LEAGUE LEADERS DRAW.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 136, 11 June 1929, Page 15

LEAGUE LEADERS DRAW.

SATURDAY'S SURPRISE.

COMMENT ON THE MATCHES.

IMPROVING MARISTS

ECLIPSE OF CITY,

Devonport lmvc comic tlirough the first round of the League chainpioiisliip with au undefeated record, though they were singularly lucky on Saturday to make a draw of their initial brush with jtfarists. For all their consistency, the seasiders are not in an absolutely commanding ]>osition. Indeed the competition is i" «ii exceedingly interesting state, with Ponsonby being only one point behind the leaders. In view of the positions of the two teams, their meeting next Saturday is arousing the keenest of interest, for followers of form recognise that it is a toss up which side -will win. Certainly western suburb's supporters have every reason to be sanguine after Ponies' overwhelming defeat of City, who more than held their own a era i ns't Shore. To say the least, Devonport on Saturday played at the. depth ef their form, the absence of A. Scott, Seagar and two other of their regular players robbing them of their usual vitality and crippling their combination. Had it not been for Marists' repeated mistakes when nursing a comfortable lead, and Simons' superb kicking that turned them to good account, they would have assuredly made their first bow of the

season. The general run of the clay's football ■was not inspiring, though it was bright in patches, providing sparkling handling and open play that makes the Leagm; cranio a fascinating, ever-changing spectacle. Ponsonbv's backs were irresistible and the deciding factor of their name with City. A strengthened diarist side liad much the better of exchanges with Shore, while Newton were a trifle lucky to emerge ahead of Richmond after a dour struggle. The battling Kingsland-Athletic thirteen deserved their first win of the season against Ellcrslie, who have not vet placed their feet on the first rung of the championship ladder.

HOW PONIES GOT POINTS. Ponsonby were popular favourites ■when they filed out against City, in view of their consistency since their one and only defeat in the opening game of the season, but few, if any, conceived that they would overrun the opposition to the tune of 37 points to ,11. The game was a sorry spectacle after the first spell; sorry in that City were hopelessly overwhelmed by a' set of backs that" revelled in the weakness of tlie defence and piled on points relentlessly and almost at will. Up to that stage, however, the play was even enough to be interesting. After the first quarter, City led by eight points to nil, and looked to have matters well in hand. But it was only a flash in the pan, for

Ponies then began to exert themselves both back and forward. The opening stanza ended by Ponsonby not only wiping off" the deficit, but being three points to the good. Thereafter, they dominated matters both fore and aft, except for a period half-way through the spell, when a spasmodic passing bout gave the opposition a try in the corner. Tries came suburb's way with monotonous regularity. Though many of them were the result of cohesion and artistic manoeuvring, the score would have been kept within reasonable bounds had City's backs paid attention to tackling. But they failed lamentably in this department, and played like so many schoolboys up against champions. It was .City's worst game of the season, and should they show the same lack of tenacity in future games, they will assuredly fare badly against some of the recognised minor teams. One had little fault to find with City's

pack, who Avere a hard-working lot battling against odds. 11l the loose -tliey more than held their own, with McLaughlin shining for fast following up. They were out-weighted and out-

rucked in the scrums, however, and allowed the opposing hookers to feed then backs liberally, with disastrous consequences to their own backs. Hamilton and Pascoe also played good games, and were always going great guns when the hard stuff was thickest. lor waul Lou Hutt played a great game for Ponsonby, taking a lot of hauling down when in possession and combining admirably with his scoring machine. His clean heeling of the ball was also a contributory factor to his sides success. Kimberley, Payne and-J. Peckhani weic his best supports. As for City s backs, the least said about tliein the bettei. They lacked initiative on attack, handled abominably and were hopeless on defence. Reynolds, behind a beaten pack, plaved as well as opportunities per mitted. W. Perry was the pick of the remainder of the chain and was conspicuous for several solo dashes, was an injudicious move to shift him from close in to full-back to replace Lawrie Barchard, who played one of ins worst games. At first live-eightlis, Watene was not at home, and was absolutely overshadowed _ by tic masterly Delgrosso, while his partnei, Iveso'n jnade mistakes that oft set us bright "patches. Lawrence had a halt clay on his wing, but time and again o Sciiofield sail past him, while the other three-quarter, Wilson-Hall, _^ ,aIK ec erratically and was weak on defence. The geniuses of the western suburbs backs were "Winters and. Riley, who sparkled in unison, and showed up continually for their speedy and determined running. Riley, in addition engineering both his wingers into portion, used his pace time and again to get round and make an extra * Thompson, at second five-eighths, played sound football and invariably di ew i s man before sending on, while Degio inside was as solid as a rock. Intyre gave his scoring machine a bali they wanted, whipping it- away from all angles. Schofield had a picn on the wing and scored severa and played one of his best game date. Moore was safe and soundc the last line of defence and e * tlic * his side from many difficult situation .

