LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 232, 1 October 1928, Page 13

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

ROOSTER SEMI-FINAL

PONSONBY DEFEAT NEWTON.

POINT CHEVALIER WIN STALLARD

In brilliant sunshine, beneath a blue I canopy, the League programme was 'advanced a further stage on Saturday afternoon, when there were two exciting encounters at Carlaw Park. Playing like men with a mission, the confederacy from Point Chevalier rose to great heights, and, in defeating Athletics, the B grade senior champions of the season, annexed the Stallard Cup. A spectacular field goal at the last moment of play brought the Point team level, and in the extra time they got a penalty goal to seal the issue. Ponsonby defeated Newton by the slender margin of two points in a game which was both drab and colourful in patches, and exciting to a degree in the final stages. The veteran League players*" staged a brief curtainraiser. It was much a case of the flesh being weak .but the spirit willing, yet some of the veterans, in a first hectic five minutes, showed brief glimpses of form which had won them fame in other days.

STALLARD CUP TO PT. CHEVALIER.

The Senior B Grade knock-out competition for the Stallard Cup was decided on Carlaw Park on Saturday, when Grafton Athletics met Point Chevalier in a fast and interesting contest. Ultimately, after extra time had been played, the "Pointers" won by 15 points to 13. Point Chevalier were penalised and Longville opened Athletics' account with a kick from easy range. After a period of give-and-take play, Point Chevalier swept to the attack, and from loose plav McLaren dived across at the corner. The kick failed. A few minutes later Point Chevalier came again and Monaghan scored a runaway try. No goal. Again Point Chevalier set up a siege, and Goodwin kicked a fortuitous goal from wide out. Athletics caught on the run, infringed, and Monaghan kicked a neat goal from midway between the twenty-five and half-way flags. The half-time scores were: Point Chevalier 10 Athletics 2 On resumption Point were penalised and Longville reduced the deficit by two. Athletics, thanks to a brilliant cut in by Lucas, went once more to the attack, when McPherson was penalised for offside plaj-. The kick was entrusted to Longville. who with a fine effort, made the scores: Point Chevalier 10, Athletics 6. Again Point Chevalier were penalised, and Longville, kicking with accuracy, found the uprights. Point Chevalier applied the pressure and McPherson forced his way across. The try was unconverted. Athletics, stirred by this reverse, attacked with determination, an<r McGlaughan scooped up the ball to dive across wide out. Longville could not Improve the position. Just on time, when the time-keeper was waiting for the ball to go dead, Stephenson dropped a field goal and made the scores lewl. Point Chevalier 13, Athletics 13. Extra time was ordered, and In the first five minutes Monoghan put the "Pointers" advantage in from a penalty: Point Chevalier 15 Athletics 13 The game ended without further addition, to the scores afi«r another live minutes had been played.

TWO POINTS' MARGIN.

With the play swinging across the field at centre, T. Peckham stab-kicked into a gap, and Hutt was up in time to gather the ball and swing out wide. He sent a pass too low for Crooks, but Moore connected and tried hard to get Across at the flag. A clearing kick by Dufty rebounded, and there was scrambling play in front of the goal until Payne cleverly scooped the ball and dived across to get the first points. Delgrosso kicked a beautiful goal. Ponsonby 5, Newton 0. It was Newton's turn next. Dufty sent a wide kick to the Ponsonby flank and White. Fagan and Little all battled for possession as the ball crossed the line the Newton man winning by a touch after the bounce had beaten his two opponents. Dufty's shot went under the bar. The midway scores were: Newton 3, Ponsonby 5. A sensational try by Hardgrave put Newton in the lead. There was a set scrum at centre, and when Stevens raked the ball T. Peckham ran to the blind side, sending to Hutt. The next pass saw Ponsonby !n dire straits, Hardgrave intercepting, and rushing away at full speed, with only Delgrosso* ahead. The Ponsonby full-back poised himself deliberately for an effective inswerve, but Hardgrave mixed it with an unexpected leap and got clear of the tackle. Jumping into full pace again, he just got clear of a dive by Crooks, and, amid a storm of cheering from, the red supporters, went across the Ponsonby line. Dufty missed an easy conversion chance. Newton 6, Ponsonby 5. Bright interplay by the Ponsonby backs saw Newton defending hard. T. Peckham got the ball to Hutt, playing off the scrum, and the big Ponsonby forward, although hard tackled, hurled himself across to get a great try, which Delgrosso could not Improve. Ponsonby 8, Newton' 6. Newton were desperately on the defence when the end came, the final incident being a great dash for the line by Hutt. Ponsonby v. 8 Newton 6

JUNIOR RESULTS.

THIRD OPEN. Richmond 34, beat Glen Eden 4. Mount Albert IX, beat Northcote 0. THIRD INTERMEDIATE. Richmond 15, beat Newmarket 10. FOURTH GRADE. Akarana 12, beat Hlkurangi 5. SIXTH GRADE. Marists 6, beat Point Chevalier 2. PRIMARY SCHOOLS. Ellerslie 6, beat Mount Albert 0. ' Newtown 30, beat Papatoetoe 0. Onehnnga Convent 20, beat Mangere 0. Otahuhu B. 11, beat Onehunga B. 0. Otahuhu 30, beat Richmond 3.

JUNIORS FROM NORTH.

Hikurangi Juniors made an appearance at the Park. The team, including also players from Kamo, Oneruhi and Portland, which have now come into the game, opened in good style against Remuera, who showed up a shade better in combined movements, but were beaten in the scrums. The suburban team's right winger made the most of a breakaway, and gathered the ball to score a good try,, converted by Bird. Opening the second half, Remuera found the defence out of position in a loose rush, and, Ormsby crossed for Bird to goal. The tackling of the visitors was effective, and clean, and this nullified the work of the more experienced thirteen. By tireless play Hikurangi took the sting out of the opposition, and the backs indulged in some good passing. Hamilton and another forward scored in succession, the attempts at goal being unfruitful. Remuera 10, Hikurangi 6. The visitors were hammering away when the whistle sounded, with the scores unaltered. The northern side contained several fine players, including Connelly, who featured fine, unsupported runs, and the leftwinger. Mr. Vic. Simpson was referee.

SCHOOLS' CHAMPIONSHIP.

WON BY NEWMARKET. The following table shows the result of the Primary Schools* Rugby League Championship competition:— Pt». Ch. P. W.* L. D. For. Agt. Pts. Newmarket .. 11 10 1 — 169 Iff 20 Otahuhu .... 11 9 1 1 192 28 19 Richmond ... 12 8 3 1 136 46 19 Onehunga Con. 11 5 5 1 107 99 11 Ellerslie .... 12 3 9 — 39 140 6 Papatoetoe ... 11 2 8 1 33 166 5 Hansen .... 13 1 11 — 41 222 2

VETERANS DRAW. The veterans' match between teams led by Albert Asher and S. McClymont respectively ended In a draw, tries being scored by Longbottom and Rae. GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. HUNTLY. In a League football match between Huntly and Hamilton, at Huntly, Huntly won by 46 points to 19.