FIRST WET SATURDAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 166, 16 July 1929, Page 15

FIRST WET SATURDAY.

PASSING GAME UPSET. CONVERTS MAKE GOOD. TEAM POSITIONS UNCHANGED. The going was slow in League dab games on Saturday owing to the heavy .-tate of the ground. In several instances grounds were unplayable, and it was found necessary to postpone matches. Owing to the unpropitious conditions play was confined largely to the forwards, the backs being unable to make much use of a ball that resembled a sodden pudding. The main game of the day at Carlaw Park saw Devonport plough their way through slush and mud to win from Richmond, who gavt the champions a good run for their money. City were definitely Newton's superior across the way, while Ponsonby were more than a match for Kingsland-Athlctics. Marists and Ellerslie did not play at the Domain. The positions of the . teams in the race for championship honours are as following. Ch. r. w. l. D. p. a. pts. Devonport .-12 10 1 1 103 j>3 ?1 I'onsonby . VI !> 2 1234 108 10 citv vi i> ;> — i" ,O 108 is Newton ' .. VI O li -1M 188 V-' Marist ... 11 4 i 3 137 144 11 Richmond . 1.1 3 • S — 303 340 b Ellerslie .. 11 — H — 70 liO — Kingsland 11 2 S 1 IUS 102 5

SHORE'S COMFORTABLE WIN.

Their ability to grasp opportunities that always come along in wet-weather football, aided by an occasional concerted effort among the backs, enabled Devonport to run out winners against Richmond by a fairly comfortable margin. Except for occasional flashes, the play wats uninspiring—no one could expect much eke in the circumstances — and the battle was largely between the forwards. Territorially, Richmond had tint better of the opening stanza, but an unfo.tunate slip by Hanlon, their custodian, after twenty minutes of play, let Len Scott in for a converted try. The scasidere' defence was sorely tried early in the second spell, but then they came away in characteristic fashion to clinch the 'issue. Beattie's try was the result of handling that would have done the team credit even with a dry ball, and the exploitation of the reverse pass. The light ''Richmond pack revelled in the lniul and held their own in the tio-ht They raked the ball from a good majority of the scrums, but their backs,though" fed liberally by Agnew, could make little use of it. Jtokineon was the most prominent of the sextet, his best supports being Lehnie, Dunn and Jones. McCarthney, r .■.,-,---,.,.-,-.--,,,-.j of Shore, was probably the beet forw a"r d on the ground., and his fast following up gave his side two tries. Alf Scott was the general of old, directing operations in fine style and combining with his backs splendidly. Ruby, Rule and" Casey wore

McCarthney. also well in the limelight. Ueattie made his reappearance in the Shore backs and played a splendid panic, both on. defence and attack. Seagar stood out for fine defensive play, lie and Trentice, hie vis-a-vis fine tussles to either open up or nip the passing in the bud in the five-eighths line. The conditions suited Trevor" O'Leary, who made sonie beautiful openings as pivotal centre. His brother, L. O'Leary, aiid Len Scott, on the wings, played well, while Simons impressed for liis excellent handling of the "reasy leather and his rangy kicking. Coughlan got through a wealth of valuable work behind the scrum. Outside of Prentice and Mincham the Richmond backs lacked- initiative.. Hanlon, at full-back, got through much good work, but a few mistakes, excusable considering'the conditions, were expensive. Davis and Xoble were at sea in the intermediate line. A newcomer, Grace, had everything against his proving himself, but showed that he is a speedy customer.

PONSONBY HARD

After showing an evident distaste for the condition of No. 2 ground, Ponsonby kicked off the mark to find Kingsland a stiffer proposition, than expected. However better combination told in the end. White was steady at full for the wm-

List. ner/'wiex, the pivot of jewguard action, readily adapted himself to the conditions. The wingers were rarely called upon, Winters being alwaj .on his toes and Kimberley, on the otiier flank doinf well for Inal in that posi fine **«j«* a heavy task after several weeks JB tional resourcefulness.

Kimberley.

Kingsland can thank Atkins for deliverance from heavier -defeat, for he hooked with surprising success, while little Lucas behind the scrum, finding that his backs could not co-operate., played the short kick and rim to advantage. He also made some attractive solo rune. Angelo did not come on in the second half, and Christmas took his place. Nazey, at second five, was on his game, and List' played like a rock, being responsible for several good movements. There was little wing play, so E. Carter and Simms in a new role werc_.not too busy. The latter did not appear to relish the outer position. Longville was fairly safe at full-back. Kailey, H. Carter and York were in everything, and the junior; Jackson, soon suited his play to senior needs. The maroons are to be congratulated upon their consistent improvement.

CITY LIVELY.

Slush and all, City fairly sparkled on Saturday against Newton, and won ,by a margin of ten points. The absence of Herewini and Butterworth made all the difference to the losers. The game was responsible for the introduction to League of W. Shortland, the noted Union Maori half-back. Judging by his initial display under the worst conditions imaginable, he ftids fair to become a star in the League code, and it will be interesting to see how lie steps on a dry ground. On Saturday he showed a wonderful pair of hands, a tricky halfturn and side-step, incisive ability, and, above all, a knowledge of how and when to time a pass. Once he becomes better acquainted with the play-the-ball rule and other points in the code, he

should shine. His rocket-like passes seemed to rather nonplus Iverson, taken in conjunction with the greasiness of the ball. G. Perry, it must be admitted, did not like the going, but he compensated for Ms lack of thrustfulness by a "daisy" of a try. A long low pass from Shortland sent him on his mission. Literally, he flew through the heart of the opposition. It showed that Perry is a gifted ' opportunist in the right mood and company. With McLaughlin absent, Keyiiolds, who has acquitted himself so well this season at half, played a splendid game at centre, receiving good support from both wing-

men. Watene was a tower of strength at full-back, some of his clearances being magnificent on such a field.

The City pack was on its game to a man, and used its weight well, especially in the second half. Clarke was outstanding in the loose. Hill at full for Newton fared well, seeing that he is much better adapted nearer the scrum. One of his runs led to the position from which Francis, the best forward in the match", scored a rattling try. Cammick was handicapped at half. K. Peckham Wilson went well as fiveeighths. It is a pity the latter has had so few chances this season, as he is a very heady inside man. . Little was off colour, and XlcLeod did not impress, but Brimble got through a whole lot of useful work. His defence is still a bit below par. Grantley, Middleton and Hamilton were the picture of mud Trojans. The players will not forget the experience.