RICHMOND JUST MISS. Occasional glimpses of scintillating play were observed in the NewtonRiclmiond conflict, Hardgravc and Mincham of tile respective teams supplying flashes of inspiring football. Xewton, though flayed by better team work in the second half, were able to stem defeat by a narrow 13—10 margin. Having displayed such poor form this season, following upon a late start, the absence of C.. Dufty from Xewton was 110 less inconsequential than the failure to appear in the other match on Xo. 2 ground of Littlewood, who, though a strength to that tough young side, Ellerslie, has fulfilled the promise of prowess which he gave in 19*22. Relegated to the back line, though accustomed to duty nearer the , scrum, McLeod ac- ] quitted himself fairly well for Newton, if due allowance is made for his kicking limitations. Hardgrave, always in the limelight, again showed his zestfulness and delighted the crowd with a creme de mentlio of tries—a hurricane interception which carried liim almost end to end of the field for a try. It was one of several crack bursts. Buttenvorth at centre was serviceable, but hardly electrical enough to do justice to Hardgrave or Little, for that matter. The latter, whose heyday is to come, made the most of the few opportunities that turned his way, excepting a palpable mistake when tempted to drop a goal. Knowing his ability and speed, it is safe to calculate] that a scoring thrust would have proved more profitable. However, one mistake docs not dim a performance any more than does one swallow make a summer. Brimble was more moderately enterprising in the five-eighths line and K. Peckham played unselfishly alongside. Cammick at half received useful assistance from Newton's last man down, Francis, who is a forward of the first, water. He lias the pace and handles well. Still, mellowed by experience, Hall was the champion throughout. With speed, weight and judgment, he remains one of the liveliest forwards in the game. Generally, the pack used its weight well and hooking was consistently good. Newton's defence was surer.

When Richmond lost Prentice, who has ever been clogged by injury—this time a nasty dislocated finger —the team realised its misfortune, but made subsequent reparation by revealing some of the sparkle which has won for it a popular mana. Hanlon, at full-back, gave his best performance this season, his cleft running and long-range clearances being delightful. Coote showed resource as a scoring man and should develop into a fine three-quarter. For Richmond, Mincliam, a born footballer,! provided the ruling metre for his side, and, in the closing stages, demonstrated the trenchant qualities of the potential match winner. Another threequarter of style and possibilities is Ham- " ilton, wlioso goalkicking is above the average. Swift came on for a time, but where is that meteoric Taylor of last year? McKinnon and Noble were kept busy in the five-eighths line and they are improving players. -The trouble on Saturday was that the rear division became too cramped in action. \This is stultifying. Telford, McDonald and Colebrook, backed by sterling work on the part of Jenkinson, were the pick of the forwards. Richmond has the goods; it needs little more than the keen stimulation and confidence that come from tenacity.

