THE LEAGUE CUP.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 171, 22 July 1929, Page 14

THE LEAGUE CUP.

SLIP, SLIDE AND SPLASH. MARISTS SCRAMBLE HOME. CITY DOWNED FOR STAIXARD CUP. WINS FOR KINGSLAND, PONIES AND SHORE. The most popular double at League football headquarters on Saturday afternoon was an overcoat and an umbrella, when the club competitions were advanced a further stage despite atrocious conditions. League enthusiasts braved a disagreeable day, and were rewarded with football that could not be excelled for a wet day. Although the ball was just about as elusive as mercury and the players slid in all directions, the game was nevertheless entertaining, and was embellished with an occasional sparkle. In the only senior game at C'arlaw Park, Marists proved the best mudlarks and secured a welldeserved win over City in the Stallanl Cup competition. An interested spectator was the Minister of Education (the Hon. 11. Atmore), the first Minister of the Crown to patronise a League game in Auckland. In the suburbs, Kingsland Athletics sprung a surprise by downing Richmond, while wins were registered by Devonport against Newton and Ponsonby against Ellerslie. MARISTS TOO GOOD FOR CITY. Marists territorially had the better of their game with City, in the main attraction of the day at headquarters, and emerged victors by 13 points to 7. In the first spell operations were largely confined to the forwards, and Marists attacked repeatedly. .Tust before the interval City infringed after passing in their own twenty-five. Here was Marists' chance, but . Gregory was unable to make a goal of it from easy range with the ■ pudding-like ball. The greens were not to be denied, however, and following an abortive passing movement initiated by Hassan that fell short at Batclielor, their forwards packed around. It was slip and slide, but Graham was on hand to pounce on the ball and score. Gregory goaled. Half-time came with the scores reading: Marists 5, City 0. I

Changing over City worn first to score. L. Barcliard received from the loose in subsequent play and swung a pass to McLaughlin. The three-quarter gathered and tossed a pass in to G. Terry, trailing in support. Back the ball was sent to McLaughlin, who received at the midway peg, to sail away and outstrip the field. It was a beautiful manoeuvre for a wet day that deserved to be capped by Watene. Marists, stung by the reverse, came with a rattle, and revelling in an opportunity, presented by fiimbUng, Brady scooped up to pass to Moislcy. The big Marist forward was equal to the occasion, gathered and bulldcked his way over in the corner. Gregory could not improve the position. Two minutes later Marists infringed in their anxiety to keep the enomv at bay, and Watene reduced the deficit with a neat kick from close in. The greens made ground by kicking low and following up and Bradv gathered a wild speculator to side-step his way across and ndvance the greens' lead still further. Gregory goaled. The game ended a few minutes later with the scores reading:— Marists City • ' MUDLARKS. A scramble in the mud was the result of the Devonport-Newton clash over at Devonport on Saturday afternoon, when the Shore team won by 35 to 3. After a game which at first resembled Soccer instead of League football, Beattie dribbled through and touched down. Devonport 3, Newton 0. From a forward rush the ball came out to Beattie, who passed at the right moment to Kliodes. The latter, with a fine burst of , speed, scored in the corner. Devonport C, Newton 3. Shore's next score came from a dribbling rush, headed by L. Scott, who finally went through with the boll at his toe on his own. Devonport 9, Newton 0. Then Sid. 'Rule went over behind the posts and Simons managed to raise the flags this time. Devonport 14, Newton 0. A. Scott kicked to L. Scott, who in turn kicked to Seagar. The last-mentioned player went over and Simons converted. Devonport 19, Newton 0. Newton came to light with a combined rush and caught the Shore team napping. McLeod went over the line with the hall at bis toes." Devonport 19. Newton 3. The first passing rush of the clay saw Shore away in the opening stages of the second half. The ball was handled by half a dozen players till it got to Beatty, who went over at the corner. Devonport 22, Newton 3. Devonport slackened up a bit and a period of uninteresting play followed. Then the blacks livened up and started to throw the ball about. The result was that Casey went across and in making a good tackle Ferguson collided with the goal post and was carried off the field with a broken rib. Simons landed the goal. Devonport 27, Newton 3. Kicking hard and often Devonport ran all over their opponents, and Casey again scored. No shot at goal was taken. Devonport 30, Newton 3. Next to score was .L. Scott, and Simons goaled, the game ending with the scores :—Devonport 35, Newton 3. KINGSLAND'S SIX-POINT MARGIN. It was only by employing wet weather tactics and keeping the ball at their feet that Kiirisland-Atliletics heat Richmond by 6 points to 0. Although the margin was small the maroons always held the upper liaiul, but they were assisted greatly by Richmond not being at full strength, tiie latter team having to field four junior players. From the kick-off Kingsland assumed the offensive, and an excellent individual effort by List appeared likely, but he was well tackled by Ilanlon. Prentice was next prominent for a nice cut-in, but was pulled down when nearing his objective. The ground was in a very bad state by now. and play was ragged. Halftime came with neither team having scored. The second spell had not been in progress long, when Kingsland took fhe lead after List, had taken the hall at his feet, from halfway, and just beat Grace in a spectacular dive. Richmond made strenuous efforts to score, but made the mistake of trving to combine with a very greasy ball. \nother try to the maroons, per medium of Christmas, further increased their lead, and soon after the whistle went with the totals reading:— Kingsland-Athletics 6 Richmond " Mr. Simpson was referee. A KEEN GAME. A good muster of spectators "witnessed the match between Ponsonby and Elleislie on the suburban ground, which was in fair order, though heavy. Ponsonbv attempted to open out, the tackling militating against concerted work. Olliff led a breakaway for White to save. The tricolours invaded as a result or a good dash by Toonyan. Delgrosso relieved Ellerslie pressed to fhe corner, Onfty at likely range attempted a drop-kick. It was blocked. Payne and Riley raced downfield with the ball at toe, and Grogan came back in time to touch down Then Moore got over from a scrum close up, Delgrosso missing. Ponsonby 3, Ellerslie 0 Stringer slipped when defending and W. Skelton collected to effect an opportune try. Ponsonby 6, Ellerslie 0. A dribbling rusr by W. Skelton, Payne and Fagan ended in the latter just beating Olliff. Ponsonby 0 Ellerslie 0. Good fielding by Dufty and vigorous piny by Hobbs and Danco cnrnod Ellerslie into the twenty-five. Stringer swung a stray pass to Grogan, who scored a good try at the corner. The half-time ijcore was : Tonsonby 9, Ellerslie 3. , Olliff. Ilobbs and McLaughlin featured in a strong dribbling counter after the interval, the ball going dead. The Ellersllie pack was,now outpointing Ponsonby in the loose. Moore averted trouble with a nippy clearing kick and Dufty had a shot which went close. Hobbs and Grogan broke away and P. Skelton saved. At length Ponsonby worked up, Dufty and Tooman showing to advantage on defence. A period of even play ensued. Moore punted and followed through to find Dufty out of position. The kick ( failed. Ponsonby 12, Ellerslie _3. The blues opened out with some passing "wittL- ' ■

