LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 161, 10 July 1929, Page 16

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

SENIOR B CHAMPIONSHIP. POINT CHEVALIER'S SUCCESS. Point Chevalier's win in the senior B grade championship was popularly received and well deserved. Otahuhu came to town full of confidence in their ability to down the greens, and it was only natural some keen barracking was heard. The teams played a drawn game in the first round. Goodwin's winning try a few minutes before time was a fitting end to Point's persistent attacks, Otahuhu started off witn great dash, and it looked as though Point were to be outclassed. The blue forwards swept over Point with a succession of dashes, which penetrated the defence. In fact, the game had only progressed ten minutes when Otahuhu had scored two tries, and at the interval led by eleven, Point having failed to score. There was altogether too much kicking. Both teams had opportunities to open up the game, but the backs resorted to ill-judged kicks. This has been a fault with most senior B matches of late. Players have yet to understand the success of passing when on attack. After the interval the game brightened considerably, and better football was witnessed. " A nice try by Smith, after Goodwin had done good work, .was cheered by Point's supporters. Cronin made desperate efforts to work the backs into action, but Otahuhu offered a grim defence. A goal to Cronin and a converted try by Goodwin placed Point Chevalier within one point of tneir rivais. Five minutes before time, spectators caught the thrill of the game, and excitement ran high. Goodwin, playing a great game, eventually got over, and Point had won its most important success since the formation of the club only some four yeare ago. The good play of individuals went more towards Point's success than actual team work. A little coaching would greatly improve Point's attacking powers. For the winners, Humphries played fairly well at full-back, although on one occasion he waited for the bounce, which gave Otahuhu a try. Smith was perhaps the best of the three-quarters. He made some good openings, besides doing excellent work on defence, Duncan and McMillan got few opportunities. Monaghan played a heady game at five-

eighths, particularly when things' were going against his 'team. Lane was conspicuous, but kicked too often, after Cronin had beat the defence. The latter played a sterling game behind the pack. He took a gruelling from Otuhuhu's forwards. Goodwin was the hero of the game. He is a bustling forward, fast, and a splendid handler. Goodwin would be an acquisition to any senior team. Morrow and McPherson did useful work in the tight, while Kindley was also prominent. Phillips was reliable at full-back for Otahuhu. Harris and Faulkner were the best of the three-quarters. The former is a promising player. Matson cut in nicely on occasions, but did not get much support. Forrel played a heady game behind the scrum, but gave his forwards too much of the ball in passing bouts. Otahuhu can boast a powerful scrum. It was not the forwards' fault that Otahuhu were beaten. Conway was outstanding, while Hart and Gordon did excellent work.