LEAGUE GETS GOING.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 99, 29 April 1929, Page 15

LEAGUE GETS GOING.

DAY OF SURPRISES

SHORE IN GREAT FORM.

WINS FOR CITY AM) N FAY TON

Expert;! I ions in League football envies

vero shattered on Saumlay afternoon, when the I!>2!> season was ushered in under ideal conditions—a glint of sunshine, an exhilarating snap in the air and a resilient, arena at Carlaw Park. A big attendance gathered to see the first cup matches of the season and incidentally survey the new crop of stars that has appeared on the League horizon —and they were not disappointed. It was a regular day of surprises, with City and Newton scoring successes over the promoted Kingsland side and Marists respectively. The champagne of the day was provided in the clash between Devonport and Ponsonby. The teams showed a resolve to plav the open game. Occasional flashes of reverse tactics added to the rhythm and speed of the contests. At Kllerslie the home side was defeated by Richmond iu a keen contest. MARISTS GO DOWN. LIGHTER NEWTON TEAM REVEALS GOOD FORM. Newton turned out in trim style for their meeting with Marists on No. 2 ground, and they were two lusty sides on the field. A keen game ended in the suburban team scraping home b.v 21 points to 20 Very little evidence of design in tactics was seen in the opening play. Then Little gathered the ball for Newton, side-stepped Cronin (full back) and J. O'Brien, to score in the corner. Hardgrave was unsuccessful with the kick. Shortly afterwards Little repeated his performance and scored under the posts. Hardgrave added the major points. Newton came again, and Brimble followed through in the ruck, to score a fine try, which Butterwortli did not improve. Marist pack took the initiative, and Jim O'Brien scored. Cronin goaled, and the half-time score stood at: Newton 11, Marist Old Boys 5. Both sides upon resumption indulged in flashes of inter play. At length Marists forwards advanced, and from a melee near the line Graham scored for Bachelor to convert. Newton 11. Marists 10. Bachelor kicked a penalty for Tykes, and Butterworth returned the compliment to put Newton a point up. One of the brightest movements of the game came when Little took the ball off Brisbane, and sailing fast past Purdy, slipped it to Brimble on the tiy. The latter flew across at the corner and Rhodes goaled. Newton 18, Marists 12. Marists attacked. Hall started a great passing rush, and Keane made a good run. His inpass was stopped by Bachelor, but Francis dribbled on to score. Rhodes missed the kick. Duane and Graham scored and Cronin converted for Marists in the fading moments Of the game. Final scores :— Newton 21 Marist Old Boy# 20 Mr. P. Rogers was referee. RICHMOND'S WIN. At Ellerslie, Richmond beat the home side by 22 points to 8. Richmond attacked early, and Colebrook went over near the corner. Jen kin son failed to convert. Ellerslie then set out to reduce the deficit, and offside play by a Richmond forward gave Llttlewood a chance, and he piloted the ball over between the posts. Just before the spell Littlewood put in a brilliant run down the side line, and fending off Mincham, went over near the eorner. Hemingway made a good but unsuccessful attempt to convert. Half-time came with the scores : Ellerslie 8, Richmond 3. Changing over Richmond attacked, and from a passing rush. McKinnon topped the movement by scoring near the corner. Mincham equalised. From a scrum, Hanlon sent on to Coote, who had a clear run in. Mincham missed. Richmond 11, Kllerslie S. Following a melee on Ellerslle's line, McKinnon went over near the post. Hanlon added the trimmings. Richmond 16. Ellerslie 8. Working with perfect precision, the Richmond baeks now began to throw the ball about, and Mincham, cutting in brilliantly, scored under the posts. Hnnlon missed. Picking up the ball from the loose Coote went over under the posts. The bell rang soon after, with the scores at : Richmond 22 Ellerslie 8 Mr. Emerall was referee. CITY SURPRISE. A good early ground attendance greeted City and Kingsland Athletics, who ushered in the official season. Early play was desultory, both sides Indulging in faulty passing until Longville broke through the ruck with a grubber kick. Lawrence could not reach it and Angelo came on the scene to score first blood. The kick missedCity charged down the field supported hy Iveson, who fell on the ball over the line, Barchard failed. Kingsland 3. City 3. Play was very ragged, until, in his twenty-five, Reynolds broke through with a low kick. Lawrence carried on in a great race from half-way against Herring, where Reynolds snapped up and went across under the posts. Barchard converted, and the score at half-time was: City 8, Kingsland 3. There were spectacular and exciting spots In the second half. First Reynolds added a try.and then Cox finalised a flashing run. Barchard converted. City 16. Kingsland 3. Now Kingsland, with varying fortune, stormed the line. List took a pass and shot across as he was tackled. Herring missed. City 16, Kingsland 6. A brilliant Piece of inside back play between Reynolds, Perry, Ivpson and Patnn saw Iveson follow up the advantage and veer in under the posts. Barchard raised the flags, to make the final scores: City 21 Klngsland-Athletic ( > Mr. T. Chernside was referee. SHORE DAZZLE. Ponsonby, who failed to show up in the ■trial games last Saturday, had a leaven Cf new talent in the side thpy tiled out against Devonport to engage in the star attraction of the day. Diminutive Ivan Culpan. son of the Popular secretary of the League, kicked off and the teams went down to a scrum •t halfway. The seasiders attacked, and in a loose melee on the opposition's last line. McCarthney secured and dropped a pass to Coghlan, who wormed his way across. A. Scott added the extra points. When next Shore pressed the ball was ■icked wide to Beattie, who drew the defence nicely before handing on to L. Scott. The Shore greyhound accepted a beautifully timed pass and sailed across wide out. Then Western Suburbs infringed, and Seagar put Devonport further in front With a neat angle shot. Ponsonby were not disheartened, ann stormed Shore's line, where Scholield gathered in from the loose and corkscrewed his way over. Delgrosso raised the flags, making the half-time scores: Devonport 10, Ponsonby r». Even play ensued in the second spel. till Thompson, receiving a quick pass, swung Infield to score wide out. The angle »as too much for Delgrosso. Excitement became intense when Shore Replied with a beautiful passing rush that swept half the length of th* held. Then fceagar made an opening for Beattie. who cut the defence to shreds, and raced for twenty-five yards to score between the Posts. A. Scott goaled. Just on time Shore swept a rush from one end of tbe fi p ld to the Other for Ruby to score. A fcott piloted the ball over and the final •tores were :—• Devonport Ponsonby Mr. L. Bull was referee. SENIOR B GRADE. Tt. Chevalier 11. beat Painell 10.

GAMES IN PROVINCE. WHANGAKEI. n f;", ao tho Mornn Cup. played at .n' 0 ' iHkuniugi defeated Kaino by points to 5. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. CHRISTCHURCH. Hornb.v 2(i. beat Marist 13 Sydenham 31 boat Wnolston 5. 10, beat Waimairi 2. DUN ED IN. «_*ity 21, boat Kaikorai 0; Christian Bros A .»:j, beat Athletic 12.