DEVONPORT LUCKY. After tlieir poor showings in previous matches this season, Marist (lid not appear to have much chance of extending Devonport in their match last Saturday, when the two teams met as a preliminary to the chief attraction. However, a great surprise was in store for the public, as at one stage the Old Boys (had a lead of 13 points. Devonport then set out in earnest to reduce the deficit, and four penalties in succession saw Simons reduce the lead by eight points. It was only in the latter part of the game that the seasiders began to show any combination at all, and when L. Scott, after a brilliant dash down the line in-passed to Ruby, for the latter to score near the posts, and Simons to convert, the. supporters from across the water went frantic. Marist put in some great dashes ill order to retrieve the lead, but the solid tackling of the Shore team kept them out, and a good game finished with honours level. If anything, Devonport were lucky to draw, as many movements by the Marist team broke down, as one green f< rward persisted in offside play. For Shore, Simons, at full-back, gave an excellent display, once he settled down, fielding and kicking in his usual fine stylo. L. Scott rather lacked for oppofttmities, but made the most of what did come his way. Beattie made many grand openings, displaying keen anticipation. T. O'Leary was not as prominent as usual, but this was owing to the backs not receiving as much of the ball, as one would think? with a fine hooker like St. George. Rhodes was perhaps, the best of the rearguard, making many ideal openings, but this young player was not receiving the support warranted. He was very solid in defence. L. O'Leary was noticeable for some fine dashes on the wing. The vanguard all, toiled hard, but it was easily discerned that they missed that fine pair of forwards —A. Scott and Dixon. Ruby— until lie went off—with Rule play a fine game. .. . Campbell gave quite as good a display as the opposing custodian, standing out for his fine defence when the team was in difficulties. McDonald put in some brilliant efforts on the wing, making the most of the opportunities that came his way. Brady, Gregory and Brisbane showed combination, the ilatter pair standing out for the more finished work. although injured in the first stages of the game, played a fine game at °tlie base of the scrum, setting his backs in motion when an opening was presented. The forwards ably supported the back division, those prominent being Duane and Moisley.

KINGSLAND KADIANT. By hoisting four splendid goals for Kingsland-Athletic in their match with Eilerslie, Longville made the win of 17 —o look rather more prodigious than actually it proved to be, though the maroons worthily carried the day. As usual Eilerslie put up a stern battle, despite the fact that combination was spoilt to some degree by a three-quarter, who has now twice "changed his spots." That, however, is of little moment, and in the long run the tricolours will find they are better off without such vacillators. In the second half the difference in points was only three. It was a keen, fast and clean game, and the ordering off of that typical forward, Cook —just because he couldn't or wouldn't hold his tongue —was the only regret. It appears that one or two of the Eilerslie men imagined there was something wrong with the whistle. Their presumption was entirely unfounded, as events subsequently proved. The Kingslanders evinced improved combination which stood them in good stead against a team reputed for its sturdiness on defence and unorthodox method of attack. Longville shone at full-back and the threequarters, with List outstanding, played sufficiently deeply to be able to race up effectively and co-operate with Angelo and Xasey. The former was not so penetrative as usual, and for obvious reasons. His new associate justified his trial and this meant more chances for the threequarters. Xasey was previously played further out by Marists and is evidently better suited to the firing line. K. Carter was full of pep .and his forceful running produced one capital try—not forgetting that List's second one was a gem, a solo effort in swerving brilliance by which he cut out three defenders and the full-back. Christmas on the other wing was not quite at par. Lucas let the ball away freely from the scrums. Wilcox, H. Carter and Simms did noticeable service of an even pack. York is more adapted to last man down position and he should be kept there. That fine little player, Johnson, started off at full-back for Eilerslie, and after doing reasonably well, was brought up to centre where his heady work produced the desired effect. Grogan shaped all right on the wing and young Bennett held up his end on the other side. I*. Chapman is a real warrior who improves with every game. The Crewther brothers, 1L and S., were very sound on defence. The weakness, however —and this applied equally to Ollifl —was a tendency to too much kicking which suited the opposing centre and full-back. Cook, who scored a line try, was the doyen of the forwards and he had able assistance from Dance and Hobbs. It was certainly not the fault of the pack that Eilerslie did not schieve a better result. If they can keep together the racecourse suburb will get its reward.

DUFTY'S FUTURE. There is considerable speculation in regard to the football future of C. Dufty, who has severed'liis connection with the Newton Club, and it is likely that a transfer application will come beforo the management committee of the Auckland Rugby League to-morrow evening. It is said that a report that Dufty intended to throw in his lot with the Marist League. Club has no foundation.

MISHAP TO REFEREE. While refereeing the scconcl grade Mount Albert-Mount Wellington match last Saturday the referee (Mr. T. X. Chernside) had the misfortune to be accidentally kicked by a player and received rather severe injury.