out much gain. Then P. Skelton too'-: a pass, and skipping prettily for two-ity yards, side-stepping for the best try of the day. Delgrosso goaled. Ponsonby 17, Ellerslie 3. Gardiner forced his way over before the bell, and the final score was: Ponsonby 20 Ellerslie 3 JUNIOR RESULTS. SENIOR B GRADE. Point Chevalier 5, beat Richmond 3. Northcote 9, beat Mangere 5. Otaliuhu 24, beat Parnell 0. JUNIOR GRADE. Newton 11, beat Kingsland 6. Mt. Albert 15, beat Mt. Wellington 0. THIRD GRADE. Ellerslie won by default from Point Chevalier. Devonport 12, beat City 0. FOURTH GRADE. Richmond 20, beat Ponsonby o. City 14, beat Mount Albert 3. FIFTH GRADE. Richmond 10. beat City 0. Otahulni 11, beat Marisfs 3. Pt. Chevalier 5, beat Newmarket 0 SIXTH GRADE. Northcote 4, beat Newton 3. 1 Otaliuhu 11. beat Marist 2. Richmond 30, beat Ellerslie 0. PRIMARY SCHOOLS. Newmarket 17, beat Ellerslie 0. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. CHRISTCIIURCIT. ~ Marist 15, drew with Hornby 25. Addington 18, beat Woolston 0. Sydenham 0, beat Waimairi 3. DUNEDIN. Christian Bros. A 10, beat Kaikorai 0 ; Pacific 30, beat Athletic 11. THE LEAGUE TWENTY. REPS. TO MEET SOUTH AUCKLAND. The following twenty players have been selected by Messrs. E. Asher, S. Fox and B. Avery to go into training with a view to selecting a team to meet South Auckland at Carlaw Park next Saturday:— Backs. —Simons (Devonport), L. Scott (Devonport), S. Riley (Ponsonby), C. List (Kingsland Athletics), Mincham (Richmond), Brisbane (Marist), Seagar (Devonport), Prentice (Richmond), Delgrosso (Ponsonby), Mclntyre (Ponsonby), and Shortland (City). Forwards. —Pascoe (City), Hamilton (City), Moisley (Marist), Skelton (Ponsonby), Ruby (Devonport), A. Scott (Devonport), Fagan (Ponsonby), Francis (Newton), and Jenkinson (Richmond). Players are requested to attend practices at Carlaw Park on Tuesday and I Thursday evenings next at 8.0. JUNIOR REP. SIDE. A strong side has been chosen by the junior selectors (Messrs. Churnside, I-lopkinson and Carnahan) to meet the Waikato junior thirteen as the curtain raiser to the South Auckland and Auckland game next Saturday. The following are the selectors choice: — Lang, Tate, Hawkes and Hunt (Devonport), Hemingway (Grey Lynn), Dunn and Davies (Richmond), Munro, Kerwan and C. Jamieson (Mount Albert), Forbes and Martin (Kingsland), Sheddan (Remuera), Lunn and White (Ponsonby) and Joy, (Newton).