swerved away cleverly and then clapped on speed to shoot across for a spectacular try. Seagar sent the flags up and at half time the score was:— Devonport 13 Ponsonby 0 Brilliant play by Beattle carried Shore further into the lead. Going oil on a lateral line he beat a tangle of converging tacklers in a subtle Change of pace, then swinging an in-pass, which Holmes timed to perfection, to race on and score. It was perfect collaboration, Beattle making the score possible, and Shore's new wing finishing the movement by glorious anticipation and the gift of getting into correct position at the psychological moment. Devonport 16, Ponsonby 0.

Delgxosso, in a good dash, got to the cornea- flag, and . then in a swirl of players Gardiner dived across to score. From out near the side line he landed a magnificent goal, the feat being cheered to the echo. Devonport 16, Ponsontoy 5.

As a mild diversion two players got unfriendly, and a few more joined in. It was mildly exciting while It lasted, but the referee restored peace, and the Bplrit of harniony was resumed. Grey provided a thrill with an all-out burst for the line, but he was flagrantly obstructed as he kicked to follow through, and the crowd. In the belief that a penalty try was to be awarded, cheered vociferously until they discovered that the ruling was a free kick. Near the end in scrambling play L. Scott got across for Shore, and Simmonds landed a nice goal, the final score being:— Devonport 21 Ponsonby 5 STALLARD CUP. Kingsland (maroon) made an incisive thrust a.t the outset on Eileirslie's line, but their attack was repelled. A period of scrambling play followed. Ellerslie (colours) having decidedly the advantage. Clever passing by the Kingsland backs carried the play to the Eilerslie end, but an infringement nullified the advantage. With a sweeping rush the colours attacked, and in the maroons' twenty-five a passing bout opened up, the ball working to the left wing. The movement was reversed, ud Crewther put in an elusive dadh to bear two opponents and score a nice try. The kick failed. Bilerslie 8; Kingsland 0. The maroons came away with a sweeping attack, Flower gathering the ball from a' high kick near the line, and passed in to McManus, who dived across by the posts. Herring added the trimmings. Kingsland, 5; Ellerslie, 3. Crewther started a passing run for Ellerslie, and the inside backs ran hard and straight. A pretty movement in which the chain 'handled, culminated in Grogan securing an unconverted tty. Ellerslie, 6; Kingsland, 5. A fine breakaway by Kingsland saw "Snowy" Simms accept a pass on the right flank, beat an opponent in the corner, and run round behind the posts. Herring goaled. Kingsland, 10; Ellerslie, 6. Both sides were throwing the ball about in great style, and before the spell ended Grogan slipped across from a rush for Ellerslie, making the scores at this stage. Despite a drizzly rain and a slippery foothold both teams played brightly in the second half, and made every effort to open up the game. Piny wus at the corner flag when an exploiting kick was sent across. Hall dashing through to gather the ball and score beside the posts. The kick failed. Except for an occasional foray 1 j the maroons. Ellerslie had the better of the play, and at the end of a loose rush Shand got across. Final; Ellerslie 15 Kingsland 10 TYKES OUTED. Consequent upon the tour of the representative team, juniors figured prominently in the ranks of both Marists and Richmond, when they met on a treacherous playing surface, as the minor attraction at Carlaw Park.

Brisbane sent Tykes away to the attack with a well-judged kick and found the gap immediately following the initial kick. Richmond commenced to combine better, and were persistent in their efforts to cripple the defence. They were eventually rewarded after play had been in progress for fifteen minutes by King being penalised for failing to play the ball correctly, and Taylor placing a beautiful goal. Richmond 2, Marists 0.

Tykes turned defence into attack, bnt Jenkinson, with a fine dribbling effort, carried operations back into green territory. A scrum five yards out saw Davis whip the ball out to Jenkinson, who swung past Brisbane to score in a handy position. Taylor's kick was a beauty. Richmond 7, Marists 0.

I A minute after resumption of hostilities, Turley slipped across from a loose scramble for Richmond, and Taylor added the minor points. When next Marists' had battled their way into an attacking position. Noble and Graham came within an ace of scoring, and Brisbane made an opening for Drew. The winger, however, dropped the ball, and three sure points. Richmond forwards rushed play'to the opposite end of the field, where Jenkinson secured from the loose and wriggled his way across for his second try of the match. Taylor kicked a poster, and the final scores read:—

Richmond 15 Marists 0

GRADE RESULTS.

THIRD INTERMEDIATE, Richmond 16, beat Kingsland 3.

FIFTH GRADE. City 0, drew with Akarana 0. Richmond 2, beat Northcote 0.

SIXTH GRADE. Richmond A 5, beat Point Chevalier 0,

AUCKLAND TOURISTS

WIN" AT CHRISTCHURCH.

(By Telegraph—Own Correspondent.)

CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday

Auckland off against the wind, and attacked strongly, and Canterbury had to force. Dufty was unsuccessful with a shot at goal. Canterbury then attacked hotly. Dufty fielded the ball and let it out to Wetherill, who centred, and Payne scored. Dufty converted.

Then Burns scored arter a Canterbury rush. Soon after Burns passed to Robins, who had a clear run in, G. Blazey converting. A brilliant passing rush by Auckland ended in Payne scoring. Dufty failed with the kick.

Passing by Hutt, Dixon, and Webb ended in Webb scoring. Dufty's kick failed.

From scrambling play on the Auckland lino Vivian dived over. Blazey failed to convert.

On resuming Canterbury attacked strongly. Auckland retaliated and List shook himself free from a tackle and scored. Dufty goaled. Auckland attacked again and after two determined assaults, Hutt crossed at the corner. Duftjr's kick, failed. An exchange of passing among the backs and forwards ended in Clarke getting over. Dufty converted. The game with play in midfield. Auckland 24 Canterbury 13 CANTERBURY BEATEN BY OTAGO. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, Saturday. The League match between Canterbury and Otago was played on the Caledonian Ground under favourable conditions, and bright play resulted. Both sides fielded fast backs and enterprising forwards, although lack of finish spoiled many promising movements. Smith kicked a penalty goal for Canterbury, and H. Pearce scored a pretty try. Eclchoff kicked a penalty goal for Otago, and at h If-time the score was: Canterbury, 5; Otago, 2. Oliver put in a brilliant run for Otago early in the second half, scoring at the ■ corner. The kick was too difficult' for Sullivan. Oliver repeated. the performance a few minutes later. Sullivan again failed with the kick. Otago, 8; Canterbury, 5. Eckhoff brought Otago's score up to 10 with' a penalty goal, and the game ended Otago 10 Canterbury . 5